steering wheel SATURN VUE HYBRID 2009 Owner's Manual

Try to adjust the speed so you can
drive through the curve. Maintain
a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until out of the curve,
and then accelerate gently into the
straightaway.
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can
be more effective than braking. For
example, you come over a hill and
nd a truck stopped in your lane, or a
car suddenly pulls out from nowhere,
or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of
you. These problems can be avoided
by braking — if you can stop in time.
But sometimes you cannot stop in
time because there is no room.
That is the time for evasive
action — steering around the
problem.
The vehicle can perform very well
in emergencies like these. First apply
the brakes. SeeBraking on
page 4-5. It is better to remove
as much speed as possible from acollision. Then steer around the
problem, to the left or right
depending on the space available.
An emergency like this requires
close attention and a quick decision.
If holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock
positions, it can be turned a full
180 degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have
to act fast, steer quickly, and just
as quickly straighten the wheel once
you have avoided the object.The fact that such emergency
situations are always possible is a
good reason to practice defensive
driving at all times and wear
safety belts properly.
Off-Road Recovery
The vehicle’s right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only
slightly below the pavement,
recovery should be fairly easy.
4-10 Driving Your Vehicle
ProCarManuals.com

Ease off the accelerator and then, if
there is nothing in the way, steer so
that the vehicle straddles the edge
of the pavement. Turn the steering
wheel 3 to 5 inches, 8 to 13 cm,
(about one-eighth turn) until the right
front tire contacts the pavement
edge. Then turn the steering wheel
to go straight down the roadway.
Passing
Passing another vehicle on a
two-lane road can be dangerous.
To reduce the risk of danger
while passing:
Look down the road, to the sides,
and to crossroads for situations
that might affect a successful
pass. If in doubt, wait.
Watch for traffic signs, pavement
markings, and lines that could
indicate a turn or an intersection.
Never cross a solid or
double-solid line on your
side of the lane.
Do not get too close to the vehicle
you want to pass. Doing so can
reduce your visibility.
Wait your turn to pass a slow
vehicle.
When you are being passed,
ease to the right.
Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts
say about what happens when
the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do
not have enough friction where the
tires meet the road to do what
the driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up.
Keep trying to steer and constantly
seek an escape route or area of
less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control
of the vehicle. Defensive drivers
avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing
conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are
always possible.
The three types of skids correspond
to the vehicle’s three control
systems. In the braking skid, the
wheels are not rolling. In the steering
or cornering skid, too much speed or
steering in a curve causes tires to
slip and lose cornering force. And in
the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels
to spin.
Remember: Any traction control
system helps avoid only the
acceleration skid. If the traction
control system is off, then an
acceleration skid is best handled
by easing your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-11
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{CAUTION
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or
with the ignition off is dangerous.
The brakes will have to do all the
work of slowing down and they
could get so hot that they would
not work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none
going down a hill. You could crash.
Always have the engine running
and the vehicle in gear when going
downhill.
Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
Top of hills: Be alert — something
could be in your lane (stalled car,
accident).
Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow
or ice between the tires and the
road, creating less traction or grip.
Wet ice can occur at about 32°F
(0°C) when freezing rain begins to
fall, resulting in even less traction.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in
freezing rain until roads can be
treated with salt or sand.
Drive with caution, whatever the
condition. Accelerate gently
so traction is not lost. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels
to spin and makes the surface under
the tires slick, so there is even
less traction.Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive
wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.
TheAntilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 4-6improves vehicle
stability during hard stops on
slippery roads, but apply the brakes
sooner than when on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distance
on any slippery road and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in
shaded areas. The surface of
a curve or an overpass can remain
icy when the surrounding roads
are clear. Avoid sudden steering
maneuvers and braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped,
on slippery surfaces.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-15
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Repeat this until help arrives but only
when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. Moving about to keep
warm also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help with
the headlamps. Do this as little as
possible to save fuel.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out on page 4-17.If the vehicle has a traction system, it
can often help to free a stuck vehicle.
Refer to the vehicle’s traction system
in the Index. If stuck too severely for
the traction system to free the
vehicle, turn the traction system off
and use the rocking method.
