check engine SATURN VUE 2007 Owner's Manual

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and start a re. These include
liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake uid,
windshield washer and other uids, and
plastic or rubber. You or others could be
burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
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A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 324.
B. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 318.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 318.
D. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 348.
E. Brake/Clutch Cylinder Fluid. SeeBrakes on
page 343andHydraulic Clutch on page 331.F. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 411.
G. Battery. SeeBattery on page 347.
H. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 348.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. See “Checking
Coolant” underEngine Coolant on page 331.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 341.
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A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 324.
B. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 318.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap (Out of View). See “When
to Add Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 318.
D. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 348.
E. Brake Fluid Reservoir. SeeBrakes on
page 343.F. Battery. SeeBattery on page 347.
G. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood Fuse
Block on page 411.
H. Remote Positive (+) Terminal (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 348.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. See “Checking
Coolant” underEngine Coolant on page 331.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 341.
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Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop for
the 2.2L L4 engine and an orange loop for the
3.5L V6 engine. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 314for the location of the
engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you
do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper
towel or cloth, then push it back in all the
way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
When to Add Engine Oil
2.2L L4 Engine
3.5L V6 Engine
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Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you
know when to change the engine oil and lter.
This is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an oil change
will be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil
life system to work properly, you must reset the
system every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A change engine oil light will come on.
SeeChange Engine Oil Light on page 179. Change
the oil as soon as possible within the next 600 miles
(1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are driving
under the best conditions, the oil life system might
not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over
a year. However, the engine oil and lter must be
changed at least once a year and at this time the
system must be reset. Your dealer/retailer has
trained service people who will perform this work
using genuine parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly and keep it at
the proper level.If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since
your last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to
change the engine oil and lter based on vehicle
use. Whenever the oil is changed, reset the
system so it can calculate when the next oil
change is required. If a situation occurs where you
change the oil prior to a change engine oil light
being turned on, reset the system.
After changing the engine oil, reset the system:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN with the
engine off.
2. Fully press and release the accelerator pedal
three times within ve seconds.
If the change engine oil light is ashing, the
system is reset. The light will ash for up
to 30 seconds or until the ignition is turned off.
If the light comes on again and stays on for
30 seconds at the next ignition cycle, it did not
reset. You will need to reset the system again.
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Wipe all dust from inside of the housing and
inspect the air cleaner and air outlet duct
for cracks, cuts and deterioration. The
air outlet duct must be replaced if damaged.
7. Reverse Steps 1 through 5 to reinstall
the engine air cleaner/lter cover and air
duct hose.
{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 ames 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.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(2.2L L4 Engine)
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transaxle
uid level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid at the intervals listed inAdditional
Required Services on page 423, and be sure to
use the transaxle uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 432.
How to Check Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
If your vehicle is equipped with the 2.2L L4
engine, you will have to have this procedure done
at your retailer’s service department.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transaxle uid may damage your vehicle, and
the damages may not be covered by your
warranty. Always use the automatic transaxle
uid listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 432.
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Automatic Transaxle Fluid
(3.5L V6 Engine)
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transaxle
uid level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the uid at the intervals listed inAdditional
Required Services on page 423, and be sure to
use the transaxle uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 432.
How to Check Automatic
Transaxle Fluid
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at your retailer’s
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 is colder than 50°F (10°C),
you may have to drive longer.
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Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
1. Park your vehicle on a level place.
2. Warm the engine to normal operating
temperature until the electric radiator fan turns
on at least once.
3. With the parking brake applied, place the shift
lever in PARK (P).
4. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the
shift lever through each gear range, pausing
for about three seconds in each range.
Then, position the shift lever in PARK (P).Then, turn off the engine and follow these steps:
The transaxle uid dipstick handle is the black loop
near the rear of the engine compartment, toward
the center.
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean
rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds
and then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The uid level must be between
the upper mark and the lower mark.
4. If the uid level is in the acceptable range,
push the dipstick back in all the way.
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What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water
and one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will
not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant
mixture, you do not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:If you use an improper coolant
mixture, your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost would not be
covered by your warranty. Too much water
in the mixture can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a
year, have your retailer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system,
you could damage your vehicle. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine coolant listed
in this manual for the cooling system.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 432for more information.
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Checking Coolant
The surge tank is located on the driver’s
side of the engine compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 314for more
information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when
the engine and radiator are hot can allow
steam and scalding liquids to blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn the surge
tank pressure cap — even a little — when
the engine and radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When
your engine is cold, the coolant level should
be at the COLD FILL line. When your engine is
warm, the level should be at the COLD FILL line or
a little higher.
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