check oil SATURN ION 2005 User Guide

Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM
Standard GM6094M for the 2.2L L4 engine or GM4718M
for the 2.0L L4 supercharged engine are all you will
need for good performance and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and lter. This is
based on engine revolutions and engine temperature,
and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can
vary considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is
changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHG OIL message will come on. See
Change Engine Oil Message on page 3-41for more
information on this message. Change your oil as soon
as possible within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It
is possible that, if you are driving under the best
conditions, the oil life system may not indicate that an
oil change is necessary for over a year. However,
your engine oil and lter must be changed at least once
a year and at this time the system must be reset.
Your retailer has trained service people who will perform
this work using genuine Saturn parts and reset the
system. It is also important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
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A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and
one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will not damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you do
not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:If you use an improper coolant mixture,
your engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by your
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your retailer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use the proper coolant, you do not
have to add extra inhibitors or additives which claim
to improve the system. These can be harmful.
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How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see if
coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not at the cold ll line, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®
coolant at the coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system, including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap, is cool before you do it. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-24for more information.
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn the coolant
surge tank pressure cap — even a little — they
can come out at high speed. Never turn the
cap when the cooling system, including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and coolant surge tank
pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
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How to Add Coolant to the Intercooler
System Fill Neck (2.0L L4 Engine Only)
If you have not found a problem yet, turn the engine
off and allow it to cool down, then check to see if coolant
is visible within the horizontal tube section of the ll
neck. If coolant is not visible, add a 50/50 mixture
of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant to
the ll neck. Be sure the Intercooler System, including
the Intercooler System pressure cap, is cool before
doing so. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-24for more
information.
{CAUTION:
Turning the Intercooler System pressure cap
when the engine and intercooler are hot can
allow steam and scalding liquids to blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn the Intercooler
System pressure cap, even a little, when the
engine and intercooler are hot.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
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Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake uid level without removing
the reservoir cap by just looking at the brake uid
reservoir. The uid level should be at or below the MAX
ll mark. After work has been done on the brake
hydraulic system, make sure the level does not exceed
the MAX ll mark on the reservoir.
What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3 brake
uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed container
only. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-14.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help
keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
system parts. For example, just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system
parts so badly that they will have to be replaced.
Do not let someone put in the wrong kind
of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged. Be
careful not to spill brake uid on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it off immediately. SeeAppearance
Care on page 5-83.
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Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-14for more information.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a 0.9 lbs 0.41 kg
Cooling System 7.9 quarts 7.5 L
Intercooler System (2.0L L4 Supercharged) 2.0 quarts 1.88 L
Engine Oil with Filter
2.2L L4 Engine 5.0 quarts 4.7 L
2.0L L4 Supercharged Engine 6.0 quarts 5.7 L
Fuel Tank 13.5 gallons 50.5 L
Transaxle
Manual 1.8 quarts 1.7 L
Automatic 6.9 quarts 6.6 L
Wheel Nut Torque 92 ft-lb 125Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ll to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck uid level after lling.
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Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections,
replacement parts, and recommended uids and
lubricants as prescribed in this manual are
necessary to keep your vehicle in good working
condition. Any damage caused by failure to follow
scheduled maintenance may not be covered by
warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance is
important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper uid
levels or the wrong tire ination can increase the level of
emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good condition,
be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
Using the Maintenance Schedule
We at Saturn want to help you keep your vehicle in good
working condition. But we do not know exactly how
you will drive it. You may drive very short distances only
a few times a week. Or you may drive long distances
all the time in very hot, dusty weather. You may
use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or you may drive
it to work, to do errands, or in many other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read
the following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition,
see your Saturn retailer.
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If you want to purchase service information, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-9.
Owner Checks and Services on page 6-9tells you what
should be checked, when to check it and what you
can easily do to help keep your vehicle in good
condition.
The proper replacement parts, uids and lubricants to
use are listed inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-14andNormal Maintenance Replacement
Parts on page 6-16. When your vehicle is serviced,
make sure these are used. All parts should be replaced
and all necessary repairs done before you or anyone
else drives the vehicle. We recommend the use of
genuine Saturn parts.
Scheduled Maintenance
When the CHG OIL message in the message center
comes on, it means that service is required for
your vehicle. SeeChange Engine Oil Message on
page 3-41. Have your vehicle serviced as soon
as possible within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is
possible that, if you are driving under the best
conditions, the engine oil life system may not indicate
that vehicle service is necessary for over a year.
However, your engine oil and lter must be changed at
least once a year and at this time the system mustbe reset. Your Saturn retailer has Saturn-trained service
technicians who will perform this work using genuine
Saturn parts and reset the system.
If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
you must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) since your last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 5-20for information on
the Engine Oil Life System and resetting the system.
When the CHG OIL message appears, certain services,
checks, and inspections are required. Required
services are described in the following for
“MaintenanceI” and “MaintenanceII.” Generally, it is
recommended that your rst service be MaintenanceI,
your second service be MaintenanceII, and that you
alternate MaintenanceIand MaintenanceIIthereafter.
However, in some cases, MaintenanceIImay be
required more often.
MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the CHG OIL
message comes on within 10 months since the
vehicle was purchased or MaintenanceIIwas
performed.
MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the previous
service performed was MaintenanceI. Always use
MaintenanceIIwhenever the message comes on
10 months or more since the last service or if the
message has not come on at all for one year.
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Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15. Reset oil life
system. SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-20.An Emission Control
Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (j).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.See footnote (l).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 5-65and “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once a Month
on page 6-10.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels. If you have the 2.0L
L4 supercharged engine, check intercooler uid level. Add uid as needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services” in
this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
Replace passenger compartment air lter.See footnote (k).•
Inspect throttle system.See footnote (g).•
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(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your retailer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-24 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and ller neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired and
the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(k)Or every 12 months, whichever occurs rst. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, the lter may
require replacement more often.
(l)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
(m)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or
obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your Saturn retailer can assist you with these
checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-14.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15for further
details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
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