2008 SATURN ASTRA ECU

If the word ON or the on symbol is
lit on the passenger airbag status
indicator, it means that the right
front passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact airbag
are enabled (may inate).
{CAUTION
If the on indicator comes on
when you have a rear-facing
child restraint installed in the
right front passenger’s seat,
it means that the passenger
sensing system has not turned
off the passenger’s frontal
airbag and seat-mounted side
impact airbag (if equipped).
A child in a rear-facing child
restraint can be seriously
injured or killed if the right front
passenger’s airbag inates.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would
be very close to the inating
airbag. Do not use a rear-facing
child restraint in the right front
passenger’s seat if the airbag is
turned on.
{CAUTION
Even though the passenger
sensing system is designed
to turn off the right front
passenger’s frontal airbag and
seat-mounted side impact
airbag (if equipped) if the
system detects a rear-facing
child restraint, no system is
fail-safe, and no one can
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
guarantee that an airbag will
not deploy under some unusual
circumstance, even though it is
turned off. We recommend that
rear-facing child restraints be
secured in a rear seat, even if
the airbag is or airbags are off.
If the word OFF or the off symbol
is lit on the passenger airbag
status indicator, it means that the
passenger sensing system has
turned off the right front passenger’s
frontal airbag and seat-mounted
side impact airbag. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 1-30for
more on this, including important
safety information.
4-16 Instruments and Controls
ProCarManuals.com

Brakelight switch check
This message displays when the
brake lamp does not come on
when the brake is applied. Have
your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer immediately.
Coolant level check
This message displays when the
engine coolant level is low. Have
the cooling system serviced by your
dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 9-12.
Remote Control Battery
check
This message displays if the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter battery is low. Replace
the battery in the transmitter.
See “Battery Replacement” under
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation on page 2-4.
Safeguard check
This message displays when there
is a problem with the theft-deterrent
system. Have the system serviced
by your dealer/retailer immediately.
Washer Fluid Level
(Base Level) or Washing
Water Level (Uplevel)
This message displays when the
vehicle’s windshield washer uid is
low. When the washer uid level is
low, the rear window washer system
is deactivated. Fill the windshield
washer uid reservoir to the proper
level as soon as possible. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on
page 9-20.
OnStar®System
OnStar uses several innovative
technologies and live advisors to
provide you with a wide range of
safety, security, information, and
convenience services. If your airbags
deploy, the system is designed to
make an automatic call to OnStar
Emergency advisors who can
request emergency services be
sent to your location. If you lock your
keys in the vehicle, call OnStar at
1-888-4-ONSTAR and they can send
a signal to unlock your doors. If you
need roadside assistance, press the
OnStar button and they can contact
Roadside Service for you.
4-38 Instruments and Controls
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{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

The GVWR includes the weight
of the vehicle, all occupants,
fuel, and cargo. Never exceed
the GVWR for your vehicle,
or the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for either the front or
rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy
load, you should spread it out.
See “Steps for Determining
Correct Load Limit” earlier in
this section.
{CAUTION
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR), or either the
maximum front or rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
If you do, parts on the
vehicle can break, and it can
change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause
you to lose control and
crash. Also, overloading
can shorten the life of the
vehicle.
If you put things inside your
vehicle — like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything
else — they will go as fast as
the vehicle goes. If you have
to stop or turn quickly, or if
there is a crash, they will
keep going.{CAUTION
Things you put inside the
vehicle can strike and injure
people in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the trunk of
your vehicle. In a trunk,
put them as far forward as
you can. Try to spread the
weight evenly.
Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
Do not leave an
unsecured child restraint
in the vehicle.
When you carry
something inside the
vehicle, secure it
whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded
down unless you need to.
8-34 Driving and Operating
ProCarManuals.com

Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss
and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is
properly and tightly secured.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for more information
on location.
Engine Overheating
There is an engine coolant
temperature warning light on
your vehicle’s instrument panel.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light on page 4-19for
more information.
If Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
{CAUTION
Steam from an overheated
engine can burn you badly,
even if you just open the hood.
Stay away from the engine if
you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and
get everyone away from the
vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your
engine is overheated, the
liquids in it can catch re.
You or others could be badly
burned. Stop your engine if it
overheats, and get out of the
vehicle until the engine is cool.Notice:If the engine catches re
because of being driven with
no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
An engine coolant temperature
warning can indicate a serious
problem. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light on
page 4-19.
If you get an engine coolant
temperature warning, but see or hear
no steam, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-15
ProCarManuals.com

