2009 SATURN VUE HYBRID Owners Manual

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.
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Checking Coolant
The surge tank is located on
the driver side of the engine
compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for more information
on location.
{CAUTION
Turning the surge tank pressure
cap when the engine and radiator
are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and
burn you badly. Never turn the
surge tank pressure cap — even
a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level
surface. When your engine is cold,
the coolant level should be
between the MIN and MAX lines.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the
proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
at the surge tank, but only when
the engine is cool. SeeCooling
System on page 5-17for instructions
on “How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank”.
{CAUTION
You can be burned if you spill
coolant on hot engine parts.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap,
make sure it is hand-tight and
fully seated.
Coolant Surge Tank
Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not
tightly installed, coolant loss
and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is
properly and tightly secured.
If you need to replace your coolant
surge tank pressure cap, see
your retailer.
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Engine Overheating
There is a coolant temperature
warning light on your vehicle’s
instrument panel. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light
on page 3-29.
If Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
{CAUTION
Steam from an overheated engine
can burn you badly, even if you
just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait until there is no sign of
steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
If you keep driving when your
engine is overheated, the liquids
in it can catch re. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get
out of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
Notice:If the engine catches re
because of being driven with
no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
If you get an engine overheat
warning, but see or hear no steam,
the problem may not be too serious.
Sometimes the engine can get a little
too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with
no sign of steam, try this for a
minute or so:
1. If you have an air conditioner
and it is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at
the highest fan speed and open
the windows as necessary.
3. Try to minimize engine load.
If you are in a traffic jam,
shift to N (Neutral); otherwise,
shift to the highest gear possible
while driving.
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If you no longer have the overheat
warning, you can drive. Just to
be safe, drive slower for about
ten minutes. If the warning does
not come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues and you
have not stopped, pull over, stop,
and park your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, idle
the engine for three minutes
while you are parked. If the warning
continues, turn off the engine and
get everyone out of the vehicle until
it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood
but to get service help right away.Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield or rear
window washer uid, be sure to
read the manufacturer’s instructions
before use. If you will be operating
your vehicle in an area where
the temperature may fall below
freezing, use a uid that has
sufficient protection against freezing.
Adding Windshield Washer
Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer uid until
the tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for reservoir location.Notice:
When using concentrated
washer uid, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage your
washer uid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as
well as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for uid
expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in your windshield
washer. It can damage the
vehicle’s windshield washer
system and paint.
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Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder reservoir
is lled with either DOT-3 or DOT-4
brake uid as indicated on the
reservoir cap. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for 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 hydraulic
system can also cause a low uid
level. Have the brake hydraulic
system xed, since a leak means
that sooner or later the brakes will
not work well.
Do not top off the brake uid. Adding
uid does not correct a leak. If uid is
added when the linings are worn,
there will be too much uid when new
brake linings are installed. Add or
remove brake uid, as necessary,
only when work is done on the brake
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, and
the vehicle could be damaged.
Add brake uid only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.When the brake uid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light on page 3-27.
What to Add
If the vehicle has DOT-3 brake uid,
as indicated on the reservoir cap,
use only new DOT-3 brake uid from
a sealed container. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-11.
If the vehicle has DOT-4 brake uid,
as indicated on the reservoir cap,
use only new DOT-4 brake uid from
a sealed container. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-11. DOT-4
brake uid requires the brake
hydraulic system to be ushed and
relled with new DOT-4 brake
uid at a regular maintenance
service every two years. See
Additional Required Services on
page 6-5.
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Always clean the brake uid
reservoir cap and the area around
the cap before removing it. This
helps keep dirt from entering
the reservoir.
{CAUTION
With the wrong kind of uid in the
brake hydraulic system, the
brakes might not work well. This
could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake uid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can
badly damage brake hydraulic
system parts. For example,
just a few drops of
mineral-based oil, such as
engine oil, in the brake
hydraulic system can damage
brake hydraulic system
parts so badly that they will
have to be replaced. Do not let
someone put in the wrong
kind of uid.
