warning SATURN RELAY 2007 Owner's Guide

SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays along with the airbag
readiness light if there is a problem with the airbag
system. Have your retailer inspect the system
for problems. SeeAirbag Readiness Light
on page 223andAirbag System on page 83for
more information.
This message only displays while the ignition is in
RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge
this message and to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the
condition still exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays when a problem with the
brake system has been detected. Have your
vehicle serviced by your retailer as soon as
possible.
The brake system warning light also appears on
the instrument panel cluster when this message
appears on the DIC. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 226.
This message only displays while the ignition is in
RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge
this message and to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine
is turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds
if the message has been acknowledged, but
the condition still exists when the engine is
turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
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SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM
If your vehicle has the Traction Control System
(TCS), this message displays when the system is
not functioning properly. A warning light also
appears on the instrument panel cluster. See
Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light on
page 228. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 365for more information. Have the TCS
serviced by your retailer as soon as possible.
This message displays only while the ignition is in
RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge
this message and to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine
is turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds
if the message has been acknowledged, but
the condition still exists when the engine is
turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays when a non-emissions
related malfunction occurs. Have the vehicle
serviced by your retailer as soon as possible.
This message displays only while the ignition is in
RUN. Press any of the DIC buttons to acknowledge
this message and to clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the
condition still exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVE
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak®, this message
displays when StabiliTrak®is actively assisting you
with directional control of the vehicle. Slippery
road conditions may exist when this message is
displayed, so adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 367.
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TRACTION CONTROL OFF
If your vehicle has the Traction Control System
(TCS), this message displays when the TCS turns
off. SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on
page 365for more information.
This message only displays while the ignition is in
RUN and disappears after two seconds.
Any of the following conditions may cause the
TCS to turn off:
The TCS is turned off by pressing the traction
control button located on the center of the
instrument panel. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 365.
The battery is low.
There is a TCS failure. See your retailer for
service.
TRANSMISSION FLUID HOT
This message displays when the transaxle uid in
your vehicle is too hot. Stop the vehicle and
allow it to idle until it cools down. If the warning
message continues to display, have the vehicle
serviced by your retailer as soon as possible.This message displays and a chime sounds only
while the ignition is in RUN. Press any of the
DIC buttons to acknowledge this message and to
clear it from the screen.
This message continues to display for two seconds
if it has not been acknowledged when the engine is
turned off. It also re-displays for two seconds if the
message has been acknowledged, but the
condition still exists when the engine is turned off.
If the condition still exists, the message re-appears
when the engine is turned on.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays as a reminder to turn off
the turn signal if you drive your vehicle for
more than about 0.75 mile (1.2 km) with a turn
signal on. SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on
page 183.
This message displays and a chime sounds only
when the ignition is in RUN. This message
clears from the DIC if the turn signal is manually
turned off, a turn is completed, or the message
is acknowledged.
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Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your
vehicle go where you want it to go. They are
the brakes, the steering, and the accelerator.
All three systems have to do their work at
the places where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 365and
StabiliTrak
®System on page 367.
Adding non-Saturn accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 412.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 226.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds
or more with another. Age, physical condition,
alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part.
So do alcohol, drugs, and frustration. But even in
three-fourths of a second, a vehicle moving at
60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and
others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
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Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by
heavy braking — rather than keeping pace with
traffic. This is a mistake. The brakes may not have
time to cool between hard stops. The brakes
will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy
braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and
allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-Saturn accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 412.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system
that will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You may hear a
momentary motor or clicking noise while this test is
going on, and you may even notice that your brake
pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem
with ABS, this warning
light will stay on.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning
Light on page 227.
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If your vehicle is in cruise control when the traction
control system begins to limit wheel spin, the cruise
control will automatically disengage. When road
conditions allow you to safely use it again, you may
re-engage the cruise control.
This warning light will
come on to let you
know if there is
a problem with your
traction control system.
When this warning light is on, the system will not
limit wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.
If the SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM message in
the DIC comes on and stays on or comes on
while you are driving, there’s a problem with your
traction control system. Have the traction
control system serviced by your Saturn retailer as
soon as possible.
When this warning message is on, the TRACTION
CONTROL OFF message in the DIC will come
on to remind you that the system will not limit
wheel spin. Adjust your driving accordingly.The traction control system automatically comes
on whenever you start your vehicle. To limit wheel
spin, especially in slippery road conditions, you
should always leave the system on. But you
can turn the traction control system off if you ever
need to. You should turn the system off if your
vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud or snow and
rocking the vehicle is required. SeeRocking
Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 391andIf Your
Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 390.
