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City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets is
the amount of traffic on them. You will want
to watch out for what the other drivers are doing
and pay attention to traffic signals.Here are ways to increase your safety in city
driving:
Know the best way to get to where you are
going. Get a city map and plan your trip
into an unknown part of the city just as you
would for a cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross
most large cities. You will save time and
energy. SeeFreeway Driving on page 214.
Treat a green light as a warning signal.
A traffic light is there because the corner
is busy enough to need it. When a light turns
green, and just before you start to move,
check both ways for vehicles that have not
cleared the intersection or may be running
the red light.
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Once you are moving on the freeway, make
certain you allow a reasonable following distance.
Expect to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your
exit, do not, under any circumstances, stop and
back up. Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite
sharply. The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce
your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any
distance at higher speeds, you may tend to think
you are going slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested.
If you must start when you are not fresh — such
as after a day’s work — do not plan to make
too many miles that rst part of the journey.
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you can
easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it
needs service, have it done before starting out.Of course, you will nd experienced and able
service experts at Saturn retailers all across the
United States and Canada. They will be ready
and willing to help if you need it.
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 in ated
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?
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Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom,
a supply of windshield washer uid, a rag,
some winter outer clothing, a small shovel, a
ashlight, a red cloth, and a couple of re ective
warning triangles. And, if you will be driving under
severe conditions, include a small bag of sand,
a piece of old carpet, or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction. Be sure you properly
secure these items in your vehicle.
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{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You cannot see
it or smell it, so you might not know it is in
your vehicle. Clear away snow from around
the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And
check around again from time to time to be
sure snow does not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of
the vehicle that is away from the wind.
This will help keep CO out.Run your engine only as long as you must. This
saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it go
a little faster than just idle. That is, push the
accelerator slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat
that you get and it keeps the battery charged.
You will need a well-charged battery to restart the
vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with
your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window
almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as
little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as
you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of
the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.
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Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out
First, turn the steering wheel left and right.
That will clear the area around the front wheels.
If your vehicle has traction control, you should
turn the traction control system off. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 199andElectronic
Stability Control on page 201. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE (R) and a forward
gear, or with a manual transmission between
FIRST (1) or SECOND (2) and REVERSE (R),
spinning the wheels as little as possible.
To prevent transmission wear, allow the wheels
to stop spinning before shifting gears. Release
the accelerator pedal while you shift, and
press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the
transmission is in gear. By slowly spinning
the wheels in the forward and reverse directions,
you will cause a rocking motion that may free
your vehicle. If that does not get your vehicle
out after a few tries, it may need to be towed out.
If your vehicle does need to be towed out, see
Towing Your Vehicle on page 230.
Loading Your Vehicle
It is very important to know how much weight
your vehicle can carry. This weight is called
the vehicle capacity weight and includes the
weight of all occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options. Two labels on your
vehicle show how much weight it may properly
carry, the Tire and Loading Information label
and the Certi cation label.
{CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
or either the maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
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Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your
vehicle can affect the air ow around it. This may
cause wind noise and affect windshield washer
performance. Check with your retailer before
adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an important
part of the proper maintenance of your vehicle.
To help keep your engine clean and maintain
optimum vehicle performance, Saturn recommends
the use of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline.
Gasoline Octane
Use premium unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 91 or higher. You may also
use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane
or higher, but your vehicle’s acceleration may
be slightly reduced, and you may notice a slight
audible knocking noise, commonly referred to
as spark knock. If the octane is less than 87,
you may notice a heavy knocking noise when
you drive. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated
at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
Otherwise, you might damage your engine.
If you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane
or higher and you hear heavy knocking, your
engine needs service.
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{CAUTION:
If you spill fuel and then something ignites
it, you could be badly burned. Fuel can
spray out on you if you open the fuel cap
too quickly. This spray can happen if your
tank is nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel cap slowly
and wait for any hiss noise to stop. Then
unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not top off or over ll
the tank and wait a few seconds after you have
nished pumping before removing the nozzle.
Clean fuel from painted surfaces as soon as
possible. SeeWashing Your Vehicle on page 318.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn it clockwise until it
clicks. Make sure the cap is fully installed. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp on page 138.Your vehicle has a Driver Information Center (DIC).
The CHECK GAS CAP message displays if the fuel
cap is not properly installed. SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 147for more information.
{CAUTION:
If a re starts while you are refueling,
do not remove the nozzle. Shut off the
ow of fuel by shutting off the pump or
by notifying the station attendant. Leave
the area immediately.
Notice:If you need a new fuel cap, be sure to
get the right type. Your retailer can get one
for you. If you get the wrong type, it may not t
properly. This may cause your malfunction
indicator lamp to light and may damage
your fuel tank and emissions system. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on page 138.
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When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/ lter element at each
scheduled MaintenanceIIservice interval and
replace the air cleaner/ lter element at the
rst oil change after 50,000 miles (85 000 km).
If you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions,
inspect the lter at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/ lter remove the lter
from the vehicle and lightly shake the lter to
release loose dust and dirt. If the lter remains
caked with dirt, a new lter is required.
To inspect or replace the lter, open the clamps
that hold the cover on and lift off the cover.
Be sure to reinstall the cover tightly.
{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 back res. If it is not there
and the engine back res, 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 back re
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.
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