airbag SATURN ION 2006 Owner's Manual

The passenger sensing system may suppress the
airbag deployment when liquid is soaked into the seat.
If this happens, the off indicator in the passenger
airbag status indicator and the airbag readiness light
on the instrument panel will be lit. The system should
resume normal operation after the seat is allowed to
dry. If the system operates incorrectly after the seat
has dried, have your dealer check the system.
{CAUTION:
Stowing of articles under the passenger’s
seat or between the passenger’s seat cushion
and seatback may interfere with the proper
operation of the passenger sensing system.
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several places
around your vehicle. You do not want the system to
inate while someone is working on your vehicle.
Your retailer and the service manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the airbag system.
To purchase a service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-12.
{CAUTION:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an
airbag can still inate during improper service.
You can be injured if you are close to an airbag
when it inates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the airbag system.
Be sure to follow proper service procedures,
and make sure the person performing work
for you is qualied to do so.
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
1-66
ProCarManuals.com

Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Q:Is there anything I might add to the front or
sides of the vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working properly?
A:Yes. If you add things that change your vehicle’s
frame, bumper system, height, front end or side
sheet metal, they may keep the airbag system from
working properly. Also, the airbag system may
not work properly if you relocate any of the airbag
sensors. If you have any questions about this,
you should contact Customer Assistance before
you modify your vehicle. The phone numbers
and addresses for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction Procedure
in this manual. SeeCustomer Satisfaction
Procedure on page 7-2.
Q:Because I have a disability, I have to get my
vehicle modied. How can I nd out whether
this will affect my airbag system?
A:Changing or moving any parts of the front seats,
safety belts, the airbag sensing and diagnostic
module, steering wheel, instrument panel,
ceiling headliner, ceiling and pillar garnish trim,
roof-mounted airbag modules, or airbag wiring
can affect the operation of the airbag system.
If you have questions, call Customer Assistance.
The phone numbers and addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this manual. See
Customer Satisfaction Procedure on page 7-2.
1-67
ProCarManuals.com

Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder
light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors
and anchorages are working properly. Look for any
other loose or damaged safety belt system parts.
If you see anything that might keep a safety belt
system from doing its job, have it repaired. SeeCare
of Safety Belts on page 5-93for more information.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in
a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.Also look for any opened or broken airbag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. The airbag system
does not need regular maintenance.
Notice:If you damage the covering for the driver’s
or the right front passenger’s airbag, or the side
impact airbag covering (if equipped) on the ceiling
near the side windows, the airbag may not work
properly. You may have to replace the airbag
module in the steering wheel, both the airbag
module and the instrument panel for the right front
passenger’s airbag, or side impact airbag module
and ceiling covering for roof-mounted side impact
airbags (if equipped.) Do not open or break the
airbag coverings.
1-68
ProCarManuals.com

Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
{CAUTION:
A crash can damage the restraint systems
in your vehicle. A damaged restraint system
may not properly protect the person using
it, resulting in serious injury or even death
in a crash. To help make sure your restraint
systems are working properly after a crash,
have them inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as possible.
If you have had a crash, do you need new belts or
LATCH system parts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new parts.
If the LATCH system was being used during a more
severe crash, you may need new LATCH system parts.If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have LATCH
system, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced.
New parts and repairs may be necessary even if the belt
or LATCH system was not being used at the time of
the collision.
If your seat adjuster will not work after a crash, the
special part of the safety belt that goes through the
seat to the adjuster may need to be replaced.
If an airbag inates, you will need to replace airbag
system parts. See the part about the airbag system
earlier in this manual.
If the frontal airbags inate you will need to replace the
driver’s and right front passengers safety belt retractor
assembly. Be sure to do so. Then the new retractor
assembly will be there to help protect you in a collision.
After a crash you may need to replace the driver and
front passenger’s safety belt retractor assemblies, even
if the frontal airbags have not deployed. The driver
and front passenger’s safety belt retractor assemblies
contain the safety belt pretensioners. Have your
safety belt pretensioners checked if your vehicle has
been in a collision, or if your airbag readiness light stays
on after you start your vehicle or while you are driving.
SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 3-30.
1-69
ProCarManuals.com

OnStar®Services
The Safe and Sound Plan is included for the rst year.
You can extend this plan beyond the rst year, or
upgrade to the Directions and Connections Plan to meet
your needs. For more information, press the OnStar
®
button to speak with an advisor.
Safe and Sound Plan

Automatic Notication of Airbag Deployment
Emergency Services
Roadside Assistance
Stolen Vehicle Tracking
AccidentAssist
Remote Door Unlock/Vehicle Alert
Remote Diagnostics
Online Concierge
Directions and Connections Plan

