2008 SATURN ASTRA transmission

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
ProCarManuals.com

To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. The engine heater connector is
located in the passenger side
lower front grille. Open the cover
and insert the 110-volt AC
adapter delivered in the vehicles
glove box.
3. Plug the other end of the adapter
into a grounded 110-volt AC
outlet.{CAUTION
Plugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause
an electrical shock. Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord
could overheat and cause a
re. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into a
properly grounded three-prong
110-volt AC outlet. If the cord
will not reach, use a heavy-duty
three-prong extension cord
rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be
sure to unplug both ends of
the adapter and store the adapter
to prevent damage.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer/retailer
in the area where you will be parking
the vehicle for the best advice
on this.
Automatic Transmission
Operation
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the shift lever is
located on the console between
the seats.
Your vehicle may also have an
electronic shift position indicator that
displays the position of the shift
lever. This indicator is located above
the trip odometer on the instrument
panel cluster.
Driving and Operating 8-5
ProCarManuals.com

PARK (P):This position locks the
front wheels. It is the best position
to use when the engine is started
because your vehicle cannot
move easily.
{CAUTION
It is 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 vehicle will not move, even
when you are on fairly level
ground, always set your parking
brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park
on page 8-11.Make sure the shift lever is fully in
PARK (P) before starting the engine.
Your vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. The regular brakes must be
applied before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in
ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P) while holding the brake
pedal down, seeShifting Out of
Park on page 8-13.
REVERSE (R):Use this gear to
back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse)
only after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and
forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand
without damaging the transmission,
seeRocking Your Vehicle to Get
It Out on page 8-30.NEUTRAL (N):In this position,
the engine does not connect with the
wheels. To restart while you are
already moving, use NEUTRAL (N)
only. Also, use NEUTRAL (N)
when your vehicle is being towed.{CAUTION
Shifting into a drive gear while
the engine is running at high
speed is dangerous. Unless
your foot is rmly on the brake
pedal, the vehicle could move
very rapidly. You could lose
control and hit people or
objects. Do not shift into a
drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed.
8-6 Driving and Operating
ProCarManuals.com

Notice:Shifting out of P (Park)
or N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure the
engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.
DRIVE (D):This position is for
normal driving.
Notice:If your vehicle seems to
start up rather slowly or not shift
gears when you go faster, and you
continue to drive your vehicle that
way, you could damage the
transmission. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.THIRD (3):This position is also
used for normal driving, however, it
offers more power and lower fuel
economy than DRIVE (D). Here are
some times you might choose
THIRD (3) instead of DRIVE (D):
When driving on hilly, winding
roads.
When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2):This position gives
you more power but lower fuel
economy. Use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control the vehicles speed
as you go down steep mountain
roads, but then you would also want
to use your brakes off and on.
Notice:Driving in FIRST (1) for
more than 25 miles (40 km) or at
speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h)
may damage the transmission.
Also, shifting into FIRST (1) at
speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h)
can cause damage. Drive in
THIRD (3) or DRIVE (D) instead
of FIRST (1).FIRST (1):This position gives you
even more power but lower fuel
economy than SECOND (2). Use it
on very steep hills, or in deep snow
or mud. If the shift lever is put in
FIRST (1), the transmission does not
shift into rst gear until the vehicle is
going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires
or holding the vehicle in one
place on a hill using only
the accelerator pedal may
damage the transmission. The
repair will not be covered by your
warranty. If you are stuck, do
not spin the tires. When stopping
on a hill, use the brakes to
hold the vehicle in place.
Driving and Operating 8-7
ProCarManuals.com

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°.
8-8 Driving and Operating
ProCarManuals.com

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.
Driving and Operating 8-9
ProCarManuals.com

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.
8-10 Driving and Operating
ProCarManuals.com

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).
8-12 Driving and Operating
ProCarManuals.com