2008 SATURN ASTRA service

Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle
is complex. Its many parts have to
be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have
really good braking. Your vehicle
was designed and tested with
top-quality brake parts. When you
replace parts of the braking
system — for example, when the
brake linings wear down and
you need new ones put in — be
sure you get new approved
replacement parts. If you do not,
the brakes might not work properly.
For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for
your vehicle, the balance between
the front and rear brakes can
change — for the worse. The
braking performance you have
come to expect can change in many
other ways if someone puts in the
wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your vehicle has a maintenance
free battery. When it is time
for a new battery, see your
dealer/retailer for one that has the
replacement number shown on
the original battery’s label.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for battery location.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals,
and related accessories contain
lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash hands
after handling.
Vehicle Storage
{CAUTION
Batteries have acid that can
burn you and gas that can
explode. You can be badly hurt
if you are not careful. SeeJump
Starting on page 9-68for tips
on working around a battery
without getting hurt.
Infrequent Usage: If you drive your
vehicle infrequently, remove the
black, negative (−) cable from
the battery. This will help keep the
battery from running down.
Extended Storage: For extended
storage of your vehicle, remove the
black, negative (−) cable from
the battery or use a battery trickle
charger. This will help maintain
the charge of the battery over an
extended period of time.
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Headlamp Aiming
The optical headlamp aiming system
has been preset at the factory
and should need no further
adjustment.
However, If the vehicle is damaged
in a crash, the headlamp aim
may be affected and adjustment
may be necessary.
If oncoming vehicles ash their high
beams at you, this may also mean
the vertical aim needs to be adjusted.
It is recommended that the vehicle
is taken to your dealer/retailer for
service if the headlamps need to be
re-aimed. It is possible however, to
re-aim the headlamps as described.The vehicle should:Be placed so the headlamps
are 25 ft. (7.6 m) from a light
colored wall.
Have all four tires on a perfectly
level surface which is level all
the way to the wall.
Be placed so it is perpendicular
to the wall.
Not have any snow, ice, or
mudonit.
Be fully assembled and all other
work stopped while headlamp
aiming is being done.
Have a full tank of fuel and
one person or 160 lbs (75 kg)
on the driver seat.
Have all tires properly inated.Headlamp aiming is done with the
vehicle’s low-beam headlamps.
The high-beam headlamps will be
correctly aimed if the low-beam
headlamps are aimed properly.
To adjust the vertical aim on
the headlamps:
1. Open the hood. SeeHood
Release on page 9-5for more
information.
2. Locate the aim dot on the lens of
the low-beam headlamp.
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3. Record the distance from the
ground to the aim dot on the
low-beam headlamp.
4. At a wall, measure from the
ground upward (A) to the
recorded distance from Step 3
and mark it.
5. Draw or tape a horizontal line (B)
on the wall the width of the
vehicle at the height of the
mark in Step 4.Notice:Do not cover a headlamp
to improve beam cut-off when
aiming. Covering a headlamp may
cause excessive heat build-up
which may cause damage to the
headlamp.
6. Turn on the low-beam headlamps
and place a piece of cardboard
or equivalent in front of the
headlamp not being adjusted.
Do not place it directly on
the headlamp. This allows only
the beam of light from the
headlamp being adjusted to
be seen on the at surface.7. Locate the vertical headlamp
aiming screws, which are under
the hood near each headlamp
assembly.
The adjustment screw can be
turned with a 6 mm socket
wrench.
8. Turn the vertical aiming screw
until the headlamp beam is aimed
to the horizontal tape line. Turn it
clockwise or counterclockwise
to raise or lower the angle of
the beam.
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9. Make sure that the light from the
headlamp is positioned at the
bottom edge of the horizontal
tape line. The lamp on the left (A)
shows the correct headlamp aim.
The lamp on the right (B) shows
the incorrect headlamp aim.
10. Repeat Steps 7 through 9 for
the opposite headlamp.
Bulb Replacement
For the proper type of replacement
bulbs, seeReplacement Bulbs
on page 9-33.
For any bulb changing procedure
not listed in this section, contact
your dealer/retailer.
Halogen Bulbs
{CAUTION
Halogen bulbs have
pressurized gas inside and can
burst if you drop or scratch the
bulb. You or others could be
injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the
bulb package.
Front Turn Signal Lamps
1. The bulbs of the turn signal lamp
are replaced through openings in
the front wheel wells. Turn the
wheel to gain access to the push
tabs and remove the cover.
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2. Turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise and pull
straight out.
3. Turn bulb counterclockwise
and remove.
4. Install new bulb.
5. Reverse Steps 2 through 4 to
reinstall.
Taillamps
(Five-Door Hatchback)
A. Backup Lamp
B. Taillamp
C. Taillamp/Stoplamp/Turn
Signal LampTo replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the liftgate.
2. To replace the bulbs on the
driver side, turn both locks
and remove the cover.
To replace the bulbs on the
passenger side, turn the lock
clockwise and remove the cover.
3. Detach the plug connector
from the bulb assembly.
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4. Turn the nuts counterclockwise
and hold the outside of taillamp
assembly.
5. Pull the taillamp assembly
straight out.
6. Remove the three nuts.
7. Press on the tabs on the outside
of bulb assembly and remove the
bulb assembly.
8. Remove the bulb from the bulb
assembly.9. Install a new bulb without
touching the glass.
10. Reinstall the bulb assembly in
taillamp assembly.
11. Make sure the seals are applied
to the taillamp assembly and
screws.
12. Insert the taillamp assembly
into the body.
13. Reinstall the three nuts.
14. Attach the plug connector to the
bulb assembly.
Taillamps
(Three-Door Hatchback)
A. Backup Lamp
B. Taillamp
C. Taillamp/Stoplamp/Turn
Signal Lamp
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To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Open the liftgate. SeeLiftgate on
page 2-6for more information.
2. Detach the plug connector from
the bulb assembly.
3. Turn the nuts counterclockwise
and hold the outside of taillamp
assembly.
4. Pull the taillamp assembly
straight out.5. Remove the seal.
6. Press on the tabs on outside of
bulb assembly and remove the
bulb assembly.
7. Remove the bulb from the bulb
assembly.
8. Install a new bulb without
touching the glass.
9. Reinstall the bulb assembly in
taillamp assembly.10. Make sure the seals are applied
to the taillamp assembly and
screws.
11. Insert the taillamp assembly
into the body.
12. Reinstall the three nuts.
13. Attach the plug connector to the
bulb assembly.
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License Plate Lamp
To replace one of these bulbs:
1. Push tab in and pull down on it to
remove the license plate lamp.2. Turn and pull the license plate
lamp toward you through the
opening.3. Turn the bulb socket
counterclockwise and pull the
bulb straight out of the socket.
4. Install the new bulb.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to
reinstall the license plate lamp.
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