2008 SATURN ASTRA brake light

{CAUTION
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. The brakes will
have to do all the work of
slowing down and they could
get so hot that they would not
work well. You would then have
poor braking or even none
going down a hill. You could
crash. Always have the engine
running and the vehicle in gear
when going downhill.
Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
Top of hills: Be alert — something
could be in your lane (stalled car,
accident).
Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter
driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape
for winter.
You might want to put winter
emergency supplies in your
vehicle.
Include an ice scraper, a small
brush or broom, a supply of
windshield washer uid, a rag, some
winter outer clothing, a small shovel,
a ashlight, a red cloth, and reective
warning triangles. And, if you will be
driving under severe conditions,
include a small bag of sand, a pieceof old carpet, or a couple of burlap
bags to help provide traction. Be sure
you properly secure these items in
your vehicle.
Also seeTires on page 9-38.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places
where the tires meet the road
probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice
between the tires and the road, you
can have a very slippery situation.
You have a lot less traction, or grip,
and need to be very careful.
What is the worst time for this? Wet
ice. Very cold snow or ice can be
slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice
can be even more trouble because it
can offer the least traction of all.
Driving and Operating 8-27
ProCarManuals.com

Owner Checks
{CAUTION
An electric fan under the hood
can start up and injure you
even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing,
and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
{CAUTION
Things that burn can get on hot
engine parts and start a re.
These include liquids like fuel,
oil, coolant, brake uid,
windshield washer and other
uids, and plastic or rubber.
You or others could be burned.
Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a
hot engine.
Hood Release
To open the hood:
1. Pull the handle that is located
under the instrument panel.2. Push the secondary hood
release lever upward.
3. Lift the hood.
After the hood is slightly lifted, it will
continue to open to the full position.
Before closing the hood, be sure
all the ller caps are on properly.
Then lift the hood to relieve
pressure. Pull the hood down,
close it rmly.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-5
ProCarManuals.com

A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 9-11.
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap.Engine Oil
on page 9-7.
C. Brake Fluid Reservoir.Brakes
on page 9-22.
D. Coolant Reservoir.Cooling
System on page 9-16.
E. Coolant Reservoir Pressure Cap.
Pressure Cap on page 9-15.
F.Engine Compartment Fuse Block
on page 9-34.
G.Battery on page 9-25.
H.Windshield Washer Fluid on
page 9-20.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick.Engine Oil
on page 9-7.Engine Oil
If the low oil level light appears on
the instrument cluster, check
the engine oil level right away.
SeeLow Oil Level Light on
page 4-23. You should check the
engine oil level regularly; this is just
a reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the
engine oil every time you get fuel.
In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the
vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle
is a yellow loop. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6
for the location of the engine oil
dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the
oil several minutes to drain back
into the oil pan. If you do not
do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with
a paper towel or cloth, then push
it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down
and check the level.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-7
ProCarManuals.com

Rear disc brake pads do not have
built-in brake pad wear indicators.
Periodic visual inspection of the rear
brake pads is required to determine
when to replace the pads. Visually
inspect the rear brake pads
whenever the rear wheels are
removed such as during tire rotation.
1. Set the parking brake and make
sure that the brakes have been
given enough time to cool.
2. Remove the rear wheels.
3. Visually inspect the rear brake
inner pads (C) at each rear
wheel through the inspection
window in the brake caliper (A).Brake pads should be replaced
when the inner pad (C) is
worn to 5/64 in (2 mm) of pad
thickness (B). New brake
pads, with no wear, are 25/64 of
an inch (10 mm) thick.
4. After brake pad inspection or
replacement, install the rear
wheels.Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when
the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel bolts are
necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and
evenly tighten wheel bolts in
the proper sequence to torque
specications inCapacities
and Specifications on page 10-2.
Brake linings should always
be replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake
pedal does not return to normal
height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal travel. This could be a sign
that brake service might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop,
the disc brakes adjust for wear.
9-24 Vehicle Service and Care
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Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, try to
use another vehicle and some
jumper cables to start your vehicle.
Be sure to use the following steps
to do it safely.
{CAUTION
Batteries can hurt you. They
can be dangerous because:
They contain acid that can
burn you.
They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you.Notice:Ignoring these steps
could result in costly damage to
your vehicle that would not
be covered by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it will not work,
and it could damage your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must
have a 12-volt battery with a
negative ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s
system is not a 12-volt system
with a negative ground, both
vehicles can be damaged. Only
use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump
start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough
so the jumper cables can
reach, but be sure the vehicles
are not touching each other.
If they are, it could cause
a ground connection you do not
want. You would not be able
to start your vehicle, and the bad
grounding could damage the
electrical systems.To avoid the possibility of the
vehicles rolling, set the parking
brake rmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start
procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in PARK (P)
or a manual transmission in
NEUTRAL before setting
the parking brake.
Notice:If you leave your radio or
other accessories on during the
jump starting procedure, they
could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your
warranty. Always turn off your
radio and other accessories when
jump starting your vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both
vehicles. Unplug unnecessary
accessories plugged into the
cigarette lighter or the accessory
power outlet. Turn off the radio
and all lamps that are not needed.
This will avoid sparks and help
save both batteries. And it could
save the radio!
9-68 Vehicle Service and Care
ProCarManuals.com

