2008 SATURN ASTRA lock

Y(Vent):This mode directs air to
the instrument panel outlets.
X(Defog):This mode directs air
to the windshield and front door
windows. To reduce fogging, press
#to turn on the air conditioner.
The fan must also be on.
W(Defog/Floor):This mode
directs air to the windshield, front
door windows, and oor outlets.
To reduce fogging, press
#to turn
on the air conditioner. The fan
must also be on.
[(Floor):This mode directs
most of the air to the oor outlets.Temperature Control Knob
Turn the center knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the temperature inside the
vehicle.
Fan Speed Control Knob
Turn the right knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase
or decrease the fan speed. The
speed settings can be adjusted
between 1 (Low) and 4 (High).
When the fan is off, the air
conditioning compressor is also off.
There will be some airow from
the outlets when driving, even with
the fan in the off position.
A(Fan):Select this position to
turn the fan off.
Air Conditioning
For vehicles with air conditioning.
#(Air Conditioning):Press
to turn the air conditioning system
on or off. An indicator light inside
the button comes on when the air
conditioning is activated. The air
conditioning can only be operated
if the engine is on and the fan is
running.
When the air conditioning is on
the air is cooled and dehumidied.
If cooling or dehumidication is not
desired, turn off the air conditioning
to save fuel.
On hot days, open the windows
briey to let the hot inside air
escape, then close them. This helps
to reduce the time it takes for the
vehicle to cool down.
7-2 Climate Controls
ProCarManuals.com

Outlet Adjustment
Use the thumbwheel below the air
outlets to change the direction of the
air ow. Use the vertical thumbwheel
next to the outlets to control the
amount of air ow or to shut off the
airow completely.
Keep all outlets open whenever
possible for best system
performance.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow, or
leaves from the air inlets at
the base of the windshield that
can block the ow of air into
the vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood
deectors can adversely affect
the performance of the system.
Keep the path under all seats
clear of objects to help circulate
the air inside the vehicle
more effectively.
If fogging reoccurs while in vent
or bi-level modes with mild
temperature throughout the
vehicle, turn on the air conditioner
to reduce windshield fogging.
7-4 Climate Controls
ProCarManuals.com

Driving and
Operating
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In.........8-2
Ignition Positions................8-2
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP).....................8-3
Starting the Engine.............8-3
Engine Heater....................8-4
Automatic Transmission
Operation..........................8-5
Manual Transmission
Operation..........................8-9
Parking Brake...................8-10
Shifting Into Park..............8-11
Shifting Out of Park..........8-13
Parking the Vehicle...........8-13
Parking Over Things
That Burn........................8-13
Engine Exhaust.................8-14
Running the Vehicle
While Parked..................8-14
Driving Your Vehicle
Defensive Driving..............8-16
Drunk Driving....................8-16
Control of a Vehicle..........8-17
Braking.............................8-17
Antilock Brake
System (ABS).................8-18
StabiliTrak®System..........8-19
Steering............................8-20
Off-Road Recovery............8-22
Passing.............................8-23
Loss of Control.................8-23
Driving at Night.................8-24
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads......................8-25
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip........................8-26
Highway Hypnosis.............8-26
Hill and Mountain
Roads.............................8-26
Winter Driving...................8-27
If Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow
..........................8-29
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out.......................8-30
Loading the Vehicle..........8-30
Fuel
Fuel..................................8-35
Gasoline Octane...............8-35
Gasoline Specications.....8-35
California Fuel..................8-35
Additives...........................8-36
Fuels in Foreign
Countries........................8-36
Filling the Tank.................8-37
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container........................8-38
Driving and Operating 8-1
ProCarManuals.com

Starting and
Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not
need an elaborate break-in. But it
will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
Do not drive at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle
starts. Avoid downshifting
to brake or slow the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for
the rst 200 miles (322 km) or
so. During this time the new
brake linings are not yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings
can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this
breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.Following break-in, engine
speed and load can be gradually
increased.
Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the ignition
switch to four different positions.
Notice:Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct key,
make sure it is all the way in, and
turn it only with your hand. If the
key cannot be turned by hand, see
your dealer/retailer.To shift out of P (Park), the ignition
must be in the ON/RUN position
and the regular brake pedal must
be applied.
A (LOCK/OFF):This is the only
position from which you can remove
the key. This locks the steering
wheel, ignition and automatic
transmission.
On vehicles with an automatic
transmission, the shift lever must
be in P (Park) to turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK/OFF position.
The ignition switch can bind in the
LOCK/OFF position with your wheels
turned off center. If this happens,
move the steering wheel from
right to left while turning the key to
STEERING UNLOCK/IGNITION
OFF. If this doesn’t work, then the
vehicle needs service.
8-2 Driving and Operating
ProCarManuals.com

B (STEERING UNLOCKED/
IGNITION OFF):This position
unlocks the steering wheel.
C (ON/RUN):The ignition switch
stays in this position when the
engine is running. This position can
be used to operate the electrical
accessories, as well as to display
some warning and indicator lights.
The battery could be drained if you
leave the key in the ON/RUN position
with the engine off. You may not be
able to start the vehicle if the battery
is allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
D (START):This position starts
the engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON/RUN for normal
driving. A warning tone will sound
when the driver door is opened and
the key is in the ignition.Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
The power windows and mirrors
may be used for up to ve minutes
after the key is turned to LOCK/OFF.
The power windows and mirrors will
not operate after any of the front
doors are opened.
The radio may be used for up to
sixty minutes after the key is turned
to LOCK/OFF.
Starting the Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart
when you are already moving,
use N (Neutral) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to
P (Park) if your vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when your vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in Neutral
and the parking brake engaged.
Hold the clutch pedal to the
oor and start the engine. The
vehicle will not start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down.
Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to
START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed
will go down as your engine gets
warm. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the
oil to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.
Driving and Operating 8-3
ProCarManuals.com

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

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

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
ProCarManuals.com