2004 SATURN ION Owners Manual

SAE 5W-30
As shown in the viscosity chart, SAE 5W-30 is
best for your vehicle. However, you can use SAE
10W-30 if it is going to be 0°F (-18°C) or above.
These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity
oils such as SAE 20W-50.
Oils meeting these
requirements should
also have the starburst
symbol on the container.
This symbol indicates
that the oil has been
certied by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
You should look for this on the oil container, and use
onlythose oils that are identied as meeting GM
Standard GM4718M and have the starburst symbol on
the front of the oil container.Your vehicle’s engine is lled at the factory with a
Mobil 1®synthetic oil, which meets all requirements for
your vehicle.
Substitute Engine Oil:When adding oil to maintain
engine oil level, oil meeting GM Standard GM4718M
may not be available. You can add substitute oil
designated SAE 5W-30 with the starburst symbol at all
temperatures. If temperatures are above 0°F (-18°C),
you may substitute SAE 10W-30 with the starburst
symbol. Substitute oil not meeting GM Standard
GM4718M should not be used for an oil change.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol that meet GM Standard
GM6094M are all you will need for good performance
and engine protection.
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When to Change Engine Oil
(GM Oil Life System)
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and lter. This is
based on engine revolutions and engine temperature,
and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated
can vary considerably. For the oil life system to
work properly, you must reset the system every time
the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHG OIL message will come on.
SeeChange Engine Oil Message on page 3-43for
more information on this message. Change your oil as
soon as possible within the next two times you stop
for fuel. It is possible that, if you are driving under the
best conditions, the oil life system may not indicate
that an oil change is necessary for over a year.However, your engine oil and lter must be changed at
least once a year and at this time the system must
be reset. Your retailer has trained service people who
will perform this work using genuine Saturn parts
and reset the system. It is also important to check your
oil regularly and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Oil Life System
The GM Oil Life System calculates when to change
your engine oil and lter based on vehicle use.
Anytime your oil is changed, reset the system so it can
calculate when the next oil change is required. If a
situation occurs where you change your oil prior to the
CHG OIL message being turned on, reset the system.
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After changing the engine oil, reset the system by doing
the following:
1. Press and release the trip/reset button until the
OIL LIFE message is displayed.
2. Then press and hold the trip/reset button until a
chime sounds ve times, and RESET is displayed
in the message center.
When the system is reset, the odometer will again
be displayed in the message center.
3. Turn the key to LOCK.
If the CHG OIL message comes back on when you start
your vehicle, the engine oil life system has not reset.
Repeat the procedure.
Your vehicle has a unique oil lter element. When
installing the ller cap do not exceed 18 lb-ft (25Y).
Inspect the condition of the O-ring and replace if
damaged. See your Saturn retailer for additional
information.What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very long.
Clean your skin and nails with soap and water, or a
good hand cleaner. Wash or properly dispose of
clothing or rags containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers,
or into streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by
taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have
a problem properly disposing of your used oil, ask your
retailer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.
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Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Replacement
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at every oil change and
replace at the rst oil change after 25,000 miles
(40,000 km). 2.2L L4 Engine
2.0L Supercharged Engine
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How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter remove the lter from the
vehicle and lightly shake lter to release loose dust
and dirt. If the lter remains “caked” with dirt, a new lter
is required.
The engine air cleaner/lter is located in the engine
compartment. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for more information on location.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4for information
on when to replace the engine air cleaner/lter.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/lter
off can cause you or others to be burned.
The air cleaner not only cleans the air,
it helps to stop ame if the engine backres.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If it is not there and the engine backres,
you could be burned. Do not drive with it off,
and be careful working on the engine with the
air cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can
easily get into your engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/lter in place when you
are driving.
To replace the engine air cleaner/lter, do the following:
1. Loosen the hose clamp that is on the inlet duct
on the cover and pull off the hose.
2. For vehicles equipped with the 2.2L engine, release
the two clips and turn the cover upward to unhook
the hinges. For vehicles equipped with the 2.0L
supercharged engine, remove the three screws on
the cover.
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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.
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If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the uid and lter do not require changing.
Notice:For VTi variable transaxles, use only Saturn
Variable Transaxle Fluid. Using any other uid will
result in transaxle damage. Damage cause by
the use of uid other than Saturn Variable Transaxle
Fluid will not be covered by your warranty.
Notice:For ve-speed automatic transaxles,
use only Saturn T-IV Transaxle Fluid. Using any
other uid will result in transaxle damage. Damage
cause by the use of uid other than Saturn T-IV
Transaxle Fluid will not be covered by your
warranty.Manual 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 your 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. SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-14for the proper uid to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. This system does not have its own
reservoir. It receives uid from the brake master
cylinder reservoir.
SeeBrakes on page 5-38for more information.
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Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 100,000 miles
(166 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-29.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-halfclean, drinkable waterand
one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which won’t damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will.
CAUTION: (Continued)
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