2009 SATURN ASTRA Owners Manual

For quicker cool down, do the
following:
1. Press
#to turn on the air
conditioning.
2. Select
Ymode.
3. Set the temperature knob to the
coldest temperature.
4. Set the fan knob to 4.
5. Open all vents.
Recirculation
^(Recirculation):Press to
turn the recirculation mode on or off.
An indicator light inside the button
comes on when the recirculation
mode is active. This mode
recirculates air inside the passenger
compartment and prevents outside
air from entering the vehicle.
The quality of the passenger
compartment air may decrease
since the amount of outside
air entering the vehicle is reduced.When the recirculation mode is
used without air conditioning, the air
humidity increases, and the
windows may fog. Avoid using the
recirculation mode during high
periods of humidity or cool outside
temperatures since this may
result in increased window fogging.
If window fogging is experienced,
select the defrost mode.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog from the
rear window.
The rear window defogger will only
work when the ignition is in
ON/RUN.
=(Rear Window Defogger):
Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light
inside the button will be lit when
in use.If the vehicle has heated mirrors,
they turn on when the rear window
defogger button is pressed.
Press the button again to turn them
off. For more information, see
Outside Power Mirror(s) on
page 2-12.
The rear window defogger will stay
on for approximately 15 minutes
after the button is pressed, unless
the ignition is turned off.
Notice:Do not use anything
sharp on the inside of the rear
window. If you do, you could cut
or damage the warming grid, and
the repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
attach a temporary vehicle
license, tape, a decal or anything
similar to the defogger grid.
Climate Controls 7-3
ProCarManuals.com

Outlet Adjustment
Use the thumbwheel below the air
outlets to change the direction of the
air ow. Use the vertical thumbwheel
next to the outlets to control the
amount of air ow or to shut off the
airow completely.
Keep all outlets open whenever
possible for best system
performance.
Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow, or
leaves from the air inlets at
the base of the windshield that
can block the ow of air into
the vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood
deectors can adversely affect
the performance of the system.
Keep the path under all seats
clear of objects to help circulate
the air inside the vehicle
more effectively.
If fogging reoccurs while in vent
or bi-level modes with mild
temperature throughout the
vehicle, turn on the air
conditioner to reduce windshield
fogging.
7-4 Climate Controls
ProCarManuals.com

