2004 SATURN ION trailer

Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-4for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transaxle
uid (don’t overll), engine oil, axle lubricant, drive belt,
cooling system and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual, and the Index will help you nd
them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to
review this information before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during
severe operating conditions. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-29.
Changing a Tire When Trailer Towing
If you get a at tire while towing a trailer, be sure
to secure the trailer and disconnect it from the vehicle
before changing the tire.
4-46
ProCarManuals.com

3. Pull the air cleaner/lter box cover out and remove
the air lter element from the air lter box. If the
element is dirty, you should replace it. If the element
is only dusty, it may be cleaned by blowing
compressed air through it from the clean side.
Make sure you are away from your engine
compartment when cleaning the air lter with
compressed air.
4. Wipe all dust from inside the housing and inspect the
air cleaner and air inlet tube for cracks, cuts and
deterioration. The air inlet tube must be replaced if it
is damaged.
5. Install the air lter element, hose, hose clamp and
cover.
6. For vehicles equipped with the 2.2L engine, latch
the two clips. For vehicles equipped with the 2.0L
supercharged engine, replace the three screws.Automatic Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle uid level.
A transaxle uid leak is the only reason for uid loss.
If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to retailer’s service
department and have it repaired as soon as possible.
You may also have your uid level checked by your
retailer or service center when you have your oil
changed.
Change both the uid and lter every 50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if 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.
5-24
ProCarManuals.com

If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
An overheat warning can indicate a serious problem.
SeeLow Coolant Level Warning Message on page 3-43.
If you get an engine overheat warning with no warning
messages, 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.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. If you have an air conditioner and it’s on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. Try to minimize engine load. If you’re in a traffic
jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N); otherwise, shift to the
highest gear while driving.If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues and you have not stopped,
pull over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for three minutes while you’re parked. If you still
have the warning,turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicleuntil it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
5-31
ProCarManuals.com

(h)Change automatic transaxle or VTi variable transaxle
uid and lter if 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, ush and rell cooling system. See Engine
Coolant on page 5-26for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and ller neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired and
the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(k)Or every 12 months, whichever occurs rst. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, the lter may
require replacement more often.Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your Saturn retailer can assist you with these
checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-14.
6-9
ProCarManuals.com

Change Engine Oil Message............................3-43
Changing a Tire When Trailer Towing................4-46
Changing the Language (Canada Only)..............3-41
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-36
Check Gage Message.....................................3-44
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-39
Checking Coolant............................................5-28
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-15
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-92
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-35
Infants and Young Children...........................1-32
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-42
Older Children.............................................1-29
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-44
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-47
Top Strap...................................................1-39
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-41
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-38Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-19
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-87
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-90
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-92
Weatherstrips..............................................5-90
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-91
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-90
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-90
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-89
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-89
Cleaning the Mirror.................................2-39, 2-41
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-89
Cleaning Tires................................................5-92
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-89
Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades..............5-91
Climate Control System...........................3-20, 3-22
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment.................3-25
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-24
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-25
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-86
Compass Calibration...............................2-38, 2-40
Compass Operation.........................................2-40
Compass Variance..................................2-38, 2-40
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
3
ProCarManuals.com

Driving (cont.)
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-24
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-17
Winter........................................................4-26
Driving on Grades...........................................4-44
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-27
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-19
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-19
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-43
E
Electric Power Steering..................................... 4-9
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-95
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-95
Power Windows and Other Power Options.........5-95
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-95
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-14
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-38
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-22
Battery.......................................................5-41
Change Oil Message...................................3-43Engine (cont.)
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-36
Coolant......................................................5-26
Coolant Heater............................................2-22
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-35
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-17
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-34
Oil .............................................................5-15
Overheating................................................5-29
Starting......................................................2-20
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Replacement...............5-22
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
(2.0L Supercharged Engine)........................5-100
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
(2.2L L4 Engine).........................................5-98
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-46
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-19
Engine Specications.....................................5-103
Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Error Message................................................3-45
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-7
Express-Down Window....................................2-16
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-28
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-15
5
ProCarManuals.com

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp
Aiming.......................................................5-47
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................... 3-9
Headlamps............................3-10, 3-15, 5-48, 5-50
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-48
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-53
Front Turn Signal Lamps..............................5-51
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-48
Sidemarker Lamps.......................................5-54
Height Adjuster, Driver Seat............................... 1-3
High Speed Operation (Redline)........................5-67
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-24
Hitches..........................................................4-42
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-7
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank.................................................5-34
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-23How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-14
Hydraulic Clutch.............................................5-25
Hydroplaning..................................................4-19
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-31
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-30
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-37
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-37
If You Are Caught in a Blizzard.........................4-28
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow..........4-30
If You Do Decide to Pull a Trailer......................4-40
Ignition Positions.............................................2-18
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-32
Ination - Tire Pressure...................................5-66
Instrument Panel
Cluster.......................................................3-28
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-17
Instrument Panel Fuse Block............................5-96
Interior Lamps................................................3-17
7
ProCarManuals.com

M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month................................6-10
At Least Once a Year..................................6-11
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-8
Maintenance Record....................................6-18
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-16
Owner Checks and Services........................... 6-9
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-14
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using Your................................................... 6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-46
Making Turns.................................................4-43
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-36
Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual Transaxle............................................2-20
Fluid..........................................................5-25
Operation...................................................2-28
Manual Windows............................................2-15
Map Lamps....................................................3-18
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-7Message
Center.......................................................3-41
Change Engine Oil......................................3-43
Check Gage...............................................3-44
Cruise Control.............................................3-42
Error..........................................................3-45
Low Coolant Level Warning..........................3-43
Low Fuel Warning.......................................3-45
Low Traction...............................................3-42
Power Steering...........................................3-44
Service Vehicle...........................................3-45
Traction Off................................................3-42
Transaxle Fluid Cold....................................3-43
Transaxle Fluid Hot......................................3-42
Trunk Ajar Warning......................................3-44
Mirrors
Automatic Dimming Rearview with
Compass and Temperature Display.............2-40
Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar
®,
Compass and Temperature Display.............2-37
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-36
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®.............2-36
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-42
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-42
Outside Remote Control Mirror......................2-42
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
9
ProCarManuals.com