{CAUTION
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at
high speed, they can explode, and
you or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment re or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer.
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, seeTire
Chains on page 5-57.
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around
the front wheels. Turn off any
traction system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until
the wheels stop spinning before
shifting gears. Release the
accelerator pedal while shifting, and
press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in
gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in
the forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that
could free the vehicle. If that does
not get the vehicle out after a
few tries, it might need to be towed
out. If the vehicle does need to
be towed out, seeTowing Your
Vehicle on page 4-22.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-17
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Dolly Towing
(Front-Wheel-Drive Vehicles)
To tow the vehicle from the front
with the rear wheels on the ground,
do the following:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Move the shift lever to P (Park).
3. Set the parking brake.4. Clamp the steering wheel in a
straight-ahead position with a
clamping device designed
for towing.
5. Remove the key from the
ignition.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
7. Release the parking brake.
Towing the Vehicle From
the Rear
Notice:Towing the vehicle from
the rear could damage it. Also,
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Never have
the vehicle towed from the rear.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-25
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CAUTION (Continued)
Adjust the Climate Control
system to a setting that
brings in only outside air and
set the fan speed to the
highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
For more information about
carbon monoxide, seeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-26.
Towing a trailer requires a certain
amount of experience. Get to know
the rig before setting out for the open
road. Get acquainted with the feel of
handling and braking with the added
weight of the trailer. And always keep
in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now longer and not as
responsive as the vehicle is by itself.
Before starting, check all trailer
hitch parts and attachments, safety
chains, electrical connectors,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustments.If the trailer has electric brakes,
start the vehicle and trailer moving
and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This checks
the electrical connection at the
same time.
During the trip, check occasionally
to be sure that the load is secure,
and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind
the vehicle ahead as you would
when driving the vehicle without
a trailer. This can help to avoid
situations that require heavy
braking and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed
when towing a trailer. Because
the rig is longer, it is necessary
to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before returning
to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering
wheel with one hand. Then, to move
the trailer to the left, move that
hand to the left. To move the trailer
to the right, move your hand to
the right. Always back up slowly
and, if possible, have someone
guide you.
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.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-31
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If a Tire Goes Flat
This vehicle has a tire sealant and
compressor kit. SeeTire Sealant
and Compressor Kit on page 5-59.
There is no spare tire, no tire
changing equipment, and no place
to store a tire.
It is unusual for a tire to blow out
while you are driving, especially
if you maintain your tires properly.
SeeTires on page 5-38.Ifair
goes out of a tire, it is much more
likely to leak out slowly. But, if
you should ever have a blow out,
here are a few tips about what
to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will
create a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot
off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel rmly. Steer to
maintain lane position, and then
gently brake to a stop well out of the
traffic lane.A rear blow out, particularly on a
curve, acts much like a skid
and may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any
rear blow out, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the
vehicle under control by steering the
way you want the vehicle to go. It
may be very bumpy and noisy,
but you can still steer. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road if
possible.
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place and stopping.
1. Turn on the hazard warning
ashers. SeeHazard Warning
Flashers on page 3-5.
2. Park the vehicle. Set the parking
brake rmly and put the shift
lever in P (Park). SeeShifting
Into Park on page 2-23.3. Turn off the engine.
4. Inspect the at tire.
If the tire has been separated from
the wheel, has damaged sidewalls,
or has a puncture larger than a
14inch (6 mm), the tire is too
severely damaged for the tire
sealant and compressor kit to be
effective. SeeRoadside Assistance
Program on page 7-5.
If the tire has a puncture less than a
14inch (6 mm) in the tread area
of the tire, seeTire Sealant
and Compressor Kit on page 5-59.
5-58 Service and Appearance Care
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Fuses Usage
ISRVMInside Rearview
Mirror
CLUSTERInstrument Panel
Cluster
AIR BAG Airbag System
OSRVMOutside Rearview
Mirror
KEY CAPKey Capture
Solenoid
WHL S/WSteering Wheel
Switch
F/DR LCKFront Driver Door
Lock
APO2Accessory Power
Outlet 2
BCM (VB3)Body Control
Module (BCM)
(VB3)
DR LCK Door Lock
BCM (VB6)Body Control
Module (VB6)
BCM (VB4)Body Control
Module (VB4)Fuses Usage
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 1
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/C
RANKRun/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.
