2008 SATURN ASTRA coolant level

Instruments and
Controls
Instrument Panel
Overview
Instrument Panel
Overview...........................4-2
Hazard Warning Flashers. . .4-4
Horn...................................4-4
Tilt Wheel...........................4-4
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever................................4-4
Cruise Control....................4-5
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals.............................4-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer............................4-8
Flash-to-Pass......................4-8
Windshield Wipers..............4-9
Windshield Washer...........4-10
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer...........................4-10
Accessory Power
Outlet(s)..........................4-10
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators.................4-11
Instrument Panel Cluster. . .4-12
Speedometer and
Odometer........................4-13
Trip Odometer(s)...............4-13
Tachometer.......................4-13
Safety Belt Reminders......4-14
Airbag Readiness Light.....4-14
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator..........................4-15
Charging System Light......4-17
Brake System Warning
Light................................4-17
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light.......4-18
StabiliTrak®Indicator
Light................................4-19
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
................................4-19
Tire Pressure Light...........4-19
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp................4-20
Oil Pressure Light.............4-22
Low Oil Level Light...........4-23
Winter Driving Mode
Light................................4-23
Fog Lamp Light................4-23
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder........................4-24Cruise Control Light..........4-24
Highbeam On Light...........4-24
Door Ajar Light.................4-24
Service Vehicle Soon
Light................................4-24
Fuel Gage........................4-25
Low Fuel Warning Light. . . .4-25
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
Driver Information
Center (DIC)...................4-26
DIC Operation and
Displays (Base Level
DIC and Audio)
...............4-27
DIC Operation and
Displays (Uplevel
DIC and Audio)
...............4-31
DIC Warnings and
Messages (Base and
Uplevel Systems)
............4-37
OnStar®System
OnStar®System................4-38
Instruments and Controls 4-1
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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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A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 9-11.
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap.Engine Oil
on page 9-7.
C. Brake Fluid Reservoir.Brakes
on page 9-22.
D. Coolant Reservoir.Cooling
System on page 9-16.
E. Coolant Reservoir Pressure Cap.
Pressure Cap on page 9-15.
F.Engine Compartment Fuse Block
on page 9-34.
G.Battery on page 9-25.
H.Windshield Washer Fluid on
page 9-20.
I. Engine Oil Dipstick.Engine Oil
on page 9-7.Engine Oil
If the low oil level light appears on
the instrument cluster, check
the engine oil level right away.
SeeLow Oil Level Light on
page 4-23. You should check the
engine oil level regularly; this is just
a reminder.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the
engine oil every time you get fuel.
In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the
vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle
is a yellow loop. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6
for the location of the engine oil
dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the
oil several minutes to drain back
into the oil pan. If you do not
do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with
a paper towel or cloth, then push
it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down
and check the level.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-7
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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
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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
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{CAUTION
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up
even when the engine is not
running and can cause injury.
Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood
electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant
reservoir is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a
level surface.
The coolant level should be at or
above the KALT/COLD mark on the
coolant reservoir. If it is not, you
may have a leak at the coolant
reservoir pressure cap or in
the radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump, or somewhere
else in the cooling system.
{CAUTION
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there
is a leak. If you run the engine,
it could lose all coolant.
That could cause an engine
re, and you could be burned.
Get any leak xed before you
drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak,
with the engine on, check to see
if the electric engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating,
both fans should be running.
If they are not, your vehicle needs
service.Notice:Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
Notice:Using coolant other
than DEX-COOL
®can cause
premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant could require
changing sooner, at 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.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-17
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How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Reservoir
Notice:This vehicle has a
specic coolant ll procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
If you have not found a problem yet,
check to see if coolant is visible
in the coolant reservoir. If coolant is
visible but the coolant level is not
at or above the KALT/COLD
mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®
coolant at the coolant reservoir,
but be sure the cooling system,
including the coolant reservoir
pressure cap, is cool before you
do it. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 9-12for more information.If no coolant is visible in the coolant
reservoir, add coolant as follows:
{CAUTION
Steam and scalding liquids
from a hot cooling system can
blow out and burn you badly.
They are under pressure,
and if you turn the coolant
reservoir pressure cap — even
a little — they can come out at
high speed. Never turn the cap
when the cooling system,
including the coolant reservoir
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and coolant
reservoir pressure cap to cool
if you ever have to turn the
pressure cap.
{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
you 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:In cold weather, water
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core and other
parts. Use the recommended
coolant and the proper coolant
mixture.
9-18 Vehicle Service and Care
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{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.
1. Remove the coolant reservoir
pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
reservoir pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot. Turn the coolant
reservoir pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about two
or two and one-half turns.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that
to stop. This will allow any
pressure still left to be vented
out the discharge hose.2. Keep turning the coolant
reservoir pressure cap slowly,
and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant reservoir with
the proper mixture, to the
KALT/COLD mark. Wait about
ve minutes, then check to
see if the level is below the
mark. If the level is below the
KALT/COLD mark, add additional
coolant to bring the level up to
the mark. Repeat this procedure
until the level remains constant
at the KALT/COLD mark for
at least ve minutes.4. With the coolant reservoir
pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you
can feel the upper radiator hose
getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant reservoir might
be lower. If the level is lower
than the KALT/COLD mark,
add more of the proper mixture
to the coolant reservoir until
the level reaches the
KALT/COLD mark.
5. Replace the coolant reservoir
pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and
fully seated. Coolant Reservoir
Pressure Cap
Vehicle Service and Care 9-19
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