traction control SATURN VUE HYBRID 2009 Owner's Manual

GM’s exclusive TPC Spec system
considers over a dozen critical
specications that impact the overall
performance of your vehicle,
including brake system performance,
ride and handling, traction control,
and tire pressure monitoring
performance. GM’s TPC Spec
number is molded onto the tire’s
sidewall near the tire size. If the tires
have an all-season tread design,
the TPC spec number will be
followed by a MS, for mud and
snow. SeeTire Sidewall Labeling on
page 5-39for additional information.
GM recommends replacing tires
in sets of four. This is because
uniform tread depth on all tires will
help keep your vehicle performing
most like it did when the tires
were new. Replacing less than a full
set of tires can affect the brakingand handling performance of your
vehicle. SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 5-50for
information on proper tire rotation.
{CAUTION
Mixing tires could cause you
to lose control while driving. If
you mix tires of different sizes,
brands, or types (radial and
bias-belted tires) the vehicle
may not handle properly, and
you could have a crash. Using
tires of different sizes, brands,
or types may also cause
damage to your vehicle. Be
sure to use the correct size,
brand, and type of tires on
your vehicle’s wheels.
{CAUTION
If you use bias-ply tires on the
vehicle, the wheel rim anges
could develop cracks after
many miles of driving. A tire
and/or wheel could fail
suddenly, causing a crash.
Use only radial-ply tires with
the wheels on the vehicle.
If you must replace your vehicle’s
tires with those that do not have a
TPC Spec number, make sure they
are the same size, load range, speed
rating, and construction type (radial
and bias-belted tires) as your
vehicle’s original tires.
5-52 Service and Appearance Care
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Vehicles that have a tire pressure
monitoring system could give an
inaccurate low-pressure warning if
non-TPC Spec rated tires are
installed on your vehicle. Non-TPC
Spec rated tires may give a
low-pressure warning that is higher
or lower than the proper warning
level you would get with TPC Spec
rated tires. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor System on page 5-45.
Your vehicle’s original equipment
tires are listed on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
Loading the Vehicle on page 4-18,
for more information about the
Tire and Loading Information label
and its location on your vehicle.Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a
different size than your original
equipment wheels and tires,
this may affect the way your vehicle
performs, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover.
Additionally, if your vehicle has
electronic systems such as, anti-lock
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, and stability control,
the performance of these systems
can be affected.
{CAUTION
If you add different sized wheels,
your vehicle may not provide an
acceptable level of performance
and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels
are selected. You may increase
the chance that you will crash and
suffer serious injury. Only use
Saturn specic wheel and tire
systems developed for your
vehicle, and have them properly
installed by a Saturn certied
technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-51
andAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3for additional
information.
Service and Appearance Care 5-53
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Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires by
treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This
applies only to vehicles sold in
the United States. The grades
are molded on the sidewalls of
most passenger car tires. The
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply to
deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver, or temporary
use spare tires, tires with nominalrim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger cars
and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they
must also conform to federal
safety requirements and
additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specied government test
course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the
government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart signicantly from the normdue to variations in driving habits,
service practices, and differences
in road characteristics and
climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest
to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire’s
ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled
conditions on specied
government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
{WARNING
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
5-54 Service and Appearance Care
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{CAUTION
Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly
tightened wheel nuts can cause
the wheel to become loose and
even come off. This could lead to a
crash. Be sure to use the correct
wheel nuts. If you have to replace
them, be sure to get new Saturn
original equipment wheel nuts.
Notice:Improperly tightened
wheel nuts can lead to brake
pulsation and rotor damage. To
avoid expensive brake repairs,
evenly tighten the wheel nuts in
the proper sequence and to
the proper torque specication.Used Replacement Wheels{CAUTION
Putting a used wheel on your
vehicle is dangerous. You cannot
know how it has been used or
how far it has been driven. It
could fail suddenly and cause a
crash. If you have to replace a
wheel, use a new Saturn original
equipment wheel.
Tire Chains
{CAUTION
Do not use tire chains. There is
not enough clearance. Tire chains
used on a vehicle without the
proper amount of clearance can
cause damage to the brakes,
suspension or other vehicle parts.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
The area damaged by the tire
chains could cause you to lose
control of the vehicle and you or
others may be injured in a crash.
