2007 SATURN ION check engine

Checking Things Under
the Hood
{CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up
and injure you even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and start a re. These include
liquids like fuel, oil, coolant, brake uid,
windshield washer and other uids, and
plastic or rubber. You or others could be
burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
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A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 290.
B. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See
“Checking Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on
page 283.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 283.
D. Electric Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View).
SeeCooling System on page 300.
E. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 308andHydraulic
Clutch on page 293.F. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 378.
G. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 312.
H. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 293.
I. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 307.
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A. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 283.
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fan. SeeCooling
System on page 300.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 283.
D. Intercooler System Pressure Cap. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 293.
E. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 308andHydraulic
Clutch on page 293.
F. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 290.
G. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 378.
H. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 312.
I. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeCoolant
Surge Tank Pressure Cap on page 297.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 307.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 280
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you
do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick, clean it with a paper
towel or cloth and then push it back in all
the way.
3. Pull out the dipstick again, keeping the tip
down, and check the level.
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Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you
know when to change the engine oil and lter.
This is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an oil change
will be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil
life system to work properly, you must reset the
system every time the oil is changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change
is necessary. A CHG OIL message in the
message center will come on. SeeChange Engine
Oil Message on page 183for more information
on this message. Change the oil 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 oil life system may not indicate that
an oil change is necessary for over a year.However, the engine oil and lter must be changed
at least once a year and at this time the system
must be reset. Your retailer has trained service
people who will perform this work using genuine
Saturn parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly and keep it at
the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since
your last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
How to Reset the Engine Oil Life
System
The Engine Oil Life System calculates when to
change the engine oil and lter based on vehicle
use. Anytime the oil is changed, reset the
system so it can calculate when the next oil
change is required. If a situation occurs where you
change the oil prior to the CHG OIL message
being turned on, reset the system.
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4. Wipe all dust from inside the housing and
inspect the air cleaner and air inlet tube for
cracks, cuts and deterioration. The air
inlet tube must be replaced if it is damaged.
5. Install the air lter element, hose, hose clamp
and cover.
6. For vehicles that have the 2.2L L4 or 2.4L L4
engine, latch the two clips. For vehicles that
have the 2.0L L4 Supercharged engine,
reinstall the three screws.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off can cause you or others
to be burned. The air cleaner not only
cleans the air; it helps to stop ames if
the engine backres. If it is not there and
the engine backres, you could be
burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off.Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine, which will
damage it. Always have the air cleaner/lter in
place when you are driving.
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle uid
level. A transaxle uid leak is the only reason for
uid loss. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to
your retailer’s service department and have
it repaired as soon as possible.
Change the uid and lter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services on page 394, and
be sure to use the transaxle uid listed in
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 402.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transaxle uid may damage your vehicle, and
the damages may not be covered by your
warranty. Always use the automatic transaxle
uid listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 402.
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Manual Transaxle Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transaxle uid level.
A transaxle uid leak is the only reason for uid
loss. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to your
retailer’s service department and have it repaired
as soon as possible. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 402for the proper uid
to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. This system does not have its own
reservoir. It receives uid from the brake master
cylinder reservoir.
SeeBrakes on page 308for more information.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs
rst, if you add only DEX-COOL
®extended
life coolant.The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 297.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to
−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core, or
radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing sooner, at the
rst maintenance service after each
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
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What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water
and one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will
not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant
mixture, you do not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:If you use an improper coolant
mixture, your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost would not be
covered by your warranty. Too much water
in the mixture can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a
year, have your retailer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system, you
could damage your vehicle. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine coolant listed in
this manual for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 402for more information.
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Checking Coolant
The surge tank is located on the driver’s side of
the engine compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 280for more
information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when
the engine and radiator are hot can allow
steam and scalding liquids to blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn the surge
tank pressure cap — even a little — when
the engine and radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be parked on a level surface.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should
be near the cold ll line. When your engine is
warm, the level should be at the cold ll line or a
little higher.
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