2007 SATURN VUE warning light

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 238.
Adding non-Saturn accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 304.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 170.
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
Modications on page 304.Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle might have the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced electronic braking
system that will help prevent a braking skid.
If your vehicle has ABS,
this warning light on the
instrument panel will
come on briey
when you start your
vehicle.
When you start the engine, or when you begin
to drive away, ABS will check itself. You might hear
a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on, and you might even notice that the
brake pedal moves or pulses a little. This is normal.
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Traction Control System (TCS)
Your vehicle may have a traction control system
that limits wheel spin. This is especially useful
in slippery road conditions. The system operates
only if it senses that one or both of the front wheels
are spinning or beginning to lose traction. When
this happens, the system reduces engine power to
limit wheel spin.
This light will come on
when your traction
control system is
limiting wheel spin.
SeeLow Traction Light on page 173. You may
feel or hear the system working, but this is normal.
The traction control system automatically comes
on whenever you start your vehicle. To limit
wheel spin, especially in slippery road conditions,
you should always leave the system on.But you can turn the traction control system off if
you ever need to. You should turn the system
off if your vehicle ever gets stuck in sand, mud,
ice or snow and rocking the vehicle is required.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out on
page 277andIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 276for more
information.
If your vehicle is
equipped with the
2.2L L4 engine, the
traction control system
can be turned off by
pressing the traction
control button.
It is located on the instrument panel above the
audio system.
If your vehicle is equipped with the 3.5L V6 engine,
the traction control system will be turned off when
the shift lever is in REVERSE (R) or LOW (L).
The traction control system warning light will be
displayed on the instrument panel. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) Warning Light on page 172
for more information.
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The traction control system can be activated again
by pressing the traction control button for the
2.2L L4 engine, or by selecting DRIVE (D)
or INTERMEDIATE (I) for the 3.5L V6 engine.
If the system is limiting wheel spin when you press
the button, the system will not turn off until there
is no longer a current need to limit wheel spin.
You can turn the system back on at any time by
pressing the button again. If the traction control
warning light does not come on, you may not have
traction control and your vehicle should be
serviced at a retailer.
Adding non-Saturn accessories can affect your
vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modications on page 304for more information.All-Wheel Drive (AWD) System
If your vehicle has all-wheel drive (AWD), the
AWD system operates automatically without any
action required by the driver. If the front drive
wheels begin to slip, the rear wheels will
automatically begin to drive the vehicle as
required. There may be a slight engagement
noise during hard use but this is normal.
During heavy AWD applications, the engine
torque may be reduced to protect AWD system
components. If the vehicle is exposed to extended
heavy AWD usage, the AWD system will shut
itself off to protect the system from overheating.
When the system cools down, the AWD system
will activate itself again automatically; this
cool-down can take up to 20 minutes depending
on outside temperature and vehicle use.
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Driving Through Deep Standing Water
Notice:If you drive too quickly through
deep puddles or standing water, water can
come in through the engine’s air intake
and badly damage the engine. Never drive
through water that is slightly lower than the
underbody of your vehicle. If you cannot
avoid deep puddles or standing water,
drive through them very slowly.
Driving Through Flowing Water
{CAUTION:
Flowing or rushing water creates strong
forces. If you try to drive through owing
water, as you might at a low water
crossing, your vehicle can be carried
away. As little as six inches of owing
water can carry away a smaller vehicle.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If this happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not ignore
police warning signs, and otherwise be
very cautious about trying to drive
through owing water.
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, allow some extra
following distance. And be especially
careful when you pass another vehicle.
Allow yourself more clear room ahead, and
be prepared to have your view restricted
by road spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth.
SeeTires on page 366.
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City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets is
the amount of traffic on them. You will want
to watch out for what the other drivers are doing
and pay attention to traffic signals.Here are ways to increase your safety in city
driving:
Know the best way to get to where you are
going. Get a city map and plan your trip
into an unknown part of the city just as you
would for a cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross
most large cities. You will save time and
energy. SeeFreeway Driving on page 268.
Treat a green light as a warning signal.
A traffic light is there because the corner
is busy enough to need it. When a light turns
green, and just before you start to move,
check both ways for vehicles that have not
cleared the intersection or may be running the
red light.
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Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom,
a supply of windshield washer uid, a rag, some
winter outer clothing, a small shovel, a ashlight,
a red cloth, and reective warning triangles.
And, if you will be driving under severe conditions,
include a small bag of sand, a piece of old
carpet, or a couple of burlap bags to help provide
traction. Be sure you properly secure these
items in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where the tires
meet the road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between the
tires and the road, you can have a very slippery
situation. You will have a lot less traction, or
grip, and will need to be very careful.What is the worst time for this? Wet ice. Very cold
snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on.
But wet ice can be even more trouble because it
may offer the least traction of all. You can get
wet ice when it is about freezing, 32°F (0°C), and
freezing rain begins to fall. Try to avoid driving
on wet ice until salt and sand crews can get there.
Whatever the condition — smooth ice, packed,
blowing, or loose snow — drive with caution.
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What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that can
be unhealthy for your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on your skin for very
long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly
dispose of clothing or rags containing used engine
oil. See the manufacturer’s warnings about the use
and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil
from the lter before disposal. Never dispose
of oil by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the
ground, into sewers, or into streams or bodies of
water. Instead, recycle it by taking it to a place
that collects used oil. If you have a problem
properly disposing of used oil, ask your
dealer/retailer, a service station, or a local
recycling center for help.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 314
for the location of the engine air cleaner/lter.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace it at the rst oil change
after each 50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval. See
Scheduled Maintenance on page 420for more
information. If you are driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the lter at each engine
oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter remove the lter
from the vehicle and lightly shake the lter to
release loose dust and dirt. If the lter remains
caked with dirt, a new lter is required.
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