2009 SATURN ASTRA transmission

Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through
mountains is different than driving
on at or rolling terrain. Tips for
driving in these conditions include:
Keep the vehicle serviced
and in good shape.
Check all uid levels and brakes,
tires, cooling system, and
transmission.
Going down steep or long hills,
shift to a lower gear.
{CAUTION
If you do not shift down, the
brakes could get so hot that they
would not work well. You would
then have poor braking or even
none going down a hill. You could
crash. Shift down to let the engine
assist the brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
{CAUTION
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. The brakes will have
to do all the work of slowing down
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
and they could get so hot that
they would not work well. You
would then have poor braking or
even none going down a hill. You
could crash. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle in
gear when going downhill.
Stay in your own lane. Do not
swing wide or cut across the
center of the road. Drive at
speeds that let you stay in your
own lane.
8-26 Driving and Operating
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Repeat this until help arrives but
only when you feel really
uncomfortable from the cold. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes some time for help
to arrive, now and then when you
run the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help
with the headlamps. Do this as little
as possible to save fuel.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice,
or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to Get It
Out on page 8-29.
{CAUTION
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin
at high speed, they can explode,
and you or others could be
injured. The vehicle can overheat,
causing an engine compartment
re or other damage. Spin the
wheels as little as possible and
avoid going above 35 mph
(55 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer.
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, seeTire
Chains on page 9-60.
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around
the front wheels. Turn off any
stability system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, or with a manual
transmission, between 1 (First) or
2 (Second) and R (Reverse),
spinning the wheels as little as
possible. To prevent transmission
wear, wait until the wheels stop
spinning before shifting gears.
Release the accelerator pedal while
shifting, and press lightly on the
accelerator pedal when the
transmission is in gear. Slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward
and reverse directions causes a
rocking motion that could free
the vehicle. If that does not get the
vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed
out, seeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 9-73.
Driving and Operating 8-29
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Vehicle Service
and Care
Service
Service...............................9-2
Accessories and
Modications.....................9-3
California Proposition 65
Warning............................9-3
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements.....9-3
Doing Your Own
Service Work....................9-4
Adding Equipment to the
Outside of the Vehicle......9-4
Owner Checks
Owner Checks....................9-4
Hood Release.....................9-5
Engine Compartment
Overview...........................9-6
Engine Oil..........................9-7
Engine Oil Life System.......9-9
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. . .9-11
Automatic Transmission
Fluid................................9-12
Manual Transmission
Fluid................................9-12
Hydraulic Clutch................9-12
Cooling System.................9-12
Engine Coolant.................9-16
Pressure Cap....................9-18
Engine Overheating...........9-18
Power Steering Fluid.........9-20
Windshield Washer
Fluid................................9-20
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement...................9-21
Brakes..............................9-22
Battery..............................9-25
Headlamp Aiming
Headlamp Aiming..............9-26
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement.............9-28
Halogen Bulbs..................9-28
Front Turn Signal
Lamps.............................9-28
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL).........9-29
Taillamps (Five-Door
Hatchback)......................9-30
Taillamps (Three-Door
Hatchback)......................9-32
License Plate Lamp..........9-33
Replacement Bulbs...........9-34
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................9-34
Headlamp Wiring..............9-34
Fuses...............................9-35
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block......................9-35
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block...............................9-37
Tires
Tires.................................9-40
Winter Tires......................9-41
Tire Sidewall Labeling.......9-42
Tire Terminology and
Denitions.......................9-44
Ination - Tire Pressure. . . .9-47
High-Speed Operation.......9-48
Tire Pressure Monitor
System............................9-49
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation........................9-51
Tire Inspection and
Rotation..........................9-52
Vehicle Service and Care 9-1
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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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Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder and, on
manual transmission vehicles,
the clutch hydraulic system use the
same reservoir. The reservoir is
lled with DOT-4 brake uid.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 9-6for the location of
the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the
brake uid level in the reservoir
might go down:
The brake uid level goes down
because of normal brake lining
wear. When new linings are
installed, the uid level goes
back up.
A uid leak in the brake and/or
clutch hydraulic system can also
cause a low uid level. Have the
brake and/or clutch hydraulic
system xed, since a leak means
that sooner or later the brakes
and/or clutch will not work well.
