towing SATURN ION 2007 Owner's Manual

Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to come in
contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.
When you are turning with a trailer, make wider
turns than normal. Do this so your trailer will
not strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees
or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal asher and/or extra wiring.
See your retailer if you need information.
The arrows on your instrument panel will ash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
ash, telling other drivers you are about to turn,
change lanes or stop.When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs
on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think
drivers behind you are seeing your signal when
they are not. It’s important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving on Grades
Notice:Do not tow on steep continuous
grades exceeding 6 miles (9.6 km). Extended,
higher than normal engine and transaxle
temperatures may result and damage your
vehicle. Frequent stops are very important to
allow the engine and transaxle to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before
you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you
do not shift down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get hot and
no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce
your speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of the engine and the transaxle
overheating. If your engine does overheat,
seeEngine Overheating on page 297.
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Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you are pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 391for more information.
Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle uid (don’t
overll), engine oil, axle lubricant, drive belt,
cooling system and brake system. Each of these
is covered in this manual, and the Index will
help you nd them quickly. If you are trailering,
it’s a good idea to review this information
before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat
during severe operating conditions. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 297.
Changing a Tire When Trailer Towing
If you get a at tire while towing a trailer, be
sure to secure the trailer and disconnect it from
the vehicle before changing the tire.
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(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced
if they are cracked, swollen, or deteriorated.
Inspect all pipes, ttings, and clamps; replace with
genuine Saturn parts as needed. To help ensure
proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling
system and pressure cap and cleaning the outside
of the radiator and air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.
(d)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or
cracking. Replace wiper blades that appear worn
or damaged or that streak or miss areas of
the windshield.
(e)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.
Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced. Also
look for any opened or broken airbag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. The
airbag system does not need regular maintenance.(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders, door hinges
and latches, hood hinges and latches, glove box
hinges, sunroof (if the vehicle has one), and
any folding seat hardware. More frequent
lubrication may be required when exposed to a
corrosive environment. Applying silicone grease on
weatherstrips with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
(g)Check system for interference or binding
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts
as needed. Replace any components that
have high effort or excessive wear. Do not
lubricate accelerator or cruise control cables.
(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if
the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C)
or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
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While we hope you never have the occasion to
use our service, it is added security while traveling
for you and your family. Remember we are only
a phone call away. Saturn Roadside Assistance:
1-800-553-6000; text telephone (TTY) users,
call1-800-833-6000. Canadian customers
call1-800-268-6800.
Saturn and General Motors of Canada Limited
reserve the right to limit services or reimbursement
to an owner or driver when, in their sole
discretion, the claims become excessive in
frequency or type of occurrence.
Roadside Assistance is not part of or included in
the coverage provided by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. Saturn and General Motors of Canada
Limited reserve the right to make any changes
or discontinue the Roadside Assistance program
at any time without notication.
Towing and Road Service Exclusions
Specically excluded from Roadside Assistance
coverage are towing or services for vehicles
operated on a non-public roadway or highway,
nes, impound towing caused by a violation
of local, Municipal, State, Provincial or Federal
law, and mounting, dismounting or changing
of snow tires, chains or other traction devices.
Vehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Recorders
Your vehicle, like other modern motor vehicles,
has a number of sophisticated computer
systems that monitor and control several
aspects of the vehicle’s performance. Your
vehicle uses on-board vehicle computers
to monitor emission control components to
optimize fuel economy, to monitor conditions
for airbag deployment and, if the vehicle
has the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), to
provide anti-lock braking and to help the driver
control the vehicle in difficult driving
situations. Some information may be stored
during regular operations to facilitate repair of
detected malfunctions; other information is
stored only in a crash event by computer
systems, such as those commonly called Event
Data Recorders (EDR).
In a crash event, computer systems, such as
the airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module
(SDM) in your vehicle may record information
about the condition of the vehicle and how
it was operated, such as data related to engine
speed, brake application, throttle position,
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If your vehicle cannot be driven, know where
the towing service is taking it. Get a card
from the tow truck operator or write down the
driver’s name, the service’s name, and the
phone number.
Remove any valuables from your vehicle
before it is towed away. Make sure this
includes your insurance information and
registration if you keep these items in your
vehicle.
Gather the important information you need
from the other driver. Things like name,
address, phone number, driver’s license
number, vehicle license plate, vehicle make,
model and model year, Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN), insurance company and
policy number, and a general description of
the damage to the other vehicle.
If possible, call your insurance company from
the scene of the accident. They will walk you
through the information they need. If they
ask for a police report, phone or go to
the police department headquarters the next
day and you can get a copy of the report for a
nominal fee. In some states/provinces with
“no fault” insurance laws, a report may not be
necessary. This is especially true if there
are no injuries and both vehicles are driveable.
Choose a reputable collision repair facility
for your vehicle. Whether you select a
Saturn retailer or a private collision repair
facility to x the damage, make sure you are
comfortable with them. Remember, you
will have to feel comfortable with their work for
a long time.
Once you have an estimate, read it carefully
and make sure you understand what work
will be performed on your vehicle. If you have
a question, ask for an explanation. Reputable
shops welcome this opportunity.
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Power
Door Locks................................................ 95
Electrical System..................................... 375
Reduced Engine Light.............................. 178
Retained Accessory (RAP)....................... 108
Steering Message.................................... 184
Windows.................................................. 101
Pretensioners, Safety Belt............................. 40
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............ 96
Q
Questions and Answers About
Safety Belts............................................... 23
R
Racing or Other Competitive Driving............ 234
Radios........................................................ 186
Care of Your CD Player........................... 215
Care of Your CDs.................................... 215
Radio with CD................................190, 195
Setting the Time..............................187, 188
Understanding Reception......................... 214
Rear Door Security Locks............................. 96
Rear Doors................................................... 97Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides.................. 36
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts.............. 33
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
Compass and Temperature Display.......... 125
Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with
OnStar
®, Compass and Temperature
Display..................................................... 122
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 10
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.......... 402
Recreational Vehicle Towing........................ 256
Reduced Engine Power Light...................... 178
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System............ 90
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System,
Operation................................................... 91
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................ 356
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools............ 351
Replacement Bulbs..................................... 326
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government............................. 424
Saturn...................................................... 425
United States Government....................... 424
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems................. 84
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash......................................... 85
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Tires (cont.)
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools..... 362
Tire Sidewall Labeling.............................. 330
Tire Terminology and Denitions............... 334
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.................... 344
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance........... 346
Wheel Replacement................................. 346
When It Is Time for New Tires................. 341
Winter Tires............................................. 329
Towing
Recreational Vehicle................................. 256
Towing a Trailer....................................... 259
Your Vehicle............................................. 256
Traction
Enhanced Traction System (ETS)............. 226
Limited-Slip Differential............................. 227
Low Message.......................................... 182
Off Message............................................ 182
Transaxle
Fluid Hot Message................................... 183
Fluid, Manual........................................... 293
Transaxle Operation, Manual....................... 112
Transmission
Up-Shift Light........................................... 170
Trip Odometer............................................. 165
Trunk............................................................ 98Trunk Ajar Warning Message....................... 184
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................... 144
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................... 143
U
Understanding Radio Reception................... 214
Uniform Tire Quality Grading....................... 344
Up-Shift Light.............................................. 170
V
Vehicle
Control..................................................... 222
Damage Warnings....................................... 5
Loading.................................................... 250
Parking Your............................................ 118
Symbols...................................................... 5
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders................................................ 418
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).......................................... 374
Service Parts Identication Label.............. 374
Ventilation Adjustment.................................. 160
Visors.......................................................... 102
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