2005 SATURN L-SERIES steering wheel

Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will clear
the area around your front wheels. You should turn your
traction control system off. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) on page 4-9. Then shift back and forth between
REVERSE (R) and a forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while
you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when
the transaxle is in gear. By slowly spinning your wheels in
the forward and reverse directions, you will cause a
rocking motion that may free your vehicle. If that does not
get you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed
out. Or, you can use your recovery hook. If you do need
to be towed out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-37.
Recovery Hook
Your vehicle is equipped with a recovery hook. The
recovery hook is provided at the rear of your vehicle.
It can only be used for pulling your vehicle out.
{CAUTION:
The recovery hook, when used, is under a lot
of force. Always pull the vehicle straight out.
Never pull on the hook at a sideways angle.
The hook could break off and you or others
could be injured from the chain or cable
snapping back.
Notice:Never use the recovery hook to tow the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged and it would
not be covered by warranty.
4-31
ProCarManuals.com

Dinghy Towing
You may dinghy tow your vehicle from the front following
these steps:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition key to ACC to unlock
the steering wheel.3. Shift your transaxle to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Open the lid on the underhood fuse block and
remove the IGN 0/3/CR and IGN 1/2 fuses.
Refer to the underside of the underhood fuse block
cover for specific fuse locations.
5. Close the lid on the underhood fuse block and store
the two fuses in a safe place.
6. Close the hood.
7. Release the parking brake.
Once you have reached your destination replace the
IGN 0/3/CR and IGN 1/2 fuses.
Notice:If you exceed 65 mph (110 km/h) while
towing your vehicle, it could be damaged. Never
exceed 65 mph (110 km/h) while towing your vehicle.
4-38
ProCarManuals.com

Notice:Towing your vehicle from the rear could
damage it. Also, repairs would not be covered
by the warranty. Never have your vehicle towed
from the rear.
Dolly Towing
Your vehicle can be towed using a dolly. To tow your
vehicle using a dolly, follow these steps:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).
3. Set the parking brake and remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed for towing.
5. Release the parking brake.
4-39
ProCarManuals.com

Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring. Check
with your dealer. The arrows on your instrument
panel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane
change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will flash 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.
4-44
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 Specifications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your 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...................................................5-13
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-17
Automatic Transaxle Fluid..............................5-20
Engine Coolant.............................................5-20
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap..................5-23
Engine Overheating.......................................5-23
Cooling System............................................5-26
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-31
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-32Brakes........................................................5-33
Battery........................................................5-36
Jump Starting...............................................5-37
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-42
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-42
Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker,
and Parking Lamps....................................5-42
Fog Lamps..................................................5-44
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-45
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-45
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-46
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-47
Tires..............................................................5-48
Tire Sidewall Labelling...................................5-49
Tire Terminology and Definitions.....................5-51
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................5-54
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-55
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-56
Buying New Tires.........................................5-57
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-58
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-59
Wheel Replacement......................................5-60
Tire Chains..................................................5-61
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-62
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1
ProCarManuals.com

Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example of a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter P as
the first character in the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to standards set by the U.S. Tire
and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates the
tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that indicates
the tire height-to-width measurements. For example,
if the tire size aspect ratio is 60, as shown in item C of
the illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall
is 60 percent as high as it is wide.(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire. The
letter R means radial ply construction; the letter D means
diagonal or bias ply construction; and the letter B means
belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description:These characters represent
the load range and speed rating of the tire. The load
index represents the load carry capacity a tire is certified
to carry. The load index can range from 1 to 279. The
speed rating is the maximum speed a tire is certified
to carry a load. Speed ratings range from A to Z.
Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kiloPascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height to
its width.
5-51
ProCarManuals.com

If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blowout” while you’re driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a
few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake
to a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like
a skid and may require the same correction you’d use in
a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to do
maintenance or repairs is dangerous without
the appropriate safety equipment and training.
The jack provided with your vehicle is designed
only for changing a at tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could be badly
injured or killed if the vehicle slips off the jack.
Use the jack provided with your vehicle only for
changing a at tire.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your
hazard warning flashers.
5-62
ProCarManuals.com

S
Safety Belt
Reminder Light............................................3-25
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-75
Driver Position............................................1-12
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-12
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-11
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for
Children and Small Adults.........................1-24
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-21
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-20
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-26
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-20
Safety Belts Are for Everyone......................... 1-7
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster........................1-19
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4
Seats
Head Restraints............................................ 1-5
Manual Lumbar............................................. 1-3
Manual Passenger......................................... 1-2
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-3
Six-Way Power Driver.................................... 1-2
Split Folding Rear Seat.................................. 1-6
Securing a Child Restraint
Designed for the LATCH System...................1-41
Rear Seat Position......................................1-41
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-43Security Light.................................................3-34
Service........................................................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle.......................................... 5-5
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-31
Publications Ordering Information..................... 7-9
Vehicle Soon Light.......................................3-36
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-54
Setting the Time.............................................3-38
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-79
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-23
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-24
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster...........................1-19
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change.......................... 3-7
Spare Tire
Installing....................................................5-65
Removing...................................................5-64
Storing.......................................................5-71
Specifications, Capacities.................................5-89
Speedometer..................................................3-24
Split Folding Rear Seat..................................... 1-6
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-17
Steering........................................................4-10
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel................................. 3-6
Storage Areas
Center Console Storage Area........................2-28
Glove Box..................................................2-28
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-30
10
ProCarManuals.com