power steering SATURN ION 2006 Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: SATURN, Model Year: 2006, Model line: ION, Model: SATURN ION 2006Pages: 392, PDF Size: 2.8 MB
Page 120 of 392

Reduced Engine Power Light.........................3-41
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-41
Fuel Gage...................................................3-42
Boost Gage.................................................3-43
Message Center.............................................3-43
Low Traction Message...................................3-44
Traction Off Message....................................3-44
Cruise Control Message.................................3-44
Transaxle Fluid Hot Message.........................3-45
Change Engine Oil Message..........................3-45
Check Gage Message...................................3-45
Power Steering Message...............................3-46
Trunk Ajar Warning Message.........................3-46
Check Gas Cap Message..............................3-46
Low Fuel Warning Message...........................3-46
Service Vehicle Message...............................3-47
Error Message.............................................3-47Audio System(s).............................................3-48
Setting the Time (Without Date Display)...........3-49
Setting the Time (With Date Display)...............3-50
Radio with CD (Base)...................................3-50
Radio with CD (MP3)....................................3-55
Radio Reception...........................................3-70
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-71
Care of the CD Player...................................3-71
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-72
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.............3-72
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2
ProCarManuals.com
Page 164 of 392

Power Steering Message
If the PWR STR message
is displayed, a problem
has been detected with the
electric power steering.
If you suspect electric power steering problems and/or
the PWR STR message is on, see your retailer for
service and repair.
Trunk Ajar Warning Message
When the TRUNK
message is displayed,
it means the trunk lid
is not fully closed.
Check Gas Cap Message
This message will come on
when the ignition is on and
the gas cap is open.
Low Fuel Warning Message
When the LOW FUEL
message is displayed,
you may have less
than 1.5 gallons (5.5 liters)
of fuel left. A chime will
also sound to alert you to
this message.
You should refuel your vehicle immediately. When the
fuel tank is lled to more than 3.3 gallons (11.5 liters),
this message will no longer be displayed.
3-46
ProCarManuals.com
Page 199 of 392

Braking in Emergencies
At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation
that requires hard braking.
If you have ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. However, if you do not have ABS, your rst
reaction — to hit the brake pedal hard and hold it
down — may be the wrong thing to do. Your wheels can
stop rolling. Once they do, the vehicle cannot respond
to your steering. Momentum will carry it in whatever
direction it was headed when the wheels stopped rolling.
That could be off the road, into the very thing you
were trying to avoid, or into traffic.
If you do not have ABS, use a “squeeze” braking
technique. This will give you maximum braking while
maintaining steering control. You can do this by pushing
on the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure.
In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the
brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or
feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal.
This will help you retain steering control. If you do have
ABS, it is different. SeeAnti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) on page 4-7.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)
Your vehicle may have an Enhanced Traction System
(ETS) that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful in
slippery road conditions. The system operates only if
it senses that one or both of the front wheels are
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When this
happens, the system reduces engine power and may
also upshift the transaxle to limit wheel spin.
The LOW TRAC message will be displayed when your
Enhanced Traction System is engaged and limiting
wheel spin. SeeLow Traction Message on page 3-44.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the Enhanced
Traction System begins to limit wheel spin, the
cruise control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
re-engage the cruise control. SeeCruise Control
on page 3-10.
The Enhanced Traction System operates in all transaxle
shift lever positions. But the system can upshift the
transaxle only as high as the shift lever position
you have chosen, so you should use the lower gears
only when necessary.
4-9
ProCarManuals.com
Page 201 of 392

Steering
Electric Power Steering
If the engine stalls while you are driving, the power
steering assist system will continue to operate until you
are able to stop the vehicle. If you lose power steering
assist because the system is not functioning, you
can steer but it will take much more effort.
If you turn the steering wheel in either direction
several times until it stops, or hold the steering wheel in
the stopped position for an extended amount of time,
you may notice a reduced amount of power steering
assist. The normal amount of power steering assist
should return shortly after a few normal steering
movements.
The electric power steering system does not require
regular maintenance.
If you suspect steering
problems and/or the
PWR STR message is
displayed, see your retailer
for service and repair.
SeePower Steering
Message on page 3-46.
Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control” accidents mentioned on
the news happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to
the same laws of physics when driving on curves.
The traction of the tires against the road surface makes
it possible for the vehicle to change its path when
you turn the front wheels. If there is no traction, inertia
will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If
you have ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you
will understand this.
The traction you can get in a curve depends on the
condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle
at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you
are in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control.
Suppose you are steering through a sharp curve.
Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control
systems — steering and braking — have to do their work
where the tires meet the road. Unless you have
four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can
demand too much of those places. You can lose control.
4-11
ProCarManuals.com