Use another type of traction
device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on the
vehicle and tire size combination
and road conditions. Follow that
manufacturer’s instructions. To
help avoid damage to the vehicle,
drive slowly, readjust or remove
the device if it is contacting the
vehicle, and do not spin the
vehicle’s wheels. If you do nd
traction devices that will t, install
them on the front tires.
Service and Appearance Care 5-57
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I
Ignition Positions..................2-14
Infants and Young Children,
Restraints........................1-25
Ination - Tire Pressure.........5-43
Inator Kit, Tire....................5-59
Instrument Panel
Brightness.......................3-14
Cluster............................3-23
Overview........................... 3-4
Intermediate Voltage Devices
and Wiring.......................5-74
J
Jump Starting......................5-28
K
Keyless Entry System............ 2-3
Keys.................................... 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall..........5-39
Lamp
Malfunction Indicator.........3-30Lamps
Dome .............................3-14
Reading..........................3-14
Lap-Shoulder Belt................1-17
LATCH System for Child
Restraints........................1-31
License Plate Lamps............5-37
Liftgate
Carbon Monoxide............... 2-8
Light
Airbag Readiness.............3-25
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning..............3-28
Brake System Warning......3-27
Change Engine Oil...........3-33
Charging System..............3-27
Cruise Control..................3-33
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning.....3-29
Fuel Economy..................3-35
Highbeam On...................3-34
Low Fuel Warning.............3-34
Low Washer Fluid
Warning.......................3-34
Oil Pressure.....................3-33
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator.......................3-26Light (cont.)
Safety Belt Reminders.......3-24
Security...........................3-33
StabiliTrak
®/Traction
Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...............3-28
Tire Pressure...................3-29
Light, Auto Stop Mode..........3-35
Lighting
Entry..............................3-14
Lights
Exterior Lamps.................3-12
Flash-to-Pass..................... 3-7
High/Low Beam Changer..... 3-7
Loading Your Vehicle............4-18
Lockout Protection................. 2-7
Locks
Automatic Door Lock.......... 2-7
Automatic Door Unlock........ 2-7
Delayed Locking................. 2-6
Door ................................. 2-6
Lockout Protection.............. 2-7
Power Door....................... 2-6
Rear Door Security Locks.... 2-7
Loss of Control....................4-11
Low Fuel Warning Light........3-34
Low Washer Fluid Warning
Light...............................3-34
i-6 INDEX
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Storage Areas (cont.)
Cupholders......................2-37
Driver Storage
Compartment................2-38
Glove Box.......................2-37
Rear Seat Armrest............2-38
Sunglasses Storage
Compartment................2-37
Storing the Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit................5-66
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow..........................4-17
Sun Visors..........................2-10
T
Tachometer.........................3-24
Taillamps
Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.............5-36
Theft-Deterrent, Radio...........3-82
Theft-Deterrent Systems........2-10
Content Theft-Deterrent.....2-10
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer...................2-12
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer Operation....2-12Tilt Wheel............................. 3-6
Time, Setting.......................3-56
Tire
Pressure Light..................3-29
Tire Sealant
Storing............................5-66
Tires..................................5-38
Aluminum Wheels,
Cleaning......................5-72
Buying New Tires.............5-51
Chains............................5-57
Cleaning..........................5-72
Different Size...................5-53
If a Tire Goes Flat............5-58
Ination - Tire Pressure.....5-43
Inspection and Rotation.....5-50
Pressure Monitor
Operation.....................5-46
Pressure Monitor System . . . 5-45
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit.............5-59
Tire Sidewall Labeling.......5-39
Tire Terminology and
Denitions....................5-41
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading.......................5-54Tires (cont.)
Wheel Alignment and Tire
Balance.......................5-55
Wheel Replacement..........5-55
When It Is Time for New
Tires............................5-51
Towing
Recreational Vehicle..........4-23
Towing a Trailer................4-26
Your Vehicle.....................4-22
Traction
Control System (TCS)......... 4-8
StabiliTrak
®System............ 4-7
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic................5-17
Transmission Operation,
Automatic........................2-20
Trip Odometer.....................3-24
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals............................. 3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever................................ 3-6
i-10 INDEX
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