2005 SATURN ION bulb

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-9
Safety Belts
.............................................1-10
Child Restraints
.......................................1-30
Airbag System
.........................................1-49
Restraint System Check
............................1-59
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-15
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-16
Mirrors
....................................................2-31
OnStar
®System
......................................2-38
Storage Areas
.........................................2-39
Sunroof
..................................................2-41
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-18
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-25
Message Center
.......................................3-39
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-44Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-34
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-46
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-47
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-55
Tires
......................................................5-56
Appearance Care
.....................................5-83
Vehicle Identication
.................................5-92
Electrical System
......................................5-93
Capacities and Specications
...................5-100
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
2005 Saturn ION Owner ManualM
ProCarManuals.com

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
Headlamps
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
Flash-to-Pass Feature
For additional information on the exterior lamps, see
Headlamps on page 3-13.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and
two downward (for left) positions. These positions allow
you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is nished, the lever will return
automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will ash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to ash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by itself
when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
ash rapidly, a signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you signal
a turn, check the fuse, seeFuses and Circuit Breakers
on page 5-93and for burned-out bulbs.
3-7
ProCarManuals.com

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the short
periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully functional
daytime running lamps are required on all vehicles
rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will make your amber turn signal bulb
come on at a reduced brightness in daylight when
the following conditions are met:
The ignition is on, and
the exterior lamp band is in the off or AUTO
position.
When the DRL are on, your amber turn signal bulb will
be on at a reduced brightness. The taillamps,
sidemarker and other lamps won’t be on. Your
instrument panel won’t be lit up either.
When you turn the exterior lamp band to the headlamp
position, your low-beam headlamps will come on.
The other lamps that come on with your headlamps will
also come on.
When you turn off the headlamps, the regular lamps will
go off, and your amber turn signal bulb will come on
to the reduced brightness.
Automatic Headlamp System
If you have the automatic headlamps system, the
headlamps will come on automatically when it is dark
enough.
Your vehicle may have a
light sensor located on top
of the instrument panel.
Make sure it is not
covered, or the headlamps
will be on when you
don’t need them.
The system may also turn on the headlamps when
driving through a parking garage or tunnel.
3-14
ProCarManuals.com

Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen if
you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is
designed to evaluate critical emission control systems
during normal driving. This may take several days
of routine driving. If you have done this and your vehicle
still does not pass the inspection for lack of OBD
system readiness, your retailer can prepare the vehicle
for inspection.
Oil Pressure Light
If you have a low engine
oil pressure problem, this
light will stay on after
you start your engine, or
come on when you
are driving. This indicates
that your engine is not
receiving enough oil.The engine could be low on oil, or could have some
other oil problem. Have it xed immediately.
The oil light may also come on when the ignition is on
but the engine is not running, the light will come on as a
test to show you it is working, but the light will go out
when you turn the ignition to START. If it doesn’t come
on with the ignition on, you may have a problem with
the fuse or bulb. Have it xed right away.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches re. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have
your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance may
damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing
engine oil.
3-36
ProCarManuals.com

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal asher and/or extra wiring. See your
retailer if you need information. The arrows on your
instrument panel will ash whenever you signal a turn or
lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps
will also ash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving on Grades
Notice:Do not tow on steep continuous grades
exceeding 6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher
than normal engine and transaxle temperatures may
result and damage your vehicle. Frequent stops
are very important to allow the engine and transaxle
to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of the engine and the transmission
overheating. If your engine does overheat, seeEngine
Overheating on page 5-28.
4-42
ProCarManuals.com

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle..............................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-20
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-22
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-24
Manual Transaxle Fluid..................................5-24
Hydraulic Clutch...........................................5-24
Engine Coolant.............................................5-24
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-27
Engine Overheating.......................................5-28
Cooling System............................................5-30Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-37
Brakes........................................................5-38
Battery........................................................5-41
Jump Starting...............................................5-42
Headlamp Aiming...........................................5-46
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-47
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-47
Headlamps (Coupe)......................................5-47
Headlamps (Sedan)......................................5-48
Front Turn Signal Lamps (Sedan)...................5-50
Front Turn Signal and Parking
Lamps (Coupe).........................................5-51
Fog Lamps..................................................5-52
Sidemarker Lamps (Coupe)............................5-52
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-53
Taillamps, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps........5-54
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-55
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-55
Tires..............................................................5-56
Tire Sidewall Labelling...................................5-58
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-60
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-63
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-65
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-66
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1
ProCarManuals.com

Bulb Replacement
For the type of bulb to use, seeReplacement Bulbs on
page 5-55.
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your retailer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside
and can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb.
You or others could be injured. Be sure to read
and follow the instructions on the bulb
package.
Headlamps (Coupe)
To change a headlamp bulb on a coupe model, do the
following:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11
for more information.
2. Pull up on the headlamp retaining pins to remove
them from the headlamp assembly.
3. Pull the headlamp assembly away from the vehicle
and remove the electrical connector.
5-47
ProCarManuals.com

4. Raise the lock tab and pull the connector from the
base of the bulb to remove the electrical connector
from the headlamp bulb.
5. Remove the retaining nut by turning it
counterclockwise.
6. Remove the bulb and replace it with the
appropriate bulb.
7. Reverse the steps to reinstall the headlamp
assembly.Headlamps (Sedan)
To change a headlamp bulb on a sedan model, do the
following:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood Release on page 5-11
for more information.
2. Pull up on the headlamp retaining pins to remove
them from the headlamp assembly.
3. Pull the headlamp assembly away from the vehicle
and remove the electrical connector.
5-48
ProCarManuals.com