towing SATURN RELAY 2007 Owner's Manual

Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with
one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left,
just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer
to the right, move your hand to the right. Always
back up slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
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 has to have
extra wiring.
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 is important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
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Driving on Grades
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.
If you are towing a trailer that weighs more than
1,000 lbs (450 kg), you may prefer to drive in
THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D) or, as you need
to, a lower gear. This will minimize heat build-up
and extend the life of your transaxle.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your
vehicle, with a trailer attached, on a hill.
If something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured,
and both your vehicle and the trailer can
be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill,
do the following:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift
into PARK (P).
2. Have someone place chocks under the
trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release
the regular brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply
your parking brake, and shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
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When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you do the following:
Start your engine.
Shift into a gear.
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the
chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you are pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance
Schedule for more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer operation are
automatic transaxle uid, engine oil, belts, 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 is a
good idea to review these sections before you
start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle may have a trailer wiring harness
package located in the glove box. It can be
connected from the rear of your vehicle to your
trailer. Contact your retailer for more information.
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If you get the overheat warning with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. If your air conditioner is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the windows as necessary.
3. If you are in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving — DRIVE (D) or THIRD (3).
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you
can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for
about 10 minutes. If the warning does not come
back on, you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park
your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle the engine
for three minutes while you are parked. If you still
have the warning, turn off the engine and get
everyone out of the vehicle until it cools down.
Also, see “Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode” later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get
service help right away.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your
vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency situation. If an overheated engine
condition exists, an overheat protection mode
which alternates ring groups of cylinders helps
prevent engine damage. In this mode, you
will notice a signicant loss in power and engine
performance. The temperature gage will
indicate an overheat condition exists. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. The engine oil will be
severely degraded. Repair the cause of coolant
loss, change the oil and reset the oil life
system. SeeEngine Oil on page 423.
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(g)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
inspect the lter at each engine oil change.
(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.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. See
Engine Coolant on page 432 for what to
use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and ller neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)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.(k)A uid loss in any vehicle system could
indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired and the uid level checked.
Add uid if needed.
(l)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
the lter may require replacement more often.
(m)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage. Replace belt if
necessary.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be
performed at the intervals specied to help ensure
the safety, dependability, and emission control
performance of your vehicle. Your Saturn retailer
can assist you with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at
once. Whenever any uids or lubricants are added
to your vehicle, make sure they are the proper
ones, as shown inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 530.
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For prompt and efficient assistance when calling,
please provide the following to the Roadside
Assistance Representatives:
Your name, home address, and home
telephone number
Telephone number of your location
Location of the vehicle
Model, year, color, and license plate number
Odometer reading, Vehicle Identication
Number and delivery date of the vehicle
Description of the problem
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.
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If an Accident Occurs
Here is what to do if you are involved in an
accident.
Try to relax and then check to make sure you
are all right. If you are uninjured, make sure
that no one else in your vehicle, or the
other vehicle, is injured.
If there has been an injury, call 911 for help.
Do not leave the scene of an accident until
all matters have been taken care of. Move
your vehicle only if its position puts you
in danger or you are instructed to move it by
a police officer.
Give only the necessary and requested
information to police and other parties involved
in the accident. Do not discuss your personal
condition, mental frame of mind, or anything
unrelated to the accident. This will help guard
against post-accident legal action.
If you need roadside assistance, call GM
Roadside Assistance. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 543for more
information.
If your vehicle cannot be driven, know where
the towing service will be 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 will 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 will 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.
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Rear Reading Lamps.................................. 197
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides.................. 52
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)......................325, 328
Rear Seat Entertainment System........294, 309
Rear Seat Operation..................................... 14
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts.............. 49
Rear Windshield Washer/Wiper.................... 187
Rearview Mirrors......................................... 153
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 11
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.......... 530
Recreational Vehicle Towing........................ 396
Remote Keyless Entry System.................... 106
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation ... 107
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................ 488
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools............ 485
Replacement Bulbs..................................... 460
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government............................. 552
Saturn...................................................... 552
United States Government....................... 552
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems............... 101
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash........................................ 102
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)................ 139Right Front Passenger Position,
Safety Belts............................................... 48
Roadside
Assistance Program................................. 543
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.............. 391
Routing, Engine Drive Belt.......................... 533
Running the Engine While Parked............... 152
S
Safety Belt
Passenger Reminder Light....................... 222
Pretensioners............................................. 55
Reminder Light........................................ 222
Safety Belts
Care of.................................................... 504
Driver Position........................................... 38
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly............ 38
Questions and Answers About
Safety Belts............................................ 37
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides............... 52
Rear Seat Passengers............................... 49
Right Front Passenger Position.................. 48
Safety Belt Extender.................................. 55
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy............. 48
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Towing
Recreational Vehicle................................. 396
Towing a Trailer....................................... 398
Your Vehicle............................................. 396
Traction
Control System (TCS).............................. 365
Control System Warning Light.................. 228
StabiliTrak
®System................................. 367
Transaxle
Fluid, Automatic....................................... 430
Transaxle Operation, Automatic................... 143
Trip Odometer............................................. 221
Turn and Lane-Change Signals................... 184
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.................... 183
U
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA)........ 200
Understanding Radio Reception................... 354
Uniform Tire Quality Grading....................... 477
Universal Home Remote System........156, 157
Operation........................................158, 163
V
Vehicle
Control..................................................... 362
Damage Warnings....................................... 5
Loading.................................................... 391
Symbols...................................................... 5
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders................................................ 547
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).......................................... 510
Service Parts Identication Label.............. 510
Vehicle Personalization
DIC .......................................................... 261
Ventilation Adjustment.................................. 212
Visors.......................................................... 132
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