Do not top off the brake/clutch uid.
Adding uid does not correct a leak.
If uid is added when the brake
linings are worn, there will be too
much uid when new brake linings
are installed. Add or remove uid, as
necessary, only when work is done
on the brake/clutch hydraulic system.
{CAUTION
If too much brake uid is added,
it can spill on the engine and
burn, if the engine is hot enough.
You or others could be burned,
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
and the vehicle could be
damaged. Add brake uid only
when work is done on the brake
and/or clutch hydraulic system.
Refer toScheduled Maintenance on
page 11-3to determine when to
check the brake uid.
Checking Brake Fluid
The brake uid can be checked
without taking off the cap by looking
at the brake uid reservoir.
The uid level should be above
MIN. If it is not, have your brake
hydraulic system checked to see if
there is a leak. After work is
done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level is above the
MIN but not over the MAX mark.
9-22 Vehicle Service and Care
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Fuses Usage
8 Horn
10 Door Locks
13 Foglamps
14Windshield Wipers
(high speed)
15Windshield Wipers
(low speed)
16Antilock Brake System,
Brake Lamp Switch
17 Vacuum Pump
18 Starter
20 Air Conditioning Clutch
21Engine Control
Module (ECM)
(Main Relay)
22 ECM (Battery)
24 Fuel Pump/Injectors
26ECM (Sensor and
Actuators)Fuses Usage
27 Power Steering
28Automatic
Transmission (Battery)
29Automatic
Transmission (Ignition)
30 ECM (Ignition)
32 Brake Switch
34Steering Column
Module
35 Radio
36OnStar™ Module/
OnStar™ Interface
Module/DisplayRear Compartment
Fuse Block
To open the liftgate, SeeLiftgate on
page 2-6.
The rear compartment fuse block
is located on the left side of
the cargo area behind a cover.
Use the fuse puller, to remove and
replace fuses.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-37
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Tire Size
The following illustration shows
an example of a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
:The United States version of
a metric tire sizing system.
The letter P as the rst
character in the tire size
means a passenger vehicle tire
engineered to standards set
by the U.S. Tire and Rim
Association.
(B) Tire Width
:The three-digit
number indicates the tire
section width in millimeters from
sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio
:A two-digit
number that indicates the tire
height-to-width measurements.For example, if the tire size
aspect ratio is 60, as shown in
item C of the illustration, it would
mean that the tire’s sidewall is
60 percent as high as it is wide.
(D) Construction Code
:A letter
code is used to indicate the
type of ply construction in the
tire. The letter R means radial
ply construction; the letter D
means diagonal or bias ply
construction; and the letter B
means belted-bias ply
construction.
(E) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description
:These characters represent the
load index and speed rating
of the tire. The load index
represents the load carry
capacity a tire is certied to
carry. The speed rating is the
maximum speed a tire is certied
to carry a load.
Tire Terminology and
Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of
air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch
of the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in pounds per square
inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight
:This means
the combined weight of optional
accessories. Some examples
of optional accessories are,
automatic transmission, power
steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire’s height to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords that is located between the
plies and the tread. Cords may
be made from steel or other
reinforcing materials.
9-44 Vehicle Service and Care
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Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes at, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place. Turn on the hazard
warning ashers. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 4-4.
{CAUTION
Changing a tire can be dangerous.
The vehicle can slip off the jack
and roll over or fall on you or other
people. You and they could be
badly injured or even killed.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Find a level place to change
your tire. To help prevent the
vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake rmly.
2. Put an automatic
transmission shift lever in
P (Park), or shift a manual
transmission to 1 (First) or
R (Reverse).
3. Turn off the engine and do
not restart while the vehicle
is raised.
4. Do not allow passengers to
remain in the vehicle.
To be certain the vehicle will not
move, put blocks at the front and
rear of the tire farthest away from
the one being changed. That
would be the tire on the other side,
at the opposite end of the vehicle.When the vehicle has a at tire (B),
use the following example as a
guide to assist you in the placement
of wheel blocks (A).
A. Wheel Block
B. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to use the jack and change
a tire.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-61
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