To turn the system off,
press the traction
control button located
on the center of
the instrument panel.
If the system is limiting wheel spin when you
press the button, the TRACTION CONTROL
ACTIVE message will go off, but the system will
not turn off until there is no longer a current
need to limit wheel spin. The TRACTION
CONTROL OFF message will come on to remind
you the system is off.
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You can turn the system back on at any time by
pressing the button again. The traction control
system warning message should go off.
Adding non-Saturn accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 412for more information.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle is equipped with StabiliTrak®which
combines anti-lock brake, traction and stability
control systems and helps the driver maintain
directional control of the vehicle in most driving
conditions.
When you rst start your vehicle and begin to
drive away, the system performs several diagnostic
checks to insure there are no problems. You
may hear or feel the system working. This
is normal and does not mean there is a problem
with your vehicle.
If the system fails to turn on or activate, the
SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM message will be
displayed on the Driver Information Center (DIC).If the vehicle has gone through heavy acceleration
or braking or multiple turns during the rst two miles
of driving after starting your vehicle, the STABILITY
CONTROL OFF message may appear on the DIC.
If this is the case, your vehicle does not need
servicing. You will need to turn the vehicle off and
then restart it to initialize StabiliTrak
®. If either
message appears on the DIC, and your vehicle has
not gone through hard acceleration, braking or
multiple turns in the rst two miles of driving, your
vehicle should be taken in for service.
The STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVE message will
appear on the DIC only when the system is
both on and activated. It means that an advanced
computer-controlled system has come on to
help your vehicle continue to go in the direction in
which you are steering. StabiliTrak
®activates
when the computer senses that your vehicle is just
starting to spin, as it might if you hit a patch of
ice or other slippery spot on the road. When
the system activates, you may hear a noise or feel
a vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal.
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When the STABILITY CONTROL ACTIVE
message is on, you should continue to steer in the
direction you want to go. The system is designed
to help you in bad weather or other difficult driving
situations by making the most of whatever road
conditions will permit. For more information on the
stability messages, seeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 234.
If the StabiliTrak
®system turns off, the traction
control system warning light will illuminate, and
the STABILITY CONTROL OFF message
will appear on the DIC to warn the driver that
StabiliTrak
®is no longer available to assist you
with directional control of the vehicle. Adjust
your driving accordingly.
To realize the full benets of the stability
enhancement system, you should normally leave
StabiliTrak
®on, but it may be necessary to
turn the system off if your vehicle is stuck in sand,
mud, ice or snow, and you want to “rock” your
vehicle to attempt to free it. SeeRocking
Your Vehicle to Get It Out on page 391and
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or
Snow on page 390.
Traction Control Operation
The traction control system is part of the
StabiliTrak®system. Traction control limits wheel
spin by reducing engine power to the wheels
(engine speed management) and by applying
brakes.
The traction control system is enabled
automatically when you start your vehicle. It will
activate and display the TRACTION CONTROL
ACTIVE message in the DIC if it senses that
one or both of the front wheels are spinning or
beginning to lose traction while driving.
If the brake traction-control system activates
constantly or if the brakes have heated up due
to high-speed braking, brake traction-control will be
disabled and the TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE
message will be displayed. In the limited mode,
the traction control system will only use engine
traction-control and is limited in its ability to provide
optimal performance since the system will not
utilize brake traction-control to control slip on the
drive wheels. The system will return to normal
operation after the brakes have cooled. This can
take up to two minutes or longer depending
on brake usage.
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While driving on a surface with reduced traction,
try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by
shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the
surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road to
make a mirrored surface — and slow down when
you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to
be impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night
vision problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce
the glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need
to slow down and keep more space between
you and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads.
Your vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so
much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe
place and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But as we get older these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice as
much light to see the same thing at night as a
20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your
night vision. For example, if you spend the
day in bright sunshine you are wise to wear
sunglasses. Your eyes will have less trouble
adjusting to night. But if you are driving, do not
wear sunglasses at night. They may cut down on
glare from headlamps, but they also make a
lot of things invisible.
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Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. If you try to drive through owing
water, as you might at a low water
crossing, your vehicle can be carried
away. As little as six inches of owing
water can carry away a smaller vehicle.
If this happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not ignore
police warning signs, and otherwise be
very cautious about trying to drive
through owing water.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Turn on your low-beam headlamps — not
just your parking lamps — to help make
you more visible to others.
Besides slowing down, allow some extra
following distance. And be especially
careful when you pass another vehicle.
Allow yourself more clear room ahead, and
be prepared to have your view restricted
by road spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth.
SeeTires on page 462.
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