All Safe and Sound Plan Services
Driving Directions
RideAssist
Information and Convenience Services
OnStar®Personal Calling
As an OnStar®subscriber, the Personal Calling
capability is an available hands-free wireless phone
that is integrated into the vehicle. Calls can be placed
nationwide using simple voice commands with no
additional contracts and no additional roaming charges.
To nd out more about OnStar
®Personal Calling,
refer to the OnStar®user’s guide in the vehicle’s glove
box or visit www.onstar.com or www.onstar.ca; or
speak with an OnStar
®advisor by pressing the OnStar®
button or by calling 1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827).
OnStar®Virtual Advisor
Your vehicle may have Virtual Advisor. It is a feature
of OnStar®Personal Calling that uses your minutes
to access weather, local traffic reports and stock
quotes. By pressing the phone button and giving a
few simple voice commands, you can browse through
the various topics. Customize your information prole
at www.myonstar.com. See the OnStar
®user’s guide
for more information.
2-39
ProCarManuals.com

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Washer.........................................3-9
Windshield Wiper Lever...................................3-9
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Headlamps..................................................3-13
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-14
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-14
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-15
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-15
Dome Lamp .................................................3-16
Entry Lighting...............................................3-16
Map Lamps .................................................3-16
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-16
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-16
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-17Climate Controls............................................3-18
Climate Control System
(Without Air Conditioning)...........................3-18
Climate Control System
(With Air Conditioning)...............................3-20
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-22
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-23
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-25
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-26
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-27
Trip Odometer..............................................3-27
Tachometer.................................................3-28
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-29
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light.............3-29
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-30
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-31
Battery Warning Light....................................3-33
Up-Shift Light...............................................3-33
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-34
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-35
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-36
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-40
Passlock
®Warning Light................................3-40
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1
ProCarManuals.com

The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-22.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
C. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
D. Windshield Wiper Lever. SeeWindshield Wiper
Lever on page 3-9.
E. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-26.
G. Enhanced Traction System (ETS) (If Equipped).
SeeEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-9.
H. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-48.
I. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-10.
J. Trunk Release Button. SeeTrunk on page 2-11.K. Fog Lamp (If Equipped)/Dimmer Switch. SeeFog
Lamps on page 3-15andInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-15.
L. Cruise Control Switches. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-10.
M. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System (Without Air Conditioning) on page 3-18
orClimate Control System (With Air Conditioning)
on page 3-20.
N. Transaxle Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Operation on page 2-22orManual Transaxle
Operation on page 2-25Manual Transaxle
Operation.
O. Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-31.
P. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-40.
3-5
ProCarManuals.com

Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a chime
will come on for several seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt
is already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for several seconds, then it
will ash for several more.
If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither the chime
nor the light will come on.
Passenger Safety Belt
Reminder Light
Several seconds after the key is turned to RUN or
START, a chime will sound for several seconds to
remind the front passenger to buckle their safety belt.
This would only occur if the passenger airbag is enabled.
SeePassenger Sensing System on page 1-62for more
information. The passenger safety belt light will also
come on and stay on for several seconds, then it will ash
for several more.
This chime and light will be
repeated if the passenger
remains unbuckled and
the vehicle is in motion.
If the passenger’s safety belt is buckled, neither the
chime nor the light will come on.
3-29
ProCarManuals.com

Airbag Readiness Light
There is an airbag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the airbag symbol. The system
checks the airbag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the airbag sensor, the airbag
modules, the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic
module. For more information on the airbag system, see
Airbag System on page 1-54.
This light will come on
when you start your
vehicle, and it will ash for
a few seconds. Then the
light should go out. This
means the system is ready.
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you start the
vehicle or comes on when you are driving, your airbag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.{CAUTION:
If the airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the airbag system
may not be working properly. The airbags in
your vehicle may not inate in a crash, or they
could even inate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
The airbag readiness light should ash for a few seconds
when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the light doesn’t
come on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn you
if there is a problem.
3-30
ProCarManuals.com

Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
If your vehicle has the passenger sensing system
then your instrument panel has a passenger airbag
status indicator.
When the ignition key is turned to RUN or START, the
passenger airbag status indicator will light ON and OFF,
or the symbol for on and off, for several seconds as a
system check. Then, after several more seconds, the
status indicator will light either ON or OFF, or either the
on or off symbol to let you know the status of the right
front passenger’s frontal airbag.If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the right front
passenger’s frontal airbag is enabled (may inate).
{CAUTION:
If the on indicator comes on when you have a
rear-facing child restraint installed in the right
front passenger’s seat, it means that the
passenger sensing system has not turned off
the passenger’s frontal airbag. A child in a
rear-facing child restraint can be seriously
injured or killed if the right front passenger’s
airbag inates. This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would be very close
to the inating airbag. Do not use a rear-facing
child restraint in the right front passenger’s
seat if the airbag is turned on.
Your vehicle has a rear seat that will accommodate a
rear-facing child restraint. A label on your sun visor says,
“Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front.” Passenger
Airbag Status
Indicator – United States
Passenger
Airbag Status
Indicator – Canada
3-31
ProCarManuals.com