2008 SATURN ASTRA engine
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Stop and check the tires as soon as
it is safe to do so. If underin ated,
in ate to the proper pressure.
SeeTires on page 9-38for more
information.
This light ashes for approximately
one minute and then stays on when
the system detects a malfunction.
SeeTire Pressure Monitor System
on page 9-48for more information.
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostics-Second
Generation) monitors operation
of the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems. It makes sure that
emissions are at acceptable levels
for the life of the vehicle, helping to
produce a cleaner environment.This light comes on brie y, as a
check to show it is working, when the
ignition is turned to ON/RUN. If the
light does not come on, see your
dealer/retailer.
If the light stays on it indicates that
there is an OBD II problem and
service is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by
the system before any problem is
apparent. Heeding the light can
prevent more serious damage to the
vehicle. This system is also designed
to assist the service technician in
correctly diagnosing any malfunction.Notice:If the vehicle is
continually driven with this light
on, after a while, the emission
controls might not work as well,
the vehicle’s fuel economy might
not be as good, and the engine
might not run as smoothly. This
could lead to costly repairs that
might not be covered by the
warranty.
Notice:Modi cations made to
the engine, transmission, exhaust,
intake, or fuel system of the
vehicle or the replacement of the
original tires with other than those
of the same Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) can affect the
vehicle’s emission controls and
can cause this light to come on.
Modi cations to these systems
could lead to costly repairs not
covered by the warranty. This
could also result in a failure
to pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 9-3.
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This light comes on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing:A mis re condition
has been detected. A mis re
increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control
system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
The following can prevent more
serious damage to the vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If the light continues to ash, when
it is safe to do so, stop the vehicle.
Find a safe place to park the vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds, and restart the engine.
If the light is still ashing, follow the
previous steps and see your dealer/
retailer for service as soon as
possible.Light On Steady:An emission
control system malfunction has been
detected on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
An emission system malfunction
might be corrected by doing
the following:
Make sure the fuel cap is fully
installed. SeeFilling the Tank on
page 8-37. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap
has been left off or improperly
installed. A loose or missing fuel
cap allows fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light off.
If the vehicle has been driven
through a deep puddle of water,
the vehicle’s electrical system
might be wet. The condition is
usually corrected when the
electrical system dries out.
A few driving trips should turn
the light off.
Make sure to fuel the vehicle
with quality fuel. Poor fuel quality
causes the engine not to run as
efficiently as designed and may
cause: stalling after start-up,
stalling when the vehicle is
changed into gear, mis ring,
hesitation on acceleration,
or stumbling on acceleration.
These conditions might go away
once the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these conditions
occurs, change the fuel brand
used. It will require at least one
full tank of the proper fuel to
turn the light off.
SeeGasoline Octane on
page 8-35.
If none of the above have made the
light turn off, have your dealer/retailer
check the vehicle. The dealer/retailer
has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical
or electrical problems that might
have developed.
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Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local
governments have or might begin
programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle.
Failure to pass this inspection
could prevent getting a vehicle
registration.
Here are some things to know to
help the vehicle pass an inspection:
The vehicle will not pass this
inspection if the check engine
light is on or not working properly.
The vehicle will not pass this
inspection if the OBD (on-board
diagnostic) system determines
that critical emission control
systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the
system. The vehicle would
be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen
if the battery has recently beenreplaced or if the battery has
run down. The diagnostic system
is designed to evaluate critical
emission control systems during
normal driving. This can take
several days of routine driving.
If this has been done and the
vehicle still does not pass the
inspection for lack of OBD system
readiness, your dealer/retailer can
prepare the vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Light
{CAUTION
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches
re. You or others could be
burned. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have the
vehicle serviced.Notice:Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance may damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
This light comes on brie y when the
ignition is turned on as a check to
be sure it works. If it does not, have
the vehicle serviced.
If the light comes on and stays on, it
means that oil is not owing through
the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and might have
some other system problem.
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Low Oil Level Light
This light should come on brie y
when the ignition is turned on as
a check to let you know that the
light is working.
If this light comes on and stays on
while the engine is running, it means
your engine is low on oil. You need
to check the oil level as soon as
possible. SeeEngine Oil on page 9-7
for further information.
Notice:Lack of proper engine
oil maintenance may damage the
engine. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this
manual for changing engine oil.
Winter Driving Mode
Light
This light will come on when the
winter driving mode feature is in use.
When you turn off the winter driving
mode feature, the light will go out.
If it stays on, your vehicle may need
service. See your dealer/retailer.