Driving and
Operating
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In.........8-2
Ignition Positions................8-2
Retained Accessory
Power (RAP).....................8-3
Starting the Engine.............8-3
Engine Heater....................8-5
Automatic Transmission
Operation..........................8-6
Manual Transmission
Operation..........................8-9
Parking Brake...................8-10
Shifting Into Park..............8-11
Shifting Out of Park..........8-12
Parking the Vehicle...........8-13
Parking Over Things
That Burn........................8-13
Engine Exhaust.................8-14
Running the Vehicle
While Parked..................8-14
Driving Your Vehicle
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy.........................8-15
Defensive Driving..............8-16
Drunk Driving....................8-16
Control of a Vehicle..........8-17
Braking.............................8-17
Antilock Brake
System (ABS).................8-18
StabiliTrak®System..........8-19
Steering............................8-20
Off-Road Recovery............8-21
Passing.............................8-22
Loss of Control.................8-22
Driving at Night.................8-23
Driving in Rain and on
Wet Roads......................8-24
Before Leaving on a
Long Trip........................8-25
Highway Hypnosis.............8-25
Hill and Mountain
Roads.............................8-26
Winter Driving...................8-27
If Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow
..........................8-29
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out.......................8-29
Loading the Vehicle..........8-30
Fuel
Fuel..................................8-34
Gasoline Octane...............8-34
Gasoline Specications.....8-34
California Fuel..................8-34
Additives...........................8-34
Fuels in Foreign
Countries........................8-35
Filling the Tank.................8-36
Filling a Portable Fuel
Container........................8-37
Driving and Operating 8-1
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Starting and
Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:The vehicle does
not need an elaborate break-in.
But it will perform better in
the long run if you follow these
guidelines:
Do not drive at any one
constant speed, fast or slow,
for the rst 500 miles (805 km).
Do not make full-throttle
starts. Avoid downshifting to
brake or slow the vehicle.
Avoid making hard stops for
the rst 200 miles (322 km)
or so. During this time the new
brake linings are not yet
broken in. Hard stops with new
linings can mean premature
wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get
new brake linings.Following break-in, engine speed
and load can be gradually
increased.
Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the ignition
switch to four different positions.
Notice:Using a tool to force the
key to turn in the ignition could
cause damage to the switch or
break the key. Use the correct key,
make sure it is all the way in, and
turn it only with your hand. If the
key cannot be turned by hand, see
your dealer/retailer.To shift out of P (Park), the ignition
must be in the ON/RUN position
and the regular brake pedal must be
applied.
A (LOCK/OFF):This is the only
position from which you can remove
the key. This locks the steering
wheel, ignition and automatic
transmission.
On vehicles with an automatic
transmission, the shift lever must be
in P (Park) to turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK/OFF position.
The ignition switch can bind in the
LOCK/OFF position with your wheels
turned off center. If this happens,
move the steering wheel from right
to left while turning the key to
STEERING UNLOCK/IGNITION
OFF. If this doesn’t work, then the
vehicle needs service.
B (STEERING UNLOCKED/
IGNITION OFF):This position
unlocks the steering wheel.
8-2 Driving and Operating
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C (ON/RUN):The ignition switch
stays in this position when the
engine is running. This position can
be used to operate the electrical
accessories, as well as to display
some warning and indicator lights.
The battery could be drained if you
leave the key in the ON/RUN position
with the engine off. You may not be
able to start the vehicle if the battery
is allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
D (START):This position starts the
engine. When the engine starts,
release the key. The ignition switch
will return to ON/RUN for normal
driving. A warning tone will
sound when the driver door is
opened and the key is in the ignition.Retained Accessory
Power (RAP)
The power windows and mirrors
may be used for up to ve minutes
after the key is turned to
LOCK/OFF.
The power windows and mirrors will
not operate after any of the front
doors are opened.
The radio may be used for up to
sixty minutes after the key is turned
to LOCK/OFF.
Starting the Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart the
engine when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to
P (Park) if the vehicle is moving.
If you do, you could damage
the transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when the vehicle is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The shift lever should be in
N (Neutral) and the parking brake
engaged. Hold the clutch pedal
to the oor and start the engine. The
vehicle will not start if the clutch
pedal is not all the way down.
Driving and Operating 8-3
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Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to
START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed
will go down as the engine gets
warm. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the
oil to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.
The vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects
components. If the ignition key is
turned to the START position,
and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the
engine will continue cranking for a
few seconds or until the vehicle
starts. If the engine does not start
and the key is held in START for
many seconds, cranking will be
stopped after 15 seconds to
prevent cranking motor damage.To prevent gear damage, this
system also prevents cranking if
the engine is already running.
Engine cranking can be stopped
by turning the ignition switch to
STEERING UNLOCKED/
IGNITION OFF or LOCK/OFF.
Notice:Cranking the engine for
long periods of time, by returning
the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start
after 5-10 seconds, especially
in very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded with
too much gasoline. Try pushing
the accelerator pedal all the way
to the oor and holding it there as
you hold the key in START for up
to a maximum of 15 seconds.Wait at least 15 seconds between
each try, to let the cranking motor
cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and
accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briey but then stops again, do
the same thing. This clears the
extra gasoline from the engine.
Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Notice:The engine is designed to
work with the electronics in the
vehicle. If you add electrical parts
or accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates.
Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your
dealer/retailer. If you do not, the
engine might not perform
properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
8-4 Driving and Operating
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Heater
The engine heater can provide
easier starting and better fuel
economy during engine warm-up
in cold weather conditions at or
below−4°F (−20°C). Vehicles with
an engine heater should be plugged
in at least four hours before starting.
To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. The engine heater connector is
located in the passenger side
lower front grille. Open the cover
and insert the 110-volt AC
adapter delivered in the vehicles
glove box.
3. Plug the other end of the adapter
into a grounded 110-volt AC
outlet.{CAUTION
Plugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause an
electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could
overheat and cause a re. You
could be seriously injured. Plug
the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet.
If the cord will not reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension
cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be
sure to unplug both ends of
the adapter and store the adapter
to prevent damage.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer/retailer
in the area where you will be
parking the vehicle for the best
advice on this.
Driving and Operating 8-5
ProCarManuals.com

Automatic Transmission
Operation
If the vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the shift lever
is located on the console between
the seats.
The vehicle may also have an
electronic shift position indicator that
displays the position of the shift
lever. This indicator is located above
the trip odometer on the instrument
panel cluster.P (Park):This position locks the
front wheels. It is the best position to
use when the engine is started
because the vehicle cannot move
easily.
{CAUTION
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the 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 the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park on page 8-11.Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the
engine. The vehicle has an
automatic transmission shift lock
control system. The regular brakes
must be applied before you can
shift from P (Park) when the ignition
key is in ON/RUN. If you cannot
shift out of P (Park) while holding the
brake pedal down, seeShifting
Out of Park on page 8-12.
R (Reverse):Use this gear to
back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse)
only after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and
forth to get out of snow, ice, or sand
without damaging the transmission,
seeRocking Your Vehicle to Get
It Out on page 8-29.
8-6 Driving and Operating
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