2007 SATURN SKY brake
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BOOST (Turbo Only)
If your vehicle has this feature, press the
information button until BOOST is displayed. This
mode shows a graphic that indicates the amount
of boost the engine is receiving in either
pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa).
DIC Warnings and Messages
These messages appear if there is a problem
detected in one of your vehicle’s systems.
A message will clear when the vehicle’s condition
is no longer present. To acknowledge a message
and clear it from the display, press and hold
any of the DIC buttons. If the condition is still
present, the warning message will come back on
the next time the vehicle is turned off and back
on. With most messages, a warning chime sounds
when the message displays. Your vehicle may
have other warning messages.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS OFF
This message displays if the automatic headlamp
system is disabled with the headlamp switch.
AUTO (Automatic) LIGHTS ON
This message displays if the automatic headlamp
system is enabled with the headlamp switch.
BRAKE FLUID
This message displays to inform the driver that the
brake uid level is low while the ignition is on.
The brake system warning light on the instrument
panel cluster also comes on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 134for more information.
Have the brake system serviced by your retailer
as soon as possible.
CHANGE OIL SOON
This message displays when the life of the engine
oil has expired and it should be changed.
When you acknowledge the CHANGE OIL SOON
message by clearing it from the display, you
still must reset the engine oil life system
separately. SeeEngine Oil Life System on
page 250andScheduled Maintenance on
page 336for more information.
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LOW COOLANT
This message displays when there is a low level
of engine coolant. Have the cooling system
serviced by your retailer as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 255for more
information.
LOW TRACTION
If your vehicle has the Traction Control
System (TCS), this message displays and the
ESC/TCS light on the instrument panel cluster
ashes when the system is actively limiting wheel
spin. Slippery road conditions may exist if this
message is displayed, so adjust your driving
accordingly. This message stays on for a few
seconds after the system stops limiting wheel spin.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 199
andElectronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning
Light (2.0L Engine Only) on page 136for more
information.
PARKING BRAKE
This message displays if the parking brake is left
engaged. SeeParking Brake on page 86for
more information.
SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays when there is a problem
with the airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced
by your retailer immediately.
SERVICE ESC (ELECTRONIC STABILITY
CONTROL)
If your vehicle has Electronic Stability
Control (ESC), this message displays and a chime
sounds if there has been a problem detected with
ESC. The ESC/TCS light also appears on the
instrument panel cluster. This light stays on solid as
long as the detected problem remains present.
When this message displays, the system is not
working. Adjust your driving accordingly. See
Electronic Stability Control on page 201and
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction Control
System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light (2.0L Engine
Only) on page 136for more information.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle.... 192
Defensive Driving...................................... 192
Drunken Driving........................................ 193
Control of a Vehicle.................................. 196
Braking...................................................... 196
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).................. 197
Braking in Emergencies............................. 199
Traction Control System (TCS).................. 199
Limited-Slip Rear Axle............................... 200
Electronic Stability Control......................... 201
Steering.................................................... 203
Off-Road Recovery.................................... 206
Passing..................................................... 206
Loss of Control.......................................... 208
Driving at Night......................................... 209
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads............ 210City Driving............................................... 213
Freeway Driving........................................ 214
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.................. 215
Highway Hypnosis..................................... 216
Hill and Mountain Roads........................... 216
Winter Driving........................................... 218
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow ................................. 224
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out........... 225
Loading Your Vehicle................................ 225
Towing........................................................ 230
Towing Your Vehicle ................................. 230
Recreational Vehicle Towing...................... 230
Towing a Trailer........................................ 230
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
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Control of a Vehicle
You have three systems that make your
vehicle go where you want it to go. They are the
brakes, the steering, and the accelerator. All
three systems have to do their work at the places
where the tires meet the road.
Sometimes, as when you are driving on snow or
ice, it is easy to ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide. That means
you can lose control of your vehicle. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 199and
Electronic Stability Control on page 201.
Adding non-Saturn accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modi cations on page 233.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 134.
Braking action involves perception time and
reaction time.
First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to
bring up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds
or more with another. Age, physical condition,
alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part.
So do alcohol, drugs, and frustration. But even in
three-fourths of a second, a vehicle moving at
60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That
could be a lot of distance in an emergency, so
keeping enough space between your vehicle and
others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary
greatly with the surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of the road,
whether it is wet, dry, or icy; tire tread; the
condition of the brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force applied.
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Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by
heavy braking — rather than keeping pace with
traffic. This is a mistake. The brakes may not have
time to cool between hard stops. The brakes
will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy
braking. If you keep pace with the traffic and
allow realistic following distances, you will
eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are
driving, brake normally but do not pump the
brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to
push down. If the engine stops, you will still have
some power brake assist. But you will use it
when you brake. Once the power assist is used
up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
Adding non-Saturn accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modi cations on page 233.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), an advanced electronic braking system
that will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive
away, ABS will check itself. You may hear a
momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on, and you may even notice that
your brake pedal moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem
with ABS, this warning
light will stay on.
SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning
Light on page 135.
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Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of
you. You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the brakes at each
wheel.ABS can change the brake pressure faster than
any driver could. The computer is programmed
to make the most of available tire and road
conditions. This can help you steer around the
obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving
updates on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
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Remember: ABS does not change the time you
need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or
always decrease stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you, you will not have
time to apply your brakes if that vehicle suddenly
slows or stops. Always leave enough room up
ahead to stop, even though you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let anti-lock work for you. You may
hear the anti-lock pump or motor operate, and feel
the brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same
time. In many emergencies, steering can help you
more than even the very best braking.
Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a traction control
system called TCS that limits wheel spin. This
is especially useful in slippery road conditions.The system operates only if it senses that the rear
wheels are spinning too much or are beginning
to lose traction. When this happens, the system
works the rear brakes and reduces engine
power (by closing the throttle and managing
engine spark) to limit wheel spin.
This light will ash
when your traction
control system is
limiting wheel spin.
You may feel or hear
the system working,
but this is normal.
SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light
(2.0L Engine Only) on page 136for more
information.
If your vehicle is in cruise control when the
traction control system begins to limit wheel spin,
the cruise control will automatically disengage.
When road conditions allow you to safely
use it again, you may re-engage the cruise control.
SeeTurn Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 111.
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Electronic Stability Control
Your vehicle may be equipped with an Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system which combines
antilock brake, traction and stability control
systems and helps the driver maintain directional
control of the vehicle in most driving conditions.
When you rst start your vehicle and begin to drive
away, the system performs several diagnostic
checks to ensure there are no problems. You may
hear or feel the system working. This is normal
and does not mean there is a problem with
your vehicle. The system should initialize before
the vehicle reaches 20 mph (32 km/h). In
some cases, it may take approximately two miles
of driving before the system initializes.
If the system fails to turn on or activate, the
ESC/TCS light will be on solid, and the ESC
OFF or SERVICE ESC message will be displayed.
For more information, seeDriver Information
Center (DIC) on page 144andElectronic Stability
Control (ESC)/Traction Control System (TCS)
Indicator/Warning Light (2.0L Engine Only)
on page 136.This light is located
on the instrument
panel cluster.
It will ash when the ESC system is both on and
activated. You may also feel or hear the system
working; this is normal.
When the light is on solid and either the SERVICE
ESC or ESC OFF message is displayed, the
system will not assist the driver maintain
directional control of the vehicle. Adjust your
driving accordingly. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 147.
SeeElectronic Stability Control (ESC)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator/Warning Light
(2.0L Engine Only) on page 136for more
information.
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