2009 SATURN ASTRA Owners Manual

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.
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When cleaning your vehicle’s
interior, only use cleaners
specically designed for the
surfaces being cleaned.
Permanent damage may result
from using cleaners on surfaces for
which they were not intended.
Use glass cleaner only on glass.
Remove any accidental over-spray
from other surfaces immediately.
To prevent over-spray, apply cleaner
directly to the cleaning cloth.
Notice:Using abrasive cleaners
when cleaning glass surfaces
on the vehicle, could scratch the
glass and/or cause damage to
the rear window defogger.
When cleaning the glass on the
vehicle, use only a soft cloth
and glass cleaner.
Many cleaners contain solvents
that may become concentrated in
your vehicle’s breathing space.Before using cleaners, read and
adhere to all safety instructions on
the label. While cleaning your
vehicle’s interior, maintain adequate
ventilation by opening your
vehicle’s doors and windows.
Dust may be removed from small
buttons and knobs using a small
brush with soft bristles.
Your dealer/retailer has a product
for cleaning your vehicle’s glass.
You can also obtain a product from
your dealer/retailer to remove
odors from your vehicle’s upholstery.
Do not clean your vehicle using
the following cleaners or techniques:
Never use a knife or any other
sharp object to remove a soil
from any interior surface.
Never use a stiff brush. It can
cause damage to your vehicle’s
interior surfaces.
Never apply heavy pressure or
rub aggressively with a cleaning
cloth. Use of heavy pressure
can damage the interior and does
not improve the effectiveness
of soil removal.
Use only mild, neutral-pH soaps.
Avoid laundry detergents or
dishwashing soaps with
degreasers. Using too much
soap will leave a residue
that leaves streaks and attracts
dirt. For liquid cleaners, about
20 drops per gallon (3.78 L)
of water is a good guide.
Do not heavily saturate the
upholstery while cleaning.
Damage to your vehicle’s interior
may result from the use of many
organic solvents such as naptha,
alcohol, etc.
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Fabric/Carpet
Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft
brush attachment frequently to
remove dust and loose dirt.
A canister vacuum with a beater bar
in the nozzle may only be used
on oor carpet and carpeted oor
mats. For soils, always try to remove
them rst with plain water or club
soda. Before cleaning, gently
remove as much of the soil as
possible using one of the following
techniques:
For liquids: gently blot the
remaining soil with a paper towel.
Allow the soil to absorb into
the paper towel until no more can
be removed.
For solid dry soils: remove as
much as possible and then
vacuum.To clean, use the following
instructions:
1. Saturate a lint-free, clean white
cloth with water or club soda.
2. Wring the cloth to remove excess
moisture.
3. Start on the outside edge of the
soil and gently rub toward the
center. Continue cleaning, using
a clean area of the cloth each
time it becomes soiled.
4. Continue to gently rub the soiled
area until the cleaning cloth
remains clean.
5. If the soil is not completely
removed, use a mild soap
solution and repeat the cleaning
process that was used with
plain water.If any of the soil remains, a
commercial fabric cleaner or spot
lifter may be necessary. When a
commercial upholstery cleaner
or spot lifter is to be used, test a
small hidden area for colorfastness
rst. If the locally cleaned area
gives any impression that a ring
formation may result, clean the
entire surface.
After the cleaning process has been
completed, a paper towel can be
used to blot excess moisture
from the fabric or carpet.
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Leather
A soft cloth dampened with water
can be used to remove dust.
If a more thorough cleaning is
necessary, a soft cloth dampened
with a mild soap solution can
be used. Allow the leather to dry
naturally. Do not use heat to
dry. Never use steam to clean
leather. Never use spot lifters or
spot removers on leather.
Many commercial leather cleaners
and coatings that are sold to
preserve and protect leather may
permanently change the appearance
and feel of your leather and are
not recommended. Do not use
silicone or wax-based products, or
those containing organic solvents
to clean your vehicle’s interior
because they can alter the
appearance by increasing the
gloss in a non-uniform manner.