If brake uid is spilled on the
vehicle’s painted surfaces,
the paint nish can be
damaged. Be careful not to
spill brake uid on the vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. SeeWashing
Your Vehicle on page 5-69.
Brake Wear
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc
brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake
pads are worn and new pads are
needed. The sound can come
and go or be heard all the time the
vehicle is moving, except when
applying the brake pedal rmly.
{CAUTION
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
an accident. When the brake wear
warning sound is heard, have the
vehicle serviced.Notice:Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could
result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates
can cause a brake squeal when
the brakes are rst applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean
something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are
necessary to help prevent
brake pulsation. When tires are
rotated, inspect brake pads for wear
and evenly tighten wheel nuts in
the proper sequence to torque
specications inCapacities and
Specifications on page 5-81.
Brake linings should always be
replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake
pedal does not return to normal
height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal travel. This could be a
sign that brake service might
be required.
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Brake Adjustment
Every time the brakes are applied,
with or without the vehicle
moving, the brakes adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System
Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is
complex. Its many parts have to
be of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have
really good braking. The vehicle was
designed and tested with top-quality
brake parts. When parts of the
braking system are replaced — for
example, when the brake linings
wear down and new ones are
installed — be sure to get new
approved replacement parts. If
this is not done, the brakes might
not work properly. For example,
if someone puts in brake linings
that are wrong for the vehicle, the
balance between the front andrear brakes can change — for the
worse. The braking performance
expected can change in many other
ways if the wrong replacement
brake parts are installed.
Battery
{CAUTION
Batteries have acid that can burn
you and gas that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you are
not careful. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-28for tips on working
around a battery without
getting hurt.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals,
and related accessories contain
lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and
reproductive harm. Wash hands
after handling.This vehicle has a standard 12-volt
battery and a 36-volt hybrid
battery system.
12-Volt Battery
When a new standard 12-volt
battery is needed, see your
dealer/retailer for one that has the
replacement number shown on
the original battery’s label.
36-Volt Battery System
If a new 36-volt hybrid battery
system is needed, see your
dealer/retailer.
Vehicle Storage
Infrequent Usage: If the vehicle is
driven infrequently, remove the
12-volt battery black, negative (−)
cable from the battery, the one that
is exposed. This helps keep the
battery from running down.
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Extended Storage: For extended
storage of the vehicle, remove the
12-volt battery black, negative (−)
cable from the battery or use a
battery trickle charger. This helps
maintain the charge of the battery
over an extended period of time.
Remember to reconnect the battery
when ready to drive the vehicle.
Notice:The 36-volt hybrid
battery system should be
serviced only by a qualied
facility to avoid battery system
damage. See your dealer/retailer if
service is needed.
Notice:If the vehicle is not
driven for over two months, the
36-volt hybrid battery can be
permanently damaged.The 36-volt battery is located behind
the rear seat, under the cargo
oor. If the vehicle is stored for an
extended period of time, drive
the vehicle every two months for
about half an hour to keep the
36-volt hybrid battery charged and
in good working condition.
Jump Starting
The hybrid vehicle has a standard
12-volt battery in the engine
compartment, and a 36-volt battery
under the rear load oor.
{CAUTION
Personal injury or damage to the
vehicle can result if you try jump
starting or using a battery charger
on the 36-volt battery. Use only
the 12-volt battery for jump
starting and charging.If your vehicle’s standard 12-volt
battery has run down, you may want
to use another vehicle and some
jumper cables to start your vehicle.
Be sure to use the following
steps to do it safely.
{CAUTION
Batteries can hurt you. They can
be dangerous because:
They contain acid that can
burn you.
They contain gas that can
explode or ignite.
They contain enough
electricity to burn you.
If you do not follow these steps
exactly, some or all of these
things can hurt you.
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