2008 SATURN SKY ignition

Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located between the
front seats.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down
and pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition
is on, the brake system warning light will come on.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-27.To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal
down. Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press
the release button. Hold the release button in as you
move the brake lever all the way down.
If you forget to release your parking brake, a chime will
sound and a warning message will be displayed in
the Driver Information Center (DIC) when the vehicle is
moving faster than 5 mph (8 kph). SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-41.
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.
2-24
ProCarManuals.com

Shifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
{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 and set the parking
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-24for more
information.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by pressing the
button on the shift lever and pushing the 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).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After you
have moved the shift lever into PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. If the vehicle has an
automatic transmission, see if you can move the shift
lever away from PARK (P) without rst pushing the shift
lock release button. If you can, it means that the shift
lever was not fully locked into PARK (P).
2-25
ProCarManuals.com

Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission) on page 2-25.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some
of the pressure from the parking pawl in the
transmission, so you can pull the shift lever out of
PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic shift lock
release system. The shift lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal unless the shift lever is
in PARK (P) with the shift lever button fully released,
and
Prevent movement of the shift lever out of PARK (P),
unless the ignition is in ON/RUN or ACC/
ACCESSORY and the regular brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always functional except in the
case of an uncharged or low voltage (less than 9 volt)
battery.
If your vehicle has an uncharged battery or a battery with
low voltage, try charging or jump starting the battery.
SeeJump Starting on page 5-39for more information.
To shift out of PARK (P) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Then press the shift lever button.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of PARK (P):
1. Fully release the shift lever button.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, press the shift
lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
2-26
ProCarManuals.com

Convertible Top
For care and cleaning of the convertible top, see
Convertible Top on page 5-89under “Service and
Appearance Care”. High pressure car washes may
cause water to enter the vehicle.
The following procedures explain the proper operation
of the manual convertible top.
The parts of the manual convertible top that are used
when lowering and raising it are:
A. Front Edge
B. Side EdgeC. Rear Buttresses
D. TrunkNotice:Leaving the convertible top down and
exposing the interior of your vehicle to outdoor
conditions may cause damage. Always close
the convertible top if leaving your vehicle outdoors.
Notice:Lowering the convertible top when there
are objects in the storage area could damage
it or break the glass rear window. Always verify that
no objects are in the storage area before lowering
the convertible top.
Notice:Lowering the top if it is damp, wet, or dirty
can cause stains, mildew, and damage to the inside
of your vehicle. Dry off the top before lowering it.
Notice:If you lower the top on your vehicle in cold
weather (0°F/-18°C or lower), you may damage top
components. Do not lower the top in cold weather.
Notice:If you raise or lower the convertible top
while the vehicle is in motion, you could damage the
top or the top mechanism. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always put an
automatic transmission in PARK (P) or a manual
transmission in FIRST (1) or REVERSE (R), turn the
ignition off and engage the parking brake before
raising or lowering the convertible top.
2-34
ProCarManuals.com

{CAUTION:
Moving parts of the convertible top can be
dangerous. People can be injured by the
convertible top and its mechanism. Keep
people away from your vehicle when you are
lowering or raising the top.
Lowering the Manual Convertible Top
1. Empty the trunk of all contents.
2. Park on a level surface and set the parking brake.
Shift an automatic transmission into PARK (P).
Shift a manual transmission into FIRST (1)
or REVERSE (R).
3. Make sure the ignition is turned off.
4. Push the trunk release button located in the glove
box, or on the remote keyless entry, if equipped.
5. Lift the trunk.6. The convertible top front latch, located above the
inside rearview mirror, must be unlatched. Pull the
latch down and turn it counterclockwise to
unlatch it.
Leave the latch open and turned to prevent damage.
2-35
ProCarManuals.com

7. Pull rearward on the side edge (B) of the convertible
top and pull it off of the windshield frame.
8. Push the convertible top down into the trunk (D).
9. After the top is stored, apply one even push, as
shown, on the convertible top to ensure that the
top is fully retracted and securely stored.
10. Close the trunk (D) by pressing down from the rear
center of it with a swift, rm motion.Do not operate the rear defogger when the convertible
top is down.
A clear Mylar
®protective lm has been installed at the
factory on the trunk lid surface under the convertible
top buttresses. This lm is designed to help prevent
paint damage to the trunk lid. Do not remove this
protective lm. It is intended to remain permanently
affixed to the trunk lid surface.
Raising the Manual Convertible Top
1. Park on a level surface, set the parking brake rmly
and shift an automatic transmission into PARK (P).
Shift a manual transmission into FIRST (1) or
REVERSE (R).
2. Make sure the ignition is turned off, and lower the
windows.
3. Push the trunk release button located in the glove
box, or on the remote keyless entry, if equipped.
4. Lift the trunk.
2-36
ProCarManuals.com

Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning ashers let you warn the police and
others that you have a problem. The front and rear
turn signal lamps will ash on and off.
The hazard warning
asher button is located
towards the center of
the instrument panel.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ash on and off. Press the button again to
turn the ashers off.
While the hazard warning ashers are on, the turn
signals do not work.
The hazard warning ashers work no matter what
position the key is in, and even if the key is not in the
ignition switch.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set them up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
To sound the horn, press the center pad on the steering
wheel.
Tilt Wheel
A tilt wheel allows you to adjust the steering wheel
before you drive. You can raise the steering wheel to
the highest level to give your legs more room when you
enter and exit the vehicle.
The lever that allows you to tilt the steering wheel is
located on the left side of the steering column.
3-6
ProCarManuals.com

Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to increase speed.
1. Disengage the cruise control by applying the brake
pedal, but do not turn it off. Accelerate to a higher
speed and reset the cruise control.
2. If the cruise control system is already engaged,
press the RES+ button. Press it until you get up
to the speed desired, and then release the button.
To increase the speed in very small amounts,
press the RES+ button briey and then release it.
Each time you do this, the vehicle will go about
1.25 mph (2 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
If the cruise control system is already on,
Push and hold the SET−part of the button until you
reach the lower speed desired, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the
SET−part of the button briey. Each time this
is done, the vehicle will go about 1.25 mph (2 km/h)
slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle speed.
When you take your foot off the pedal, the vehicle will
slow down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on hills depends upon
the vehicle speed, load, and the steepness of the
hills. When going up steep hills, you might have to step
on the accelerator pedal to maintain the vehicle
speed. When going downhill, you might have to brake
or shift to a lower gear to reduce the vehicle speed.
Of course, applying the brake turns off the cruise control.
Many drivers nd this to be too much trouble and do
not use cruise control on steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
To end cruise control, step lightly on the brake pedal or
the clutch pedal.
Stepping on the brake pedal or clutch pedal will only
end the current cruise control session. Press the cruise
control on/off button to turn the system completely off.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
the cruise control set speed memory is erased.
3-12
ProCarManuals.com