2006 SATURN ION brake

Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located between the
front seats.To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition
is on, the brake system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-34.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press
the release button. Hold the release button in as you
move the brake lever all the way down.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
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ProCarManuals.com

Shifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
{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.
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, use
the steps that follow. If you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-39.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the
parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding
the button on the shift lever and pushing the
lever all the way toward the front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you
can leave your vehicle with the ignition key in
your hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and
your parking brake is rmly set before you leave it.
After you have moved the shift lever into PARK (P),
hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you
can move the shift lever away from PARK (P) without
rst pushing the button. If you can, it means that the
shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P).
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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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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.
2-31
ProCarManuals.com

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-7
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Washer.........................................3-9
Windshield Wiper Lever...................................3-9
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Headlamps..................................................3-13
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-14
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-14
Fog Lamps ..................................................3-15
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-15
Dome Lamp .................................................3-16
Entry Lighting...............................................3-16
Map Lamps .................................................3-16
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-16
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-16
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-17Climate Controls............................................3-18
Climate Control System
(Without Air Conditioning)...........................3-18
Climate Control System
(With Air Conditioning)...............................3-20
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-22
Passenger Compartment Air Filter...................3-23
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-25
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-26
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-27
Trip Odometer..............................................3-27
Tachometer.................................................3-28
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-29
Passenger Safety Belt Reminder Light.............3-29
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-30
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-31
Battery Warning Light....................................3-33
Up-Shift Light...............................................3-33
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-34
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-35
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-36
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-40
Passlock
®Warning Light................................3-40
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1
ProCarManuals.com

Setting Cruise Control
{CAUTION:
If you leave your cruise control on when you
are not using cruise, you might hit a button
and go into cruise when you do not want to.
You could be startled and even lose control.
Keep the cruise control switch off until you
want to use cruise control.
The cruise control buttons are located on the steering
wheel.
J(On/Off):Press this button to turn the cruise
control system on and off.
+RES (Resume):Press this part of the button to
resume a set speed and to accelerate the speed.
−SET (Set):Press this part of the button to set a speed
and to decrease the speed.
To set a speed do the following:
1. Press the on/off button to turn cruise control on.
The indicator light on the button will come on.
2. Get to the speed you want.
3. Press the−SET part of the control button and
release it. The CRUISE message will display in
the instrument panel cluster to show the system
is engaged.
4. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
When the brakes are applied, the cruise control shuts off.
If the vehicle is in cruise control and the Enhanced
Traction System (ETS) begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage. See
Enhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-9. When
road conditions allow, the cruise control can be
used again.
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ProCarManuals.com

Resuming a Set Speed
Suppose you set your cruise control at a desired
speed and then you apply the brake. This, of course,
disengages the cruise control. The CRUISE message in
the instrument panel cluster will also go out indicating
cruise is no longer engaged. To return to your previously
set speed, you do not need to go through the set process
again. Once you’re going about 25 mph (40 km/h) or
more, you can press the +RES part of the button briey.
This will take you back up to your previously chosen
speed and stay there.
Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
Disengage the cruise control but do not turn it off.
Accelerate to a higher speed and reset the cruise
control.
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
press the +RES part of the button. Hold it there until
you get up to the speed you want, and then release
the button. To increase your speed in very small
amounts, press the +RES part of the button briey
and then release it. Each time you do this, your
vehicle will go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
Push and hold the−SET part of the button until you
reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push
the−SET part of the button briey. Each time you
do this, you’ll go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear to
keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers nd this to
be too much trouble and don’t use cruise control on
steep hills.
3-12
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Ending Cruise Control
To end the cruise control session, step lightly on the
brake pedal or tap the clutch if your vehicle has a
manual transmission.
Stepping on the brake pedal or clutch will only end the
current cruise control session. Press the cruise control
on/off button to turn the system completely off.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Headlamps
The exterior lamp control is located in the middle of the
turn signal/multifunction lever.
O(Exterior Lamp Control):Turn the control with this
symbol on it to operate the exterior lamps.
The exterior lamp control has the following four positions:
9(Off):Turning the control to this position turns off
all lamps except the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
On some vehicles, this position activates the automatic
headlamp system.AUTO (Automatic):If your turn signal lever has this
position, turning the control to this position puts the
headlamps in automatic mode. AUTO mode will turn the
exterior lamps on and off depending upon how much
light is available outside of the vehicle.
;(Parking Lamps):Turning the control to this
position turns on the parking lamps together with the
following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
5(Headlamps):Turning the control to this position
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
Lamps On Reminder
If you open the driver’s door with the ignition off and the
lamps on, you will hear a warning chime.
3-13
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