2008 SATURN ASTRA key

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
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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
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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).
Driving and Operating 8-11
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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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It is recommended to leave the
system on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if your vehicle
is stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow,
and you want to “rock” your vehicle
to attempt to free it. It may also be
necessary to turn off the system
when driving in extreme off-road
conditions where high wheel spin
is required. SeeIf Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
on page 8-29.
StabiliTrak may also turn off
automatically if it determines that a
problem exists with the system.
The light on the instrument panel
cluster will be on solid to warn
the driver that StabiliTrak is disabled
and requires service. If the problem
does not clear after restarting
the vehicle, you should see your
dealer/retailer for service.The
gswitch is located on the
instrument panel below the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
To turn off StabiliTrak, press and
hold the
gswitch until the light in the
switch illuminates.
To turn StabiliTrak on again, press
the
gswitch again or restart the
vehicle.
A light in the switch should come
on briey when the ignition key
is turned to ON/RUN as a check
to let you know that the light
is working.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect your vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 9-3for
more information.
Steering
If the engine stalls while you
are driving, the power steering assist
system should continue to operate
until you are able to stop the
vehicle. If you lose power steering
assist because the power steering
system is not functioning, you
can steer, but it will take more effort.
If you turn the steering wheel in
either direction several times until it
stops, or hold the steering wheel in
the stopped position for an extended
amount of time, you may notice a
reduced amount of power steering
assist. The normal amount of power
steering assist should return shortly
after a few normal steering
movements.
The power steering system does not
require regular maintenance. If you
suspect steering system problems
and/or the Service Vehicle Soon light
comes on, contact your dealer/
retailer for service repairs.
8-20 Driving and Operating
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Accessories and
Modications
When non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories are added to your
vehicle they can affect your vehicle’s
performance and safety, including
such things as, airbags, braking,
stability, ride and handling,
emissions systems, aerodynamics,
durability, and electronic systems like
antilock brakes, traction control and
stability control. Some of these
accessories could even cause
malfunction or damage not covered
by warranty.
GM Accessories are designed to
complement and function with other
systems on your vehicle. Your GM
dealer/retailer can accessorize
your vehicle using genuine GM
Accessories. When you go to your
GM dealer/retailer and ask forGM Accessories, you will know that
GM-trained and supported service
technicians will perform the work
using genuine GM Accessories.
Also, seeAdding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 1-35.
California Proposition 65
Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this
one, contain and/or emit chemicals
known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Engine
exhaust, many parts and systems
(including some inside the vehicle),
many uids, and some component
wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained
in remote keyless entry transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-3
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How to Reset the Engine Oil
Life System
The Engine Oil Life System
calculates when to change the
engine oil and lter based on vehicle
use. Whenever the oil is changed,
reset the system so it can calculate
when the next oil change is
required. If a situation occurs where
you change the oil prior to the
letters InSP appearing in the
odometer display, reset the system.
After changing the engine oil,
reset the system:
1. Turn the ignition key to
LOCK/OFF.
2. Press the instrument panel
cluster stem until the odometer
is displayed.3. Press and hold the cluster
stem until the letters InSP
are displayed.
4. Hold the cluster stem down and
turn the ignition key to ON/RUN.
5. The letters InSP in the instrument
panel cluster display will ash.
6. Keep the cluster stem down for
at least 20 seconds and then
release the stem.
If the letters InSP and the remaining
mileage for the next oil change
appear in the instrument panel
cluster display, the system is
properly reset.
What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean your
skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly dispose of clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer’s warnings about the
use and disposal of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your own
oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose
of oil by putting it in the trash, pouring
it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects
used oil.
9-10 Vehicle Service and Care
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Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
Front Windshield Wiper
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear or cracking.
See “Maintenance Replacement
Parts” in the Limited Warranty,
Maintenance and owner Assistance
Information manual for the proper
type and length.
Raise the wiper arm, tilt the wiper
blade at a 90° angle to the
wiper arm, and remove to the side.
1. Turn the ignition off.
2. With the key in the ignition and
key in the LOCK position, press
the wiper lever down. Release
the wiper lever when the wipers
are in the vertical position.3. Raise the wiper arm away from
the windshield.
4. Turn the wiper blade at a 90°
angle to the wiper arm and
remove the blade to the side.
5. Install the new wiper blade.
6. Lower the wiper arm on to the
windshield.
Rear Windshield Wiper
1. Lift the wiper arm straight up.
2. Push the wiper blade straight out
of the wiper arm to remove.
3. Install the new wiper blade.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-21
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