2008 SATURN ASTRA brake

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
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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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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.
Driving and Operating 8-15
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Medical research shows that alcohol
in a person’s system can make crash
injuries worse, especially injuries
to the brain, spinal cord, or heart.
This means that when anyone who
has been drinking — driver or
passenger — is in a crash, that
person’s chance of being killed or
permanently disabled is higher than
if the person had not been drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help
to control your vehicle while
driving — brakes, steering, and
accelerator. At times, as when
driving on snow or ice, it is easy to
ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide.
Meaning, you can lose control of
your vehicle.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 4-17.
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.
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 might 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.
Driving and Operating 8-17
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If your vehicle’s engine ever stops
while you are driving, brake normally
but do not pump the brakes. If you
do, the pedal could 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 can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9-3.Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Antilock
Brake System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that
will help prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and
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 a
little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS,
this warning light will stay on.
SeeAntilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 4-18.Let us say the road is wet and you
are driving safely. Suddenly, an
animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes and
continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels
are slowing down. If one of
the wheels is about to stop rolling,
the computer will separately
work the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake
pressure faster than any driver could.
The computer is programmed to
make the most of available tire and
road conditions. This can help you
steer around the obstacle while
braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps
receiving updates on wheel speed
and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
8-18 Driving and Operating
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Remember: ABS does not change
the time you need to get your foot
up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle in front of
you, you will not have time to apply
the brakes if that vehicle suddenly
slows or stops. Always leave enough
room up ahead to stop, even though
you have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down rmly and
let antilock work for you. You might
hear the antilock pump or motor
operate, and feel the brake
pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
you more than even the very best
braking.
StabiliTrak®System
Your vehicle may have StabiliTrak
which combines antilock brake,
traction and stability control systems
and helps the driver maintain
directional control of the vehicle
in most driving conditions.
When you rst start your vehicle and
begin to drive away, the system
performs several diagnostic checks
to ensure there are no problems.
You may hear or feel the system
working. This is normal and does not
mean there is a problem with your
vehicle. The system should initialize
before the vehicle reaches 20 mph
(32 km/h).
The system monitors vehicle
movements, and helps the driver
maintain control of the vehicle in
most driving situations. When the
vehicle’s stability is affected the
engine output is reduced, and the
brakes are applied to individual
wheels.When you turn the ignition on,
this light on the instrument panel
cluster will come on for a few
seconds, then go out when the
system is ready.
You may also feel or hear the
system working; this is normal.
StabiliTrak is automatically enabled
whenever you start your vehicle.
To assist the driver with vehicle
directional control, especially in
slippery road conditions, you should
always leave the system on. But, you
can turn it off if you ever need to.
Driving and Operating 8-19
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Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.
A lot of the “driver lost control”
accidents mentioned on the news
happen on curves. Here is why:
Experienced driver or beginner,
each of us is subject to the same
laws of physics when driving on
curves. The traction of the tires
against the road surface makes it
possible for the vehicle to change its
path when you turn the front wheels.
If there is no traction, inertia will
keep the vehicle going in the same
direction. If you have ever tried to
steer a vehicle on wet ice, you will
understand this.
Traction in a curve depends on
the condition of the tires and
the road surface, the angle at which
the curve is banked, and your
speed. While in a curve, speed is
the one factor you can control.Suppose you are steering
through a sharp curve. Then
you suddenly accelerate. Both
control systems — steering
and acceleration — have to do
their work where the tires meet
the road. Adding the sudden
acceleration can demand too much
of those places. You can lose
control. SeeStabiliTrak
®System
on page 8-19.
What should you do if this ever
happens? Ease up on the brake
or accelerator pedal, steer the
vehicle the way you want it to go,
and slow down.
Speed limit signs near curves warn
that you should adjust your speed.
Of course, the posted speeds are
based on good weather and road
conditions. Under less favorable
conditions you will want to go slower.If you need to reduce speed when
approaching a curve, do it before
you enter the curve, while the front
wheels are straight ahead.
Try to adjust the speed so you can
drive through the curve. Maintain
a reasonable, steady speed. Wait
to accelerate until you are out of the
curve, and then accelerate gently
into the straightaway.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9-3.
Driving and Operating 8-21
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Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can
be more effective than braking. For
example, you come over a hill and
nd a truck stopped in your lane, or a
car suddenly pulls out from nowhere,
or a child darts out from between
parked cars and stops right in front of
you. You can avoid these problems
by braking — if you can stop in time.
But sometimes you cannot; there is
not room. That is the time for evasive
action — steering around the
problem.
Your vehicle can perform very well
in emergencies like these. First
apply the brakes. SeeBraking on
page 8-17. It is better to remove
as much speed as you can from a
possible collision. Then steer around
the problem, to the left or right
depending on the space available.An emergency like this requires
close attention and a quick decision.
If you are holding the steering wheel
at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock
positions, you can turn it a full
180 degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have
to act fast, steer quickly, and just as
quickly straighten the wheel once
you have avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency
situations are always possible is a
good reason to practice defensive
driving at all times and wear
safety belts properly.
Off-Road Recovery
Your vehicle’s right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving.
If the level of the shoulder is only
slightly below the pavement,
recovery should be fairly easy.
Ease off the accelerator and then,
if there is nothing in the way,
steer so that your vehicle straddles
the edge of the pavement.
8-22 Driving and Operating
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