2009 SATURN VUE HYBRID maintenance

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.
Defensive Driving
Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The
rst step in driving defensively is to
wear your safety belt — See
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone
on page 1-10.
{CAUTION
Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other
drivers) are going to be careless
and make mistakes. Anticipate
what they might do and be ready.
In addition:
Allow enough following
distance between you and
the driver in front of you.
Focus on the task of driving.
Driver distraction can cause
collisions resulting in injury or
possible death. These simple
defensive driving techniques could
save your life.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-3
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attempt to free it. SeeRocking Your
Vehicle to Get It Out on page 4-17
andIf Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow on page 4-17for
more information.
The TCS/StabiliTrak
®button is
located on the instrument panel.
Press and release this button to turn
off TCS. The TCS warning light
will be displayed on the instrument
panel. The traction control system
can be turned back on by pressing
the TCS/StabiliTrak button.
If the system is limiting wheel spin
when the button is pressed, the
system will not turn off until there is
no longer a current need to limit
wheel spin. The system can
be turned back on at any time by
pressing the button again. If the
TCS light does not come on,TCS may not be functioning
properly and the vehicle should be
serviced at your dealer/retailer.
Adding non-dealer/non-retailer
accessories can affect the vehicle’s
performance. SeeAccessories
and Modifications on page 5-3for
more information.Steering
Electric Power Steering
If the engine stalls while driving, the
power steering assist system will
continue to operate until you
are able to stop the vehicle. If power
steering assist is lost because the
electric power steering system is not
functioning, the vehicle can be
steered but it will take more effort.
If you turn the steering wheel in
either direction several times until it
stops, or hold the steering wheel
in the stopped position for an
extended amount of time, you maynotice a reduced amount of power
steering assist. The normal
amount of power steering assist
should return shortly after a
few normal steering movements.
The electric power steering system
does not require regular
maintenance. If you suspect
steering system problems and/or the
Service Vehicle Soon light comes
on, contact your dealer/retailer
for service repairs.Steering Tips
It is important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.
Traction in a curve depends on the
condition of the tires and the
road surface, the angle at which the
curve is banked, and vehicle
speed. While in a curve, speed is
the one factor you can control.
If there is a need to reduce speed,
do it before entering the curve,
while the front wheels are straight.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-9
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Parking on Hills
{CAUTION
Parking the vehicle on a hill with
the trailer attached can be
dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move.
People can be injured, and both
the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always
park the rig on a at surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do
not shift into P (Park) yet.
Turn the wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic
if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks
under the trailer wheels.3. When the wheel chocks are in
place, release the regular
brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then
apply the parking brake and
shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on
a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal
while you:
Start the engine
Shift into a gear
Release the parking brake
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up
and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer
Towing
The vehicle needs service more
often when pulling a trailer.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 6-3for more information.
Things that are especially important
in trailer operation are automatic
transmission uid, engine oil,
axle lubricant, belts, cooling system
and brake system. It is a good
idea to inspect these before and
during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all
hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Engine Cooling When Trailer
Towing
The cooling system may temporarily
overheat during severe operating
conditions. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-23.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-33
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Tires
Tires.................................5-38
Tire Sidewall Labeling.......5-39
Tire Terminology and
Denitions.......................5-41
Ination - Tire Pressure. . . .5-43
Tire Pressure Monitor
System............................5-45
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation........................5-46
Tire Inspection and
Rotation..........................5-50
When It Is Time for
New Tires.......................5-51
Buying New Tires.............5-51
Different Size Tires and
Wheels............................5-53
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading...........................5-54
Wheel Alignment and
Tire Balance....................5-55
Wheel Replacement..........5-55
Tire Chains.......................5-57
If a Tire Goes Flat............5-58
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit...............5-59
Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit
Storage
...........................5-66
Appearance Care
Interior Cleaning................5-66
Fabric/Carpet....................5-68
Leather.............................5-68
Instrument Panel, Vinyl,
and Other Plastic
Surfaces
..........................5-69
Care of Safety Belts.........5-69
Weatherstrips....................5-69
Washing Your Vehicle.......5-69
Cleaning Exterior
Lamps/Lenses.................5-70
Finish Care.......................5-70
Windshield and Wiper
Blades.............................5-71
Aluminum Wheels.............5-72
Tires.................................5-72
Sheet Metal Damage........5-73
Finish Damage..................5-73
Underbody Maintenance. . . .5-73
Chemical Paint Spotting. . . .5-73
Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN)..................5-74
Service Parts
Identication Label...........5-74
Electrical System
Intermediate Voltage
Devices and Wiring.........5-74
Add-On Electrical
Equipment.......................5-75
Windshield Wiper Fuses. . . .5-75
Power Windows and
Other Power Options.......5-75
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers.........................5-75
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block...............................5-76
Underhood Fuse Block......5-77
Capacities and
Specications
Capacities and
Specications..................5-81
5-2 Service and Appearance Care
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California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements
Certain types of automotive
applications, such as airbag
initiators, seat belt pretensioners,
and lithium batteries contained in
remote keyless transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials.
