2009 SATURN VUE HYBRID warning

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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Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and
Industry and Science Canada
The Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) operates on a radio
frequency and complies with
Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause
harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation.The TPMS operates on a radio
frequency and complies with
RSS-210 of Industry and Science
Canada. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause
interference.
2. This device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation of the
device.
Changes or modications to this
system by other than an authorized
service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS).
The TPMS is designed to warn
the driver when a low tire pressure
condition exists. TPMS sensors
are mounted onto each tire
and wheel assembly. The TPMS
sensors monitor the air pressure in
the vehicle’s tires and transmits
the tire pressure readings to
a receiver located in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition is
detected, the TPMS turns on the low
tire pressure warning light located on
the instrument panel cluster.
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At the same time a message to
check the pressure in a specic tire
appears on the Driver Information
Center (DIC) display. The low tire
pressure warning light and the DIC
warning message come on at each
ignition cycle until the tires are
inated to the correct ination
pressure. Using the DIC, tire
pressure levels can be viewed by the
driver. For additional information and
details about the DIC operation and
displays seeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-36andDIC
Warnings and Messages on
page 3-42.
The low tire pressure warning light
may come on in cool weather
when the vehicle is rst started, and
then turn off as you start to drive.
This could be an early indicator that
the air pressure in the tire(s) are
getting low and need to be inated
to the proper pressure.A Tire and Loading Information label
shows the size of your vehicle’s
original equipment tires and
the correct ination pressure for
your vehicle’s tires when they
are cold. SeeLoading the Vehicle
on page 4-18, for an example of the
Tire and Loading Information
label and its location on your
vehicle. Also seeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-43.
Your vehicle’s TPMS system can
warn you about a low tire pressure
condition but it does not replace
normal tire maintenance. SeeTire
Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-50andTires on page 5-38.Notice:Using non-approved tire
sealants could damage the
Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) sensors. TPMS sensor
damage caused by using an
incorrect tire sealant is not
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Always use the GM approved
tire sealant available through your
dealer/retailer.
Your vehicle, when new, included a
factory-installed Tire Inator Kit.
This kit uses a GM approved liquid
tire sealant. Using non-approved
tire sealants could damage the
TPMS sensors. See Tire Sealant
and Compressor Kit for information
regarding the inator kit materials
and instructions.
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TPMS Malfunction Light and
Message
The TPMS will not function properly if
one or more of the TPMS sensors
are missing or inoperable. When the
system detects a malfunction, the
low tire warning light ashes for
about one minute and then stays on
for the remainder of the ignition
cycle. A DIC warning message is
also displayed. The low tire warning
light and DIC warning message
come on at each ignition cycle until
the problem is corrected. Some of
the conditions that can cause the
malfunction light and DIC message
to come on are:
The TPMS sensor matching
process was started but not
completed or not completed
successfully after rotating the
vehicle’s tires. The DIC message
and TPMS malfunction light
should go off once the TPMS
sensor matching process is
performed successfully. See
“TPMS Sensor Matching Process”
later in this section.
One or more TPMS sensors are
missing or damaged. The DIC
message and the TPMS
malfunction light should go
off when the TPMS sensors
are installed and the sensor
matching process is performed
successfully. See your dealer/
retailer for service.
Replacement tires or wheels do
not match your vehicle’s original
equipment tires or wheels. Tires
and wheels other than those
recommended for your vehicle
could prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. SeeBuying
New Tires on page 5-51.
Operating electronic devices or
being near facilities using radio
wave frequencies similar to the
TPMS could cause the TPMS
sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning it
cannot detect or signal a low tire
condition. See your dealer/retailer for
service if the TPMS malfunction light
and DIC message comes on and
stays on.
TPMS Sensor Matching
Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identication code. Any time
you replace one or more of the
TPMS sensors or rotate the
vehicle’s tires, the identication
codes need to be matched to the
new tire/wheel location. The sensors
are matched, to the tire/wheel
locations, in the following order:
driver side front tire, passenger side
front tire, passenger side rear
tire, and driver side rear tire using a
TPMS diagnostic tool. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
The TPMS sensors can also be
matched to each tire/wheel position
by increasing or decreasing the
tire’s air pressure. When increasing
the tire’s pressure, do not exceed
the maximum ination pressure
indicated on the tire’s sidewall. To
decrease the tire’s air-pressure
use the pointed end of the valve
cap, a pencil-style air pressure
gage, or a key.
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Vehicles that have a tire pressure
monitoring system could give an
inaccurate low-pressure warning if
non-TPC Spec rated tires are
installed on your vehicle. Non-TPC
Spec rated tires may give a
low-pressure warning that is higher
or lower than the proper warning
level you would get with TPC Spec
rated tires. SeeTire Pressure
Monitor System on page 5-45.
Your vehicle’s original equipment
tires are listed on the Tire and
Loading Information label. See
Loading the Vehicle on page 4-18,
for more information about the
Tire and Loading Information label
and its location on your vehicle.Different Size Tires and
Wheels
If you add wheels or tires that are a
different size than your original
equipment wheels and tires,
this may affect the way your vehicle
performs, including its braking,
ride and handling characteristics,
stability, and resistance to rollover.
Additionally, if your vehicle has
electronic systems such as, anti-lock
brakes, rollover airbags, traction
control, and stability control,
the performance of these systems
can be affected.
{CAUTION
If you add different sized wheels,
your vehicle may not provide an
acceptable level of performance
and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels
are selected. You may increase
the chance that you will crash and
suffer serious injury. Only use
Saturn specic wheel and tire
systems developed for your
vehicle, and have them properly
installed by a Saturn certied
technician.
SeeBuying New Tires on page 5-51
andAccessories and Modifications
on page 5-3for additional
information.
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Uniform Tire Quality
Grading
Quality grades can be found
where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA
Temperature A
The following information relates
to the system developed by the
United States National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), which grades tires by
treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This
applies only to vehicles sold in
the United States. The grades
are molded on the sidewalls of
most passenger car tires. The
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply to
deep tread, winter-type snow
tires, space-saver, or temporary
use spare tires, tires with nominalrim diameters of 10 to 12 inches
(25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on
General Motors passenger cars
and light trucks may vary with
respect to these grades, they
must also conform to federal
safety requirements and
additional General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria (TPC)
standards.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specied government test
course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and
a half (1.5) times as well on the
government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may
depart signicantly from the normdue to variations in driving habits,
service practices, and differences
in road characteristics and
climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest
to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire’s
ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled
conditions on specied
government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
{WARNING
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
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