2007 SATURN SKY Owners Manual

3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture, to the COLD FILL line. Wait about
ve minutes, then check to see if the level
is below the COLD FILL line. If the level
is below the line, add additional coolant to
bring the level up to the line. Repeat this
procedure until the level remains constant at
the COLD FILL line for at least ve minutes.4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off,
start the engine and let it run until you can
feel the upper radiator hose getting hot.
Watch out for the engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower
than the COLD FILL line, add more of the
proper mixture to the coolant surge tank until
the level reaches the COLD FILL line.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
See your retailer, if necessary.
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Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine
Compartment
Overview
on page 242
for reservoir
location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power
steering uid unless you suspect there is a
leak in the system or you hear an unusual noise.
A uid loss in this system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering uid, do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine
compartment cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a
clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Remove the cap again and look at the
uid level on the dipstick.
The level should be between the COLD and
HOT marks. If necessary, add only enough uid
to bring the level up to the COLD mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of uid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 345.
Always use the proper uid. Failure to use the
proper uid can cause leaks and damage hoses
and seals.
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Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer uid, be sure
to read the manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If you will be operating your vehicle in an area
where the temperature may fall below freezing,
use a uid that has sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer uid
until the tank is full. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 242
for reservoir location.Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer
uid. Water can cause the solution to
freeze and damage your washer uid tank
and other parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as well
as washer uid.
Fill your washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very cold.
This allows for expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.
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Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master
cylinder reservoir is
lled with DOT-3 brake
uid. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 242for the
location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake uid
level in the reservoir might go down. The rst
is that the brake uid goes down to an acceptable
level during normal brake lining wear. When
new linings are put in, the uid level goes back
up. The other reason is that uid is leaking out of
the brake and/or clutch hydraulic system. If it
is, you should have your brake and/or clutch
system xed, since a leak means that sooner or
later your brakes and/or clutch will not work
well, or will not work at all.So, it is not a good idea to top off your brake/clutch
uid. Adding uid will not correct a leak. If you
add uid when your brake linings are worn, then
you will have too much uid when you get
new brake linings. You should add or remove
uid, as necessary, only when work is done on
the brake/clutch hydraulic system.
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has too much brake uid, it
can spill on the engine. The uid will burn
if the engine is hot enough. You or others
could be burned, and your vehicle could
be damaged. Add brake uid only when
work is done on the brake and/or clutch
hydraulic system.
When your brake uid falls to a low level, your
brake warning light will come on. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 134.
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What to Add
When you do need brake uid, use only DOT-3
brake uid. Use new brake uid from a sealed
container only. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 345.
Always clean the brake uid reservoir cap and
the area around the cap before removing it. This
will help keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in the
brake/clutch system, the brakes/clutch
may not work well, or they may not even
work at all. This could cause a crash.
Always use the proper brake uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage
brake/clutch system parts. For example,
just a few drops of mineral-based oil,
such as engine oil, in the brake/clutch
hydraulic system can damage brake/clutch
system parts so badly that they will
have to be replaced. Do not let someone
put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint nish can
be damaged. Be careful not to spill brake
uid on your vehicle. If you do, wash it
off immediately. SeeWashing Your Vehicle
on page 318.
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Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc brakes.
Front disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators
that make a high-pitched warning sound when
the brake pads are worn and new pads are
needed. The sound may come and go or be heard
all the time your vehicle is moving, except when
you are pushing on the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means
that soon the brakes will not work well.
That could lead to an accident. When
you hear the brake wear warning sound,
have your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates may cause a
brake squeal when the brakes are rst applied
or lightly applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and evenly tighten
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to Saturn
torque specications.
Brake linings should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your retailer if the brake pedal does not return
to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake
trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without
the vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
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Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be of top quality and work
well together if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. Your vehicle was designed and tested
with top-quality Saturn brake parts. When you
replace parts of your braking system — for
example, when your brake linings wear down
and you need new ones put in — be sure you
get new approved Saturn replacement parts.
If you do not, your brakes may no longer work
properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle,
the balance between your front and rear brakes
can change — for the worse. The braking
performance you have come to expect can
change in many other ways if someone puts in
the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your vehicle has a maintenance free battery.
When it is time for a new battery, get one that has
the replacement number shown on the original
battery’s label. We recommend an ACDelco
®
replacement battery. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 242for battery location.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.
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Vehicle Storage
If you are not going to drive your vehicle for
25 days or more, remove the black, negative (−)
cable from the battery. This will help keep
your battery from running down.
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and
gas that can explode. You can be badly
hurt if you are not careful. SeeJump
Starting on page 272for tips on working
around a battery without getting hurt.
Jump Starting
If your vehicle’s battery has run down, you may
want to use another vehicle and some jumper
cables to start your vehicle. Be sure to use
the following steps to do it safely.
{CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode
or ignite.
They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly,
some or all of these things can hurt you.
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