overheating SATURN VUE 2007 Owners Manual

Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have a cigarette lighter. To use
the lighter, located on the instrument panel below
the climate controls, push it in all the way and let
go. When it is ready, it will pop back out by itself.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it
is heating does not let the lighter back
away from the heating element when it is hot.
Damage from overheating can occur to the
lighter or heating element, or a fuse could be
blown. Do not hold a cigarette lighter in while
it is heating.
Notice:If you put papers, pins, or other
ammable items in the ashtray, hot cigarettes
or other smoking materials could ignite
them and possibly damage your vehicle.
Never put ammable items in the ashtray.
Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating,
cooling and ventilation for your vehicle.
Operation
To change the current mode, use the right knob to
select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
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Low Traction Light
If your vehicle has the
Traction Control System
(TCS), this light will
come on when the
system is limiting
wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal. The roads may be slippery if this
light comes on. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The light will stay on for a few seconds after the
system stops limiting wheel spin. This light should
also come on for a few seconds when you start your
vehicle. If it does not, have your vehicle serviced.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
The engine coolant
temperature warning
light will come on
when the engine
has overheated.If this happens you should pull over and see
Engine Overheating on page 334for more
information.
Notice:Driving with the engine coolant
temperature warning light on could cause your
vehicle to overheat. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 334. Your vehicle could be damaged,
and it might not be covered by your warranty.
Never drive with the engine coolant
temperature warning light on.
This light will come on and ash when the
temperature of the automatic transmission uid is
too high. If this happens you should pull over,
shift into PARK (P) and let the engine idle until
the light goes out.
This light will also come on briey when
starting your vehicle. If it does not, have
your vehicle serviced.
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Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage displays the
temperature of the
vehicle’s engine.
If the indicator needle moves into the shaded
area, the engine is too hot. The engine coolant
temperature warning light will also come on when
the engine has overheated. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light on page 173for more
information.
If you have been operating your vehicle under
normal driving conditions, and the engine coolant
temperature warning light comes on, you should
pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn off the
engine as soon as possible.
Low Coolant Warning Light
This light comes on
briey when you turn
your ignition on.
If this light comes on and stays on, the coolant level
in your vehicle is low. If the light is on along with
an overheat warning, you may have a serious
overheating problem. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 174.
Notice:Driving with the low coolant warning
light on could cause your vehicle to overheat.
See “Engine Overheating” underEngine
Coolant on page 331. Your vehicle could be
damaged and the damages might not be
covered by your warranty.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 331for information
on what to do. Your vehicle should be serviced as
soon as possible.
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The traction control system can be activated again
by pressing the traction control button for the
2.2L L4 engine, or by selecting DRIVE (D)
or INTERMEDIATE (I) for the 3.5L V6 engine.
If the system is limiting wheel spin when you press
the button, the system will not turn off until there
is no longer a current need to limit wheel spin.
You can turn the system back on at any time by
pressing the button again. If the traction control
warning light does not come on, you may not have
traction control and your vehicle should be
serviced at a retailer.
Adding non-Saturn accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 304for more information.All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
If your vehicle has all-wheel drive (AWD), the
AWD system operates automatically without any
action required by the driver. If the front drive
wheels begin to slip, the rear wheels will
automatically begin to drive the vehicle as
required. There may be a slight engagement
noise during hard use but this is normal.
During heavy AWD applications, the engine
torque may be reduced to protect AWD system
components. If the vehicle is exposed to extended
heavy AWD usage, the AWD system will shut
itself off to protect the system from overheating.
When the system cools down, the AWD system
will activate itself again automatically; this
cool-down can take up to 20 minutes depending
on outside temperature and vehicle use.
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Thus, you may think drivers behind you are seeing
your signal when they are not. It’s important to
check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
Driving on Grades
Notice:Do not tow on steep continuous
grades exceeding 6 miles (9.6 km). Extended,
higher than normal engine and transmission
temperatures may result and damage your
vehicle. Frequent stops are very important to
allow the engine and transmission to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you
start down a long or steep downgrade. If you
don’t shift down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get hot and no
longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce
your speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of the engine and the transmission
overheating. If your engine does overheat,
seeEngine Overheating on page 334.
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,
here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) for an automatic transmission, or
into gear for a manual transmission.
When parking uphill, turn your wheels away
from the curb. When parking downhill,
turn your wheels into the curb.
2. Have someone place chocks behind the
trailer wheels.
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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 transmission or REVERSE (R) for
a manual transmission.
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 420for more information. Things that
are especially important in trailer operation are
automatic transmission 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 334.
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.
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Service........................................................ 304
Accessories and Modications................... 304
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 305
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 305
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle.......................................... 306
Fuel............................................................. 306
Gasoline Octane........................................ 306
Gasoline Specications.............................. 306
California Fuel........................................... 307
Additives................................................... 307
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 308
Filling the Tank......................................... 309
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 311
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 312
Hood Release........................................... 313
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 314
Engine Oil................................................. 318
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 323
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 324
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(2.2L L4 Engine).................................... 327Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(3.5L V6 Engine).................................... 328
Manual Transaxle Fluid............................. 330
Hydraulic Clutch........................................ 331
Engine Coolant.......................................... 331
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap............ 334
Engine Overheating................................... 334
Cooling System......................................... 336
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 341
Brakes...................................................... 343
Battery...................................................... 347
Jump Starting............................................ 348
All-Wheel Drive........................................... 353
Headlamp Aiming........................................ 355
Bulb Replacement....................................... 358
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 358
Headlamps................................................ 358
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps....... 361
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) ... 362
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps...................................... 363
License Plate Lamp................................... 364
Replacement Bulbs................................... 364
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
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Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The hydraulic clutch system does
not have its own reservoir. The system receives
uid from the brake master cylinder reservoir. It is
lled with DOT-3 brake uid. SeeBrakes on
page 343for more information.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever
occurs rst, if you add only DEX-COOL
®
extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 334.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to
−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core, or
radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing sooner, at
the rst maintenance service after each
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in
your vehicle.
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Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture at the surge tank,
but only when the engine is cool. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 334for instructions on “How
to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank.”
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant
on hot engine parts. Coolant contains
ethylene glycol, and it will burn if the
engine parts are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight and fully seated.
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and possible engine
damage may occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
If you need to replace your coolant surge tank
pressure cap, see your retailer.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a coolant temperature gage and a
coolant temperature warning light on your vehicle’s
instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 174andEngine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light on page 173.
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{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the
hood can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
The coolant level should be at the COLD FILL line.
If it is not, you may have a leak at the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump,
or somewhere else in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other
engine parts, can be very hot. Do not
touch them. If you do, you can be burned.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Do not run the engine if there is a leak.
If you run the engine, it could lose all
coolant. That could cause an engine re,
and you could be burned. Get any leak
xed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on,
check to see if the electric engine cooling fan
is running. If the engine is overheating, the
fan should be running. If it is not, your vehicle
needs service. Turn off the engine.
Notice:Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant is not covered by your
warranty.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core, or
radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing sooner, at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
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