2004 SATURN ION tow

For vehicles with the VTi variable transaxle, if the TRANS
COLD message is displayed in cold temperatures
(below−13°F (−25°C)) and the shift lever is moved out of
PARK (P), the transaxle will not go into gear. Return the
shift lever to PARK (P) and wait for the TRANS COLD
message to turn off.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow on
page 4-30.
For vehicles with the VTi variable transaxle, if you
accidentally shift into REVERSE (R) while the vehicle is
moving forward or into DRIVE (D) while the vehicle is
moving backward, the transaxle will remain in NEUTRAL
(N) to protect itself.NEUTRAL (N):In this position, your engine doesn’t
connect with the wheels. To restart when you’re
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake pedal, your
vehicle could move very rapidly. You could
lose control and hit people or objects. Do not
shift into a drive gear while your engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N)
with the engine racing may damage the transaxle.
The repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
Be sure the engine is not racing when shifting
your vehicle.
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3. Place your nger into the access hole and locate
the plunger.
4. Press and hold the plunger toward the driver’s
door while turning the ignition key to LOCK.
Remove the key.
Have your vehicle serviced at your retailer as soon as
possible.
The following procedure is used to shift the transaxle out of
PARK (P) in case of a dead battery or low voltage battery.
1. Turn the ignition to LOCK and remove the key.
2. Carefully pry the shift lock override cover from the
oor shift console.
3. Insert the end of your ignition key into the slot and
press down rmly.
4. Apply the brake and move the shift lever to
NEUTRAL (N).
5.
While maintaining brake application, start the vehicle
and move the shift lever into the desired gear position.
6. Have the vehicle xed as soon as possible.
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Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-39.1.
Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake.
2.Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position like this:
Hold in the button on the shift lever.
Push the lever all the way toward the front of
your vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
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Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-34.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-26.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always set
your parking brake and move the shift lever
to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)
on page 2-31.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-39.
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Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it up
or down and side to side. The day/night adjustment
allows you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the
lamps behind you. Pull the tab forward for daytime use;
push it back for night use.
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar®
If your vehicle has this feature, this mirror has a lever
located at the bottom of the mirror. It is used to change
the mirror from day to night position. To reduce glare
from headlamps behind you while driving at night,
pull the lever toward you. To return the mirror to the day
position, return the lever to its original position.
There are also three OnStar
®buttons located at the
bottom of the mirror face. See your retailer for more
information on the system and how to subscribe
to OnStar
®. SeeOnStar®System on page 2-43for
more information about the services OnStar®provides.
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To adjust for compass variance do the following:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the following zone map.2. Press and hold the on/off button until a zone
number appears in the display. The compass is now
in zone mode.
3. Keep pressing the on/off button until the desired
zone number appears in the display. Release the
button. After approximately four seconds of
inactivity, the new zone number will be locked in
and the comp/temp display will return.
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
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To adjust for compass variance:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the following zone map.2. Press and hold the COMP button for ve seconds
until a zone number appears in the display.
3. Press the COMP button on the bottom of the mirror
until the new zone number appears in the display.
After you stop pressing the button, the display
will show a compass direction within a few seconds.
Cleaning the Mirror
Use a paper towel or similar material dampened with
glass cleaner. Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the
mirror as that may cause the liquid cleaner to enter
the mirror housing.
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As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
ash rapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you signal
a turn, check the fuse, seeFuses and Circuit Breakers
on page 5-95and for burned-out bulbs.
Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for about 1 mile (1.6 km),
a chime will sound to let you know you left the
turn signal on.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high
beam to low, push the turn signal lever away from
you. Then release it.
When the high beams
are on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
To use it, pull the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
you until the high-beam headlamps come on, then
release the lever to turn them off.
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