2009 SATURN ASTRA engine

N (Neutral):In this position, the
engine does not connect with the
wheels. To restart the engine
when the vehicle is already moving,
use N (Neutral) only. Also, use
N (Neutral) when the vehicle is
being towed.
{CAUTION
Shifting into a drive gear while the
engine is running at high speed is
dangerous. Unless your foot is
rmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could move very rapidly.
You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into
a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed.
Notice:Shifting out of P (Park)
or N (Neutral) with the engine
running at high speed may
damage the transmission. The
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Be sure
the engine is not running at high
speed when shifting the vehicle.D (Drive):This position is for
normal driving.
Notice:If the vehicle seems to
start up rather slowly or not shift
gears when you go faster, and
you continue to drive the vehicle
that way, you could damage
the transmission. Have the
vehicle serviced right away.
3 (Third):This position is also used
for normal driving, however, it
offers more power and lower fuel
economy than D (Drive). Here
are some times you might choose
3 (Third) instead of D (Drive):
When driving on hilly, winding
roads.
When going down a steep hill.
2 (Second):This position gives you
more power but lower fuel
economy. Use 2 (Second) on hills.
It can help control the vehicles
speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, while using the
brakes off and on.Notice:Driving in 1 (First) for
more than 25 miles (40 km) or at
speeds over 55 mph (90 km/h)
may damage the transmission.
Also, shifting into 1 (First) at
speeds above 65 mph (105 km/h)
can cause damage. Drive in
3 (Third) or D (Drive) instead of
1 (First).
1 (First):This position gives you
even more power but lower
fuel economy than 2 (Second). Use
it on very steep hills, or in deep
snow or mud. If the shift lever is put
in 1 (First), the transmission does
not shift into rst gear until the
vehicle is going slowly enough.
Notice:Spinning the tires
or holding the vehicle in one
place on a hill using only the
accelerator pedal may damage
the transmission. The repair will
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. If you are stuck, do not
spin the tires. When stopping on a
hill, use the brakes to hold the
vehicle in place.
Driving and Operating 8-7
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Downhill Grade Assist
When traveling down steep grades
the transmission may automatically
downshift into a lower gear when the
brake is applied. You may feel this
downshift. This performance feature
of the automatic transmission assists
with engine braking to reduce wear
on your brake system. This is normal
operation of the automatic
transmission.
Performance On Demand
This feature allows the driver to
automatically force a downshift,
when traveling at speeds less than
approximately 70 mph (112 km/h),
by fully pressing the accelerator
pedal.
Manual Transmission
Operation
Five-Speed
This is the shift pattern.
Here is how to operate the manual
transmission:
1 (First):Press the clutch pedal
and shift into 1 (First). Then, slowly
let up on the clutch pedal as you
press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into 1 (First) when
you are going less than 20 mph
(32 km/h). If you have come to a
complete stop and it is hard to shift
into 1 (First), put the shift lever in
N (Neutral) and let up on the clutch.
Press the clutch pedal back down.
Then shift into 1 (First).2 (Second):Press the clutch pedal
as you let up on the accelerator
pedal and shift into 2 (Second).
Then, slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator
pedal.
3 (Third), 4 (Fourth) and 5 (Fifth):
Shift into 3 (Third), 4 (Fourth)
and 5 (Fifth), the same way you do
for 2 (Second). Slowly let up on
the clutch pedal as you press
the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator
pedal and press the brake
pedal. Just before the vehicle stops,
press the clutch pedal and the
brake pedal, and shift to N (Neutral).
N (Neutral):Use this position
when you start or idle the engine.
Driving and Operating 8-9
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A warning chime will sound and a
brake warning light located on the
instrument panel cluster will come
on, if the parking brake is set, the
ignition is on and the vehicle speed is
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).
Notice:Driving with the parking
brake on can overheat the
brake system and cause
premature wear or damage to
brake system parts. Make
sure that the parking brake is
fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.Shifting Into Park
{CAUTION
It can be 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. 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, use the steps
that follow.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and
set the parking brake. See
Parking Brake on page 8-10for
more information.2. Move the shift lever into P (Park)
by holding in the button on the
shift lever and pushing the
shift lever all the way toward the
front of the vehicle.
3. Turn the ignition key to
LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with
you. If you can leave the vehicle
with the ignition key in your
hand, the vehicle is in P (Park).
Driving and Operating 8-11
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Leaving the Vehicle with the
Engine Running
{CAUTION
It can be dangerous to leave the
vehicle with the engine running.
The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake
rmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it
could overheat and even catch
re. You or others could be
injured. Do not leave the vehicle
with the engine running.
If you have to leave the vehicle with
the engine running, be sure the
vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking
brake is rmly set before you
leave it. After you have moved the
shift lever into P (Park), hold
the regular brake pedal down. Then,
see if you can move the shift
lever away from P (Park) without
rst pushing the button.If you can, it means that the shift
lever was not fully locked in
P (Park).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you
do not shift the transmission into
P (Park) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on
the parking pawl in the transmission.