See “Winter Driving Mode” under
Automatic Transmission Operation
on page 8-5for more information.
Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamp light will come on
when the fog lamps are in use.
The light will go out when the fog
lamps are turned off. SeeFog
Lamps on page 5-2for more
information.
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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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Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL)
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can
make it easier for others to see
the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many
different driving conditions, but they
can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before
sunset. Fully functional daytime
running lamps are required on all
vehicles rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system makes the
low-beam headlamps turn on at
a reduced brightness when
the following conditions are met:
The engine is running.
The light sensor determines it
is night and the exterior lamps
control is in the off position.
The light sensor determines
it is daytime.The taillamps and other lamps will
be off.
The DRL turns off when the engine
is not running.
The regular headlamps or parking
lamps should be used when needed.
Delayed Headlamps
Vehicles with headlamp exit delay,
keep the headlamps and taillamps
on for 30 seconds.
To activate:
1. Turn the ignition off and remove
the key from the ignition.
2. Open the driver door.
3. Pull the multifunction lever
toward the steering wheel.
To deactivate, do either of the
following:
Insert the key into the ignition.
Pull the multifunction lever toward
the steering wheel again while
the driver door is open.
Fog Lamps
For vehicles with fog lamps, the
button is located on the instrument
panel, to the left of the steering
wheel.
The ignition and headlamps or
parking lamps must be on to turn on
the fog lamps. The fog lamps will not
turn on if the high beam headlamps
or ash to pass are active.
Press the button to turn the fog
lamps on or off. An indicator light on
the instrument panel cluster comes
on when the fog lamps are on.
Some localities have laws that
require the headlamps to be
on along with the fog lamps.
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Y(Vent):This mode directs air to
the instrument panel outlets.
X(Defog):This mode directs air
to the windshield and front door
windows. To reduce fogging, press
#to turn on the air conditioner.
The fan must also be on.
W(Defog/Floor):This mode
directs air to the windshield, front
door windows, and oor outlets.
To reduce fogging, press
#to turn
on the air conditioner. The fan
must also be on.
[(Floor):This mode directs
most of the air to the oor outlets.Temperature Control Knob
Turn the center knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the temperature inside the
vehicle.
Fan Speed Control Knob
Turn the right knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase
or decrease the fan speed. The
speed settings can be adjusted
between 1 (Low) and 4 (High).
When the fan is off, the air
conditioning compressor is also off.
There will be some air ow from
the outlets when driving, even with
the fan in the off position.
A(Fan):Select this position to
turn the fan off.
Air Conditioning
For vehicles with air conditioning.
#(Air Conditioning):Press
to turn the air conditioning system
on or off. An indicator light inside
the button comes on when the air
conditioning is activated. The air
conditioning can only be operated
if the engine is on and the fan is
running.
When the air conditioning is on
the air is cooled and dehumidi ed.
If cooling or dehumidi cation is not
desired, turn off the air conditioning
to save fuel.
On hot days, open the windows
brie y to let the hot inside air
escape, then close them. This helps
to reduce the time it takes for the
vehicle to cool down.
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Driving and
Operating
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In.........8-2
Ignition Positions................8-2
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP).....................8-3
Starting the Engine.............8-3
Engine Heater....................8-4
Automatic Transmission
Operation..........................8-5
Manual Transmission
Operation..........................8-9
Parking Brake...................8-10
Shifting Into Park..............8-11
Shifting Out of Park..........8-13
Parking the Vehicle...........8-13
Parking Over Things
That Burn........................8-13
Engine Exhaust.................8-14
Running the Vehicle
While Parked..................8-14
Driving Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving..............8-16
Drunk Driving....................8-16
Control of a Vehicle..........8-17
Braking.............................8-17
Antilock Brake
System (ABS).................8-18
StabiliTrak®System..........8-19
Steering............................8-20
Off-Road Recovery............8-22
Passing.............................8-23
Loss of Control.................8-23
Driving at Night.................8-24
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads......................8-25
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip........................8-26
Highway Hypnosis.............8-26
Hill and Mountain
Roads.............................8-26
Winter Driving...................8-27
If Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow
..........................8-29
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out.......................8-30
Loading the Vehicle..........8-30
Fuel
Fuel..................................8-35
Gasoline Octane...............8-35
Gasoline Speci cations.....8-35
California Fuel..................8-35
Additives...........................8-36
Fuels in Foreign
Countries........................8-36
Filling the Tank.................8-37
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container........................8-38
Driving and Operating 8-1
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