2006 SATURN ION Owners Manual

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transaxle into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in
the transaxle. You may nd it difficult to pull the shift
lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle) on page 2-28.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transaxle, then you
will be able to pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transaxle shift lock
release system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition is in RUN. SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Operation on page 2-22.The shift lock release is designed to do the following:
Prevent the ignition key from being removed
unless the shift lever is in PARK (P), and
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of PARK (P)
unless the ignition is in a position other than LOCK.
The shift lock release is always functional except in
the case of a dead battery or low voltage (less than
9 volt) battery.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure
on the shift lever — push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P), as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you wish. Press the
shift lever button before moving the shift lever.
Parking Your Vehicle
(Manual Transaxle)
Before leaving your vehicle, fully press the clutch pedal
in, move the shift lever into REVERSE (R), and rmly
apply the parking brake. Once the shift lever has
been placed in REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal
pressed in, you can turn the ignition key to LOCK,
remove the key and release the clutch.
SeeManual Transaxle Operation on page 2-25.
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Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other
things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system has been
modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your
vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
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Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-30.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if the climate control fan is at the highest
setting. One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
SeeWinter Driving on page 4-26.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured.
To be sure your vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set your parking brake and move the shift
lever to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)
on page 2-28.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-39.
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Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
When you are sitting in a comfortable driving position,
adjust the mirror so you can see clearly behind your
vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center to move it up
or down and side to side. The day/night adjustment
allows you to adjust the mirror to avoid glare from the
lamps behind you. Push the tab forward for daytime
use and pull it for nighttime use.
Manual Rearview Mirror with
OnStar
®
If the vehicle has this mirror, while sitting in a comfortable
driving position, adjust the mirror so you can see clearly
behind the vehicle. Grip the mirror in the center and move
it up and down or side to side. The day/night control,
located at the bottom of the mirror, allows adjustment to
lessen glare from the lamps behind you. Push the lever
for daytime use; pull it for night use.
There are three OnStar
®buttons located at the bottom
of the mirror face. For more information about OnStar®
and the services it provides, seeOnStar®System
on page 2-38.
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror with OnStar
®, Compass
and Temperature Display
The vehicle may have this feature. When on, an
automatic dimming mirror automatically dims to the
proper level to minimize glare from lights behind
you after dark.
The mirror also includes a dual display in the upper
right corner of the mirror face. The compass reading
and the outside temperature will both appear in
the display at the same time.
Y(On/Off):This is the on/off button.
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Temperature and Compass Display
Press the on/off button, located to the far left, briey to
turn the comp/temp display on or off.
If the display reads CAL, the compass needs to be
calibrated. See the information following on calibration.
To adjust between Fahrenheit and Celsius do the
following:
1. Press and hold the on/off button for approximately
four seconds until either a ashing °F, or °C appears.
2. Press the button again to change the display to the
desired unit of measurement. After approximately
four seconds of inactivity, the new unit will be locked
in and the compass/temperature display will return.
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
The automatic dimming mirror function is turned
on automatically each time the ignition is started.
To operate the automatic dimming mirror do
the following:
1. Make sure the green indicator light, located to the
left of the on/off button, is lit. If it’s not, press and
hold the on/off button for approximately six seconds
until the green light comes on, indicating that the
mirror is in automatic dimming mode.
2. Turn off the automatic dimming mirror function
by pressing and holding the on/off button for
approximately six seconds until the green indicator
light turns off.
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Compass Calibration
The compass may need calibration from time to time.
In order to calibrate, CAL must be displayed in the mirror
compass windows. If CAL is not displayed, push in
the on/off button for approximately nine seconds or
until CAL is displayed.
The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle
in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display
reads a direction, or the word CAL disappears.
Compass Variance
The mirror is set in zone eight upon leaving the factory.
It will be necessary to adjust the compass to compensate
for compass variance if you live outside of zone eight.
Under certain circumstances, as during a long distance
cross-country trip, it will be necessary to adjust for
compass variance. Compass variance is the difference
between earth’s magnetic north and true geographic
north. If not adjusted to account for compass variance,
your compass could give false readings.
To adjust for compass variance do the following:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the following zone map.2. Press and hold the on/off button until a zone
number appears in the display. The compass is
now in zone mode.
3. Keep pressing the on/off button until the desired
zone number appears in the display. Release
the button. After approximately four seconds of
inactivity, the new zone number will be locked
in and the comp/temp display will return.
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Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Automatic Dimming Rearview
Mirror with Compass and
Temperature Display
If the vehicle has an automatic dimming mirror, it will
automatically dim to the proper level to minimize
glare from lights behind you after dark.
The mirror also includes a display in the upper right
corner of the mirror face. The compass reading and
the outside temperature will both appear in the display
at the same time.
Temperature Display
The temperature can be displayed by pressing the
TEMP button. Pressing the TEMP button for
approximately four seconds, will toggle the temperature
reading from Fahrenheit (°F) to Celsius (°C).
Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation
Press the TEMP button for approximately eight seconds
to turn the automatic dimming feature on and off. An
indicator light on the bottom of the mirror face will be
on when the automatic dimming feature is on.
Compass Operation
Press the COMP button once briey to turn the compass
on or off.
When compass feature is on, the compass will show the
direction the vehicle is traveling, with a maximum of
two characters.
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Compass Calibration
The compass may need calibration from time to time.
In order to calibrate, CAL must be displayed in the mirror
compass window. If CAL is not displayed, push in the
COMP button for approximately eight seconds or
until CAL is displayed.
The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle
in circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display
reads a direction, or the word CAL disappears.
Compass Variance
The mirror is set in zone eight upon leaving the
factory. It will be necessary to adjust the compass to
compensate for compass variance if you live outside
zone eight. Under certain circumstances, as during
a long distance cross-country trip, it will be necessary
to adjust for compass variance. Compass variance is
the difference between earth’s magnetic north and
true geographic north. If not adjusted to account
for compass variance, your compass could give
false readings.
To adjust for compass variance:
1. Find your current location and variance zone
number on the following zone map.2. Press and hold the COMP button for ve seconds
until a zone number appears in the display.
3. Press the COMP button on the bottom of the mirror
until the new zone number appears in the display.
After you stop pressing the button, the display
will show a compass direction within a few seconds.
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