SATURN ION 2006 Owners Manual

3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture, to the cold ll line.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start
the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
to the coolant surge tank until the level reaches the
cold ll line.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
Check the level in the surge tank when the cooling
system has cooled down. If the coolant is not at
the proper level, repeat Steps 1 through 3 and reinstall
the pressure cap. If the coolant is not at the proper level
when the system cools down again, see your retailer.
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How to Add Coolant to the
Intercooler System Fill Neck
(2.0L L4 Supercharged 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 5-25for 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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{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
1. You can remove the Intercooler System pressure
cap when the Intercooler System, including the
upper intercooler hoses, are no longer hot.Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise
about one-quarter of a turn. If you hear a hiss, wait
for that to stop. This will allow any pressure still
left to be vented.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and
remove it.
3. Add the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture to the
ll neck, until there is coolant visible in the horizontal
tube section of the ll neck.
4. With the Intercooler System pressure cap off, start
the engine and let it run for a couple of minutes.
Watch out for the engine cooling fan. Turn the
engine off.
By this time, the coolant level inside the ll neck
may be lower. If the level drops to where coolant is
no longer visible in the horizontal tube section of
the ll neck, with the engine off add more of
the DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture to the ll neck
until the level is again visible in the horizontal tube
section.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
If the coolant is not at the proper level when the system
cools down again, see your retailer.
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Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer uid, be sure to
read the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you
will be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a uid that
has sufficient protection against freezing.
Adding Windshield Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer uid until the
tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for reservoir
location.Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer
uid. Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer uid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water does not clean
as well as washer uid.
Fill your washer uid tank only three-quarters full
when it is very cold. This allows for expansion
if freezing occurs, which could damage the tank
if it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage your washer
system and paint.
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Brakes
Brake Fluid
The hydraulic clutch and
brake master cylinder
use the same reservoir.
The reservoir is lled
with DOT-3 brake uid.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid level
in the reservoir might go down. The rst is that the brake
uid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the uid
level goes back up. The other reason is that uid is
leaking out of the brake system or hydraulic clutch
system if you have a manual transaxle. If it is, you
should have both systems checked and the necessary
repairs made, since a leak means that sooner or
later your brakes and/or clutch will not work well, or
will not work at all.So, it is not a good idea to top off your brake uid.
Adding brake uid will not correct a leak. If you add uid
when your linings are worn, then you will have too much
uid when you get new brake linings. You should add or
remove brake uid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake and/or clutch hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can spill on
the engine. The uid will burn if the engine is
hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
and/or clutch hydraulic system.
When your brake uid falls to a low level, your brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-34.
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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 6-13.
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. SeeWashing
Your Vehicle on page 5-94.
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Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes
or rear disc brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed. The sound
may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving, except when you are pushing on the
brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon your brakes will not work well. That
could lead to an accident. When you hear the
brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to Saturn specications.
The rear drum brakes do not have wear indicators,
but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the
rear brake linings inspected immediately. Also, the
rear brake drums should be removed and inspected
each time the tires are removed for rotation or changing.
When you have the front brake pads replaced, have
the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.Brake Pedal Travel
See your retailer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your
brakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make a moderate
or heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust
correctly. If you drive in that way, then — very
carefully — make a few moderate brake stops about
every 1,000 miles (1 600 km), so your brakes will
adjust properly.
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Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex. Its many
parts have to be of top quality and work well together if
the vehicle is to have really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with top-quality brake parts.
When you replace parts of your braking system — for
example, when your brake linings wear down and you
need new ones put in — be sure you get new approved
Saturn replacement parts. If you do not, your brakes may
no longer work properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the balance
between your front and rear brakes can change — for the
worse. The braking performance you have come to
expect can change in many other ways if someone puts
in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your vehicle has a maintenance free battery. When it is
time for a new battery, get one that has the replacement
number shown on the original battery’s label. We
recommend an ACDelco
®replacement battery.
Your vehicle’s battery is located in the trunk next to
the compact spare tire. To access the battery, use the
trunk’s oor carpet latch to lift the cover up.Warning:Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands after
handling.
Vehicle Storage
If you are not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, remove the black, negative (−) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and
gas that can explode. You can be badly hurt
if you are not careful. SeeJump Starting on
page 5-43for tips on working around a battery
without getting hurt.
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Jump Starting
If your vehicle’s battery has run down, you may want
to use another vehicle and some jumper cables to
start your vehicle. Be sure to use the following steps
to do it safely.
{CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or
ignite.
They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly, some
or all of these things can hurt you.Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that would not be covered
by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a 12-volt
system with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you do not want. You would not be
able to start your vehicle, and the bad grounding
could damage the electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake rmly on both vehicles involved
in the jump start procedure. Put an automatic
transaxle in PARK (P) or a manual transaxle in
NEUTRAL before setting the parking brake.
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Notice:If you leave your radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Always turn off your radio and
other accessories when jump starting your vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or the accessory power outlet. Turn off
the radio and all lamps that are not needed. This
will avoid sparks and help save both batteries.
And it could save the radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the positive (+) and
negative (−) terminal locations on each vehicle.
You will not need to access your battery for jump
starting. Your vehicle has a remote positive (+)
and a remote negative (−) jump starting terminal.The remote positive (+) terminal is located on the
engine compartment fuse block, under a red
cap. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for more information on location.
The remote negative (−) ground terminal is a bolt
located under the metal frame that supports
the radiator. It is at the front of the engine
compartment, on the driver’s side of the vehicle,
and is marked with a label that says GND (−).
{CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
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