trailer SATURN VUE 2009 Owner's Manual

Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns
while trailering could cause the
trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. The vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very
sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer,
make wider turns than normal. Do
this so the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or
other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel
ash whenever signaling a turn or
lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps also ash, telling
other drivers the vehicle is turning,
changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on
the instrument panel ash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. For this reason you may
think other drivers are seeing thesignal when they are not. It is
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 the vehicle.
Frequent stops are very important
to allow the engine and
transmission to cool.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift
the transmission to a lower gear if the
transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower
gearbeforestarting down a long or
steep downgrade. If the transmission
is not shifted down, the brakes
might have to be used so much that
they would get hot and no longer
work well.On a long uphill grade, shift down
and reduce the vehicle’s speed
to around 45 mph (70 km/h)
to reduce the possibility of the
engine and the transmission
overheating.
When towing at high altitude on
steep uphill grades, consider the
following: Engine coolant will boil at a
lower temperature than at normal
altitudes. If the engine is turned off
immediately after towing at high
altitude on steep uphill grades, the
vehicle may show signs similar to
engine overheating. To avoid this,
let the engine run while parked,
preferably on level ground, with the
automatic transmission in P (Park)
for a few minutes before turning the
engine off. If the overheat warning
comes on, seeEngine Overheating
on page 5-25.
4-42 Driving Your Vehicle
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Parking on Hills
{CAUTION
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a at surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do
not shift into P (Park) yet.
Turn the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic
if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.3. When the wheel chocks are
in place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then
apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal
while you:
Start the engine
Shift into a gear
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
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-3
for more information. Things that
are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission
uid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts,
cooling system and brake system.
It is a good idea to inspect these
before and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-25.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-43
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Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle
Things added to the outside of the
vehicle can affect the airow
around it. This can cause wind
noise and can affect fuel economy
and windshield washer performance.
Check with your dealer/retailer
before adding equipment to
the outside of the vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel
is an important part of the proper
maintenance of this vehicle. To help
keep the engine clean and maintain
optimum vehicle performance, we
recommend the use of gasoline
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
The 8th digit of the Vehicle
Identication Number (VIN) shows
the code letter or number that
identies the vehicle’s engine.
The VIN is at the top left of the
instrument panel. SeeVehicle
Identification Number (VIN) on
page 5-79.
Gasoline Octane
If the vehicle has the 2.4L L4 engine
(VIN Code P) or the 3.5L V6 engine
(VIN Code N), use regular unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane rating
of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is
less than 87, you might notice an
audible knocking noise when you
drive, commonly referred to as spark
knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as soon
as possible. If you are using gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher and you
hear heavy knocking, the engine
needs service.
If the vehicle has the 3.6L V6 engine
(VIN Code 7), use regular unleaded
gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 87 or higher. For best
performance or trailer towing, you
could choose to use middle grade
89 octane unleaded gasoline.
Service and Appearance Care 5-5
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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
There is a coolant temperature
warning light on your vehicle’s
instrument panel. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light
on page 3-34.
If Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
{CAUTION
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down. Wait
until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch re. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.Notice:If the engine catches re
because of being driven with
no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
If you get an engine overheat
warning, but see or hear no steam,
the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little
too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
Service and Appearance Care 5-25
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Fuses Usage
BCM (VB4)Body Control
Module (VB4)
BCM (VB5)Body Control
Module (VB5)
TRL Trailer
AIRCON Air Conditioner
AUDIO Audio
BCM (VB7)Body Control
Module (VB7)
IGN SW Ignition Switch
AIR BAG Air Bag System
WASHER Washer Pump
APO1Accessory Power
Outlet 1Fuses Usage
FSCMFuel Storage Control
Module
RR CLR Rear Closure
BCM (VB2)Body Control
Module (VB2)
DRLDaytime Running
Light
BCM (VB1)Body Control
Module (VB1)
ONSTAR OnStar
®
Relays Usage
RELAY
ACC/RAPAccessory, Retained
Accessory Power
(RAP) Relay
RELAY
RUN/
CRANKRun/Crank Relay
Underhood Fuse Block
The underhood fuse block is located
on the driver side of the engine
compartment, near the battery.
Notice:Spilling liquid on
any electrical components on the
vehicle may damage it. Always
keep the covers on any electrical
component.
