2008 SATURN VUE HYBRID brake

Increasing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed.
Disengage the cruise control, but do not turn it off.
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
press the thumbwheel up toward RES+ and hold it
until your vehicle accelerates to the desired speed,
and then release the switch. To increase the speed
in very small amounts, press the thumbwheel up
toward RES+ briey and then release it. Each
time this is done, the vehicle will go about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise
Control
If the cruise control system is already engaged,
Push the thumbwheel toward−SET and hold
until the desired lower speed is reached, then
release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, push the
thumbwheel toward−SET briey. Each time
this is done, the vehicle goes about 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using
Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase the vehicle’s
speed. When you take your foot off the pedal, the
vehicle will slow down to the previously set cruise
control speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well the cruise control works on hills depends upon
the vehicle’s 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’s speed. When
going downhill, you might have to brake or shift to a lower
gear to maintain the vehicle’s speed. Of course, applying
the brakes ends cruise control. Many drivers nd this to
be too much trouble and do not use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are three ways to disengage the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal or clutch; when
cruise control disengages, the indicator light on
the instrument panel cluster goes out.
Press the on/off button, this will turn off the cruise
control system.
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Charging System Light
This light will come on
briey when you turn on the
ignition key, but the engine
is not running, as a check
to show you it is working.
It should go out once the engine is running. If it stays
on, or comes on while driving, there could be a problem
with the charging system. A charging system Driver
Information Center (DIC) message may also appear.
SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-50for
more information. This light could indicate that there are
problems with a generator drive belt, or that there is an
electrical problem. Have it checked right away. If you
must drive a short distance with the light on, be certain
to turn off all the accessories, such as the radio and air
conditioner.
Brake System Warning Light
This light should come on briey when the engine is
started.
If it does not come on, have it xed so it will be ready to
warn you if there is a problem.
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning
light will come on when the parking brake is set.
The light will stay on if the parking brake does not
release fully. If it stays on after the parking brake is
fully released, there is a brake problem. Have your
brake system inspected immediately.
United StatesCanada
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If the light comes on while driving, a chime will sound.
Pull off the road and stop. The pedal might be harder to
push or go closer to the oor. It might also take longer
to stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed
for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on page 4-28.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is
on. Driving with the brake system warning light
on can lead to an accident. If the light is still
on after you have pulled off the road and
stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed
for service.
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with
the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), this light
comes on briey when
the engine is started.
That is normal. If the light does not come on then, have
it xed so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off, if the light
comes on when you are driving, stop as soon as it is
safely possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the
engine again to reset the system. If the ABS light still
stays on, or comes on again while you are driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light is not on, your vehicle still has brakes, but
not antilock brakes. If the regular brake system warning
light is also on, your vehicle does not have antilock
brakes and there is a problem with the regular brakes.
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-32.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
seeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-50for
all brake related DIC messages.
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Traction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light
The Traction Control
System (TCS) warning
light may come on for
the following reasons:
The system is turned off by pressing the traction
control button located above the audio system on
the instrument panel. The warning light will come
on and stay on. Press the button again, to turn the
system back on. The warning light should go off.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-7for
more information.
An engine and brake system problem related to
traction control makes the TCS turn off.
If the TCS warning light comes on and stays on for an
extended period of time when the system is turned
on, your vehicle needs service.
Electronic Stability Program
Indicator Light
This comes on briey
when the engine is started.
It ashes while the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) or
the Traction Control System (TCS) is working. This light
will come on when the ESP has been turned off and if
there is a problem with the ESP or the TCS. SeeTraction
Control System (TCS) on page 4-7andElectronic
Stability Program on page 4-8for more information.
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SERVICE AIR BAG
This message displays when there is a problem with
the airbag system. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer immediately. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 3-29for more information.
SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM
This message displays and a chime sounds when the
brake uid level is low. The brake system warning
light also appears on the instrument panel cluster when
this message appears on the DIC. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 3-32. Have the brake system
serviced by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
SERVICE HILL START ASSIST
This message displays if there is a problem with the
hill start assist function. Have your vehicle serviced by
your dealer/retailer.
