2008 SATURN ASTRA battery

DIC Warnings and
Messages (Base and
Uplevel Systems)
Messages are displayed on the DIC
to notify the driver that the status of
the vehicle has changed and that
some action may be needed by
the driver to correct the condition.
Multiple messages may appear
one after another.
The DIC monitors some uid levels,
battery of the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter, the theft-deterrent
system on vehicles with this feature,
the brake light switch, and important
exterior lights, including wiring and
fuses.Some messages may not require
immediate action, but you can
acknowledge that you received the
messages and to clear them from the
display by doing one of the following:
Press the OK button on the base
level audio system.
Press the multifunction knob, if
your vehicle has this feature,
on the uplevel audio system.
Press the left thumbwheel, if your
vehicle has this feature, on the
steering wheel.
If there are several warning
messages, acknowledge them
one at a time.Some messages cannot be cleared
from the DIC display because they
are more urgent. These messages
require action before they can
be cleared. You should take any
messages that appear on the display
seriously and remember that clearing
the messages will only make the
messages disappear, not correct
the problem.
Warning messages for the uplevel
DIC follow. On the base level
DIC, messages appear in an
abbreviated form.
Brakelight check---
This message displays when there
is a problem with the vehicle lighting.
The source of the problem is
displayed as text. For example,
“Brakelight check right”.
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Brakelight switch check
This message displays when the
brake lamp does not come on
when the brake is applied. Have
your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer immediately.
Coolant level check
This message displays when the
engine coolant level is low. Have
the cooling system serviced by your
dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 9-12.
Remote Control Battery
check
This message displays if the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter battery is low. Replace
the battery in the transmitter.
See “Battery Replacement” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2-4.
Safeguard check
This message displays when there
is a problem with the theft-deterrent
system. Have the system serviced
by your dealer/retailer immediately.
Washer Fluid Level
(Base Level) or Washing
Water Level (Uplevel)
This message displays when the
vehicle’s windshield washer uid is
low. When the washer uid level is
low, the rear window washer system
is deactivated. Fill the windshield
washer uid reservoir to the proper
level as soon as possible. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on
page 9-20.
OnStar®System
OnStar uses several innovative
technologies and live advisors to
provide you with a wide range of
safety, security, information, and
convenience services. If your airbags
deploy, the system is designed to
make an automatic call to OnStar
Emergency advisors who can
request emergency services be
sent to your location. If you lock your
keys in the vehicle, call OnStar at
1-888-4-ONSTAR and they can send
a signal to unlock your doors. If you
need roadside assistance, press the
OnStar button and they can contact
Roadside Service for you.
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OnStar service cannot work unless
your vehicle is in a place where
OnStar has an agreement with a
wireless service provider for service
in that area. OnStar service also
cannot work unless you are in a
place where the wireless service
provider OnStar has hired for that
area has coverage, network capacity
and reception when the service is
needed, and technology that is
compatible with the OnStar service.
Not all services are available
everywhere, particularly in remote
or enclosed areas, or at all times.OnStar service that involves location
information about your vehicle
cannot work unless GPS satellite
signals are unobstructed and
available in that place as well.
Your vehicle must have a working
electrical system (including adequate
battery power) for the OnStar
equipment to operate. There are
other problems OnStar cannot
control that may prevent OnStar
from providing service to you at
any particular time or place. Some
examples are damage to important
parts of your vehicle in an accident,
hills, tall buildings, tunnels, weather
or wireless phone network
congestion.Your Responsibility
You may need to increase the
volume of your radio to hear the
OnStar advisor. If the light next to the
OnStar buttons is red, this means
that your system is not functioning
properly and should be checked
by your dealer/retailer. If the light
appears clear (no light is appearing),
your OnStar subscription has
expired. You can always press the
OnStar button to conrm that your
OnStar equipment is active.
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Lighting
Lighting
Exterior Lamps Controls.....5-1
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)....................5-2
Delayed Headlamps............5-2
Fog Lamps.........................5-2
Instrument Panel
Brightness.........................5-3
Dome Lamp(s)....................5-3
Entry Lighting.....................5-3
Reading Lamps..................5-3
Rear Compartment Lamp.....5-4
Battery Run-Down
Protection.........................5-4
Lighting
Exterior Lamps Controls
The exterior lamp control is
located on the instrument panel
to the left of the steering wheel.
Turn the exterior lamp control to the
following positions:
T(Off):Turns off the exterior lamps.
AUTO (Automatic):Turns
the exterior lamps on and off
automatically, depending upon
outside lighting.
