tow SATURN ION 2006 User Guide

Automatic Transaxle Operation
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transaxle, the shift lever is located on the console
between the seats.
There are several
different positions for the
automatic transaxle.
PARK (P):This position locks your front wheels.
It is the best position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle cannot move easily.{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle will not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to PARK (P).
SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)
on page 2-28. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-39.
Ensure he shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift
lock control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition key is in RUN. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P),
ease pressure on the shift lever — push the shift lever
all the way into PARK (P) and also release the shift
lever button as you maintain brake application.
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Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish.
Press the shift lever button before moving the shift lever.
SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-29.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 4-30.
NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart when you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
while the engine is running at high speed may
damage the transaxle. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Be sure the engine is not
running at high speeds when shifting your vehicle.
Notice:Shifting to a drive gear from NEUTRAL (N)
while the vehicle is moving could damage the
transaxle. Make sure the vehicle is stopped before
shifting from NEUTRAL (N) into a drive gear.
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AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D):This position is for
normal driving with the automatic transaxle. If you
need more power for passing, and you are:
Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push
your accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (55 km/h), push your
accelerator all the way down.
INTERMEDIATE (I):This position is also used for
normal driving. However, it offers braking from
the engine for slight downgrades where the vehicle
would otherwise accelerate due to steepness of
grade. If repetitive shifts occur between third and
fourth gears on steep uphills, this position can be
used to prevent repetitive shifting. Fuel economy
will be lower than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D).Here are some times you might choose
INTERMEDIATE (I) instead of AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE (D):
When driving on hilly, winding roads.
When towing a trailer, so there is less
shifting between gears.
LOW (L):This position gives you even more power
but lower fuel economy than INTERMEDIATE (I).
You can use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or
mud. If the shift lever is put in LOW (L), the transaxle
will not shift into LOW (L) until the vehicle is going
slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transaxle. If you are stuck,
do not spin the tires. When stopping on a hill,
use the brakes, or parking brake to hold the
vehicle in place.
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Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level ground, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-39.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding
the button on the shift lever and pushing the
lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and
your parking brake is rmly set before you leave it.
After you have moved the shift lever into PARK (P),
hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you
can move the shift lever away from PARK (P) without
rst pushing the button. If you can, it means that the
shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P).
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Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-30.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if the climate control fan is at the highest
setting. One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-26.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set your parking brake and move the shift
lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)
on page 2-28.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-39.
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Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror with Compass and
Temperature Display
If the vehicle has an automatic dimming mirror, it will
automatically dim to the proper level to minimize
glare from lights behind you after dark.
The mirror also includes a display in the upper right
corner of the mirror face. The compass reading and
the outside temperature will both appear in the display
at the same time.
Temperature Display
The temperature can be displayed by pressing the
TEMP button. Pressing the TEMP button for
approximately four seconds, will toggle the temperature
reading from Fahrenheit (°F) to Celsius (°C).
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
Press the TEMP button for approximately eight seconds
to turn the automatic dimming feature on and off. An
indicator light on the bottom of the mirror face will be
on when the automatic dimming feature is on.
Compass Operation
Press the COMP button once briey to turn the compass
on or off.
When compass feature is on, the compass will show the
direction the vehicle is traveling, with a maximum of
two characters.
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Cleaning the Mirror
Use a paper towel or similar material dampened with
glass cleaner. Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the
mirror as that may cause the liquid cleaner to enter
the mirror housing.
Outside Remote Control Mirror
Adjust the driver’s outside
mirror by moving the
control located on the
driver’s door.
The outside rearview mirrors should be adjusted so you
can see a little of the side of your vehicle while you
are sitting in a comfortable driving position.
To adjust the passenger’s outside mirror, sit in the driver’s
seat and have a passenger adjust the mirror for you.
Outside Power Mirrors
The controls are located
on the driver’s door
armrest.
Move the selector switch to the left or right to choose
the mirror you want to adjust; then press the dots
located on the four-way control pad to adjust the mirror.
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Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and
two downward (for left) positions. These positions allow
you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is nished, the lever will return
automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will ash in
the direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to ash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
ash rapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you signal
a turn, check the fuse, seeFuses and Circuit Breakers
on page 5-100and for burned-out bulbs.
Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for about 1 mile (1.6 km),
a chime will sound to let you know you left the turn
signal on.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
Push the turn signal lever forward to change the
headlamps from low beam to high beam. Pull the turn
signal lever back and then release it to change from high
beam to low beam.
When the high beams
are on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you until the high-beam headlamps come on, then
release the lever to turn them off.
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Windshield Washer
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
L(Washer Fluid):Pull the windshield wiper lever
toward you to operate the windshield wipers. Washer
uid will squirt onto the windshield and the wipers will run
for a few cycles to clear the windshield. For more wash
cycles, pull the lever toward you and hold it there.
Windshield Wiper Lever
The lever on the right side of the steering column
operates the windshield wipers.
7(Mist):Pull the lever down and release it for a
single wiping cycle. The lever will return to its original
position. For more cycles, hold the lever down before
releasing it.
9(Off):Put the lever in this position to turn off
the wipers.
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Brake System Warning Light
This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition to RUN. If it does not come on then, have it xed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part is not working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the brake system warning light comes on, there is a
brake problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
When the ignition is on, the BRAKE light will come on
when you set your parking brake. The light will stay on if
your parking brake does not release fully. A chime will
also sound if the parking brake is not fully released and
the vehicle is moving. If it stays on after your parking
brake is fully released, it means you have a brake
problem.The BRAKE light will also come on to indicate a low brake
uid level. SeeBrakes on page 5-39for more information.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push or the pedal may go closer to the oor.
It may take longer to stop. Make sure the parking brake
is fully released. Turn the ignition off and wait several
seconds to restart vehicle, if the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 4-36.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light is still on after you
have pulled off the road and stopped carefully,
have the vehicle towed for service. United States
Canada
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