maintenance schedule SATURN VUE 2004 Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-28
Airbag Systems
........................................1-48
Restraint System Check
............................1-58
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-11
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-13
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-14
Mirrors
....................................................2-29
OnStar
®System
......................................2-35
Storage Areas
.........................................2-36
Sunroof
..................................................2-38
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-21
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-25
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-42Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-46
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
All-Wheel Drive
........................................5-51
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-52
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-53
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-60
Tires
......................................................5-62
Appearance Care
.....................................5-89
Vehicle Identication
.................................5-97
Electrical System
......................................5-98
Capacities and Specications
...................5-102
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-8
Index................................................................ 1
2004 Saturn VUE Owner ManualM
ProCarManuals.com

The lter should be replaced as part of routine
scheduled maintenance. SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-4for replacement intervals. See your
retailer for details on changing the lter. To nd out
what type of lter to use, seeNormal Maintenance
Replacement Parts on page 6-16.
The passenger compartment air lter can be accessed
from under the hood.
1. Remove the push
pins from the air lter
access panel.
2. Remove the air lter access panel.3. Remove the air lter from the housing by depressing
the tab on the inboard side of the housing.
3-24
ProCarManuals.com

Oil Pressure Light
If you have a low engine
oil pressure problem, this
light will stay on after
you start your engine, or
come on when you
are driving. This indicates
that your engine is not
receiving enough oil.
The engine could be low on oil, or could have some
other oil problem. Have it xed immediately.
The oil light may also come on when the ignition is on
but the engine is not running, the light will come on as a
test to show you it is working, but the light will go out
when you turn the ignition to START. If it doesn’t come
on with the ignition on, you may have a problem with
the fuse or bulb. Have it xed right away.{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low.
If you do, your engine can become so hot that
it catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
3-38
ProCarManuals.com

Change Engine Oil Light
If this light comes on,
it means that service
is required for your
vehicle. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4
andEngine Oil on
page 5-15for more
information.
After having the oil changed you will need to reset the
light. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15for more information.
Security Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with a Passlock®
theft-deterrent system.
With this system, the
security light will ash
as you open the door if
your ignition is off.
This light will come on briey when the vehicle is
turned on.
For more information, seePasslock
®on page 2-13.
Reduced Engine Power Light
This light will come on
briey when you start
the engine.
This light, along with the service engine soon light
will be displayed when a noticeable reduction in the
vehicle’s performance may occur. Stop the vehicle and
turn off the ignition. Wait for 10 seconds and restart
your vehicle. This may correct the condition.
The vehicle may be driven at a reduced speed when
the reduced engine power light is on but acceleration
and speed may be reduced. The performance may
be reduced until the next time you drive your vehicle.
If this light stays on, see your retailer as soon as
possible for diagnosis and repair.
3-39
ProCarManuals.com

After Off-Road Driving
Remove any brush or debris that has collected on
the underbody, chassis or under the hood. These
accumulations can be a re hazard.
After operation in mud or sand, have the brake linings
cleaned and checked. These substances can cause
glazing and uneven braking. Check the body structure,
steering, suspension, wheels, tires and exhaust
system for damage. Also, check the fuel lines and
cooling system for any leakage.
Your vehicle will require more frequent service due to
off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
for additional information.
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.
4-30
ProCarManuals.com

3. When the 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) for an
automatic transaxle or REVERSE (R) for a
manual transaxle.
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you:
start your engine,
shift into a gear, and
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’re
pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4for 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’re 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 5-31.
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.
4-61
ProCarManuals.com

How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter, remove the lter from
the vehicle and lightly shake lter to release loose dust
and dirt. If the lter remains “caked” with dirt, a new
lter is required.
The engine air cleaner/lter is located in the engine
compartment on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12
for more information on location.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for information
on when to replace the engine air cleaner/lter.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned.
The air cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps
to stop ame if the engine backres. If it is
not there and the engine backres, you could
be burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off.Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/lter in place when you
are driving.
To replace the engine air cleaner/lter, do the following:
1. Unscrew the clamp on the air duct hose.
5-22
ProCarManuals.com

Automatic Transaxle Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transaxle uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid every 50,000 miles (83 000 km) 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 recreational/trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the uid at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage the
transaxle. Too much can mean that some of the uid
could come out and fall on hot engine or exhaust
system parts, starting a re. Too little uid could
cause the transaxle to overheat. Be sure to get an
accurate reading if you check the transaxle uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transaxle
uid level if you have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic – especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the uid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F
(82°C to 93°C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it’s colder than 50°F (10°C), you may have to
drive longer.
5-25
ProCarManuals.com

How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle uid to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-14.
If the uid level is low, add only enough of the proper
uid to bring the level into the cross-hatched area on
the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long-neck funnel, add enough uid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It doesn’t take much uid, generally less than
one pint (0.5 L).Don’t overll.
Notice:Use of automatic transaxle uid other than
that listed in the Maintenance Schedule may
damage your vehicle, and the damages may not be
covered by your warranty. Always use the correct
automatic transaxle uid in your vehicle. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-14
for the correct automatic transaxle uid.
3. After adding uid, recheck the uid level as
described under “How to Check” earlier in
this section.
4. When the correct uid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way.
Manual Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle uid level. A
transaxle uid leak is the only reason for uid loss.
If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to your retailer’s service
department and have it repaired as soon as possible.
You may also have your uid level checked by your
retailer or service center when you have your oil
changed. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-14for the proper uid to use.
Notice:Use of manual transaxle uid other than
that listed in the Maintenance Schedule may damage
your vehicle, and the damages may not be covered
by your warranty. Always use the correct manual
transaxle uid in your vehicle. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-14for the correct
manual transaxle uid.
5-27
ProCarManuals.com

All-Wheel Drive
If you have an all-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure to
perform the lubricant checks described in this section.
However, they have two additional systems that
need lubrication.
Transfer Case (Power Transfer Unit for
2.2L Engine)
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 6-4.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the ller plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the ller plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-14.
5-51
ProCarManuals.com