5-82 Service and Appearance Care
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Fuses Usage
4WD/ESCMAll-Wheel Drive
System
ABSAntilock Brake
System Module
A/C CLTCHAir Conditioning
Compressor
BLWR MTR Blower Motor
AMP Amplier
HORN Horn
ABSAntilock Brake
System Module
I/P BECInstrument Panel
Bussed Electrical
CenterFuses Usage
FRT FOG Front Fog Lamps
I/P BECInstrument Panel
Bussed Electrical
Center
DRLDaytime Running
Light
T/LAMP RTRight Turn and
Parking Lamps
T/LAMP LTLeft Turn and
Parking Lamps
TRLR
T/LAMPTrailer Parking
Lamps
HDLPHILTPassenger Side
High-Beam
HeadlampFuses Usage
STOP LP Stoplamps
DEFOG Defroster Fog
HDLP
LO RTDriver Side
Low-Beam
Headlamp
HDLP
LO LTPassenger Side
Low-Beam
Headlamp
HDLP
HI RTDriver Side
High-Beam
Headlamp
OSRVM
HTROutside Rearview
Mirror Heating
5-84 Service and Appearance Care
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(g)Check system for interference or
binding and for damaged or missing
parts. Replace parts as needed.
Replace any components that have
high effort or excessive wear.
(h)Severe service is when 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 frequent trailer
towing.
Uses such as found in taxi,
police, or delivery service.(i)Drain, flush, and refill cooling
system. This service can be
complex; you should have your
dealer/retailer perform this service.
See Engine Coolant on page 5-22 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean
radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and filler neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)A fluid loss in any vehicle system
could indicate a problem. Have
the system inspected and repaired
and the fluid level checked. Add
fluid if needed.
(k)Or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first. If you drive regularly
under dusty conditions, the filter may
require replacement more often.(l)If driving regularly under dusty
conditions, inspect the filter at each
engine oil change.
(m)Change the fluid the first
time the vehicle is serviced after
100,000 miles (166 000 km) and
when the vehicle is serviced after
each subsequent 50,000 miles
(83 000 km).
(n)Visually inspect belt for fraying,
excessive cracks, or obvious
damage. Replace belt if necessary.
Maintenance Schedule 6-9
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Tire
Pressure Light..................3-34
Tires..................................5-43
Aluminum Wheels,
Cleaning......................5-77
Buying New Tires.............5-58
Chains............................5-62
Changing a Flat Tire.........5-64
Cleaning..........................5-77
Compact Spare................5-71
Different Size...................5-59
High-Speed Operation.......5-50
If a Tire Goes Flat............5-63
Ination - Tire Pressure.....5-49
Inspection and Rotation.....5-56
Installing the Spare Tire.....5-66
Pressure Monitor
Operation.....................5-53
Pressure Monitor System . . . 5-51
Removing the Flat Tire......5-66
Removing the Spare Tire
and Tools.....................5-65
Sidewall Labeling..............5-44
Storing a Flat or Spare
Tire and Tools...............5-70
Terminology and
Denitions....................5-46Tires (cont.)
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading.......................5-60
Wheel Alignment and
Tire Balance.................5-61
Wheel Replacement..........5-62
When It Is Time for
New Tires....................5-57
Towing
Recreational Vehicle..........4-32
Towing a Trailer................4-35
Your Vehicle.....................4-32
Traction
Control System (TCS)......... 4-8
Control System Warning
Light............................3-33
StabiliTrak
®System............ 4-7
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic................5-18
Transmission Operation,
Automatic................2-19, 2-22
Transportation, Courtesy......... 7-9
Trip Odometer.....................3-28
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals............................. 3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever................................ 3-6
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . 5-60
Universal Home Remote
System...........................2-37
Operation........................2-37
V
Vehicle
Control............................. 4-4
Design.............................. 4-2
Loading...........................4-28
Running While Parked.......2-28
Service Soon Light...........3-40
Symbols.............................. iii
Vehicle Customization, DIC....3-57
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy............................7-16
Vehicle Data Recording,
Radio Frequency (RFID)....7-17
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)...................5-79
Service Parts
Identication Label.........5-79
Vehicle, Remote Start............. 2-5
Ventilation Adjustment...........3-24
Visors.................................2-11
INDEX i-11
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