2005 SATURN L-SERIES Owners Manual

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-13for more information.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a 2.1 lbs 0.95 kg
Cooling System 8.5 quarts 8.0 L
Engine Oil with Filter 5.0 quarts 4.7 L
Fuel Tank 15.7 gallons 59.4 L
Transaxle 6.9 quarts 6.5 L
Wheel Nut Torque 92 ft lb 125Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck fluid level after filling.
Engine Specications
Engine VIN Code Transaxle Spark Plug Gap
3.0L V6 R Automatic 0.040 inches (1.02 mm)
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✍NOTES
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Maintenance Schedule......................................6-2
Introduction...................................................6-2
Maintenance Requirements..............................6-2
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................6-2
Using Your Maintenance Schedule....................6-2
Scheduled Maintenance...................................6-4
Additional Required Services............................6-6
Maintenance Footnotes...................................6-8Owner Checks and Services............................6-9
At Each Fuel Fill............................................6-9
At Least Once a Month.................................6-10
At Least Once a Year...................................6-10
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants...............6-13
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts..........6-14
Maintenance Record.....................................6-15
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
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Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level and
change as recommended.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections,
replacement parts and recommended uids and
lubricants as prescribed in this manual are necessary
to keep your vehicle in good working condition.
Any damage caused by failure to follow scheduled
maintenance may not be covered by warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance is
important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level of
emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep your vehicle in good condition,
be sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at Saturn want to help you keep your vehicle in good
working condition. But we do not know exactly how
you will drive it. You may drive very short distances only
a few times a week. Or you may drive long distances
all the time in very hot, dusty weather. You may
use your vehicle in making deliveries. Or you may drive
it to work, to do errands or in many other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read
the following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition,
see your Saturn retailer.
This schedule is for vehicles that:
•carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will find these limits on the tire and
loading information label. SeeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-32.
•are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
•use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline Octane
on page 5-5.
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The services inScheduled Maintenance on page 6-4
should be performed when indicated. SeeAdditional
Required Services on page 6-6andMaintenance
Footnotes on page 6-8for further information.
{CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you
can be seriously injured. Do your own
maintenance work only if you have the required
know-how and the proper tools and equipment
for the job. If you have any doubt, see your GM
Goodwrench dealer to have a qualied
technician do the work.
Some maintenance services can be complex. So,
unless you are technically qualified and have the
necessary equipment, you should have your Saturn
retailer do these jobs.When you go to your Saturn retailer for your service
needs, you will know that Saturn-trained and supported
service technicians will perform the work using genuine
Saturn parts.
If you want to get service information, seeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-9.
Owner Checks and Services on page 6-9tells you what
should be checked, when to check it and what you can
easily do to help keep your vehicle in good condition.
The proper replacement parts, fluids and lubricants to
use are listed inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 6-13andNormal Maintenance Replacement
Parts on page 6-14. When your vehicle is serviced,
make sure these are used. All parts should be replaced
and all necessary repairs done before you or anyone
else drives the vehicle. We recommend the use of
genuine Saturn parts.
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Scheduled Maintenance
When the Change Engine Oil light comes on, it means
that service is required for your vehicle. Have your
vehicle serviced as soon as possible within the next
600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible that, if you are driving
under the best conditions, the engine oil life system may
not indicate that vehicle service is necessary for over a
year. However, your engine oil and filter must be changed
at least once a year and at this time the system must be
reset. Your Saturn retailer has Saturn-trained service
technicians who will perform this work using genuine
Saturn parts and reset the system.
If the engine oil life system is ever reset accidentally,
you must service your vehicle within 3,000 miles
(5 000 km) since your last service. Remember to reset
the oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil Life System on page 5-16for information on
the Engine Oil Life System and resetting the system.When the Change Engine Oil light appears, certain
services, checks and inspections are required.
Required services are described in the following for
“MaintenanceI” and “MaintenanceII.” Generally,
it is recommended that your first service be
MaintenanceI, your second service be MaintenanceII
and that you alternate MaintenanceIand MaintenanceII
thereafter. However, in some cases, MaintenanceII
may be required more often.
MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the Change
Engine Oil light comes on within 10 months since vehicle
was purchased or MaintenanceIIwas performed.
MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the previous
service performed was MaintenanceI. Always use
MaintenanceIIwhenever the light comes on 10 months
or more since the last service or if the light has not
come on at all for one year.
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Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and filter. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13. Reset oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-16.An Emission Control Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (j).••
Inspect engine air cleaner filter. If necessary, replace filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17.An Emission Control Service. See footnote †.••
Rotate tires and check inflation pressures and wear. SeeTires on page 5-48.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer fluid levels and add fluid
as needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services”
in this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
Replace passenger compartment air filter.See footnote (k).•
Inspect throttle system.See footnote (g).•
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Additional Required Services
The following services should be performed at the first maintenance service (IorII) after the indicated miles (kilometers)
shown for each item.
Additional Required Services
Service and Miles (Kilometers)25,000
(41 500)50,000
(83 000)75,000
(125 000)100,000
(166 000)125,000
(207 500)150,000
(240 000)
Inspect fuel system for damage
or leaks.••••••
Inspect exhaust system for loose
or damaged components.••••••
Replace engine air cleaner filter. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17.
An Emission Control Service.••••••
Change automatic transaxle fluid
and filter (severe service only).
See footnote (h).•••
Replace spark plugs.An Emission
Control Service.•
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