Page 245 of 384
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 267.
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap.
SeeCooling System on page 260.
C. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See
“Brake Fluid” underBrakes on page 268
andHydraulic Clutch on page 254.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 245.
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 252.
F. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 245.
G. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. See
Power Steering Fluid on page 266.
H. Remote Negative (−) Ground (Out of View).
SeeJump Starting on page 272.
I. Battery (Out of View). SeeBattery on page 271.
J. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump
Starting on page 272.
K. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeUnderhood
Fuse Block on page 328.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 242
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 the dipstick and clean it with a paper
towel or cloth, then push it back in all the
way. Remove it 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 the Engine Oil Life System,
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 CHANGE OIL SOON message
will come on. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 147. 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 your
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
the 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 your engine oil and lter based
on vehicle use. Anytime your oil is changed, reset
the system so it can calculate when the next oil
change is required. If a situation occurs where you
change your oil prior to a CHANGE OIL SOON
message being turned on, reset the system.
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Page 256 of 384
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.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 345for more information.
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Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 242
for 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 on a level surface. When
your engine is cold, the coolant level should be
at the COLD FILL line.
Do not over ll the surge tank. Too much coolant
can result in an over ow condition when the
uid is hot.
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Page 262 of 384
The coolant level should be at the COLD FILL line.
If it is not, you may have a leak at the pressure cap
or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator,
water pump, or somewhere in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other
engine parts, can be very hot. Do not
touch them. If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak.
If you run the engine, it could lose all
coolant. That could cause an engine re,
and you could be burned. Get any leak
xed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on,
check to see if the electric engine cooling fan
are running. If the engine is overheating, the fan
should be running. If they are not, your vehicle
needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant is not covered by your
warranty.Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing sooner,
at 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.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
Notice:Your engine has a speci c cooling
system drain and ll procedure. Failure
to follow this procedure could cause your
engine to overheat and be severely damaged.
If your engine’s cooling system needs to
be drained and re- lled, please see your dealer.
If you have not found a problem yet, check to
see if coolant is visible in the coolant surge tank.
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Page 265 of 384
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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Page 266 of 384
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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Page 275 of 384
{CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause
battery gas to explode. People have been
hurt doing this, and some have been
blinded. Use a ashlight if you need
more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water.
You do not need to add water to the
battery installed in your new vehicle. But
if a battery has ller caps, be sure the
right amount of uid is there. If it is low,
add water to take care of that rst. If you
don’t, explosive gas could be present.
Battery uid contains acid that can
burn you. Do not get it on you. If you
accidentally get it in your eyes or on
your skin, ush the place with water
and get medical help immediately.
{CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can
injure you badly. Keep your hands away
from moving parts once the engine is
running.
5. Check that the jumper cables do not have
loose or missing insulation. If they do, you
could get a shock. The vehicles could
be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some
basic things you should know. Positive (+)
will go to positive (+) or to a remote positive (+)
terminal if the vehicle has one. Negative (−)
will go to a heavy, unpainted metal engine
part or to a remote negative (−) terminal if the
vehicle has one.
Do not connect positive (+) to negative (−)
or you will get a short that would damage the
battery and maybe other parts too. And do
not connect the negative (−) cable to the
negative (−) terminal on the dead battery
because this can cause sparks.
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