brake SATURN SKY 2007 Owner's Manual

Headlamps
The lever on the left side of the steering column
operates the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp switch has the following
four positions:
2(Headlamps):This position turns on the
headlamps, parking lamps, and taillamps.
;(Parking Lamps):This position turns on the
parking lamps and taillamps only.
AUTO (Automatic Headlamp System):This
position automatically turns on the Daytime
Running Lamps during daytime, and the
headlamps, parking lamps, and taillamps at night.
P(Off/On):This position is an Off/On switch for
the Automatic Headlamp System. In Canada, this
applies to vehicles with an automatic transmission
set to PARK (P) and manual transmission vehicles
with the parking brake engaged.
When operating in AUTO, a brief turn of the switch
to off/on will turn off the Automatic Headlamp
System. An AUTO LIGHTS OFF message will
display on the Driver Information Center (DIC) and
a chime will sound. Turning the switch to off/on
again will turn the Automatic Headlamp System
back on. An AUTO LIGHTS ON message will
display on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
The Automatic Headlamp System is always turned
on at the beginning of an ignition cycle for vehicles
with manual transmission. When the parking brake
is engaged, the automatic headlamps will turn off.
For vehicles with an automatic transmission, when
the shift lever is shifted out of PARK (P), the
Automatic Headlamp System will turn on. Shifting
the lever back to PARK (P) will turn off the
automatic headlamp system for vehicles with an
automatic transmission.
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Headlamps on Reminder
If you open the driver’s door with the ignition off
and the lamps on, you will hear a warning chime.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during
the day. DRL can be helpful in many different
driving conditions, but they can be especially
helpful in the short periods after dawn and before
sunset. Fully functional daytime running lamps
are required on all vehicles rst sold in Canada.
Your vehicle has a light sensor on top of the
instrument panel that helps control the DRL.
Make sure it is not covered or the headlamps
will come on when they are not needed.
The DRL system makes both low beam headlamps
turn on at reduced intensity when the following
conditions are met:
The ignition is on.
The exterior lamp control is turned to AUTO.
The light sensor detects daytime light.
The shift lever is not in PARK (P).While the DRL system is on, the taillamps,
sidemarker lamps, and instrument panel lights
will not be on.
The DRL system turns off on U.S. vehicles by
using the on/off switch for one ignition cycle,
if the vehicle is in the PARK (P) position, or if the
vehicle speed is less than 5 mph (8 km h)
after the vehicle is started.
For vehicles rst sold in Canada the DRL system
will turn off when a automatic transmission
vehicle is in the PARK (P) position or the park
brake is set on a manual transmission vehicle and
the vehicle speed is less than 8 mph (13 km h).
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when it is needed.
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Brake System Warning Light
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 warning light comes on, there is a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected
right away.
This light should come on briey when you turn
the ignition key to RUN. If it does not come
on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will also come on when you set your
parking brake. The light will stay on if your parking
brake does not release fully. If it stays on after
your parking brake is fully released, it means you
have a brake problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. Make sure the parking
brake is fully released. 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. See
Towing Your Vehicle on page 230.
{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.
United StatesCanada
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Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
Your vehicle may have
the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS).
This light will come on when your engine is
started and may stay on for several seconds.
That is normal.
If the light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the
light comes on when you are driving, stop as soon
as possible and turn the ignition off. Then start
the engine again to reset the system. If the
light still stays on after driving at a speed of at
least 13 mph (20 km/h), or comes on again
while you are driving, your vehicle needs service.If the regular brake system warning light is not
on, you still have brakes, but you do not have
anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light
is also on, you do not have anti-lock brakes and
there is a problem with your regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 134.
The ABS warning light will come on briey
when you turn the ignition key to RUN. This is
normal. If the light does not come on then, have
it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there
is a problem.
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BOOST (Turbo Only)
If your vehicle has this feature, press the
information button until BOOST is displayed. This
mode shows a graphic that indicates the amount
of boost the engine is receiving in either
pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa).
DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages appear if there is a problem
detected in one of your vehicle’s systems.
A message will clear when the vehicle’s condition
is no longer present. To acknowledge a message
and clear it from the display, press and hold
any of the DIC buttons. If the condition is still
present, the warning message will come back on
the next time the vehicle is turned off and back
on. With most messages, a warning chime sounds
when the message displays. Your vehicle may
have other warning messages.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF
This message displays if the automatic headlamp
system is disabled with the headlamp switch.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON
This message displays if the automatic headlamp
system is enabled with the headlamp switch.
BRAKE FLUID
This message displays to inform the driver that the
brake uid level is low while the ignition is on.
The brake system warning light on the instrument
panel cluster also comes on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 134for more information.
Have the brake system serviced by your retailer
as soon as possible.
CHANGE OIL SOON
This message displays when the life of the engine
oil has expired and it should be changed.
When you acknowledge the CHANGE OIL SOON
message by clearing it from the display, you
still must reset the engine oil life system
separately. SeeEngine Oil Life System on
page 250andScheduled Maintenance on
page 336for more information.
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LOW COOLANT
This message displays when there is a low level
of engine coolant. Have the cooling system
serviced by your retailer as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 255for more
information.
LOW TRACTION
If your vehicle has the Traction Control
System (TCS), this message displays and the
ESC/TCS light on the instrument panel cluster
ashes when the system is actively limiting wheel
spin. Slippery road conditions may exist if this
message is displayed, so adjust your driving
accordingly. This message stays on for a few
seconds after the system stops limiting wheel spin.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 199
andElectronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning
Light (2.0L Engine Only) on page 136for more
information.
PARKING BRAKE
This message displays if the parking brake is left
engaged. SeeParking Brake on page 86for
more information.
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays when there is a problem
with the airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced
by your retailer immediately.
SERVICE ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY
CONTROL)
If your vehicle has Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), this message displays and a chime
sounds if there has been a problem detected with
ESC. The ESC/TCS light also appears on the
instrument panel cluster. This light stays on solid as
long as the detected problem remains present.
When this message displays, the system is not
working. Adjust your driving accordingly. See
Electronic Stability Control on page 201and
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light (2.0L Engine
Only) on page 136for more information.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle.... 192
Defensive Driving...................................... 192
Drunken Driving........................................ 193
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 196
Braking...................................................... 196
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 197
Braking in Emergencies............................. 199
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 199
Limited-Slip Rear Axle............................... 200
Electronic Stability Control......................... 201
Steering.................................................... 203
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 206
Passing..................................................... 206
Loss of Control.......................................... 208
Driving at Night......................................... 209
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 210City Driving............................................... 213
Freeway Driving........................................ 214
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 215
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 216
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 216
Winter Driving........................................... 218
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow ................................. 224
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 225
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 225
Towing........................................................ 230
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 230
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 230
Towing a Trailer........................................ 230
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
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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 199and
Electronic Stability Control on page 201.
Adding non-Saturn accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 233.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 134.
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 233.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 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 135.
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Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of
you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each
wheel.ABS can change the brake pressure faster than
any driver could. The computer is programmed
to make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the
obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
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