2008 SATURN ASTRA service

American Petroleum Institute
(API) starburst symbol
Oils meeting these requirements
should have the starburst symbol
on the container. This symbol
indicates that the oil has been
certied by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
Notice:Use only engine oil
identied as meeting GM Standard
GM6094M and showing the
American Petroleum Institute
Certied For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use
the recommended oil can result in
engine damage not covered by
your warranty.Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil.
The recommended oils with
the starburst symbol that meet
GM Standard GM6094M are all you
need for good performance and
engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system
that lets you know when to change
the engine oil and lter. This is
based on engine revolutions
and engine temperature, and not
on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an
oil change will be indicated can
vary considerably. For the oil
life system to work properly, you
must reset the system every
time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished, it
will indicate that an oil change
is necessary. The letters InSP will
appear in the odometer display.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the mileage indicated on
the display. If you are driving under
the best conditions, the oil life
system might indicate that an oil
change is necessary once a
year. The engine oil and lter must
be changed at least once a year
and at this time the system must be
reset. Your dealer/retailer has
trained service people who will
perform this work using genuine
parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, you must change the
oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since your last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-9
ProCarManuals.com

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
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for the location of
the engine air cleaner/lter.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the
MaintenanceIIintervals and replace
it at the rst oil change after each
50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval.
See “Schedule Maintenance”
in Service and Maintenance formore information. If you are driving
in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter,
remove the lter from the vehicle
and lightly shake the lter to release
loose dust and dirt. If the lter
remains caked with dirt, a new lter
is required.
To inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/lter.
1. Remove the screws that hold
the cover on.
2. Disconnect the electrical
connector.
3. Lift off the cover.
4. Inspect or replace the engine air
cleaner/lter.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to
reinstall the cover and reconnect
the electrical connector.
{CAUTION
Operating the engine with the
air cleaner/lter off can cause
you or others to be burned.
The air cleaner not only cleans
the air; it helps to stop ames if
the engine backres. If it is not
there and the engine backres,
you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful
working on the engine with the
air cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter
is off, a backre can cause a
damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine,
which will damage it. Always have
the air cleaner/lter in place
when you are driving.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-11
ProCarManuals.com

Automatic Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check
the transmission uid level.
A transmission uid leak is the only
reason for uid loss. If a leak
occurs, take your vehicle to the
dealer/retailer service department
and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
Change the uid and lter at the
intervals listed in the Maintenance
Schedule. See “Additional
Required Services” in Service
and Maintenance. Be sure to use
the transmission uid listed in
“Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in Service and
Maintenance.
Notice:Use of the incorrect
automatic transmission uid
may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not becovered by your warranty.
See “Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants” in the Limited
Warranty, Maintenance and Owner
Assistance Information manual.
Manual Transmission
Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
manual transmission uid level.
A transmission uid leak is the only
reason for uid loss. If a leak
occurs, take the vehicle to the
dealer/retailer service department
and have it repaired as soon
as possible. You may also have
your uid level checked by
your dealer/retailer when you have
your oil changed. See “Part D:
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in Service and
Maintenance for the proper uid
to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in
your vehicle is self-adjusting.
This system does not have its own
reservoir. It receives uid from
the brake master cylinder reservoir.
SeeBrakes on page 9-22for more
information.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle
is lled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in your vehicle for ve years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km),
whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life
coolant.
The following explains your cooling
system and how to add coolant
when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating on page 9-15.
9-12 Vehicle Service and Care
ProCarManuals.com

A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down
to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to
265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and
corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages
work as they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing
sooner, at the rst maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free)
coolant in the vehicle.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean,
drinkable water and one-half
DEX-COOL
®coolant which will not
damage aluminum parts. If you
use this coolant mixture, you do not
need to add anything else.
{CAUTION
Adding only plain water to
the cooling system can be
dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as
alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will.
The vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain
water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot
but would not get the overheat
warning. The engine could
catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50
mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
Notice:If you use extra
inhibitors and/or additives in
your vehicle’s cooling system,
you could damage your vehicle.
Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in
this manual for the cooling
system. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants in the
Maintenance and Limited
Warranty and Owner Assistance
Information manual.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-13
ProCarManuals.com

Checking Coolant
The coolant reservoir is located in
the engine compartment on the
driver’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for more information
on location.
{CAUTION
Turning the coolant reservoir
pressure cap when the engine
and radiator are hot can allow
steam and scalding liquids to
blow out and burn you badly.
Never turn the coolant
reservoir pressure cap - even
a little - when the engine and
radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level
surface. When your engine is cold,
the coolant level should be at
the KALT/COLD line.
Do not overll the coolant reservoir.
Too much coolant can result in
an overow condition when the
uid is hot.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the
proper DEX-COOL®coolant mixture
at the coolant reservoir, but only
when the engine is cool. If the
coolant reservoir is empty, a special
ll procedure is necessary. See
Cooling System on page 9-16
for instructions on “How to Add
Coolant to the Coolant Reservoir.”
{CAUTION
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene
glycol, and it will burn if the
engine parts are hot enough.
Do not spill coolant on a hot
engine.
When replacing the pressure cap,
make sure it is hand-tight and
fully seated.
9-14 Vehicle Service and Care
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

If you get the engine coolant
temperature warning with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. If your air conditioner is on,
turn it off.
2. In heavy traffic, let the engine
idle in N (NEUTRAL) while
stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull
off the road, shift to P (PARK)
or N (NEUTRAL) and let
the engine idle.
3. Turn on your heater to full hot at
the highest fan speed and open
the windows as necessary.If you no longer have the overheat
warning, you can drive. Just to
be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning does not
come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues and you
have not stopped, pull over, stop,
and park your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam,
you can idle the engine for
three minutes while you are parked.
If you still have the warning, turn
off the engine and get everyone out
of the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood
but to get service help right away.Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the
hood, this is what you see:
A. Coolant Reservoir
B. Coolant Reservoir Pressure Cap
C. Engine Cooling Fans
(Out of view)
9-16 Vehicle Service and Care
ProCarManuals.com