Special handling may be necessary.
For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/
perchlorate.
Doing Your Own
Service Work
{CAUTION
Never try to do your own service
on hybrid components. You can
be injured and the vehicle can be
damaged if you try to do your own
service work. Service and repair
of these hybrid components
should only be performed by a
trained service technician with the
proper knowledge and tools.
{CAUTION
You can be injured and the
vehicle could be damaged if you
try to do service work on a vehicle
without knowing enough about it.
Be sure you have sufficient
knowledge, experience, the
proper replacement parts, and
tools before attempting any
vehicle maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper
nuts, bolts, and other
fasteners. English and
metric fasteners can be
easily confused. If the wrong
fasteners are used, parts can
later break or fall off. You
could be hurt.
If doing some of your own service
work, use the proper service manual.
It tells you much more about how to
service the vehicle than this manual
can. To order the proper service
manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 7-13.This vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to do your
own service work, seeServicing
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
on page 1-54.
Keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date
of any service work performed. See
Maintenance Record on page 6-14.
Adding Equipment to
the Outside of the
Vehicle
Things added to the outside of the
vehicle can affect the airow
around it. This can cause wind
noise and can affect fuel economy
and windshield washer performance.
Check with your dealer/retailer
before adding equipment to
the outside of the vehicle.
5-4 Service and Appearance Care
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Fuel
Use of the recommended fuel is an
important part of the proper
maintenance of this vehicle. To help
keep the engine clean and
maintain optimum vehicle
performance, we recommend the
use of gasoline advertised as
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with
a posted octane rating of 87 or
higher. If the octane rating is less
than 87, you might notice an audible
knocking noise when you drive,
commonly referred to as spark
knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. If you are using
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher
and you hear heavy knocking, the
engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should
meet ASTM specication D 4814 in
the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5
or 3.511 in Canada. Some
gasolines contain an
octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend
against the use of gasolines
containing MMT. SeeAdditives on
page 5-5for additional information.
California Fuel
If the vehicle is certied to meet
California Emissions Standards, it is
designed to operate on fuels that
meet California specications. See
the underhood emission control
label. If this fuel is not available in
states adopting California emissions
standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specications, but emission control
system performance might be
affected. The malfunction indicator
lamp could turn on and the vehiclemight fail a smog-check test. See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
page 3-30. If this occurs, return to
your authorized dealer/retailer for
diagnosis. If it is determined that the
condition is caused by the type of
fuel used, repairs might not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines
in the United States are now
required to contain additives that
help prevent engine and fuel system
deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work
properly. In most cases, you
should not have to add anything to
the fuel. However, some gasolines
contain only the minimum amount of
additive required to meet U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
regulations. To help keep fuel
injectors and intake valves clean, or
if the vehicle experiences problems
due to dirty injectors or valves,
look for gasoline that is advertised
as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
Service and Appearance Care 5-5
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What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain
elements that can be unhealthy for
your skin and could even cause
cancer. Do not let used oil stay on
your skin for very long. Clean
your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner.
Wash or properly dispose of clothing
or rags containing used engine
oil. See the manufacturer’s warnings
about the use and disposal of oil
products.Used oil can be a threat to the
environment. If you change your own
oil, be sure to drain all the oil from the
lter before disposal. Never dispose
of oil by putting it in the trash, pouring
it on the ground, into sewers, or into
streams or bodies of water. Recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects
used oil.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-10for the
location of the engine air
cleaner/lter.
When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter at the
MaintenanceIIintervals and replace
it at the rst oil change after each
50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval.
SeeScheduled Maintenance
on page 6-3for more information.
If you are driving in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect the lter at each
engine oil change.
Service and Appearance Care 5-15
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Protect against rust and
corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages
work as they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing
sooner, at the rst maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free)
coolant in the vehicle.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean,
drinkable water and one-half
DEX-COOL
®coolant which will not
damage aluminum parts. If you
use this coolant mixture, you do not
need to add anything else.
{CAUTION
Adding only plain water to the
cooling system can be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water
or the wrong mixture, the engine
could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. The
engine could catch re and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more
than four times a year, have
your dealer/retailer check your
cooling system.
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or
additives are used in the
vehicle’s cooling system, the
vehicle could be damaged. Use
only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in this
manual for the cooling system.
SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-11for
more information.
Service and Appearance Care 5-21
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