Never use shoe polish on leather.
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and
Other Plastic Surfaces
A soft cloth dampened with water
may be used to remove dust.
If a more thorough cleaning is
necessary, a clean soft cloth
dampened with a mild soap solution
can be used to gently remove
dust and dirt. Never use spot lifters
or removers on plastic surfaces.
Many commercial cleaners
and coatings that are sold to
preserve and protect soft plastic
surfaces may permanently change
the appearance and feel of your
interior and are not recommended.
Do not use silicone or wax-based
products, or those containing
organic solvents to clean your
vehicle’s interior because they can
alter the appearance by increasing
the gloss in a non-uniform manner.Some commercial products may
increase gloss on your instrument
panel. The increase in gloss may
cause annoying reections in
the windshield and even make it
difficult to see through the
windshield under certain conditions.
Exterior Cleaning
Cleaning Exterior
Lamps/Lenses
Use only lukewarm or cold water,
a soft cloth and a car washing soap
to clean exterior lamps and lenses.
Follow instructions under “Washing
Your Vehicle” later in this section.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing
of your vehicle by hand may be
necessary to remove residue from
the paint nish. You can get
approved cleaning products from
your dealer/retailer.
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If your vehicle has a basecoat/
clearcoat paint nish, the clearcoat
gives more depth and gloss to
the colored basecoat. Always use
waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a
basecoat/clearcoat paint nish.
Notice:Machine compounding
or aggressive polishing on a
basecoat/clearcoat paint nish
may damage it. Use only
non-abrasive waxes and
polishes that are made for a
basecoat/clearcoat paint nish
on the vehicle.
Foreign materials such as calcium
chloride and other salts, ice
melting agents, road oil and tar,
tree sap, bird droppings, chemicals
from industrial chimneys, etc.,
can damage your vehicle’s nish if
they remain on painted surfaces.
Wash the vehicle as soon as
possible. If necessary, use
non-abrasive cleaners that are
marked safe for painted surfaces to
remove foreign matter.Exterior painted surfaces are
subject to aging, weather and
chemical fallout that can take
their toll over a period of years.
You can help to keep the paint nish
looking new by keeping your
vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright
Metal Parts
Bright metal parts should be
cleaned regularly to keep their
luster. Wash with water or
use chrome polish on chrome or
stainless steel trim, if necessary.
Use special care with aluminum trim.
To avoid damaging protective trim,
never use auto or chrome polish,
steam or caustic soap to clean
aluminum. A coating of wax, rubbed
to high polish, is recommended for
all bright metal parts.Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your
vehicle’s nish is to keep it clean by
washing it often.
Do not wash the vehicle in direct
sunlight. Use a car washing soap.
Notice:Certain cleaners contain
chemicals that can damage the
emblems or nameplates on the
vehicle. Check the cleaning
product label. If it states that it
should not be used on plastic
parts, do not use it on the vehicle
or damage may occur and it would
not be covered by the warranty.
Do not use cleaning agents that are
petroleum based or that contain
acid or abrasives, as they can
damage the paint, metal or plastic
on your vehicle. Approved cleaning
products can be obtained from
your dealer/retailer. Follow all
manufacturers’ directions regarding
correct product usage, necessary
safety precautions and appropriate
disposal of any vehicle care product.
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Rinse the vehicle well, before
washing and after to remove all
cleaning agents completely. If they
are allowed to dry on the surface,
they could stain.
Dry the nish with a soft, clean
chamois or an all-cotton towel to
avoid surface scratches and
water spotting.
High pressure car washes may
cause water to enter the vehicle.
Avoid using high pressure washes
closer than 12 inches (30 cm) to
the surface of the vehicle. Use of
power washers exceeding 1,200 psi
(8 274 kPa) can result in damage
or removal of paint and decals.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips
will make them last longer, seal
better, and not stick or squeak.