;(Parking Lamps):Turns on
the parking lamps together with the
following:
Taillamps
Sidemarkers
License Plate Lamps
2(Headlamps):Turns on the
headlamps, together with the
previously listed lamps.
After 15 minutes with the ignition
switched off and the low-beam
headlamps on, the parking lamps
turn on.
Lighting 5-1
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Rear Reading Lamps
The rear seat reading lamps can be
turned on while the ignition is on.
9(Off):Press to turn the lamp off.
R(On):Press to turn the lamp on.
Rear Compartment Lamp
The liftgate lamp turns on when the
liftgate is opened and turns off
when the liftgate is closed.
Battery Run-Down
Protection
This feature helps prevent the
battery from being drained, if the
courtesy lamps, reading lamps, sun
visor, glovebox or rear compartment
lamp are left on. If any of these
lamps are left on, they automatically
turn off after approximately
20 minutes, if the ignition is off.
5-4 Lighting
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B (STEERING UNLOCKED/
IGNITION OFF):This position
unlocks the steering wheel.
C (ON/RUN):The ignition switch
stays in this position when the
engine is running. This position can
be used to operate the electrical
accessories, as well as to display
some warning and indicator lights.
The battery could be drained if you
leave the key in the ON/RUN position
with the engine off. You may not be
able to start the vehicle if the battery
is allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
D (START):This position starts
the engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON/RUN for normal
driving. A warning tone will sound
when the driver door is opened and
the key is in the ignition.Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
The power windows and mirrors
may be used for up to ve minutes
after the key is turned to LOCK/OFF.
The power windows and mirrors will
not operate after any of the front
doors are opened.
The radio may be used for up to
sixty minutes after the key is turned
to LOCK/OFF.
Starting the Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart
when you are already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to
P (Park) if your vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when your vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in Neutral
and the parking brake engaged.
Hold the clutch pedal to the
oor and start the engine. The
vehicle will not start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to
START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed
will go down as your engine gets
warm. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the
oil to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.
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Your vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects
components. If the ignition key is
turned to the START position,
and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the
engine will continue cranking for a
few seconds or until the vehicle
starts. If the engine does not start
and the key is held in START for
many seconds, cranking will be
stopped after 15 seconds to
prevent cranking motor damage.
To prevent gear damage, this
system also prevents cranking if
the engine is already running.
Engine cranking can be stopped
by turning the ignition switch to
STEERING UNLOCKED/
IGNITION OFF or LOCK/OFF.
Notice:Cranking the engine for
long periods of time, by returning
the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain thebattery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after
5-10 seconds, especially in very
cold weather (below 0°F or
−18°C), it could be ooded with
too much gasoline. Try pushing
the accelerator pedal all the way
to the oor and holding it there as
you hold the key in START for up
to a maximum of 15 seconds.
Wait at least 15 seconds between
each try, to let the cranking motor
cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and
accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briey but then stops again, do
the same thing. This clears the
extra gasoline from the engine.
Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.Notice:The engine is designed
to work with the electronics in the
vehicle. If you add electrical parts
or accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates.
Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your
dealer/retailer. If you do not,
the engine might not perform
properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Engine Heater
The engine heater can provide
easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up
in cold weather conditions at or
below−4°F (−20°C). Vehicles with
an engine heater should be plugged
in at least four hours before starting.
8-4 Driving and Operating
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Shifting Out of Park
This vehicle has an electronic shift
lock release system. The shift
lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal
unless the shift lever is in
PARK (P) with the shift lever
button fully released.
Prevent movement of the shift
lever out of PARK (P), unless
the ignition is in the ON/RUN
position and the regular brake
pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less
than 9 volt) battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. SeeJump Starting on
page 9-68for more information.To shift out of PARK (P) use the
following sequence:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the
desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of
PARK (P):
1. Fully release the shift lever
button.
2. While holding down the brake
pedal, press the shift lever
button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the
desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift
lever from PARK (P), consult your
dealer/retailer or a professional
towing service.
Parking the Vehicle
Before you get out of your vehicle,
move the shift lever into FIRST (1) or
REVERSE (R) and rmly apply the
parking brake. Once the shift lever
has been placed into FIRST (1) or
REVERSE (R) with the clutch pedal
pressed in, you can turn the ignition
off and release the clutch.
Parking Over Things
That Burn
{CAUTION
Things that can burn could
touch hot exhaust parts under
your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry
grass, or other things that
can burn.
Driving and Operating 8-13
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