2009 SATURN ASTRA service
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Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
The engine coolant temperature
light should come on brie y as the
engine is started. If it does not
come on have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer.
Notice:Driving with the engine
coolant temperature warning light
on could cause the vehicle to
overheat. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 9-18. The vehicle’s engine
could be damaged, and it might
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Never drive with the
engine coolant temperature
warning light on.
If this light comes on and stays on,
the engine has overheated. Pull
over and seeEngine Overheating on
page 9-18for more information.
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with this light, it comes
on brie y as a check when the
ignition is turned on.
This light comes on and stays on
when one or more of the vehicle’s
tires are signi cantly underin ated.
Stop and check the tires as
soon as it is safe to do so.
If underin ated, in ate to the proper
pressure. SeeTires on page 9-40
for more information.
This light ashes for approximately
one minute and then stays on
when the system detects a
malfunction. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor System on page 9-49for
more information.
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II
(On-Board Diagnostics-Second
Generation) monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition, and emission
control systems. It makes sure
that emissions are at acceptable
levels for the life of the vehicle,
helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
This light should come on when
the ignition is on, but the engine
is not running, as check to show
it is working. If it does not, have
the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
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If the check engine light comes on
and stays on, while the engine
is running, this indicates that there
is an OBD II problem and service
is required.
Malfunctions often are indicated by
the system before any problem
is apparent. Heeding the light can
prevent more serious damage to the
vehicle. This system is also
designed to assist the service
technician in correctly diagnosing
any malfunction.
Notice:If the vehicle is
continually driven with this light
on, after a while, the emission
controls might not work as well,
the vehicle’s fuel economy
might not be as good, and the
engine might not run as
smoothly. This could lead to
costly repairs that might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.Notice:Modi cations made
to the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake, or fuel system of
the vehicle or the replacement
of the original tires with other
than those of the same Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC) can
affect the vehicle’s emission
controls and can cause this light
to come on. Modi cations to
these systems could lead to
costly repairs not covered by
the vehicle warranty. This could
also result in a failure to
pass a required Emission
Inspection/Maintenance test.
SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 9-3.This light comes on during a
malfunction in one of two ways:
Light Flashing:A mis re condition
has been detected. A mis re
increases vehicle emissions and
could damage the emission control
system on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
The following can prevent more
serious damage to the vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If the light continues to ash, when
it is safe to do so, stop the
vehicle. Find a safe place to park
the vehicle. Turn the key off, wait at
least 10 seconds, and restart the
engine. If the light is still ashing,
follow the previous steps and
see your dealer/retailer for service
as soon as possible.
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Light On Steady:An emission
control system malfunction has been
detected on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
An emission system malfunction
might be corrected by doing the
following:
Make sure the fuel cap is fully
installed. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 8-36. The diagnostic
system can determine if the
fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap allows fuel
to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap
properly installed should turn
the light off.
If the vehicle has been driven
through a deep puddle of water,
the vehicle’s electrical system
might be wet. The condition
is usually corrected when
the electrical system dries out.
A few driving trips should turn
the light off.
Make sure to fuel the vehicle
with quality fuel. Poor fuel
quality causes the engine not to
run as efficiently as designed
and may cause: stalling after
start-up, stalling when the vehicle
is changed into gear, mis ring,
hesitation on acceleration,
or stumbling on acceleration.
These conditions might go away
once the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these conditions
occurs, change the fuel brand
used. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel
to turn the light off.
SeeGasoline Octane on
page 8-34.
If none of the above have made
the light turn off, have your
dealer/retailer check the vehicle.The dealer/retailer has the proper
test equipment and diagnostic
tools to x any mechanical or
electrical problems that might have
developed.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local
governments have or might begin
programs to inspect the emission
control equipment on your vehicle.
Failure to pass this inspection
could prevent getting a vehicle
registration.
Here are some things to know to
help the vehicle pass an inspection:
The vehicle will not pass this
inspection if the check engine
light is on with the engine
running, or if the key is in the
ON/RUN and the light is not on.
