recommended oil SATURN ION 2006 Owners Manual

Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inated to
the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway hypnosis?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on
the road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of
the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy.
Do not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle
can leave the road in less than a second, and you
could crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead
and to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors
and your instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
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Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent engine and fuel system deposits from forming,
allowing your emission control system to work
properly. In most cases, you should not have to add
anything to your fuel. However, some gasolines contain
only the minimum amount of additive required to
meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
To help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean,
or if your vehicle experiences problems due to
dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that is
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Also, your
retailer has additives that will help correct and prevent
most deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in
your area. General Motors recommends that you use
these gasolines if they comply with the specications
described earlier. However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other
fuels containing more than 10% ethanol must not be used
in vehicles that were not designed for those fuels.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be covered under
your warranty.Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. General Motors
recommends against the use of such gasolines. Fuels
containing MMT can reduce the life of spark plugs
and the performance of the emission control system may
be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp may turn
on. If this occurs, return to your authorized Saturn
retailer for service.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
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Notice:Use only engine oil identied as meeting
GM Standard GM6094M and showing the American
Petroleum Institute Certied For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use the recommended
oil can result in engine damage not covered by your
warranty.
GM Goodwrench
®oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
For Vehicles with the 2.0L L4
Supercharged Engine Only
Look for two things:
GM4718M
Your vehicle’s engine requires a special oil meeting
GM Standard GM4718M, such as Mobil 1
®or
equivalent. Oils meeting this standard may be
identied as synthetic. However, not allsyntheticoils
will meet this GM standard. You should look for and
use only an oil that meets GM Standard GM4718M.
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Notice:If you use oils that do not have the
GM4718M Standard designation, you can cause
engine damage not covered by your warranty.
SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is
best for your vehicle.
These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity
oils such as SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should also
have the starburst
symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates
that the oil has been
certied by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
You should look for this on the oil container, and
useonlythose oils that are identied as meeting
GM Standard GM4718M and have the starburst
symbol on the front of the oil container.Your vehicle’s engine is lled at the factory with a
synthetic oil which meets all requirements for your
vehicle.
Substitute Engine Oil: When adding oil to maintain
engine oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M
may not be available. You can add substitute oil
designated SAE 5W-30 with the starburst symbol at all
temperatures. Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard
GM4718M should not be used for an oil change.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM standards
are all you will need for good performance and
engine protection.
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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 extra inhibitors and/or additives
in your vehicle’s cooling system, you could
damage your vehicle. Use only the proper mixture
of the engine coolant listed in this manual for
the cooling system. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-13for more information.
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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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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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The compact spare tire is for temporary use only.
Replace the compact spare with a full-size tire as
soon as possible.
Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare tire was fully inated when
the vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time.
Check the ination pressure regularly. It should be
60 psi (420 kPa).
After installing the compact spare on the vehicle, stop
as soon as possible and make sure the spare tire
is correctly inated. The compact spare is made to
perform well at speeds up to 65 mph (105 km/h)
for distances up to 3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you can
nish your trip and have the full-size tire repaired or
replaced at your convenience. Of course, it is best
to replace the spare with a full-size tire as soon as
possible. The spare tire will last longer and be in good
shape in case it is needed again.
Notice:When the compact spare is installed, do
not take your vehicle through an automatic car wash
with guide rails. The compact spare can get
caught on the rails. That can damage the tire and
wheel, and maybe other parts of your vehicle.
Do not use the compact spare on other vehicles.And do not mix the compact spare tire or wheel with
other wheels or tires. They will not t. Keep the
spare tire and its wheel together.
Notice:Tire chains will not t your compact spare.
Using them can damage your vehicle and can
damage the chains too. Do not use tire chains on
your compact spare.
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Your vehicle’s interior will continue to look its best if
it is cleaned often. Although not always visible, dust and
dirt can accumulate on your upholstery. Dirt can
damage carpet, fabric, leather, and plastic surfaces.
Regular vacuuming is recommended to remove particles
from your upholstery. It is important to keep your
upholstery from becoming and remaining heavily soiled.
Soils should be removed as quickly as possible. Your
vehicle’s interior may experience extremes of heat
that could cause stains to set rapidly.
Lighter colored interiors may require more frequent
cleaning. Use care because newspapers and garments
that transfer color to your home furnishings may also
transfer color to your vehicle’s interior.
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Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-13for more information.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a 0.9 lbs 0.41 kg
Cooling System
2.0L L4 Supercharged Engine 7.4 qt 7.0 L
2.2L L4 Engine 6.8 qt 6.5 L
2.4L L4 Engine 7.2 qt 6.8 L
Intercooler System (2.0L L4 Supercharged) 2.0 qt 1.9 L
Engine Oil with Filter
2.0L L4 Supercharged Engine 6.0 qt 5.7 L
2.2L L4 Engine and 2.4L L4 Engine 5.0 qt 4.7 L
Fuel Tank 13.0 gal 49.2 L
Transaxle, Automatic 7.0 qt 6.6 L
Transaxle, Manual (Complete Drain and Rell)
2.2L L4 and 2.4L L4 Engines 1.7 qt 1.6 L
2.0L L4 Engine Supercharged 1.6 qt 1.5 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 lb ft 140Y
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.
This schedule is for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will nd these limits on the Tire and
Loading Information label. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-31.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline Octane
on page 5-5.
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