2009 SATURN ASTRA ABS

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel
Controls or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
iv Preface
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Instruments and
Controls
Instrument Panel
Overview
Instrument Panel
Overview...........................4-2
Hazard Warning Flashers. . .4-4
Horn...................................4-4
Tilt Wheel...........................4-4
Turn Signal/Multifunction
Lever................................4-4
Cruise Control....................4-5
Turn and Lane-Change
Signals.............................4-8
Headlamp High/
Low-Beam Changer..........4-8
Flash-to-Pass......................4-8
Windshield Wipers..............4-8
Windshield Washer.............4-9
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer.............................4-9
Accessory Power
Outlet(s)..........................4-10
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators.................4-11
Instrument Panel Cluster. . .4-12
Speedometer and
Odometer........................4-13
Trip Odometer(s)...............4-13Tachometer.......................4-13
Safety Belt Reminders......4-13
Airbag Readiness Light.....4-14
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator..........................4-15
Charging System Light......4-16
Brake System Warning
Light................................4-16
Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light.......4-17
StabiliTrak®Indicator
Light................................4-17
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
................................4-18
Tire Pressure Light...........4-18
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp................4-18
Oil Pressure Light.............4-21
Low Oil Level Light...........4-22
Winter Driving Mode
Light................................4-22
Fog Lamp Light................4-22
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder........................4-23
Cruise Control Light..........4-23
Highbeam On Light...........4-23
Door Ajar Light.................4-23
Service Vehicle Soon
Light................................4-23
Fuel Gage........................4-24
Low Fuel Warning Light. . . .4-24
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
Driver Information
Center (DIC)...................4-25
DIC Operation and
Displays (Uplevel DIC
and Audio)
.......................4-26
DIC Operation and
Displays (Base Level
DIC and Audio)
...............4-32
DIC Warnings and
Messages (Base and
Uplevel Systems)
............4-36
OnStar®System
OnStar®System................4-38
Instruments and Controls 4-1
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Antilock Brake System
(ABS) Warning Light
The Antilock Brake System (ABS)
light will come on briey, as a check,
when you start your vehicle.
If it does not, have your vehicle
serviced so that the light works
properly when it needs to.
If the light stays on longer than a
few seconds after you start your
engine, or comes on and stays on
while you are driving, try resetting
the system. To reset the system:
1. If you are driving, pull over when
it is safe to do so. It may take
longer to stop the vehicle.
2. Place the vehicle in P (Park).
3. Turn off the ignition.
4. Then restart the engine.If the light remains on after resetting
the system or comes on again
while driving, your vehicle needs
service. The antilock brakes are not
working properly and there might
be a problem stopping the vehicle.
Pull off the road and stop. It may
take longer to stop the vehicle. If the
light is still on, have the vehicle
towed for service. SeeTowing Your
Vehicle on page 9-73for more
information.
{CAUTION
Your brake system may not be
working properly if the Antilock
Brake System (ABS) light is on.
Driving with the ABS light on can
lead to an accident. If the light is
still on after you have pulled off
the road and stopped carefully,
have the vehicle towed for
service.
StabiliTrak®Indicator
Light
For vehicles with this light, it should
come on briey when the ignition is
turned on.
If the light does not come on, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn if
there is a problem.
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving there may be a
problem with the StabiliTrak
system and your vehicle may
need service. When this light is on,
the StabiliTrak system does not
assist in controlling the vehicle.
Adjust your driving accordingly.
SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 8-19for more information.
When the system is active, the light
will ash while the system helps
control the vehicle. You may also
feel or hear the system working.
This is normal.
Instruments and Controls 4-17
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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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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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Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help
more than even the very best
braking.
StabiliTrak®System
The vehicle may have StabiliTrak
which combines antilock brake,
traction and stability control systems
and helps the driver maintain
directional control of the vehicle
in most driving conditions.
When the vehicle is rst started and
driven away, the system performs
several diagnostic checks to ensure
there are no problems. The system
may be heard or felt while it is
working. This is normal and does not
mean there is a problem with the
vehicle. The system should initialize
before the vehicle reaches 20 mph
(32 km/h).The system monitors vehicle
movements, and helps the driver
maintain control of the vehicle in
most driving situations. When the
vehicle’s stability is affected the
engine output is reduced, and the
brakes are applied to individual
wheels.
This light on the instrument panel
cluster will come on briey when the
ignition is turned on.
StabiliTrak is automatically enabled
whenever the vehicle is started. To
assist the driver with vehicle
directional control, especially in
slippery road conditions, the system
should always be left on. The system
can be turned off if needed.It is recommended to leave the
system on for normal driving
conditions, but it may be necessary
to turn the system off if the vehicle is
stuck in sand, mud, ice or snow, and
you want to “rock” the vehicle to
attempt to free it. It may also be
necessary to turn off the system
when driving in extreme off-road
conditions where high wheel spin is
required. SeeIf Your Vehicle is Stuck
in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 8-29.
StabiliTrak may also turn off
automatically if it determines that a
problem exists with the system.
The light on the instrument panel
cluster will be on solid to warn
the driver that StabiliTrak is disabled
and requires service. If the problem
does not clear after restarting
the vehicle, see your dealer/retailer
for service.
Driving and Operating 8-19
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While driving on a surface with
reduced traction, try your best to
avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing vehicle
speed by shifting to a lower gear.
Any sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide. You might not
realize the surface is slippery until
the vehicle is skidding. Learn to
recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow
on the road to make a mirrored
surface — and slow down when you
have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake
System (ABS) helps avoid only the
braking skid.Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than
day driving because some drivers
are likely to be impaired — by alcohol
or drugs, with night vision problems,
or by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Reduce headlamp glare by
adjusting the inside rearview
mirror.
Slow down and keep more space
between you and other vehicles
because headlamps can only
light up so much road ahead.
Watch for animals.
When tired, pull off the road.
Do not wear sunglasses.
Avoid staring directly into
approaching headlamps.
Keep the windshield and all glass
on your vehicle clean — inside
and out.
Keep your eyes moving,
especially during turns or curves.
No one can see as well at night as
in the daytime. But, as we get
older, these differences increase.
A 50-year-old driver might need
at least twice as much light to see
the same thing at night as a
20-year-old.
Driving and Operating 8-23
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Top of hills: Be alert — something
could be in your lane (stalled car,
accident).
Pay attention to special road
signs (falling rocks area, winding
roads, long grades, passing or
no-passing zones) and take
appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow
or ice between the tires and the
road, creating less traction or grip.
Wet ice can occur at about 32°F
(0°C) when freezing rain begins to
fall, resulting in even less traction.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in
freezing rain until roads can be
treated with salt or sand.Drive with caution, whatever the
condition. Accelerate gently
so traction is not lost. Accelerating
too quickly causes the wheels
to spin and makes the surface under
the tires slick, so there is even
less traction.
Try not to break the fragile traction.
If you accelerate too fast, the drive
wheels will spin and polish the
surface under the tires even more.
TheAntilock Brake System (ABS)
on page 8-18improves vehicle
stability during hard stops on
a slippery roads, but apply the
brakes sooner than when on
dry pavement.Allow greater following distance
on any slippery road and watch for
slippery spots. Icy patches can occur
on otherwise clear roads in shaded
areas. The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. Avoid
sudden steering maneuvers and
braking while on ice.
Turn off cruise control, if equipped,
on slippery surfaces.
Driving and Operating 8-27
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