tow SATURN ION 2007 User Guide

Shift Lock Release
For vehicles with an automatic transmission, the
following procedure allows the ignition to be turned
to LOCK and for ignition key removal in case of
a dead battery or low voltage battery.
1. Make sure the shift lever is in PARK (P).
2. Using a tool, pry off the cover from the bottom
of the steering column.3. Place your nger into the access hole and
locate the plunger.
4. Press and hold the plunger toward the driver’s
door while turning the ignition key to LOCK.
Remove the key.
Have your vehicle serviced at your retailer as
soon as possible.
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Automatic Transaxle Operation
If your vehicle has 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 116. If you are pulling
a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on page 259.
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Make sure the 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 rst and
then press the shift lever button 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 and push the shift lever
all the way into PARK (P) as you maintain
brake application. Then press the shift lever button
and then move the shift lever into another gear.
SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 118.
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, seeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 249.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.
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DRIVE (D):This position is for normal driving with
the automatic transaxle. It provides the best fuel
economy for your vehicle. 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.
Downshifting the transaxle in slippery road
conditions could result in skidding, see “Skidding”
underLoss of Control on page 233.
INTERMEDIATE (I):This position is also used for
normal driving. However, it reduces vehicle speed
without using your brakes for slight downgrades
where the vehicle would otherwise accelerate due
to steepness of grade. If constant upshifting or
downshifting occurs while driving up steep hills, this
position can be used to prevent repetitive types of
shifts. You might choose INTERMEDIATE (I)
instead of DRIVE (D) when driving on hilly, winding
roads and when towing a trailer, so that there is less
shifting between gears.LOW (L):This position reduces vehicle speed
more than INTERMEDIATE (I) without actually
using your brakes. 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.
Manual Transaxle Operation
This is your shift
pattern.
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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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 259.
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).
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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
underEngine Exhaust on page 120.
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 244.
{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 the 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 116.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 259.
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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
Your vehicle may be equipped with this mirror.
When on, an automatic dimming mirror will dim to
the proper level to minimize glare from lights
behind you after dark.
The mirror also includes a dual display in the
upper right corner of the mirror with the compass
reading and the outside temperature.
Yb:This is the compass/temperature button.
Briey press this button to turn the display
on or off.
Temperature Display
The temperature can be displayed by pressing the
compass/temperature button. Pressing the
compass/temperature button once briey,
will toggle the display reading on and off.
To alternate the temperature reading between
Fahrenheit and Celsius, press and hold the
compass/temperature button for approximately
three seconds until the display blinks F and
C. Press and release the compass/temperature
button to toggle between the Fahrenheit and
Celsius readings. After approximately ve seconds
of inactivity, the display will stop blinking and
display the last selection made.
Press and release the compass/temperature
button to toggle the temperature display between
Fahrenheit or Celsius.
If an abnormal reading is displayed, please
consult your Saturn retailer.
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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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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.
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.
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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 308
for 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 256.
{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.
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