2004 SATURN ION Owners Manual

Here are four things that some owners ask about.
None of these show a problem with your fuel gage:
At the service station, the fuel pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel to ll up than the
gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a
little more or less than half the tank’s capacity to
ll the tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
speed up.
The gage takes a few seconds to stabilize after the
ignition is turned on, and will go back to empty
when you turn the ignition off.
For your fuel tank capacity, seeCapacities and
Specications on page 5-102.
Message Center
The message center is located in the instrument panel
cluster. It gives you important safety and maintenance
facts.
If there are several messages, each message will be
shown for a few seconds and will continue to repeat until
cleared. To clear a message, press the trip/reset
button while the message you want to clear is being
displayed.
Many messages will also cause a chime to sound,
to alert you to the message.
Changing the Language (Canada Only)
Vehicles rst sold in Canada have instrument panel
clusters that show messages in either English or French.
To change the language, do the following:
1. Turn the ignition on.
2. Press the trip/reset button until the current language
of ENGLISH or FRENCH is displayed.
3. Press and hold the trip/reset button for several
seconds until the language is changed.
4. Press the trip/reset button to return to the odometer
display.
3-41
ProCarManuals.com

Low Traction Message
If your vehicle has a
traction control system
(TCS), this LOW TRAC
message will be displayed
when the system is
limiting wheel spin.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-8for
more information.
Traction Off Message
If your vehicle has a
traction control system
(TCS), this TRAC OFF
message will be displayed
briey when the system has
been turned off.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-8for
more information.
Cruise Control Message
The CRUISE message is
displayed briey when your
cruise control system
has been activated, or set
to a desired speed.
Transaxle Fluid Hot Message
If the TRANS HOT
message is displayed, the
automatic transaxle
uid may be overheating.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-29for more
information.
3-42
ProCarManuals.com

Transaxle Fluid Cold Message
The TRANS COLD
message will be displayed
if the automatic transaxle
uid temperature is
too cold to operate
correctly.
When this happens, shifting out of PARK (P) is
prevented until the transaxle uid warms up. Let the
engine run for a few minutes until this message is
no longer displayed. The vehicle may then be shifted
out of PARK (P).
Low Coolant Level Warning Message
When the COOLANT
message is displayed while
the engine is running, the
engine coolant is low.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-26for more information.
Change Engine Oil Message
When the CHG OIL
message is displayed, it
means that service is
required for your vehicle.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4 Engine Oil on
page 5-15for more information.
3-43
ProCarManuals.com

Check Gage Message
If the CHK GAGE message
is displayed, the engine
coolant may be
overheated. A chime will
also sound to alert
you to this message.
If this message is displayed, check your engine coolant
temperature gage. If the needle is in the red area,
your engine may be overheating. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-35andEngine
Overheating on page 5-29for more information.
Notice:Driving with either the CHK GAGE message
or the COOLANT message displayed in the
message center and the Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage on your instrument panel in the
red zone could cause your vehicle to overheat.
See “Engine Overheating” underEngine Coolant on
page 5-26. Your vehicle could be damaged and
the damages might not be covered by your warranty.
Power Steering Message
If the PWR STR message
is displayed, a problem
has been detected with the
electric power steering.
If you suspect electric power steering problems and/or
the PWR STR message is on, see your retailer for
service and repair.
Trunk Ajar Warning Message
When the TRUNK
message is displayed,
it means the trunk lid is not
fully closed.
3-44
ProCarManuals.com

Low Fuel Warning Message
When the LOW FUEL
message is displayed, you
may have less than
1.5 gallons (5.5 liters) of
fuel left. A chime will
also sound to alert you to
this message.
You should refuel your vehicle immediately. When the
fuel tank is lled to more than 3.3 gallons (11.5 liters),
this message will no longer be displayed.
Service Vehicle Message
If the SERVICE VEHICLE
message is displayed, a
non-emission related
problem has occurred
which requires the vehicle
be taken in for service.
These problems may not be obvious and may affect
vehicle performance and durability. See your retailer for
necessary repairs to maintain top vehicle performance.
Error Message
When the ERROR
message is displayed,
there is a problem
with your odometer
system.
See your retailer for service and repair if this message
is displayed.
3-45
ProCarManuals.com

Audio System(s)
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone, or two-way radio, make sure that it can
be added by checking with your dealer. Also,
check federal rules covering mobile radio and
telephone units. If sound equipment can be added,
it is very important to do it properly. Added
sound equipment may interfere with the operation
of your vehicle’s engine, radio, or other systems,
and even damage them. Your vehicle’s systems may
interfere with the operation of sound equipment
that has been added improperly.
Notice:Getting suntan lotion, hand lotion, or hand
cleaner on the radio, will soften the paint, and
the paint will eventually begin to peel. Repairs will
not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty. Try not to
get suntan lotion, hand lotion, or hand cleaner on
the radio. If you do, wipe the lotion or cleaner
off immediately.Figure out which audio system is in your vehicle,
nd out what your audio system can do, and how to
operate all of its controls.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio system can be
played even after the ignition is turned off. See
“Retained Accessory Power (RAP)” underIgnition
Positions on page 2-18.
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS)
Press and hold the RCL button, at the same time
press the TUNE/SEEK down or up arrows. Press the
arrows until the correct time appears on the display.
The time can be set with the ignition on or off.
3-46
ProCarManuals.com

Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS)
Press and hold the RCL button and at the same time
press the HR (AUTO EQ left) or MN (AUTO EQ
right) arrows. You will hear a beep indicating that you
can change the time. Release the RCL button and press
HR until the correct hour appears on the display.
Press MN until the correct minute appears on the
display. The time can be set with the ignition on or off.
To synchronize the time with an FM station broadcasting
Radio Data System (RDS) information, press and
hold the RCL and RDS buttons at the same time for two
seconds until SET RDS TIME appears on the display.
If the time is not available from the station NO RDS
TIME SET will appear on the display.
RDS time is broadcast once a minute. After tuning to an
RDS broadcast station, it may take a few minutes for
the time to update.
AM-FM Radio
Playing the Radio
ON (Power):Push this knob to turn the system
on and off.
VOL (Volume):Turn this knob to increase or to
decrease the volume.
RCL (Recall):Press this knob to switch the display
between the radio station frequency and the time. When
the ignition is off, press this knob to display the time.
3-47
ProCarManuals.com

Finding a Station
AM FM:Press this button to switch between FM1,
FM2, or AM. The display will show the selection.
RTUNEQ:Press either arrow to select radio
stations.
RSEEKQ:Press the up or down arrow to go to the
next or to the previous station and stay there.
The radio will only seek stations with a strong signal
that are in the selected band.
SCN (Scan):Press this button to scan stations.
The radio will go to a station, play for a few seconds,
then go on to the next station. Press this button again to
stop scanning.
The radio will only scan stations with a strong signal
that are in the selected band.
Setting Preset Stations
Up to 18 stations (six FM1, six FM2, and six AM) can
be programmed on the six numbered pushbuttons,
by performing the following steps:
1. Turn the radio on.
2. Press AM FM to select FM1, FM2, or AM.
3. Tune in the desired station.
4. Press and hold one of the six numbered
pushbuttons until you hear a beep. Whenever that
numbered pushbutton is pressed, the station
that was set will return.
5. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.
If the battery has been disconnected or a radio fuse has
been removed, the preset stations and time of day
will need to be reset.
3-48
ProCarManuals.com