2006 SATURN ION Wiper

Seats and Restraint Systems........................... 1-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-9
Safety Belts
.............................................1-11
Child Restraints
.......................................1-32
Airbag System
.........................................1-54
Restraint System Check
............................1-68
Features and Controls..................................... 2-1
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
.................................................2-13
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................2-16
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........2-17
Mirrors
....................................................2-32
OnStar
®System
......................................2-38
Storage Areas
.........................................2-40
Sunroof
..................................................2-41
Instrument Panel............................................. 3-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-4
Climate Controls
......................................3-18
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........3-25
Message Center
.......................................3-43
Audio System(s)
.......................................3-48Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Towing
...................................................4-36
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 5-1
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............5-10
Headlamp Aiming
.....................................5-48
Bulb Replacement
....................................5-48
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........5-56
Tires
......................................................5-57
Appearance Care
.....................................5-90
Vehicle Identication
.................................5-99
Electrical System
......................................5-99
Capacities and Specications
...................5-109
Maintenance Schedule..................................... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance and Information.............. 7-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects
...........................7-11
Index................................................................ 1
2006 Saturn ION Owner ManualM
ProCarManuals.com

3. Place your nger into the access hole and locate
the plunger.
4. Press and hold the plunger toward the driver’s
door while turning the ignition key to LOCK.
Remove the key.
Have your vehicle serviced at your retailer as soon
as possible.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature which will allow the radio, wipers,
power windows, sunroof and the rear power outlet
to work after the ignition is turned off.
Your radio will work when the ignition key is in RUN or
ACC. Once the key is turned from RUN to LOCK,
the radio will continue to work for up to 10 minutes or
until any door is opened.
Starting the Engine
Automatic Transaxle
Move the shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
The engine will not start in any other position — that
is a safety feature. To restart when you are already
moving, use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Shifting into PARK (P) with the vehicle
moving could damage the transaxle. Shift into
PARK (P) only when your vehicle is stopped.
2-20
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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
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The main components of the instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-22.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
C. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
D. Windshield Wiper Lever. SeeWindshield Wiper
Lever on page 3-9.
E. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
F. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-26.
G. Enhanced Traction System (ETS) (If Equipped).
SeeEnhanced Traction System (ETS) on page 4-9.
H. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-48.
I. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-10.
J. Trunk Release Button. SeeTrunk on page 2-11.K. Fog Lamp (If Equipped)/Dimmer Switch. SeeFog
Lamps on page 3-15andInstrument Panel
Brightness on page 3-15.
L. Cruise Control Switches. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-10.
M. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System (Without Air Conditioning) on page 3-18
orClimate Control System (With Air Conditioning)
on page 3-20.
N. Transaxle Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transaxle
Operation on page 2-22orManual Transaxle
Operation on page 2-25Manual Transaxle
Operation.
O. Passenger Air Bag Status Indicator. SeePassenger
Airbag Status Indicator on page 3-31.
P. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-40.
3-5
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Windshield Washer
{CAUTION:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer
until the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the
washer uid can form ice on the windshield,
blocking your vision.
L(Washer Fluid):Pull the windshield wiper lever
toward you to operate the windshield wipers. Washer
uid will squirt onto the windshield and the wipers will run
for a few cycles to clear the windshield. For more wash
cycles, pull the lever toward you and hold it there.
Windshield Wiper Lever
The lever on the right side of the steering column
operates the windshield wipers.
7(Mist):Pull the lever down and release it for a
single wiping cycle. The lever will return to its original
position. For more cycles, hold the lever down before
releasing it.
9(Off):Put the lever in this position to turn off
the wipers.
3-9
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&(Delay):Put the lever in this position to set a delay
between wipes. Turn the end of the lever to set the
length of the delay.
6(Low Speed):Put the lever in this position for
slow, steady wiping cycles.
1(High Speed):Put the lever in this position for
rapid wiping cycles.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they’re frozen to the windshield,
gently loosen or thaw them. If the blades do become
damaged, install new blades or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice can overload the wiper motor. A
circuit breaker will stop the motor until it cools down.
Clear away snow or ice to prevent an overload.
Cruise Control
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 km/h) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator. This can really help on long trips. Cruise
control does not work at speeds below 25 mph (40 km/h).
{CAUTION:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do
not use your cruise control on winding roads
or in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire
traction can cause excessive wheel slip,
and you could lose control. Do not use cruise
control on slippery roads.
3-10
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Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet
road, you cannot stop, accelerate, or turn as well
because your tire-to-road traction is not as good as on
dry roads. And, if your tires do not have much tread
left, you will get even less traction. It is always wise to
go slower and be cautious if rain starts to fall while
you are driving. The surface may get wet suddenly when
your reexes are tuned for driving on dry pavement.The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your
windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy
rain can make it harder to see road signs and
traffic signals, pavement markings, the edge of the road,
and even people walking.
It is wise to keep your windshield wiping equipment in
good shape and keep your windshield washer uid
reservoir lled with washer uid. Replace your
windshield wiper inserts when they show signs of
streaking or missing areas on the windshield, or when
strips of rubber start to separate from the inserts.
{CAUTION:
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They will not
work as well in a quick stop and may cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water
or a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly
until your brakes work normally.
4-18
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Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inated to
the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway hypnosis?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on
the road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of
the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy.
Do not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle
can leave the road in less than a second, and you
could crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead
and to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors
and your instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
4-23
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