Page 168 of 438
If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the
airbag status indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has turned off the right
front passenger’s frontal airbag. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 86for more on this,
including important safety information.
If, after several seconds, all status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there
may be a problem with the lights or the passenger
sensing system. See your retailer for service.
{CAUTION:
If the off indicator and the airbag readiness
light ever come on together, it means that
something may be wrong with the airbag
system. If this ever happens, have the
vehicle serviced promptly, because an
adult-size person sitting in the right
front passenger seat may not have the
protection of the frontal airbag. SeeAirbag
Readiness Light on page 165.
Battery Warning Light
The battery warning
light will come on brie y
as a check, when you
turn on the ignition.
Then it should go out
when the engine is
started.
If the light does not come on when you start your
vehicle, have your vehicle serviced right away.
This condition may indicate your battery warning
light is not functioning properly.
If the battery warning light comes on while you are
driving, this indicates that there is a problem
with the battery or the charging system of the
vehicle. If the light remains on, be sure to turn off
accessories such as the radio and climate control
system. Have your vehicle serviced right away.
168
ProCarManuals.com
Page 169 of 438
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided
into two parts. If one part is not working, the other
part can still work and stop you. For good
braking, though, you need both parts working well.
If the brake system warning light comes on,
there is a brake problem. Have your brake system
inspected right away.
The brake light is located in the instrument panel
cluster.
This light should come on brie y when you turn
the ignition key to RUN. If it does not come
on then, have it xed so it will be ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake light will come on
when you set your parking brake. The light will
stay on if your parking brake does not release fully.A chime will also sound if the parking brake is not
fully released and the vehicle is moving. If it stays
on after your parking brake is fully released,
it means you have a brake problem.
The brake light will also come on to indicate a low
brake uid level. SeeBrakes on page 318for
more information.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. You may notice that the
pedal is harder to push or the pedal may go closer
to the oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light
is still on, have the vehicle towed for service.
SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 270.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light
is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to an accident.
If the light is still on after you have pulled
off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
United StatesCanada
169
ProCarManuals.com
Page 170 of 438
Anti-Lock Brake System
Warning Light
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) warning light
will come on brie y, as a check, when you
start your vehicle. If it does not, have your vehicle
serviced so that the light works properly when
it needs to.
If the light stays on after
you start your engine, or
comes on and stays
on while you are driving,
try resetting the system.
To reset the system, do the following:
1. If you are driving, pull over when it is safe
to do so.
2. Be sure the vehicle is in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the ignition.
4. Then restart the engine.If the light remains on after resetting the system or
comes on again while driving, your vehicle
needs service. If the ABS light is on, but the
regular brake system warning light is not on, the
anti-lock brakes are not working properly, but
the regular brakes are still functioning. Have your
vehicle serviced right away. If both brake lights
are on, you do not have anti-lock brakes, and there
is a problem with your regular brakes as well.
Have your vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 270.
The ABS warning light should come on brie y
when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the light
does not come on then, have it xed so it will
be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
170
ProCarManuals.com
Page 171 of 438
Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
The Traction Control
System (TCS) warning
light may come on
for the following
reasons:
Turning the system off by pressing the traction
control button located on the instrument panel
above the audio system. The warning light
will come on and stay on. To turn the system
back on, press the button again. The warning
light should go off. SeeTraction Control
System (TCS) on page 240for more
information.
If there is an engine-related and brake system
problem that is speci cally related to traction
control, the TCS will turn off and the
warning light will come on.
If the TCS warning light comes on and stays on
for an extended period of time when the system is
turned on, your vehicle needs service.
Low Traction Light
This light will come on
when the system is
limiting wheel spin.
You may feel or hear the system working, but this
is normal. The roads may be slippery if this
light comes on. Adjust your driving accordingly.
The light will stay on for a few seconds after
the system stops limiting wheel spin. This light
should also come on for a few seconds when
you start your vehicle. If it does not, have
your vehicle serviced.
171
ProCarManuals.com
Page 172 of 438
Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
The engine coolant
temperature warning
light will come on when
the engine has
overheated.
If this happens you should pull over and seeEngine
Overheating on page 309for more information.
Notice:Driving with the engine coolant
temperature warning light on could cause your
vehicle to overheat. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 309. Your vehicle could be damaged,
and it might not be covered by your warranty.
Never drive with the engine coolant
temperature warning light on.
This light will come on and ash when the
temperature of the automatic transaxle uid is too
high. If this happens you should pull over, shift
into PARK (P) and let the engine idle until the light
goes out.
This light will also come on brie y when starting your
vehicle. If it does not, have your vehicle serviced.
Low Coolant Warning Light
This light comes on
brie y when you turn
your ignition on.
If this light comes on and stays on, the coolant
level in your vehicle is low. If the light is on along
with an overheat warning, you may have a
serious overheating problem.
Notice:Driving with the low coolant warning
light on could cause your vehicle to overheat.
See “Engine Overheating” underEngine
Coolant on page 306. Your vehicle could be
damaged and the damages might not be
covered by your warranty.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 306for information
on what to do. Your vehicle should be serviced as
soon as possible.
172
ProCarManuals.com
Page 180 of 438
Fuel Gage
When the ignition is on,
the fuel gage tells you
about how much
fuel you have left in
your tank.
When the indicator nears empty, the low fuel light
will come on. You still have a little fuel left, but
you should get more soon. SeeLow Fuel Warning
Light on page 181for more information.Here are four things that some owners ask about.
None of these mean a condition exists with
your fuel gage:
At the service station, the fuel pump shuts off
before the gage reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel to ll up than
the gage indicated. For example, the gage
may have indicated the tank was half full,
but it actually took a little more or less than
half the tank’s capacity to ll the tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn a
corner or speed up.
The gage takes a few seconds to stabilize
after the ignition is turned on, and will go
back to empty when you turn the ignition off.
For your fuel tank capacity, seeCapacities and
Speci cations on page 387.
180
ProCarManuals.com
Page 181 of 438
Low Fuel Warning Light
The light next to the fuel
gage will come on
brie y when you are
starting the engine.
This light also comes on when the fuel tank is low
on fuel. When you add fuel the light should go
off. If it doesn’t, have your vehicle serviced.
Auto Stop Mode
This mark on the tachometer signi es that the
engine is in Auto Stop mode which is a fuel saving
operation.
When the vehicle is keyed off when parking the
vehicle, the tachometer needle will drop to
OFF (United States) or 0 (Canada). If the driver’s
door is opened while in Auto Stop, a chime will
sound to indicate the engine will restart if you
remove your foot from the brake pedal.
United StatesCanada
181
ProCarManuals.com
Page 237 of 438
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 240.
Adding non-Saturn accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modi cations on page 287.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 169.
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.
237
ProCarManuals.com
