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 Identi cation
.................................5-92
Electrical System
......................................5-93
Capacities and Speci cations
...................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
Passlock®
Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock®
theft-deterrent system.
Passlock
®is a passive theft-deterrent system.
Passlock®enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is
turned with a valid key. If a correct key is not used or the
ignition lock cylinder is tampered with, fuel is disabled.
During normal operation,
the security light will
go off approximately
three seconds after the
key is turned to the
RUN ignition position.
If the engine stalls and the security light ashes, wait
until the light stops ashing before trying to restart
the engine. Remember to release the key from START
as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine is running and the security light comes on,
you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the
engine off. However, your Passlock
®system is
not working properly and must be serviced by your
retailer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock
®at
this time. You may also want to check the fuses,
seeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-93. See your
retailer for service.
Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break-in. But it will perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one constant speed, fast or
slow, for the rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts. Do not exceed
5,000 engine rpm. Avoid downshifting to brake,
or slow, the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for the rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new
brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear
and earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake
linings.
Do not tow a trailer during the rst 1,000 miles
(1 600 km). SeeTowing a Trailer on page 4-37
for the trailer towing capabilities of your vehicle
and more information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load can be
gradually increased.
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Message Center.............................................3-39
Low Traction Message...................................3-40
Traction Off Message....................................3-40
Cruise Control Message.................................3-40
Transaxle Fluid Hot Message.........................3-41
Transaxle Fluid Cold Message........................3-41
Low Coolant Level Warning Message..............3-41
Change Engine Oil Message..........................3-41
Check Gage Message...................................3-42
Power Steering Message...............................3-42
Trunk Ajar Warning Message.........................3-42
Check Gas Cap Message..............................3-43
Low Fuel Warning Message...........................3-43
Service Vehicle Message...............................3-43
Error Message.............................................3-43Audio System(s).............................................3-44
Setting the Time for Radios without Radio
Data Systems (RDS)..................................3-44
Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data
Systems (RDS).........................................3-44
AM-FM Radio...............................................3-45
Radio with CD (Base Level)...........................3-47
Radio with CD (MP3)....................................3-52
Theft-Deterrent Feature..................................3-65
Radio Reception...........................................3-67
Care of Your CDs.........................................3-68
Care of the CD Player...................................3-68
Fixed Mast Antenna......................................3-68
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System.............3-68
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2
ProCarManuals.com
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-8. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing
fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality will
cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling
when you put the vehicle into gear, mis ring, hesitation
on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the
light to turn on.If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
your retailer can check the vehicle. Your retailer has
the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to x any
mechanical or electrical problems that may have
developed.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
may begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a vehicle
registration.
Here are some things you need to know in order to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the check
engine light is on or not working properly.
3-35
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Fuel Gage
When the ignition is on,
the fuel gage on the right
tells you about how
much fuel you have left in
your tank.
When the indicator nears empty, the LOW FUEL
message will come on. You still have a little fuel left, but
you should get more soon. SeeLow Fuel Warning
Message on page 3-43for 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 5-100.
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ProCarManuals.com
Check Gas Cap Message
This message will come on
when the ignition is on and
the gas cap is open.
Low Fuel Warning Message
When the LOW FUEL
message is displayed, you
may have less than
1.5 gallons (5.5 liters) of
fuel left. A chime will
also sound to alert you to
this message.
You should refuel your vehicle immediately. When the
fuel tank is lled to more than 3.3 gallons (11.5 liters),
this message will no longer be displayed.
Service Vehicle Message
If the SERVICE VEHICLE
message is displayed, a
non-emission related
problem has occurred
which requires the vehicle
be taken in for service.
These problems may not be obvious and may affect
vehicle performance and durability. See your retailer for
necessary repairs to maintain top vehicle performance.
Error Message
When the ERROR
message is displayed,
there is a problem
with your odometer
system.
See your retailer for service and repair if this message
is displayed.
3-43
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