Apply silicone grease with a clean
cloth. During very cold, damp
weather frequent application
may be required.See “Fluids and Lubricants” in the
Index of the “Maintenance and
Warranty and Owner assistance
Information” manual.
Wheels and Trim — Aluminum
or Chrome
Your vehicle may have either
aluminum or chrome-plated wheels.
Keep the wheels clean using a
soft clean cloth with mild soap and
water. Rinse with clean water.
After rinsing thoroughly, dry with a
soft clean towel. A wax may then
be applied.
Notice:Chrome wheels and
other chrome trim may be
damaged if the vehicle is not
washed after driving on roads
that have been sprayed with
magnesium, calcium or sodium
chloride. These chlorides are
used on roads for conditions
such as ice and dust. Always
wash the vehicle’s chrome with
soap and water after exposure.Notice:Using strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
cleaners, brushes, or cleaners
that contain acid on aluminum or
chrome-plated wheels, could
damage the surface of the
wheel(s). The repairs would not
be covered by the warranty.
Use only approved cleaners on
aluminum or chrome-plated
wheels.
The surface of these wheels is
similar to the painted surface of your
vehicle. Do not use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes,
abrasive cleaners, cleaners with
acid, or abrasive cleaning brushes
on them because you could damage
the surface. Do not use chrome
polish on aluminum wheels.
Notice:Using chrome polish on
aluminum wheels could damage
the wheels. The repairs would not
be covered by the warranty.
Use chrome polish on chrome
wheels only.
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Use chrome polish only on
chrome-plated wheels, but avoid
any painted surface of the wheel,
and buff off immediately after
application.
Notice:Driving the vehicle
through an automatic car wash
that has silicone carbide tire
cleaning brushes, could damage
the aluminum or chrome-plated
wheels. The repairs would not be
covered by the warranty. Never
drive a vehicle equipped with
aluminum or chrome-plated
wheels through an automatic car
wash that uses silicone carbide
tire cleaning brushes.
Windshield and Wiper Blades
Clean the outside of the windshield
with glass cleaner.
Clean the rubber blades using a lint
free cloth or paper towel soaked with
windshield washer uid or a mild
detergent. Wash the windshield
thoroughly when cleaning the blades.Bugs, road grime, sap, and a buildup
of vehicle wash/wax treatments may
cause wiper streaking. Replace the
wiper blades if they are worn or
damaged.
Wipers can be damaged by:
Extreme dusty conditions
Sand and salt
Heat and sun
Snow and ice, without proper
removal
Tires
To clean the tires, use a stiff brush
with tire cleaner.
Notice:Using petroleum-based
tire dressing products on the
vehicle may damage the paint
nish and/or tires. When applying
a tire dressing, always wipe off
any overspray from all painted
surfaces on the vehicle.
Sheet Metal Damage
If the vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion
material to parts repaired or replaced
to restore corrosion protection.
Original manufacturer replacement
parts will provide the corrosion
protection while maintaining
the vehicle warranty.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep
scratches in the nish should be
repaired right away. Bare metal will
corrode quickly and may develop into
major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be
repaired with touch-up materials
available from your dealer/retailer.
Larger areas of nish damage can be
corrected in your dealer’s/retailer’s
body and paint shop.
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Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and
snow removal and dust control can
collect on the underbody. If these
are not removed, corrosion and rust
can develop on the underbody
parts such as fuel lines, frame,
oor pan, and exhaust system
even though they have corrosion
protection.
At least every spring, ush these
materials from the underbody
with plain water. Clean any areas
where mud and debris can collect.
Dirt packed in close areas of
the frame should be loosened before
being ushed. Your dealer/retailer
or an underbody car washing
system can do this.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric
conditions can create a chemical
fallout. Airborne pollutants can
fall upon and attack painted surfaces
on the vehicle. This damage can
take two forms: blotchy, ring-shaped
discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint
surface.
Although no defect in the paint job
causes this, we will repair, at no
charge to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this
fallout condition within 12 months or
12,000 miles (20 000 km) of
purchase, whichever occurs rst.
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