2009 SATURN VUE HYBRID engine overheat

Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the
oil to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.
The vehicle has a
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in
starting the engine and protects
components. If the ignition key is
turned to the START position,
and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the
engine will continue cranking for a
few seconds or until the vehicle
starts. If the engine does not start
and the key is held in START,
cranking stops after 15 seconds
to prevent cranking motor
damage. To prevent gear
damage, this system also
prevents cranking if the engine is
already running. Engine cranking
can be stopped by turning the
ignition switch to the ACC/
ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF
position.Notice:Cranking the engine for
long periods of time, by returning
the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after
5-10 seconds, especially in
very cold weather (below 0°F
or−18°C), it could be ooded with
too much gasoline. Try pushing
the accelerator pedal all the way
to the oor and holding it there as
you hold the key in START for a
maximum of 15 seconds. Wait at
least 15 seconds between each
try, to allow the cranking motor to
cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key andaccelerator. If the vehicle starts
briey but then stops again,
repeat the procedure. This clears
the extra gasoline from the
engine. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Notice:Your engine is designed
to work with the electronics in
your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could
change the way the engine
operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your
dealer/retailer. If you do not,
your engine might not perform
properly. Any resulting damage
would not be covered by your
vehicle’s warranty.
2-16 Features and Controls
ProCarManuals.com

Engine Coolant Heater
The engine coolant heater can
provide easier starting and better
fuel economy during engine
warm-up in cold weather conditions
at or below 0°F (−18°C). Vehicles
with an engine coolant heater should
be plugged in at least four hours
before starting. Some models
may have an internal thermostat
in the cord which will prevent engine
coolant heater operation at
temperatures above 0°F (−18°C).
To Use the Engine Coolant
Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord. The engine
coolant heater cord is located
near the air cleaner box on
the passenger side of the engine
compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-10for more information
on location.
3. Plug the cord into a normal,
grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION
Plugging the cord into an
ungrounded outlet could cause an
electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could
overheat and cause a re. You
could be seriously injured. Plug
the cord into a properly grounded
three-prong 110-volt AC outlet.
If the cord will not reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension
cord rated for at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be
sure to unplug and store the
cord as it was before to keep
it away from moving engine
parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged.
The length of time the heater should
remain plugged in depends on
several factors. Ask a dealer/retailer
in the area where you will be
parking the vehicle for the best
advice on this.
Features and Controls 2-19
ProCarManuals.com

To release the parking brake, hold
the brake pedal down. Pull the
parking brake lever up until you can
press the release button. Hold
the release button in as you move
the brake lever all the way down.
Release the parking brake
before driving the vehicle.
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.Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking takes some of
the energy from the moving
vehicle and turns it back into
electrical energy. This energy is
then stored back into the vehicle’s
hybrid battery system, contributing
to increased fuel efficiency.
The system works whenever you
take your foot off the accelerator
pedal while the vehicle is moving in a
forward gear. This causes the
vehicle to slow down more quickly. It
may feel like the brake pedal is being
pressed, even when it is not.
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. If you are pulling a
trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-26.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and
set the parking brake. See
Parking Brake on page 2-22for
more information.
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park)
by pressing the button on the
shift lever and pushing the lever
all the way toward the front of
the vehicle.
Features and Controls 2-23
ProCarManuals.com

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 key, the vehicle is in
P (Park).
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 pressing the button
on the console shift lever. If you can,
it means that the shift lever was
not fully locked into 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 2-23.
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 yours 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).
2-24 Features and Controls
ProCarManuals.com

TCS and/or StabiliTrak system
automatically turns off and vehicle
needs service.
When this light is on, the TCS
system does not limit wheel spin
and/or the StabiliTrak system does
not assist with vehicle control.
When the Traction Control system
and/or StabiliTrak system are turned
off, the light comes on.
When the Traction Control System
and/or StabiliTrak system are
turned on, the light turns off.
SeeTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-8andStabiliTrak
®
System on page 4-7for more
information.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning
Light
The engine coolant temperature
light should come on briey as the
engine is started. If it does not
come on have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer.
Notice:Driving with the engine
coolant temperature warning light
on could cause the vehicle to
overheat. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 5-23. The vehicle’s
engine could be damaged, and it
might not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Never drive with
the engine coolant temperature
warning light on.If this light comes on and stays on,
the engine has overheated. Pull
over and seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-23for more information.Tire Pressure Light
If the vehicle has a tire pressure
monitoring system, the tire pressure
light should come on briey as
the engine is started. If it does not,
have the vehicle serviced by
your dealer/retailer. It provides
information about tire pressures and
the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of
the tires are signicantly
underinated.
A tire pressure message in the
Driver Information Center (DIC), can
accompany the light. SeeDIC
Instrument Panel 3-29
ProCarManuals.com

