tow SATURN L-SERIES 2004 User Guide

Running Your Engine While You
Are 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 under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-31.
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. See
Winter Driving on page 4-26.
{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 your 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 2-28.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-40.
2-32
ProCarManuals.com

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
While you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it up
or down and side to side. The day/night adjustment,
located at the bottom of the mirror, allows you to adjust
the mirror to avoid glare from the lamps behind you.
Pull the tab forward for daytime use; push it back
for night use.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
If your vehicle has this feature, this mirror has a lever
located at the bottom of the mirror. It is used to change
the mirror from day to night position. To reduce glare
from headlamps behind you while driving at night,
pull the lever toward you. To return the mirror to the day
position, return the lever to its original position.
There are also three OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror face. See your retailer for
more information on the system and how to subscribe to
OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-40for more
information about the services OnStar®provides.
2-33
ProCarManuals.com

To adjust for compass variance do the following:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the following zone map.
2. Press and hold the on/off button until a zone
number appears in the display. The compass is now
in zone mode.3. Keep pressing the on/off button until the desired
zone number appears in the display. Release the
button. After approximately four seconds of
inactivity, the new zone number will be locked in
and the comp/temp display will return.
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
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic dimming
mirror it will automatically dim to the proper level to
minimize glare from lights behind you after dark.
The mirror also includes a display in the upper right
corner of the mirror face. The compass reading and the
outside temperature will both appear in the display at
the same time.
2-36
ProCarManuals.com

To adjust for compass variance:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the following zone map.
2. Press and hold the COMP button for ve seconds
until a zone number appears in the display.
3. Press the COMP button on the bottom of the mirror
until the new zone number appears in the display.
After you stop pressing the button, the display
will show a compass direction within a few seconds.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
To adjust the driver’s side outside mirror, move the
knob located on the driver’s door. To adjust the
passenger’s side outside mirror, move the knob located
on the passenger’s door. Adjust each mirror so you
can see the side of your vehicle and the area beside and
behind your vehicle.
2-38
ProCarManuals.com

Do not exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your vehicle. For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading, seeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 4-34.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving,
check frequently to ensure your cargo is securely
fastened.
Cargo Cover
Wagon models are equipped with a rear compartment
cargo shade. The cargo shade will help to hide
valuables placed in the rear compartment of your
vehicle.
Here’s how to use the cargo shade:
1. Open the liftgate.
2. Grasp the handle on the shade and pull it
toward you.3. Hook the slides of the shade into the notches on
either side of the liftgate opening.
If your cargo shade becomes soiled, it may be cleaned
using the same method as outlined in the vinyl
cleaning section in this handbook. SeeCleaning the
Inside of Your Vehicle on page 5-82for more
information.
2-43
ProCarManuals.com

Removing the Cargo Cover
To remove the cargo shade:
1. Unhook the shade and allow it to retract all the way.
2. Grasp the shade on the driver’s side of the vehicle
and move it toward the passenger’s side,
compressing the spring.
3. Lift up the end of the shade on the driver’s side of
the vehicle and remove the cargo shade from the
vehicle.{CAUTION:
An improperly stored cargo shade could be
thrown about the vehicle during a collision or
sudden maneuver. You or others could be
injured. If you remove the shade, always store
it outside of the vehicle. When you put it back,
always be sure that it is securely installed.
Installing the Cargo Shade
To install the cargo shade:
1. Insert one end of the shade into the slot on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle.
2. Move the shade toward the passenger’s side to
compress the spring, and lower the shade into
the slot on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
After you’ve installed the cargo shade, check to make
sure it’s secure by trying to lift the shade up without
moving it toward the driver’s or passenger’s side. If you
can lift the cargo shade up, it isn’t secure.
2-44
ProCarManuals.com

Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high
beam to low, pull the turn signal lever all the way
towards you. Then release it.
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.
Headlamps
The exterior lamp control is located in the middle of the
turn signal/multifunction lever.
O(Exterior Lamp Control):Turn the control with this
symbol on it to operate the exterior lamps.The exterior lamp control has the following four
positions:
AUTO (Automatic):Turn the control to this position to
put the headlamps in automatic mode. AUTO mode
will turn the exterior lamps on and off depending upon
how much light is available outside of the vehicle.
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the control to this position
to turn on the parking lamps together with the
following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
53(Headlamps):Turning the control to this
position turns on the headlamps, together with the
previously listed lamps and lights.
Lamps On Reminder
If you open the driver’s door with the ignition off and the
lamps on, you will hear a warning chime.
3-7
ProCarManuals.com

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.
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.
Rear Window Wiper/Washer (Wagon)
There is a band on the wiper lever to operate the rear
wiper/washer.
9:Put the band in this position to turn off the rear
wiper.
Z:Put the band in this position to turn on the rear
wiper. This position will be slow, steady wiping cycles.
=(Wash):Hold the band in this position to spray
washer uid on the rear window. The rear wiper will also
come on. Release the band when enough uid has
been sprayed on the window. The rear wiper will stay
on until you turn the band to OFF.
3-9
ProCarManuals.com

Operation
To change the current mode, turn the right knob to
select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs half of the air to the
instrument panel outlets, and then directs most of
the remaining air to the oor outlets. Some air may be
directed toward the side windows.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
oor outlets with some air directed to the side window
outlets.
The right knob can also be used to select defog or
defrost modes. Information on defogging and defrosting
can be found later in this section.
A(Fan):Turn the knob in the center of the system
clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or decrease
the fan speed. The fan must be on to run the
air-conditioning compressor.Temperature Control:Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature inside your vehicle.
?(Recirculation):This mode keeps outside air from
coming in the vehicle. It can be used to prevent outside
air and odors from entering your vehicle or to help cool
the air inside your vehicle more quickly. Press this button
to turn the recirculation mode on or off. When the button
is pressed, an indicator light above the button will come
on to let you know that it is activated. The air-conditioning
compressor comes on. The recirculation mode can be
used with vent, bi-level, or oor modes, but it cannot be
used with the defog or defrost modes. When you switch
to the defog or defrost modes the system will
automatically move from recirculation to outside air.
When you move the mode knob back to another mode,
the system will move back into recirculation. When the
car is turned off and back on the system will default to
outside air automatically.
3-18
ProCarManuals.com

Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two
parts. If one part isn’t 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.
The BRAKE light is located
in the instrument panel
cluster.
This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a
problem.
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 doesn’t 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 5-36for
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. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-32.
{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.
3-30
ProCarManuals.com