SERVICE HYBRID SYSTEM
This message displays if the hybrid components need
to be serviced. Have your vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
SERVICE POWER STEERING
This message displays if there has been a problem
detected with the power steering. SeeSteering
on page 4-9for more information.
SERVICE STABILITRAK
This message displays if there has been a problem
detected with the Electronic Stability Program (ESP).
A warning light also appears on the instrument
panel cluster. SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
Warning Light on page 3-34. SeeElectronic Stability
Program on page 4-8for more information.
If this message turns on while you are driving, pull off
the road as soon as possible and stop carefully. Try
resetting the system by turning the ignition off and then
back on. If this message still stays on or turns back on
again while you are driving, your vehicle needs service.
Have the system inspected by your dealer/retailer as
soon as possible.
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Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle..........4-2
Driving Your Vehicle.......................................4-2
Driver Behavior..............................................4-2
Driving Environment........................................4-2
Vehicle Design...............................................4-3
Defensive Driving...........................................4-3
Drunk Driving.................................................4-4
Control of a Vehicle........................................4-5
Braking.........................................................4-5
Antilock Brake System (ABS)...........................4-6
Braking in Emergencies...................................4-6
Traction Control System (TCS).........................4-7
Electronic Stability Program..............................4-8
Steering........................................................4-9
Off-Road Recovery.......................................4-12
Passing.......................................................4-12Loss of Control.............................................4-12
Driving at Night............................................4-14
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads..................4-14
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.......................4-16
Highway Hypnosis........................................4-16
Hill and Mountain Roads................................4-16
Winter Driving..............................................4-17
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud,
Ice, or Snow.............................................4-21
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get It Out.................4-22
Loading Your Vehicle....................................4-22
Towing..........................................................4-28
Towing Your Vehicle.....................................4-28
Recreational Vehicle Towing...........................4-28
Towing a Trailer...........................................4-31
Section 4 Driving Your Vehicle
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Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help to control your vehicle
while driving — brakes, steering, and accelerator. At
times, as when driving on snow or ice, it is easy to ask
more of those control systems than the tires and road can
provide. Meaning, you can lose control of your vehicle.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS) on page 4-7.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can affect
your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 5-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on page 3-32.
Braking action involves perception time and reaction
time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake
pedal. That is perception time. Then you have to bring
up your foot and do it. That is reaction time.
Average reaction time is about three-fourths of a
second. But that is only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or
more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness,
coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol,
drugs, and frustration. But even in three-fourths of
a second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h)travels 66 feet (20 m). That could be a lot of distance
in an emergency, so keeping enough space between
your vehicle and others is important.
And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly
with the surface of the road, whether it is pavement or
gravel; the condition of the road, whether it is wet, dry,
or icy; tire tread; the condition of the brakes; the weight
of the vehicle; and the amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive
in spurts — heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking — rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is
a mistake. The brakes might not have time to cool
between hard stops. The brakes will wear out much
faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you keep pace
with the traffic and allow realistic following distances,
you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking.
That means better braking and longer brake life.
If your vehicle’s engine ever stops while you are driving,
brake normally but do not pump the brakes. If you do,
the pedal could get harder to push down. If the engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist.
But you will use it when you brake. Once the power
assist is used up, it can take longer to stop and the
brake pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer accessories can
affect your vehicle’s performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3.
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Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Your vehicle has the Antilock Brake System (ABS),
an advanced electronic braking system that will
help prevent a braking skid.
When you start the engine and begin to drive away,
ABS will check itself. You might hear a momentary
motor or clicking noise while this test is going on,
and you might even notice that the brake pedal
moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem
with ABS, this warning
light will stay on.
SeeAnti-lock Brake
System (ABS) Warning
Light on page 3-33.
Let us say the road is wet and you are driving
safely. Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes and continue braking.
Here is what happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each wheel.ABS can change the brake pressure faster than any
driver could. The computer is programmed to make the
most of available tire and road conditions. This can
help you steer around the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, the computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking pressure
accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change the time you need to
get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too close to the vehicle
in front of you, you will not have time to apply the brakes
if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop, even though you
have ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal
down rmly and let antilock work for you. You might
hear the antilock pump or motor operate, and feel the
brake pedal pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
With ABS, you can steer and brake at the same time.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
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