ENGINE HOT A/C
(Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when the
engine coolant becomes hotter than
the normal operating temperature.
To avoid added strain on a hot
engine, the air conditioning
compressor is automatically turned
off. When the coolant temperature
returns to normal, the A/C operation
automatically resumes. You can
continue to drive your vehicle.
ENGINE OIL LOW: ADD OIL
Your vehicle may have an engine oil
level sensor. If it does, this
message displays when the oil is
low. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-11
for more information.
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle
while the engine is overheating,
severe engine damage may occur.
If an overheat warning appears
on the instrument panel clusterand/or DIC, stop the vehicle as
soon as possible. Do not increase
the engine speed above normal
idling speed. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-23for
more information.
This message displays when the
engine coolant temperature is
too hot. Stop and allow the vehicle
to idle until it cools down.
ENGINE OVERHEATED STOP
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle
while the engine is overheating,
severe engine damage may occur.
If an overheat warning appears
on the instrument panel cluster
and/or DIC, stop the vehicle
as soon as possible. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-23for
more information.
This message displays along with a
continuous chime when the
engine has overheated. Stop andturn the engine off immediately to
avoid severe engine damage.
SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-23.
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the
vehicle’s engine power is reduced.
Reduced engine power can affect the
vehicle’s ability to accelerate. If this
message is on, but there is no
reduction in performance, proceed to
your destination. The performance
may be reduced the next time the
vehicle is driven. The vehicle may be
driven at a reduced speed while this
message is on, but acceleration and
speed may be reduced. Anytime this
message stays on, the vehicle
should be taken to your dealer/
retailer for service as soon as
possible.
3-44 Instrument Panel
ProCarManuals.com

Any of the following conditions may
cause the TCS to turn off:
The TCS is turned off by pressing
the TCS/StabiliTrak button. See
StabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-7for more information.
The battery is low.
There is a TCS failure. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
TRACTION CONTROL ON
This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS) turns
on. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-7for more information.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
Notice:If you drive your vehicle
while the transmission uid is
overheating and the transmission
temperature warning is displayed
on the instrument panel cluster
and/or DIC, you can damage
the transmission. This could lead
to costly repairs that would
not be covered by your warranty.Do not drive your vehicle with
overheated transmission uid or
while the transmission
temperature warning is displayed.
This message displays along with
a chime if the transmission uid
in the vehicle gets hot. Driving with
the transmission uid temperature
high can cause damage to the
vehicle. Stop the vehicle and let it
idle to allow the transmission to cool.
This message clears and the
chime stops when the uid
temperature reaches a safe level.
TURN SIGNAL ON
This message displays and a chime
sounds as a reminder to turn off
the turn signal if you drive your
vehicle for more than about 3/4 mile
(1.2 km) with a turn signal on.
SeeTurn and Lane-Change Signals
on page 3-6for more information.
DIC Vehicle
Customization
Your vehicle may have customization
capabilities that allow you to program
certain features to one preferred
setting. Customization features can
only be programmed to one setting
on the vehicle and cannot be
programmed to a preferred setting
for two different drivers.
All of the customization options may
not be available on your vehicle.
Only the options available will
be displayed on the DIC.
The default settings for the
customization features were set
when your vehicle left the factory,
but may have been changed
from their default state since then.
The customization preferences
are automatically recalled.
Instrument Panel 3-49
ProCarManuals.com

Repeat this until help arrives but only
when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. Moving about to keep
warm also helps.
If it takes some time for help to
arrive, now and then when you run
the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs
faster than the idle speed. This
keeps the battery charged to restart
the vehicle and to signal for help with
the headlamps. Do this as little as
possible to save fuel.
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in
Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
SeeRocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out on page 4-17.If the vehicle has a traction system, it
can often help to free a stuck vehicle.
Refer to the vehicle’s traction system
in the Index. If stuck too severely for
the traction system to free the
vehicle, turn the traction system off
and use the rocking method.
{CAUTION
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at
high speed, they can explode, and
you or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment re or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer.
For information about using tire
chains on the vehicle, seeTire
Chains on page 5-57.
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get It Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around
the front wheels. Turn off any
traction system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until
the wheels stop spinning before
shifting gears. Release the
accelerator pedal while shifting, and
press lightly on the accelerator
pedal when the transmission is in
gear. Slowly spinning the wheels in
the forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that
could free the vehicle. If that does
not get the vehicle out after a
few tries, it might need to be towed
out. If the vehicle does need to
be towed out, seeTowing Your
Vehicle on page 4-22.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-17
ProCarManuals.com