2006 SATURN ION cooling

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 0.9 lbs 0.41 kg
Cooling System
2.0L L4 Supercharged Engine 7.4 qt 7.0 L
2.2L L4 Engine 6.8 qt 6.5 L
2.4L L4 Engine 7.2 qt 6.8 L
Intercooler System (2.0L L4 Supercharged) 2.0 qt 1.9 L
Engine Oil with Filter
2.0L L4 Supercharged Engine 6.0 qt 5.7 L
2.2L L4 Engine and 2.4L L4 Engine 5.0 qt 4.7 L
Fuel Tank 13.0 gal 49.2 L
Transaxle, Automatic 7.0 qt 6.6 L
Transaxle, Manual (Complete Drain and Rell)
2.2L L4 and 2.4L L4 Engines 1.7 qt 1.6 L
2.0L L4 Engine Supercharged 1.6 qt 1.5 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 lb ft 140Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ll to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck uid level after lling.
5-109
ProCarManuals.com

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15. Reset oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-20.An Emission Control Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (j).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. SeeEngine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-22.See footnote (l).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 5-66and “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once a Month
on page 6-10.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels. If you have the
2.0L L4 supercharged engine, check intercooler uid level. Add uid 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 lter.See footnote (k).•
Inspect throttle system.See footnote (g).•
6-5
ProCarManuals.com

Additional Required Services (cont’d)
Service and Miles (Kilometers)25,000
(40 000)50,000
(80 000)75,000
(120 000)100,000
(160 000)125,000
(200 000)150,000
(240 000)
Replace engine fuel lter.An Emission
Control Service. See footnote †.•
Engine cooling system service (or every
ve years, whichever occurs rst).
An Emission Control Service.
See footnote (i).•
Except 2.0L L4 Supercharged engine:
Inspect engine accessory drive belt.
An Emission Control Service.
See footnote (m).•
2.0L L4 Supercharged engine only:
Inspect engine accessory drive belt.
An Emission Control Service.
See footnote (m).•••
6-7
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Footnotes
†The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
(a)Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chang, etc. Inspect
disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface
condition. Inspect drum brake linings/shoes for wear
or cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including drums,
wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
(b)Visually inspect front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose, or missing parts
or signs of wear.
(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if
they are cracked, swollen, or deteriorated. Inspect
all pipes, ttings, and clamps; replace with genuine
Saturn parts as needed. To help ensure proper
operation, a pressure test of the cooling system and
pressure cap and cleaning the outside of the radiator
and air conditioning condenser is recommended at least
once a year.(d)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
Replace wiper blades that appear worn or damaged
or that streak or miss areas of the windshield.
(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced. Also look for any opened or broken airbag
coverings, and have them repaired or replaced.
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders, door hinges and
latches, hood hinges and latches, glove box hinges,
sunroof (if equipped), and any folding seat hardware.
More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment. Applying silicone
grease on weatherstrips with a clean cloth will make
them last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
(g)Check system for interference or binding and
for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as needed.
Replace any components that have high effort or
excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator or cruise
control cables.
6-8
ProCarManuals.com

(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your retailer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-25 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and ller neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired and
the uid level checked. Add uid if needed.
(k)Or every 12 months, whichever occurs rst. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, the lter may
require replacement more often.
(l)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
(m)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks,
or obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability, and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your Saturn retailer can assist you with these
checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-13.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15for further
details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
6-9
ProCarManuals.com

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name, part
number, or specication may be obtained from
your retailer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil
(2.2L and 2.4L
L4 engines)Engine oil which meets
GM Standard GM6094M and
displays the American Petroleum
Institute (API) Certied for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol.
GM Goodwrench
®oil meets all
the requirements for your vehicle.
To determine the proper viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
Engine Oil on page 5-15.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil
(2.0L L4
Supercharged
engine)The engine requires a special
engine oil meeting GM Standard
GM4718M. Oils meeting this
standard may be identied with the
American Petroleum Institute (API)
Certied for Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. However, not all
synthetic API oils with the starburst
symbol will meet this GM standard.
You should look for and use only
an oil that meets GM Standard
GM4718M. GM Goodwrench
®oil
meets all the requirements for your
vehicle. For the proper viscosity,
seeEngine Oil on page 5-15.
Engine Cooling
System50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-25.
Intercooler
System (2.0L L4
Supercharged
engine)50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant.
6-13
ProCarManuals.com

Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-41
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-36
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-29
Cooling System..............................................5-31
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Message...................................3-44
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-40
Customer Assistance Information
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to Saturn................7-12
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government..............................7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government.........................7-11
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-5
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-12D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-14
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Delayed Locking............................................... 2-8
Differential, Limited-Slip....................................4-10
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamp ...................................................3-16
Door
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-8
Locks.......................................................... 2-7
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-9
Rear Doors.................................................2-10
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-16
Seat Height Adjuster...................................... 1-3
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-17
City ...........................................................4-20
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Freeway.....................................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-24
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-18
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-31
Winter........................................................4-26
4
ProCarManuals.com