You may nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of P (Park). This is
called torque lock. To prevent torque
lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into P (Park) properly before you
leave the driver seat. To nd out
how, seeShifting Into Park on
page 8-11.
When you are ready to drive, move
the shift lever out of P (Park)before
you release the parking brake.If torque lock does occur, you may
need to have another vehicle
push your vehicle a little uphill to
take some of the pressure from the
parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of
P (Park).
Shifting Out of Park
This vehicle has an electronic shift
lock release system. The shift
lock release is designed to:
Prevent ignition key removal
unless the shift lever is in
P (Park) with the shift lever
button fully released.
Prevent movement of the shift
lever out of P (Park), unless
the ignition is in the ON/RUN
position and the regular brake
pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less
than 9 volt) battery.
8-12 Driving and Operating
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Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION
Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and
even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
The vehicle idles in areas
with poor ventilation (parking
garages, tunnels, deep snow
that may block underbody
airow or tail pipes).
The exhaust smells or
sounds strange or different.
The exhaust system leaks
due to corrosion or damage.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
The vehicle’s exhaust system
has been modied, damaged
or improperly repaired.
There are holes or openings
in the vehicle body from
damage or after-market
modications that are not
completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or if
it is suspected that exhaust is
coming into the vehicle:
Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed
area such as a garage or a
building that has no fresh air
ventilation.
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running. But if you ever have
to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed
area with poor ventilation is
dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust
contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death. Never run the
engine in an enclosed area that
has no fresh air ventilation. For
more information, seeEngine
Exhaust on page 8-14.
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{CAUTION
It can be dangerous to get out of
the vehicle if the automatic
transmission 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).
Follow the proper steps to be sure
the vehicle will not move. See
Shifting Into Park on page 8-11.
Driving Your Vehicle
Driving for Better
Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel
mileage. Here are some driving tips
to get the best fuel economy
possible.
Avoid fast starts and accelerate
smoothly.
Brake gradually and avoid abrupt
stops.
Avoid idling the engine for long
periods of time.
When road and weather
conditions are appropriate, use
cruise control, if equipped.
Always follow posted speed limits
or drive more slowly when
conditions require.
Keep vehicle tires properly
inated.
Combine several trips into a
single trip.
Replace the vehicle’s tires with
the same TPC Spec number
molded into the tire’s sidewall
near the size.
Follow recommended scheduled
maintenance.
Driving and Operating 8-15
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Medical research shows that alcohol
in a person’s system can make crash
injuries worse, especially injuries
to the brain, spinal cord, or heart.
This means that when anyone who
has been drinking — driver or
passenger — is in a crash, that
person’s chance of being killed or
permanently disabled is higher than
if the person had not been drinking.
Control of a Vehicle
The following three systems help
to control the vehicle while
driving — brakes, steering, and
accelerator. At times, as when
driving on snow or ice, it is easy to
ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide.
Meaning, you can lose control of
the vehicle.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect vehicle
performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 9-3.
Braking
SeeBrake System Warning Light on
page 4-16.
Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding
to push the brake pedal is
perception time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.
Average reaction time is about
three-fourths of a second. But that
is only an average. It might be
less with one driver and as long as
two or three seconds or more
with another. Age, physical
condition, alertness, coordination,
and eyesight all play a part. So
do alcohol, drugs, and frustration.
But even in three-fourths of a
second, a vehicle moving at 60 mph
(100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m).
That could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough
space between the vehicle
and others is important.And, of course, actual stopping
distances vary greatly with the
surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of
the road, whether it is wet, dry, or icy;
tire tread; the condition of the brakes;
the weight of the vehicle; and the
amount of brake force applied.
Avoid needless heavy
braking. Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration
followed by heavy braking — rather
than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. The brakes might
not have time to cool between
hard stops. The brakes will wear
out much faster with a lot of heavy
braking. Keeping pace with the
traffic and allowing realistic following
distances eliminates a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.
If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the brakes.
If the brakes are pumped, the
pedal could get harder to push down.
Driving and Operating 8-17
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If the engine stops, there will still be
some power brake assist but it will be
used when the brake is applied.
Once the power assist is used up, it
can take longer to stop and the brake
pedal will be harder to push.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect vehicle
performance. SeeAccessories and
Modifications on page 9-3.
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that helps
prevent a braking skid.
When the engine is started and
the vehicle begins to drive away,
ABS checks itself. A momentary
motor or clicking noise might
be heard while this test is going on,
and it might even be noticed that
the brake pedal moves a little. This
is normal.If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. See
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light on page 4-17.
Let us say the road is wet and you
are driving safely. Suddenly, an
animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes and continue
braking. Here is what happens
with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work
the brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the
obstacle while braking hard.As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot
up to the brake pedal or always
decrease stopping distance. If you
get too close to the vehicle in
front of you, there will not be enough
time to apply the brakes if that
vehicle suddenly slows or stops.
Always leave enough room up
ahead to stop, even with ABS.Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down rmly and
let antilock work. The antilock pump
or motor might be heard operating,
and the brake pedal might be
felt to pulsate, but this is normal.
8-18 Driving and Operating
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