Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-28
Airbag Systems
........................................1-48
Restraint System Check
............................1-58
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-11
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-13
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-14
Mirrors
....................................................2-29
OnStar
®System
......................................2-35
Storage Areas
.........................................2-36
Sunroof
..................................................2-38
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-21
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-25
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-42Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-46
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
All-Wheel Drive
........................................5-51
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-52
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-53
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-60
Tires
......................................................5-62
Appearance Care
.....................................5-89
Vehicle Identi cation
.................................5-97
Electrical System
......................................5-98
Capacities and Speci cations
...................5-102
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-8
Index................................................................ 1
2004 Saturn VUE Owner ManualM
ProCarManuals.com
Notice:If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you
cannot turn it, be sure you are using the correct
key; if so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. Turn the key only with your hand. Using a
tool to force it could break the key or the ignition
switch. If none of these works, then your vehicle
needs service.
{CAUTION:
If you have a manual transaxle removing the
key from the ignition switch will lock the
steering column and result in a loss of ability to
steer the vehicle. This could cause a collision.
If you need to turn the engine off while the
vehicle is moving, turn the key to ACC.
ACC (Accessory):This position operates some of your
electrical accessories. It unlocks the steering wheel
and ignition.
RUN:This is the position the switch returns to after you
start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in the RUN position when the engine is running.But even when the ignition is not running, you can use
RUN to operate your electrical accessories and to
display some warning and indicator lights.
rSTART:This position starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will return to RUN for normal driving.
A warning tone will sound if you open the driver’s door
when the key has not been removed from the ignition.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transaxle
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position — that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle
moving could damage the transaxle. Shift into
PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transaxle
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL and the parking
brake engaged. Hold the clutch pedal to the oor and
start the engine. Your vehicle won’t start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down – that’s a safety feature.
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Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Windshield Wiper Lever...................................3-9
Cruise Control (2.2L L4 Engine)......................3-11
Cruise Control (3.5L V6 Engine).....................3-14
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-17
Interior Lamps..............................................3-19
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-20
Climate Controls............................................3-21
Climate Control System.................................3-21
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-23
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-25
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-26
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-27
Tachometer.................................................3-27
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-28
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-28
Battery Warning Light....................................3-29Up-Shift Light...............................................3-30
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-30
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-31
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light...........................................3-32
Low Traction Light........................................3-33
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light...........................................3-33
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-34
Low Coolant Warning Light............................3-34
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-35
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-38
Change Engine Oil Light................................3-39
Security Light...............................................3-39
Reduced Engine Power Light.........................3-39
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Indicator Light...........................................3-40
Gate Ajar Light.............................................3-40
Service Vehicle Soon Light............................3-40
Fuel Gage...................................................3-41
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-42
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1
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Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage measures the temperature of the vehicle’s
engine. If the indicator needle moves into the shaded
area, the engine is too hot. A temperature indicator light
will turn on.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, and the temperature indicator
light comes on, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
Low Coolant Warning Light
This light comes on
brie y when you turn
your ignition on.
If this light comes on and stays on, the coolant level in
your vehicle is low. If the light is on along with an
overheat warning, you may have a serious overheating
problem. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on
page 3-34.
Notice:Driving with the low coolant warning light
on could cause your vehicle to overheat. See
“Engine Overheating” underEngine Coolant on
page 5-28. Your vehicle could be damaged and the
damages might not be covered by your warranty.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-28for information
on what to do. Your vehicle should be serviced as
soon as possible.
3-34
ProCarManuals.com
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Service Engine Soon Light
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation of the
fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to assure that emissions are at acceptable levels
for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The SERVICE ENGINE SOON light
comes on to indicate that there is a problem and service
is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by
the system before any problem is apparent. This may
prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system is also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after awhile, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as good,
and your engine may not run as smoothly. This could
lead to costly repairs that may not be covered by
your warranty.Notice:Modi cations made to the engine,
transaxle, exhaust, intake, or fuel system of your
vehicle or the replacement of the original tires with
other than those of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect your vehicle’s emission
controls and may cause this light to come on.
Modi cations to these systems could lead to costly
repairs not covered by your warranty. This may
also result in a failure to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
This light should come on, as a check to show you
it is working, when the ignition is on and the engine is
not running. If the light does not come on, have it
repaired. This light will also come on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing— A mis re condition has been
detected. A mis re increases vehicle emissions
and may damage the emission control system on
your vehicle. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
Light On Steady— An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Diagnosis and service may be required.
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Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Indicator Light
This light is located on the
instrument panel cluster.
It goes on whenever
the Daytime Running
Lamps are on.
SeeDaytime Running LampsunderExterior Lamps on
page 3-17for further information.
Gate Ajar Light
If this light comes on, your
liftgate is not completely
closed. Driving with
the liftgate open can cause
carbon monoxide (CO)
to enter the vehicle.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 2-27for more information.
Service Vehicle Soon Light
This light will come on if
you have problems that
may require the vehicle to
be taken in for service.
If the light comes on, take your vehicle to a GM dealer
for service as soon as possible.
3-40
ProCarManuals.com
Fuel Gage
When the ignition is on, the fuel gage tells you about
how much fuel you have left in your tank.
When the indicator nears empty, the low fuel light
will come on. You still have a little fuel left, but you
should get more soon. SeeLow Fuel Warning Light
on page 3-42for more information.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
Speci cations on page 5-102.
3-41
ProCarManuals.com
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available in
your area to contribute to clean air. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines, particularly if
they comply with the speci cations described earlier.
Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be covered under
your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for
low emissions may contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you
buy gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT. General
Motors does not recommend the use of such gasolines.
Fuels containing MMT can reduce the life of spark
plugs and the performance of the emission control
system may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp
may turn on. If this occurs, return to your authorized
Saturn retailer for service.Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to nd. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
5-7
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