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The vehicle will not pass this
inspection if the OBD II
(on-board diagnostic) system
determines that critical emission
control systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the
system. The vehicle would
be considered not ready for
inspection. This can happen if
the battery has recently been
replaced or if the battery has run
down. The diagnostic system
is designed to evaluate critical
emission control systems
during normal driving. This can
take several days of routine
driving. If this has been done and
the vehicle still does not pass
the inspection for lack of
OBD II (system readiness,
your dealer/retailer can prepare
the vehicle for inspection.Oil Pressure Light
{CAUTION
Do not keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. The engine can
become so hot that it catches re.
Someone could be burned.
Check the oil as soon as possible
and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.The oil pressure light should come
on brie y as the engine is started.
If it does not come on have the
vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
If the light comes on and stays on,
it means that oil is not owing
through the engine properly.
The vehicle could be low on oil
and might have some other system
problem.
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Low Oil Level Light
This light should come on brie y
when the ignition is turned on as a
check to let you know that the
light is working.
If this light comes on and stays on
while the engine is running, it
means your engine is low on oil.
You need to check the oil level as
soon as possible. SeeEngine Oil on
page 9-7for further information.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil
maintenance can damage the
engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always follow the maintenance
schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
Winter Driving Mode
Light
This light will come on when the
winter driving mode feature is in use.
When you turn off the winter
driving mode feature, the light will
go out. If it stays on, your vehicle
may need service. See your
dealer/retailer. See “Winter
Driving Mode” underAutomatic
Transmission Operation on page 8-6
for more information.
Fog Lamp Light
The fog lamp light comes on when
the fog lamps are in use.
The light goes out when the fog
lamps are turned off. SeeFog
Lamps on page 5-2for more
information.
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Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder
This light comes on whenever the
exterior lights are off.
SeeExterior Lamps Controls on
page 5-1for more information.
Cruise Control Light
This light comes on whenever you
set the cruise control.
The light goes out when the cruise
control is turned off or disengaged.
SeeCruise Control on page 4-5
for more information.
Highbeam On Light
This light comes on when the
high-beam headlamps are in use.
SeeHeadlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer on page 4-8for more
information.
Door Ajar Light
This light comes on when a door or
liftgate is open. Before driving,
check that all doors are properly
closed.
Service Vehicle Soon
Light
This light should come one brie y
when the ignition is turned on
as a check to let you know that the
light is working.
This light will come on if a condition
exists that may require the vehicle
to be taken in for service.
If the light comes on and stays on,
see your dealer/retailer for
service as soon as possible.
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Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage tells you about how
much fuel you have left, when
the ignition is on.
When the indicator nears empty,
the low fuel warning light will come
on. You still have a little fuel left,
but you should get more soon.
SeeLow Fuel Warning Light
on page 4-24for more information.
The arrow on the fuel gage points
to the side of the vehicle with
the fuel door.Here are ve things that some
owners ask about. These are normal
and do not indicate a problem
with your fuel gage:
At the service station, the gas
pump shuts off before the
gage reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel
to ll up than the gage indicated.
The indicator moves a little when
you turn a corner or speed up.
The gage goes back to empty
when you turn off the ignition.
The vehicle is driven or parked
on a grade.
Low Fuel Warning Light
This light, below the fuel gage,
should come on brie y when the
ignition is turned on as a check to let
you know that the light is working.
This light also comes on when
the fuel tank is low on fuel. When
you add fuel the light should go off.
If it does not, have your vehicle
serviced.
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Driver Information
Center (DIC)
Vehicles with a Driver Information
Center (DIC) can display:
Time
Outside temperature
Date or audio system, if it is
turned on
Trip computer, on vehicles with
this feature
Warning messages
The type of information and how it
is displayed depends on the
equipment of the vehicle and the
settings of the trip computer
and audio system. SeeDIC
Operation and Displays (Uplevel
DIC and Audio) on page 4-26or
DIC Operation and Displays
(Base Level DIC and Audio) on
page 4-32andAudio System(s) on
page 6-1for more information.
An F in the display indicates a fault.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
Outside Air Temperature
The DIC shows the temperature
outside of the vehicle in either
degrees Fahrenheit or degrees
Celsius. A fall in temperature
is displayed immediately, while a
rise in temperature is displayed after
a short delay.
On vehicles with the base level DIC,
Qdisplays when the outside air
temperature is cold enough to create
icy road conditions.
On vehicles with the uplevel DIC,
“Slippery road” displays.
The road surface may already be
icy even though the DIC shows
a few degrees above freezing.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
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