2007 SATURN RELAY brake

With the proper preparation and equipment, many
vehicles can be towed in these ways. See
“Dinghy Towing” and “Dolly Towing,” following.
Here are some important things to consider before
you do recreational vehicle towing:
What’s the towing capacity of the towing
vehicle? Be sure you read the tow vehicle
manufacturer’s recommendations.
How far will you tow? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how long they
can tow.
Do you have the proper towing equipment?
See your retailer or trailering professional
for additional advice and equipment
recommendations.
Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as
you would prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore Leaving
on a Long Trip on page 382.
Dinghy Towing
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed
with all of its wheels on the ground. It can be
towed with the two rear wheels on the ground.
See “Dolly Towing” following for more information.
Dolly Towing
To dolly tow your vehicle, do the following:
1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
2. Put the vehicle in PARK (P).
3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a clamping device designed
for towing.
5. Release the parking brake.
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Level Control
On vehicles equipped with automatic level control,
the rear of the vehicle is automatically kept
level as you load or unload your vehicle. However,
you should still not exceed the GVWR or the
GAWR. SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 391.
You may hear the compressor operating when you
load or unload your vehicle, and periodically as
the system self-adjusts. This is normal. The
compressor should operate for brief periods of
time. If the sound continues for an extended period
of time, your vehicle needs service.
Using heavier suspension components to get
added durability might not change your weight
ratings. Ask your retailer to help you load
your vehicle the right way.
Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you do not use the correct equipment
and drive properly, you can lose control
when you pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not
work well — or even at all. You and your
passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull a trailer only if you have followed all
the steps in this section. Ask your retailer
for advice and information about towing a
trailer with your vehicle.
Notice:Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage your vehicle and result in costly
repairs that would not be covered by your
warranty. Always follow the instructions in
this section and check with your retailer
for more information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
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Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your
vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety
chains under the tongue of the trailer to help
prevent the tongue from contacting the road if it
becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for
attaching safety chains and do not attach them to
the bumper. Always leave just enough slack so
you can turn with your rig. Never allow safety
chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (450 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes — and
they must be adequate. Be sure to read and follow
the instructions for the trailer brakes so you will
be able to install, adjust, and maintain them
properly.
Because your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes,
do not try to tap into your vehicle’s brake
system. If you do, both brake systems will not
work well, or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open and
you pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon
monoxide (CO) could come into your
vehicle. You cannot see or smell CO.
It can cause unconsciousness or death.
SeeEngine Exhaust on page 151.
To maximize your safety when towing
a trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected
for leaks, and make necessary
repairs before starting on your trip.
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your
vehicle through a window in the rear
or another opening, drive with your
front, main heating or cooling system
on and with the fan on any speed.
CAUTION: (Continued)
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CAUTION: (Continued)
This will bring fresh, outside air into
your vehicle. Do not use the climate
control setting for maximum air
because it only recirculates the air
inside your vehicle. SeeClimate
Control System on page 205orDual
Climate Control System on page 209.
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of
experience. Before setting out for the open road,
you will want to get to know your rig. Acquaint
yourself with the feel of handling and braking
with the added weight of the trailer. And always
keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving
is now a good deal longer and not nearly
as responsive as your vehicle is by itself.Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires, and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving
and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand
to be sure the brakes are working. This lets you
check your electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure
that the load is secure, and that the lamps and
any trailer brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead
as you would when driving your vehicle without
a trailer. This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You will need more passing distance up ahead
when you are towing a trailer. And, because
you are a good deal longer, you will need to
go much farther beyond the passed vehicle
before you can return to your lane.
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Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before
you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you
do not shift down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get hot and
no longer work well.
If you are towing a trailer that weighs more than
1,000 lbs (450 kg), you may prefer to drive in
THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D) or, as you need
to, a lower gear. This will minimize heat build-up
and extend the life of your transaxle.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your
vehicle, with a trailer attached, on a hill.
If something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured,
and both your vehicle and the trailer can
be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill,
do the following:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but do not shift
into PARK (P).
2. Have someone place chocks under the
trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release
the regular brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply
your parking brake, and shift into PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
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When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal
down while you do the following:
Start your engine.
Shift into a gear.
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the
chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store
the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you are pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance
Schedule for more on this. Things that are
especially important in trailer operation are
automatic transaxle uid, engine oil, belts, cooling
system, and brake system. Each of these is
covered in this manual, and the Index will help
you nd them quickly. If you are trailering, it is a
good idea to review these sections before you
start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle may have a trailer wiring harness
package located in the glove box. It can be
connected from the rear of your vehicle to your
trailer. Contact your retailer for more information.
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Service........................................................ 412
Accessories and Modications................... 412
California Proposition 65 Warning.............. 413
Doing Your Own Service Work.................. 413
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...................................... 414
Fuel............................................................. 414
Gasoline Octane........................................ 414
Gasoline Specications.............................. 414
California Fuel........................................... 415
Additives................................................... 415
Fuels in Foreign Countries........................ 416
Filling the Tank......................................... 417
Filling a Portable Fuel Container............... 419
Checking Things Under the Hood.............. 420
Hood Release........................................... 421
Engine Compartment Overview.................. 422
Engine Oil................................................. 423
Engine Oil Life System.............................. 426
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter............................ 428
Automatic Transaxle Fluid......................... 430Engine Coolant.......................................... 432
Radiator Pressure Cap.............................. 435
Engine Overheating................................... 435
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode..................................... 437
Cooling System......................................... 438
Power Steering Fluid ................................. 443
Windshield Washer Fluid........................... 444
Brakes...................................................... 445
Battery...................................................... 449
Jump Starting............................................ 450
Bulb Replacement....................................... 455
Halogen Bulbs........................................... 455
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps........... 456
Front Turn Signal, Parking and Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL)........................... 457
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps...................................... 458
License Plate Lamp................................... 459
Replacement Bulbs................................... 460
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement....... 460
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
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Service
Your Saturn retailer knows your vehicle best and
wants you to be happy with it. We hope you
will go to your retailer for all your service needs.
You will get genuine Saturn parts and
Saturn-trained and supported service people.
We hope you will want to keep your Saturn vehicle
all Saturn.
Genuine Saturn parts have one of these marks.
Accessories and Modications
When you add non-Saturn accessories to your
vehicle they can affect your vehicle’s performance
and safety, including such things as, airbags,
braking, stability, ride and handling, emissions
systems, aerodynamics, durability, and electronic
systems like anti-lock brakes, traction control,
and stability control. Some of these accessories
may even cause malfunction or damage not
covered by warranty.
Saturn accessories are designed to complement
and function with other systems on your
vehicle. Your Saturn retailer can accessorize your
vehicle using genuine Saturn accessories.
When you go to your Saturn retailer and ask
for Saturn accessories, you will know that
Saturn-trained and supported service technicians
will perform the work using genuine Saturn
accessories.
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