2009 SATURN ASTRA recommended oil

Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet
weather driving tips include:
Allow extra following distance.
Pass with caution.
Keep windshield wiping
equipment in good shape.
Keep the windshield washer uid
reservoir lled.
Have good tires with proper tread
depth. SeeTires on page 9-40.
Turn off cruise control.
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long
trip, consider having it serviced
by your dealer/retailer before
departing.
Things to check on your own
include:
Windshield Washer Fluid:
Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:In good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All
levels checked?
Lamps:Do they all work and are
lenses clean?
Tires:Are treads good? Are tires
inated to recommended
pressure?
Weather and Maps:Safe to
travel? Have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention
to your surroundings while driving.
If you become tired or sleepy, nd
a safe place to park your vehicle
and rest.
Other driving tips include:
Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
Keep interior temperature cool.
Keep your eyes moving — scan
the road ahead and to the sides.
Check the rearview mirror and
vehicle instruments often.
Driving and Operating 8-25
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For customers who do not use
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline
regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel
System Treatment PLUS, added to
the fuel tank at every engine oil
change, can help clean deposits
from fuel injectors and intake valves.
GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS is
the only gasoline additive
recommended by General Motors.
Also, your dealer/retailer has
additives that will help correct and
prevent most deposit-related
problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates,
such as ethers and ethanol, and
reformulated gasolines might be
available in your area. We
recommend that you use these
gasolines, if they comply with the
specications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and
other fuels containing more than
10% ethanol must not be used in
vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.Notice:This vehicle was not
designed for fuel that contains
methanol. Do not use fuel
containing methanol. It can
corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic
and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under
the vehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are
not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an
octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant
where you buy gasoline whether the
fuel contains MMT. We recommend
against the use of such gasolines.
Fuels containing MMT can reduce
the life of spark plugs and the
performance of the emission control
system could be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp might
turn on. If this occurs, return to your
dealer/retailer for service.Fuels in Foreign
Countries
If you plan on driving in another
country outside the United States or
Canada, the proper fuel might be
hard to nd. Never use leaded
gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text
on fuel. Costly repairs caused
by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask
an auto club, or contact a major oil
company that does business in
the country where you will be
driving.
Driving and Operating 8-35
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When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the MIN (minimum)
mark, add at least one quart/liter of
the recommended oil. This section
explains what kind of oil to use.
For engine oil crankcase capacity,
seeCapacities and Specifications
on page 10-2.
Notice:Do not add too much oil.
If the engine has so much oil
that the oil level gets above the
upper mark that shows the proper
operating range, the engine
could be damaged.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for the location of the
engine oil ll cap.
Add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating
range. Push the dipstick all the
way back in when through.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Look for three things:
GM6094M
Use only an oil that meets
GM Standard GM6094M.
SAE 5W-30
SAE 5W-30 is best for the
vehicle. These numbers on an
oil container show its viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use other
viscosity oils such as
SAE 20W-50.
American Petroleum Institute
(API) starburst symbol
Oils meeting these requirements
should have the starburst symbol
on the container. This symbol
indicates that the oil has been
certied by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
9-8 Vehicle Service and Care
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Notice:Use only engine oil
identied as meeting GM Standard
GM6094M and showing the
American Petroleum Institute
Certied For Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. Failure to use
the recommended oil can result
in engine damage not covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Cold Temperature Operation
If in an area of extreme cold, where
the temperature falls below−20°F
(−29°C), use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30
engine oil. Both provide easier cold
starting for the engine at extremely
low temperatures. Always use
an oil that meets the required
specication, GM6094M.
See “What Kind of Engine Oil to
Use” for more information.
Engine Oil Additives / Engine
Oil Flushes
Do not add anything to the oil.
The recommended oils with
the starburst symbol that meet
GM Standard GM6094M are all that
is needed for good performance
and engine protection.
Engine oil system ushes are not
recommended and could cause
engine damage not covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Engine Oil Life System
When to Change Engine Oil
This vehicle has a computer system
that indicates when to change the
engine oil and lter. This is based on
engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage.
Based on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change
is indicated can vary considerably.
For the oil life system to work
properly, the system must be reset
every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated
that oil life has been diminished,
it indicates that an oil change
is necessary. The letters InSP will
appear in the odometer display.
Change the oil as soon as possible
within the mileage indicated on
the display. If driving under the
best conditions, the oil life system
might indicate that an oil change
is necessary once a year.
The engine oil and lter must be
changed at least once a year and
at this time the system must be
reset. Your dealer/retailer has
trained service people who will
perform this work using genuine
parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset
accidentally, the oil must be
changed at 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
since the last oil change.
Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-9
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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 be
covered 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.
Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the
hood, this is what you see:
A.
Coolant Reservoir
B.Coolant Reservoir Pressure Cap
C.Engine Cooling Fans (Out of view)
9-12 Vehicle Service and Care
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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 9-16for 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.
9-14 Vehicle Service and Care
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What to Add
Use only new DOT-4 brake uid
from a sealed container. It is
recommended that the brake
hydraulic system be ushed and
relled with new DOT-4 uid
at a regular maintenance service
every two years. SeeAdditional
Required Services on page 11-6
andRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 11-12.
Always clean the brake uid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it.
This helps keep dirt from entering
the reservoir.
{CAUTION
With the wrong kind of uid in
the brake hydraulic system,
the brakes might not work well.
This could cause a crash.
Always use the proper brake uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly
damage brake hydraulic system
parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral-based oil,
such as engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can damage
brake hydraulic system parts so
badly that they will have to be
replaced. Do not let someone
put in the wrong kind of uid.
If brake uid is spilled on the
vehicle’s painted surfaces, the
paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake
uid on the vehicle. If you do,
wash it off immediately. See
Exterior Cleaning on page 9-76.
Brake Wear
This vehicle has disc brakes.
Notice:Continuing to drive
with worn-out brake pads could
result in costly brake repair.
Front disc brake pads have built-in
brake pad wear indicators that
make a high-pitched warning sound
when the brake pads are worn
and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
an accident. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-23
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Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
To avoid damage, the disabled
vehicle should be towed with all
four wheels off the ground.
Consult your dealer/retailer or a
professional towing service if
the disabled vehicle must be towed.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 12-6.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Notice:Dolly towing or dinghy
towing the vehicle may cause
damage because of reduced
ground clearance. Always put the
vehicle on a atbed truck or
trailer.
The vehicle was neither designed
nor intended to be towed with any
of its wheels on the ground.
Towing a Trailer
The vehicle is neither designed nor
intended to tow a trailer.
Appearance Care
Interior Cleaning
Your vehicle’s interior will continue
to look its best if it is cleaned
often. Although not always visible,
dust and dirt can accumulate
on your upholstery. Dirt can damage
carpet, fabric, leather, and plastic
surfaces. Regular vacuuming is
recommended to remove particles
from the upholstery. It is important
to keep your upholstery from
becoming and remaining heavily
soiled. Soils should be removed as
quickly as possible. Your vehicle’s
interior may experience extremes of
heat that could cause stains to
set rapidly.
Lighter colored interiors may require
more frequent cleaning. Use care
because newspapers and garments
that transfer color to your home
furnishings may also transfer color
to your vehicle’s interior.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-73
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