Who is Covered?
Roadside Assistance coverage is for
the vehicle operator, regardless of
ownership. In Canada, a person
driving this vehicle without the
consent of the owner is not eligible
for coverage.
Services Provided
The following services are provided
in the U.S. and Canada up to
5 years/100,000 miles (160 000 km),
whichever comes rst, and, in
Canada only, up to a maximum
of $100.
Fuel Delivery:Delivery of enough
fuel for the vehicle to get to
the nearest service station
(approximately $5 Canada).
In Canada, service to provide
diesel may be restricted. For
safety reasons, propane and
other alternative fuels are not
provided through this service.
Lock-Out Service:Lock-out
service is covered at no charge if
you are unable to gain entry into
your vehicle. A remote unlock
may be available if you have an
active OnStar
®subscription.
To ensure security, the driver
must present personal
identication before lock-out
service is provided. In Canada,
the vehicle registration is also
required.
Emergency Tow From a Public
Roadway or Highway:Tow to
the nearest Saturn retailer for
warranty service or in the event
of a vehicle-disabling crash.
Winch-out assistance is provided
when the vehicle is mired in sand,
mud, or snow.
Flat Tire Change:Installation of a
spare tire in good condition, when
equipped and properly inated,
is covered at no charge.The customer is responsible for
the repair or replacement of the
tire if not covered by a
warrantable failure.
Jump Start:A battery jump start
is covered at no charge if the
vehicle does not start.
Trip Routing Service (Canada
Only):Upon request, Roadside
Assistance will send you detailed,
computer personalized maps,
highlighting your choice of either
the most direct route or the most
scenic route to your destination,
anywhere in North America, along
with helpful travel information
pertaining to your trip.
Please allow three weeks before
your planned departure date.
Trip routing requests are limited
to six per calendar year.
11-6 Customer Information
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Trip Interruption Benets and
Assistance (Canada Only):In
the event of a warranty related
vehicle disablement, while en
route and over 250 kilometres
from the original point of
departure, you might qualify
for trip interruption expense
assistance. This assistance
covers reasonable reimbursement
of up to a maximum of $500
(Canadian) for (A) meals
(maximum of $50/day), (B)
lodging (maximum of $100/night),
and (C) alternate ground
transportation (maximum of
$40/day). This benet is to assist
you with some of the unplanned
expense you may incur while
waiting for your vehicle to be
repaired.
Pre-authorization, original
detailed receipts, and a copy of
the repair order are required.Once authorization has been
given, your advisor will help
you make any necessary
arrangements and explain how
to claim for trip interruption
expense assistance.
Alternative Service (Canada
Only):There could be times
when Roadside Assistance
cannot provide timely assistance.
Your advisor may authorize
you to secure local emergency
road service, and you will be
reimbursed up to $100 upon
submission of the original receipt
to Roadside Assistance.
In many instances, mechanical
failures may be covered. However,
any cost for parts and labor for
non-warranty repairs are the
responsibility of the driver.
Saturn and General Motors of
Canada Limited reserve the right to
limit services or reimbursement to anowner or driver when, in their sole
discretion, the claims become
excessive in frequency or type of
occurrence.
Calling for Assistance
For prompt and efficient assistance
when calling, please provide the
following to the Roadside Assistance
Representatives:
Your name, home address, and
home telephone number
Telephone number of your
location
Location of the vehicle
Model, year, color, and license
plate number of the vehicle
Odometer reading, Vehicle
Identication Number (VIN) and
delivery date of the vehicle
Description of the problem
Customer Information 11-7
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Saturn will not access this data or
share it with others except: with the
consent of the vehicle owner or,
if the vehicle is leased, with the
consent of the lessee; in response
to an official request of police or
similar government office; as part
of Saturn’s defense of litigation
through the discovery process; or,
as required by law. Data that Saturn
collects or receives may also be
used for Saturn research needs or
may be made available to others for
research purposes, where a need is
shown and the data is not tied to a
specic vehicle or vehicle owner.OnStar®
If your vehicle has OnStar and you
subscribe to the OnStar services,
please refer to the OnStar
Terms and Conditions for
information on data collection and
use. See alsoOnStar
®System
on page 4-38in this manual
for more information.
Navigation System
If your vehicle has a navigation
system, use of the system may
result in the storage of destinations,
addresses, telephone numbers, and
other trip information. Refer to the
navigation system operating manual
for information on stored data and for
deletion instructions.
Radio Frequency
Identication (RFID)
RFID technology is used in some
vehicles for functions such as
tire pressure monitoring and ignition
system security, as well as in
connection with conveniences such
as key fobs for remote door
locking/unlocking and starting, and
in-vehicle transmitters for garage
door openers. RFID technology in
Saturn vehicles does not use
or record personal information or
link with any other Saturn system
containing personal information.
Customer Information 11-17
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