2007 SATURN SKY steering wheel

Loss of Control
Let us review what driving experts say about what
happens when the three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the
driver has asked.
In any emergency, do not give up. Keep trying to
steer and constantly seek an escape route or
area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking
reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and
by not overdriving those conditions. But skids
are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your
vehicle’s three control systems. In the braking skid,
your wheels are not rolling. In the steering or
cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a
curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force.
And in the acceleration skid, too much throttle
causes the driving wheels to spin.A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are
best handled by easing your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off
the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the
way you want the vehicle to go. If you start
steering quickly enough, your vehicle may
straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid
if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other material is on the road.
For safety, you will want to slow down and adjust
your driving to these conditions. It is important
to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control
more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction,
try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle speed by
shifting to a lower gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the
surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow on the road to
make a mirrored surface — and slow down when
you have any doubt.
208
ProCarManuals.com

Remember: Any Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
helps avoid only the braking skid.
If the ABS is ever disabled, in a braking skid,
where the wheels are no longer rolling, release
enough pressure on the brakes to get the wheels
rolling again. This restores steering control.
Push the brake pedal down steadily when you
have to stop suddenly. As long as the wheels are
rolling, you will have steering control.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to
be impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night
vision problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust the inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need
to slow down and keep more space between
you and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads.
Your vehicle’s headlamps can light up only so
much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe
place and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime.
But as we get older these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver may require at least twice as
much light to see the same thing at night as a
20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your
night vision. For example, if you spend the
day in bright sunshine you are wise to wear
sunglasses. Your eyes will have less trouble
adjusting to night. But if you are driving, do not
wear sunglasses at night. They may cut down on
glare from headlamps, but they also make a
lot of things invisible.
You can be temporarily blinded by approaching
headlamps. It can take a second or two, or
even several seconds, for your eyes to re-adjust
to the dark.
209
ProCarManuals.com

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 Certication 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.
225
ProCarManuals.com

Tire Chains
{CAUTION:
Do not use tire chains. There is not
enough clearance. Tire chains used on
a vehicle without the proper amount of
clearance can cause damage to the
brakes, suspension, or other vehicle
parts. The area damaged by the tire
chains could cause you to lose control of
your vehicle and you or others may be
injured in a crash. Use another type of
traction device only if its manufacturer
recommends it for use on your vehicle
and tire size combination and road
conditions. Follow that manufacturer’s
instructions. To help avoid damage to
your vehicle, drive slowly, re-adjust or
remove the device if it is contacting your
vehicle, and do not spin your wheels.
If you do nd traction devices that will t,
install them on the rear tires.
If a Tire Goes Flat
Your vehicle has a tire inator kit. There is no
spare tire, no tire changing equipment, and
no place to store a tire.
It is unusual for a tire to blow out while you are
driving, especially if you maintain your tires
properly. SeeTires on page 284. If air goes out
of a tire, it is much more likely to leak out slowly.
But, if you should ever have a blow out, here are
a few tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the at tire will create a drag
that pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take
your foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel rmly. Steer to maintain lane
position, and then gently brake to a stop well out
of the traffic lane.
A rear blow out, particularly on a curve, acts much
like a skid and may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any rear blow out,
remove your foot from the accelerator pedal.
303
ProCarManuals.com

Get the vehicle under control by steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may be very
bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire and wheel
damage by driving slowly to a level place
and stopping. Then do this:
1. Turn on the hazard warning ashers. See
Hazard Warning Flashers on page 110.
2. Park your vehicle. If your vehicle has an
automatic transmission, set the parking
brake rmly and put the shift lever in
PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P)
(Automatic Transmission) on page 87.
If your vehicle has a manual transmission,
move the shift lever to REVERSE (R) and
set the parking brake rmly. SeeParking
Your Vehicle (Manual Transmission) on
page 89for additional information.
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Inspect the at tire.If the tire has been separated from the wheel
or has damaged sidewalls or large tears that
allow rapid air loss, call a tire repair facility. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 359.
If the at tire is due to a slow leak caused by a
nail or other similar road hazard, the tire inator
kit may be used to repair the damaged tire
temporarily. The kit uses a liquid tire sealant to
seal small punctures in the tread area of the tire.
After repairing a tire with the tire inator kit,
take your vehicle to an authorized Saturn retailer
to have the tire inspected and repaired as
soon as possible. The tire sealant is a temporary
repair only. SeeTire Inator Kit on page 304.
Tire Inator Kit
Your vehicle has a tire inator kit. There is no jack
or spare tire. The kit uses a liquid tire sealant
and air at the same time to seal small punctures
in the tread area of the tire. Be sure to read
and follow all of the tire inator kit instructions.
The kit includes the following:
304
ProCarManuals.com

Fuses Usage
6 Amplier
7 Cluster
8 Ignition Switch, PassKey III+
9 Stoplamp
10Climate Control System,
PassKey III+
11 Empty
12 Spare
13 Airbag
14 Spare
15 Wiper
16Climate Control System,
Automatic Occupant Sensing
Module, Clutch Switch, Crank
Relay, Instrument Panel Cluster
17 Empty
18 EmptyFuses Usage
19Electric Power Steering,
Steering Wheel Controls
20 Spare
21 Spare
22 Empty
23 Radio
24 Sensing and Diagnostic Module
25Engine Control Module,
Transmission Control Module
26 Door Locks
27 Interior Lamps
28 Steering Wheel Control Backlighting
29 Power Windows
30 Climate Control System
31 Empty
32 Retained Accessory Power
327
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Footnotes
(a)Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for
proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chang,
etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect drum brake
linings/shoes for wear or cracks. Inspect other
brake parts, including drums, wheel cylinders,
calipers, parking brake, etc.
(b)Visually inspect front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose, or missing
parts or signs of wear. Inspect power steering lines
and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chang, etc.
(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced
if they are cracked, swollen, or deteriorated.
Inspect all pipes, ttings, and clamps; replace with
genuine Saturn parts as needed. To help ensure
proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling
system and pressure cap and cleaning the outside
of the radiator and air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.
(d)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or
cracking. Replace wiper blades that appear worn
or damaged or that streak or miss areas of
the windshield.(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all
your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and
anchorages are working properly. Look for
any other loose or damaged safety belt system
parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety
belt system from doing its job, have it repaired.
Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced. Also
look for any opened or broken airbag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. The
airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders. Lubricate all
hinges and latches, including those for the
body doors, hood, secondary latch, pivots, spring
anchor, release pawl, rear compartment, glove
box door, and console door. More frequent
lubrication may be required when exposed to a
corrosive environment. Applying silicone grease on
weatherstrips with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
(g)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage. Replace belt if
necessary.
(h)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
inspect the lter at each engine oil change.
339
ProCarManuals.com

Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough
room around the vehicle. It should be parked
on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking
Brake on page 86.
Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately if the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to RUN,
but do not start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift
lever out of PARK (P) with normal effort.
If the shift lever moves out of PARK (P),
contact your Saturn retailer for service.
Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set,
try to turn the ignition to LOCK in each shift lever
position.
With an automatic transmission, the ignition
should turn to LOCK only when the shift
lever is in PARK (P). The ignition key should
come out only in LOCK.
With a manual transmission, the ignition key
should come out only in LOCK.
Turn the steering wheel to the left and to the right.
It should only lock when turned to the right.
Contact your Saturn retailer if service is required.
343
ProCarManuals.com