Service and Appearance Care 5-77
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A
About Driving Your Vehicle......... ii
Accessories and
Modications...................... 5-3
Accessory Power Outlets......3-16
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle....1-55
Additives, Fuel...................... 5-5
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................5-75
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.......5-15
Air Conditioning...................3-17
Airbag
Passenger Status
Indicator.......................3-26
Readiness Light................3-25
Airbag System.....................1-41
Adding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-55
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?.....................1-47
Passenger Sensing
System........................1-49Airbag System (cont.)
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-54
What Makes an Airbag
Inate?........................1-47
What Will You See After an
Airbag Inates?.............1-48
When Should an Airbag
Inate?........................1-45
Where Are the Airbags?.....1-44
Antenna, Fixed Mast............3-84
Antenna, XM™ Satellite
Radio Antenna System......3-84
Antilock Brake
System (ABS).................... 4-6
Antilock Brake, System
Warning Light...................3-28
Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels.............5-72
Care of Safety Belts..........5-69
Chemical Paint Spotting.....5-73
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/
Lenses........................5-70
Fabric/Carpet...................5-68Appearance Care (cont.)
Finish Care......................5-70
Finish Damage.................5-73
Instrument Panel, Vinyl,
and Other Plastic
Surfaces......................5-69
Interior Cleaning...............5-66
Leather...........................5-68
Sheet Metal Damage........5-73
Tires...............................5-72
Underbody Maintenance....5-73
Washing Your Vehicle........5-69
Weatherstrips...................5-69
Windshield and Wiper
Blades.........................5-71
Appointments, Scheduling
Service............................. 7-7
Audio System......................3-56
Audio Steering Wheel
Controls.......................3-82
Chime Level Adjustment....3-84
Fixed Mast Antenna..........3-84
Radio Reception...............3-83
Setting the Clock..............3-56
Theft-Deterrent Feature......3-82
XM™ Satellite Radio
Antenna System............3-84
INDEX i-1
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Routing, Engine Drive Belt....6-13
Running the Vehicle While
Parked............................2-26
S
Safety Belt Reminders..........3-24
Safety Belts
Care of ...........................5-69
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly.......................1-13
Lap-Shoulder Belt.............1-17
Safety Belt Extender.........1-22
Safety Belt Use During
Pregnancy....................1-22
Safety Belts Are for
Everyone.....................1-10
Safety Warnings and Symbols.... iii
Scheduled Maintenance.......... 6-3
Seatback, Folding
Passenger......................... 1-7
Seats
Driver Seat Height
Adjuster......................... 1-4
Heated Seats..................... 1-5
Manual Lumbar.................. 1-5Seats (cont.)
Passenger Folding
Seatback....................... 1-7
Power Seat....................... 1-4
Reclining Seatbacks............ 1-5
Split Folding Rear Seat....... 1-9
Securing a Child Restraint
Rear Seat Position............1-36
Right Front Seat Position . . . 1-38
Security Light......................3-33
Service................................ 5-3
Accessories and
Modications.................. 5-3
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle..... 5-4
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements.... 5-4
California Proposition 65
Warning......................... 5-3
Doing Your Own Work........ 5-4
Engine Soon Lamp...........3-30
Publications Ordering
Information...................7-13
Service, Scheduling
Appointments..................... 7-7Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle....1-54
Setting the Clock.................3-56
Sheet Metal Damage............5-73
Shifting Into Park.................2-23
Shifting Out of Park..............2-25
Signals, Turn and
Lane-Change
..................... 3-6
Specications, Capacities......5-81
Speedometer.......................3-24
Split Folding Rear Seat.......... 1-9
StabiliTrak
®System............... 4-7
StabiliTrak®/TCS Warning
Light...............................3-28
Starting the Engine..............2-15
Steering............................... 4-9
Steering Wheel Controls,
Audio..............................3-82
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel...... 3-6
Storage Areas
Cargo Management
System........................2-39
Center Console Storage
Area............................2-37
Convenience Net..............2-38
INDEX i-9
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