A
Accessories and
Modications...................... 9-3
Accessory Power Outlets......4-10
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle....1-35
Additives, Fuel.....................8-36
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................9-33
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.......9-11
Air Conditioning..................... 7-1
Airbag
Passenger Status
Indicator.......................4-15
Readiness Light................4-14
System, Replacing Parts
After a Crash................1-36
Airbag System.....................1-23
Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-35
Check.............................1-36
How Does an Airbag
Restrain?.....................1-28
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle........................1-34Airbag System (cont.)
What Makes an Airbag
Inate?........................1-28
What Will You See After
an Airbag Inates?........1-29
When Should an Airbag
Inate?........................1-27
Where Are the
Airbags?..............1-25, 1-30
Antenna, Fixed Mast............6-25
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)..................8-18
Anti-lock Brake, System
Warning Light...................4-18
Appearance Care
Chemical Paint Spotting.....9-79
Exterior Cleaning..............9-75
Finish Damage.................9-79
Interior Cleaning...............9-72
Sheet Metal Damage........9-78
Underbody Maintenance....9-79
Vehicle Care/Appearance
Materials
......................9-80
Appointments, Scheduling
Service...........................11-8Audio System........................ 6-1
Audio Steering Wheel
Controls.......................6-24
Fixed Mast Antenna..........6-25
Radio Reception...............6-25
Theft-Deterrent Feature......6-24
Audio System(s).................... 6-2
Automatic Transmission
Fluid...............................9-12
Operation.......................... 8-5
B
Battery...............................9-25
Run-Down Protection.......... 5-4
Brakes...............................9-22
System Warning Light.......4-17
Braking...............................8-17
Break-In, New Vehicle............ 8-2
Bulb Replacement................9-28
Front Turn Signal Lamps . . . 9-28
Halogen Bulbs..................9-28
Headlamp Aiming..............9-26
License Plate Lamps.........9-32
Replacement Bulbs...........9-33
Taillamps.................9-29, 9-30
Buying New Tires.................9-54
INDEX i-1
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Hood
Release............................ 9-5
Horn .................................... 4-4
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly..........................1-12
Hydraulic Clutch...................9-12
I
Ignition Positions................... 8-2
Immobilizer........................... 2-7
Immobilizer Operation............. 2-8
Infants and Young
Children, Restraints...........1-38
Ination - Tire Pressure.........9-46
Instrument Panel
Brightness......................... 5-3
Cluster............................4-12
Overview........................... 4-2
J
Jump Starting......................9-68
K
Keyless Entry System............ 2-3
Keys.................................... 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall..........9-40
Lamp
Rear Compartment............. 5-4
Lamps
Dome ............................... 5-3
Exterior, Off Reminder.......4-24
Reading............................ 5-3
Lap-Shoulder Belt................1-17
LATCH System
Child Restraints................1-45
Replacing Parts After a
Crash..........................1-50
License Plate Lamps............9-32
Liftgate
Carbon Monoxide............... 2-6
Light
Airbag Readiness.............4-14
Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) Warning..............4-18Light (cont.)
Brake System Warning......4-17
Charging System..............4-17
Cruise Control..................4-24
Door Ajar.........................4-24
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning.....4-19
Fog Lamp ........................4-23
Highbeam On...................4-24
Low Fuel Warning.............4-25
Low Oil Level...................4-23
Malfunction Indicator.........4-20
Oil Pressure.....................4-22
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator.......................4-15
Safety Belt Reminders.......4-14
Service Vehicle Soon........4-24
StabiliTrak
®Indicator.........4-19
Tire Pressure...................4-19
Winter Driving Mode..........4-23
Lighting
Entry................................ 5-3
Lights
Exterior Lamps................... 5-1
Flash-to-Pass..................... 4-8
High/Low Beam Changer..... 4-8
INDEX i-5
ProCarManuals.com

Loading Your Vehicle............8-30
Locks
Door ................................. 2-5
Power Door ....................... 2-5
Rear Door Security Locks.... 2-6
Loss of Control....................8-23
Low Fuel Warning Light........4-25
Lumbar Seat Adjustment......... 1-3
M
Malfunction Indicator Light.....4-20
Manual Seats........................ 1-2
Manual Transmission
Fluid...............................9-12
Operation.......................... 8-9
Manual, Using.......................... ii
Message
DIC Warnings and
Messages....................4-37
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror.....2-12
Outside...........................2-12
Outside Power Mirrors.......2-12
MyGMLink.com....................11-4
N
Navigation System,
Privacy..........................11-17
New Vehicle Break-In............. 8-2
Notices and Cautions............... iii
O
Odometer...........................4-13
Odometers, Trip...................4-13
Off-Road Recovery...............8-22
Oil
Engine.............................. 9-7
Low Oil Level Light...........4-23
Pressure Light..................4-22
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..... 9-9
Older Children, Restraints......1-37
Online Owner Center............11-4
OnStar, Privacy..................11-17
OnStar
®System, see
OnStar®Manual...............4-38
Outlet Adjustment.................. 7-4
Outlets
Accessory Power..............4-10Outside
Mirrors............................2-12
Power Mirrors..................2-12
Owner Checks, Service.......... 9-5
Owners, Canadian.................... ii
P
Paint, Damage.....................9-79
Park
Shifting Into.....................8-11
Shifting Out of..................8-13
Park Brake..........................8-10
Parking
Over Things That Burn......8-13
Parking Your Vehicle............8-13
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator..........................4-15
Passing..............................8-23
Perchlorate Materials
Requirements, California...... 9-3
Power
Door Locks........................ 2-5
Electrical System..............9-34
Retained Accessory (RAP) . . . 8-3
i-6 INDEX
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