2008 SATURN VUE Owners Manual

Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding, see “Skidding” underLoss of
Control on page 4-13.
Notice:Spinning the tires or holding the vehicle
in one place on a hill using only the accelerator
pedal may damage the transmission. The repair
will not be covered by your warranty. If you
are stuck, do not spin the tires. When stopping on
a hill, use the brakes to hold the vehicle in place.
Manual Shift Mode (MSM)
(Automatic Transmission)
To use this feature, do the following:
1. Move the shift lever from DRIVE (D) to the left into
the manual gate.
While driving in manual shift mode, the transmission
will remain in the driver gear selected. When coming
to a stop in the manual position, the vehicle will
automatically shift to FIRST (1) gear.
2. Push the shift lever forward toward the plus (+) to
upshift or rearward toward the minus (−) to downshift.
The instrument panel will display the actual gear
selected.In manual shift mode all six forward gears can be
selected.
While using the MSM feature the vehicle will have
operation similar to a manual transmission. You can use
this for sport driving or when driving hilly roads to stay in
gear longer or to downshift for more power or engine
braking.
The transmission will only allow you to shift into gears
appropriate for the vehicle speed:
The transmission will not automatically shift to the
next higher gear without moving the shift lever.
The transmission will not allow shifting to the next
lower gear if the vehicle speed is too high.
If the vehicle does not respond to a gear change, or
detects a problem with the transmission, the range
of gears may be reduced and the Malfunction Indicator
Lamp will come on. SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 3-41.
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SECOND (2) and THIRD (3) Gear
Start Feature
When accelerating your vehicle from a stop in snowy
and icy conditions, you may want to select SECOND (2)
and THIRD (3) gear. A higher gear, and light application
of the gas pedal, may allow you to gain more traction
on slippery surfaces.
With the Manual Shift Mode, the vehicle can accelerate
from a stop in SECOND (2) or THIRD (3).
1. Move the shift lever from DRIVE (D) into the
manual gate.
2. With the vehicle stopped, move the shift lever
forward to select SECOND (2) or THIRD (3).
The vehicle will start from a stop position in
SECOND (2) or THIRD (3).
3. Once the vehicle is moving select the desired drive
gear or move the shift lever to the DRIVE (D)
position.
Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located to the right of the
driver’s seat.
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.
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.
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Release the parking brake before driving the vehicle.
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.
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. If you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-44.To shift into PARK (P), do the following:
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot
and set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-28for more information.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding
in 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 key in your hand,
your vehicle is in PARK (P).
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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 automatic transmission 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. Then,
see if you can move the shift lever away from PARK (P)
without rst pulling it toward you. If you can, it means
that the shift lever was not fully locked into PARK (P).
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift 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 2-29.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) before you 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).
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Shifting Out of PARK (P)
This vehicle has 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 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 5-37for more
information.
To shift out of PARK (P) use the following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. 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. Hold the brake pedal down and press the
shift lever button again.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift lever from PARK (P),
consult your dealer/retailer or a professional towing
service.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass, or other
things that can burn.
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Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you cannot see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
The exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
Repairs were not done correctly.
Your vehicle or the exhaust system has
been modied improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your
vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
Have your vehicle xed immediately.
Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running.
But if you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-32.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Also see “If You Are Caught in a Blizzard”
underWinter Driving on page 4-31.
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{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. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. 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, always
set the parking brake and move the shift lever
to PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will
not move. SeeShifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission) on page 2-29.
If you are parking on a hill and if you are pulling a
trailer, also seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-44.
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
If the vehicle has the manual rearview mirror, it can be
adjusted by holding the mirror in the center to move
it for a clearer view of behind your vehicle. Reduce the
glare of headlamps from behind by pushing the lever
forward or pulling it back for daytime/nighttime use.
Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
If the vehicle has the automatic dimming rearview
mirror, it can be adjusted by holding the mirror in
the center to move it up or down and side to side.
Press and hold the button, located on the mirror, for
about three seconds to turn the automatic dimming
feature on or off. The indicator light comes on when
this feature is active. The automatic dimming feature
turns on each time the vehicle is started.
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Outside Power Mirrors
The outside power mirror
control is located on the
driver side door.
1. Turn the knob to the left (L) for the driver side
mirror and to the right (R) for the passenger
side mirror.
2. Adjust each mirror so that you can see the side of
your vehicle and the area behind your vehicle.
3. Turn the control to the center position so the
mirror cannot be moved.
Outside Convex Mirror
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
The passenger side mirror is convex shaped. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so more can be seen from
the driver seat. It also makes things, like other vehicles,
look farther away than they really are.
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