2008 SATURN ASTRA shift

Winter Driving Mode
This feature helps you accelerate in
slippery driving conditions by using
THIRD (3) gear when you begin to
accelerate from a stopped position.
The winter driving mode button is
located on the center console.
Press once to turn on the winter
driving mode feature. The vehicle
will be in THIRD (3) gear when the
vehicle begins to move. Once the
vehicle is moving, the vehicle will
upshift normally.The Winter Driving Mode is turned
off by one of the following:Pressing the winter driving mode
button again.
Manually shifting to SECOND (2)
or FIRST (1) gear.
Turning off the ignition.
This light on the instrument panel
cluster will come on when the winter
driving mode is active.
To protect the transmission,
the winter program turns off
automatically at high transmission
oil temperatures.
Automatic Neutral Idle
The Automatic Neutral Idle shift
function automatically sets the
transmission to NEUTRAL (N) to
reduce fuel consumption when
the vehicle is not moving.
Automatic neutral is activated when
ALL of the following occurs:
The selector lever is in
DRIVE (D), THIRD (3),
SECOND (2) or FIRST (1) gear.
The foot brake is pressed.
The vehicle is stopped.
The accelerator pedal is not
pressed.
The transmission uid
temperature is greater than
0° C (32° F).
The road is not steeper than 15°.
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When you release the brake with the
transmission in gear, you may feel
the transmission shift from Neutral to
Drive automatically. You may also
feel the transmission shift from Drive
to Neutral when the brake is applied.
This is normal operation of the
automatic transmission.
Downhill Grade Assist
When traveling down steep grades
your transmission may automatically
downshift into a lower gear when the
brake is applied. You may feel this
downshift. This performance feature
of your automatic transmission
assists with engine braking to reduce
wear on your brake system. This is
normal operation of the automatic
transmission.
Performance On Demand
This feature allows the driver to
automatically force a downshift,
when traveling at speeds less than
approximately 70 mph (112 km/h),
by fully pressing the accelerator
pedal.
Manual Transmission
Operation
Five-Speed
This is the shift pattern.
Here is how to operate your manual
transmission:
FIRST (1):Press the clutch pedal
and shift into FIRST (1). Then,
slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into FIRST (1) when
you are going less than 20 mph
(32 km/h). If you have come to a
complete stop and it is hard to shift
into FIRST (1), put the shift lever in
NEUTRAL (N) and let up on the
clutch. Press the clutch pedal back
down. Then shift into FIRST (1).SECOND (2):Press the clutch
pedal as you let up on the
accelerator pedal and shift into
SECOND (2). Then, slowly let up on
the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and
FIFTH (5):Shift into THIRD (3),
FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5), the
same way you do for SECOND (2).
Slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator
pedal and press the brake pedal.
Just before the vehicle stops, press
the clutch pedal and the brake pedal,
and shift to NEUTRAL (N).
NEUTRAL (N):Use this position
when you start or idle your engine.
REVERSE (R):With the vehicle
stationary, wait three seconds after
declutching and pull up on the
button on the selector lever
to engage reverse gear.
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If reverse gear does not engage, set
the selector lever in neutral, and
release the clutch pedal. Press the
clutch pedal again and repeat
the gear selection.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs wouldnot be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse)
only after the vehicle is stopped.
Also, use REVERSE (R), along
with the parking brake, to park your
vehicle.
Shift Speeds
{CAUTION
If you skip a gear when you
downshift, you could lose
control of your vehicle. You
could injure yourself or others.
Do not shift down more than
one gear at a time when you
downshift.
Parking Brake
The parking brake is located
between the driver and passenger
seats.
To set the parking brake, hold the
brake pedal down and pull up on the
parking brake lever.
To release the parking brake, hold
the brake pedal down. Pull the
parking brake lever up until you
can press the release button. Hold
the release button in as you move
the brake lever all the way down.
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A warning chime will sound and
a brake warning light located on the
instrument panel cluster will come
on, if the parking brake is set,
the ignition is on and the vehicle
speed is greater than 5 mph
(8 km/h).
Notice:Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the
brake system and cause
premature wear or damage
to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully
released and the brake warning
light is off before driving.Shifting Into Park
{CAUTION
It can be dangerous to get out
of your vehicle if the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your
vehicle can roll. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or
others could be injured. To be
sure your vehicle will not move,
even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that
follow.1. Hold the brake pedal down
with your right foot and set
the parking brake. SeeParking
Brake on page 8-10for more
information.
2. Move the shift lever into
PARK (P) by holding in the button
on the shift lever and pushing the
shift lever all the way toward the
front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to
LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it
with you. If you can leave
your vehicle with the ignition
key in your hand, your vehicle
is in PARK (P).
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Leaving Your Vehicle with the
Engine Running
{CAUTION
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
The vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not
fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake rmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and
even catch re. You or others
could be injured. Do not leave
the vehicle with the engine
running.If you have to leave your vehicle
with the engine running, be sure your
vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you
leave it. After you have moved the
shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see
if you can move the shift lever away
from PARK (P) without rst pushing
the button.
If you can, it means that the shift
lever was not fully locked in
PARK (P).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you
do not shift your transmission into
PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on
the parking pawl in the transmission.
You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P).This is called torque lock. To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake
and then shift into PARK (P) properly
before you leave the driver’s seat.
To nd out how, seeShifting Into
Park on page 8-11.
When you are ready to drive, move
the shift lever out of PARK (P)before
you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may
need to have another vehicle
push your vehicle a little uphill to
take some of the pressure from the
parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of
PARK (P).
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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.
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CAUTION (Continued)
Also, idling in a closed-in place
can let deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) into your vehicle even if the
climate control fan is at the
highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come
in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Also see “If You Are Caught in a
Blizzard” underWinter Driving
on page 8-27.
{CAUTION
It can be dangerous to get out
of your vehicle if the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your
vehicle can roll. Do not leave
your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to.
If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could
be injured. To be sure your
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level
ground, always set the parking
brake and move the shift lever
to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure
your vehicle will not move. See
Shifting Into Park on page 8-11.
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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 want to slow down and
adjust your driving to these
conditions. It is important to slow
down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance is 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
might not realize the surface isslippery 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.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake
System (ABS) helps avoid only the
braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous
than day driving because some
drivers are likely to be impaired — by
alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by
adjusting the inside rearview
mirror.
Slow down and keep more space
between you and other vehicles
because headlamps can only
light up so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into
approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass
on your vehicle clean — inside
and out.
Keep your eyes moving,
especially during turns or curves.
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 might need
at least twice as much light to see
the same thing at night as a
20-year-old.
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