2004 SATURN L-SERIES tow

Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located between the
bucket seats.
When parking your vehicle, set the parking brake before
shifting your automatic transaxle into PARK (P).
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is
on, the brake system warning light will come on.To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press
the release button. Hold the release button in as you
move the brake lever all the way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and parking on a hill, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-40for more information.
2-27
ProCarManuals.com

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 4-40.
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 OFF.
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).
2-28
ProCarManuals.com

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 2-31.
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. See
Winter 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 2-28.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-40.
2-32
ProCarManuals.com

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
While 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,
located at the bottom of the mirror, 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 2-40for more
information about the services OnStar®provides.
2-33
ProCarManuals.com

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.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
with Compass and Temperature
Display
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic dimming
mirror it will automatically dim to the proper level to
minimize glare from lights behind you after dark.
The mirror also includes a display in the upper right
corner of the mirror face. The compass reading and the
outside temperature will both appear in the display at
the same time.
2-36
ProCarManuals.com

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.
Outside Remote Control Mirror
To adjust the driver’s side outside mirror, move the
knob located on the driver’s door. To adjust the
passenger’s side outside mirror, move the knob located
on the passenger’s door. Adjust each mirror so you
can see the side of your vehicle and the area beside and
behind your vehicle.
2-38
ProCarManuals.com

Do not exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your vehicle. For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading, seeLoading Your Vehicle on
page 4-34.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you’re driving,
check frequently to ensure your cargo is securely
fastened.
Cargo Cover
Wagon models are equipped with a rear compartment
cargo shade. The cargo shade will help to hide
valuables placed in the rear compartment of your
vehicle.
Here’s how to use the cargo shade:
1. Open the liftgate.
2. Grasp the handle on the shade and pull it
toward you.3. Hook the slides of the shade into the notches on
either side of the liftgate opening.
If your cargo shade becomes soiled, it may be cleaned
using the same method as outlined in the vinyl
cleaning section in this handbook. SeeCleaning the
Inside of Your Vehicle on page 5-82for more
information.
2-43
ProCarManuals.com

Removing the Cargo Cover
To remove the cargo shade:
1. Unhook the shade and allow it to retract all the way.
2. Grasp the shade on the driver’s side of the vehicle
and move it toward the passenger’s side,
compressing the spring.
3. Lift up the end of the shade on the driver’s side of
the vehicle and remove the cargo shade from the
vehicle.{CAUTION:
An improperly stored cargo shade could be
thrown about the vehicle during a collision or
sudden maneuver. You or others could be
injured. If you remove the shade, always store
it outside of the vehicle. When you put it back,
always be sure that it is securely installed.
Installing the Cargo Shade
To install the cargo shade:
1. Insert one end of the shade into the slot on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle.
2. Move the shade toward the passenger’s side to
compress the spring, and lower the shade into
the slot on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
After you’ve installed the cargo shade, check to make
sure it’s secure by trying to lift the shade up without
moving it toward the driver’s or passenger’s side. If you
can lift the cargo shade up, it isn’t secure.
2-44
ProCarManuals.com