Seats and Restraint
System............................... 1-1
Head Restraints
.............. 1-2
Front Seats
.................... 1-3
Rear Seats
.................... 1-9
Safety Belts
..................1-10
Child Restraints
.............1-23
Airbag System
..............1-42
Restraint System
Check
......................1-58
Features and Controls...... 2-1
Keys
............................. 2-2
Doors and Locks
............ 2-7
Windows
......................2-10
Theft-Deterrent
Systems
...................2-12
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle
.............2-15
Mirrors
.........................2-29
Object Detection
Systems
...................2-31
OnStar
®System
............2-33Universal Home Remote
System
.....................2-37
Storage Areas
...............2-41
Sunroof
........................2-45
Instrument Panel............... 3-1
Instrument Panel
Overview
.................... 3-4
Climate Controls
............3-17
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators
............3-26
Driver Information
Center (DIC)
.............3-42
Audio System(s)
............3-64
Driving Your Vehicle......... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road,
and the Vehicle
........... 4-1
Towing
........................4-32
Service and
Appearance Care............... 5-1
Service
.......................... 5-3
Fuel
.............................. 5-5
Checking Things Under
the Hood
..................5-10All-Wheel Drive
.............5-35
Headlamp Aiming
..........5-36
Bulb Replacement
.........5-39
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement
.............5-42
Tires
...........................5-43
Appearance Care
..........5-72
Vehicle Identi cation
......5-79
Electrical System
...........5-79
Capacities and
Speci cations
............5-86
Maintenance Schedule...... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule
..... 6-1
Customer Assistance
Information........................ 7-1
Customer Assistance and
Information
................. 7-1
Reporting Safety
Defects
.....................7-14
Vehicle Data Recording
and Privacy
................. 16
Index....................................i-1
2009 Saturn VUE Owner ManualM
ProCarManuals.com
The following can prevent more
serious damage to the vehicle:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled
as soon as it is possible.
If the light continues to ash,
when it is safe to do so, stop
the vehicle. Find a safe place to
park the vehicle. Turn the key
off, wait at least 10 seconds, and
restart the engine. If the light is
still ashing, follow the previous
steps and see your dealer/retailer
for service as soon as possible.
Light On Steady:An emission
control system malfunction has been
detected on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.An emission system malfunction
might be corrected by checking the
following items:
Make sure the fuel cap is fully
installed. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 5-8. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly
installed. A loose or missing fuel
cap allows fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few driving
trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light off.
If the vehicle has been driven
through a deep puddle of water,
the vehicle’s electrical system
might be wet. The condition is
usually corrected when the
electrical system dries out.
A few driving trips should turn
the light off.
Make sure to fuel the vehicle
with quality fuel. Poor fuel quality
causes the engine not to run as
efficiently as designed and may
cause: stalling after start-up,
stalling when the vehicle is
changed into gear, mis ring,
hesitation on acceleration,
or stumbling on acceleration.
These conditions might go away
once the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these conditions
occurs, change the fuel brand
used. It will require at least one
full tank of the proper fuel to turn
the light off.
SeeGasoline Octane on
page 5-5.
If none of the above have made the
light turn off, your dealer/retailer can
check the vehicle. The dealer/retailer
has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to x any mechanical
or electrical problems that might
have developed.
3-36 Instrument Panel
ProCarManuals.com
Fuel Gage
When the ignition is on, the fuel
gage indicates how much fuel is
left in the tank.
When the indicator nears empty,
the low fuel light comes on. There is
still a little fuel left, but the fuel tank
should be re lled soon. SeeLow
Fuel Warning Light on page 3-41
for more information.
An arrow on the fuel gage indicates
the side of the vehicle the fuel
door is on.Here are four things that some
owners ask about. None of these
means the fuel gage is not working
properly:
At the service station, the fuel
pump shuts off before the
gage reads full.
It takes a little more or less fuel
to ll up than the gage indicated.
For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full,
but it actually took a little more or
less than half the tank’s capacity
to ll the tank.
The gage moves a little while
turning a corner or speeding up.
The gage takes a few seconds to
stabilize after the ignition is turned
on, but it goes back to empty
when the ignition is turned off.
For fuel tank capacity, see
Capacities and Specifications
on page 5-86.
Low Fuel Warning Light
The low fuel warning light, below
the fuel gage, comes on brie y when
the engine is started.
This light also comes on when the
fuel tank is low on fuel. When fuel is
added, the light should go off. If it
does not, have the vehicle serviced. United StatesCanada
Instrument Panel 3-41
ProCarManuals.com
SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL
This message displays when the
Traction Control System (TCS) is not
functioning properly. A warning light
also appears on the instrument panel
cluster. SeeTraction Control System
(TCS) Warning Light on page 3-33
andTraction Control System (TCS)
on page 4-8for more information.
Have the TCS serviced by your
dealer/retailer as soon as possible.
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message displays when there
is a problem with the transmission.
See your dealer/retailer for service.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays when
a non-emissions related malfunction
occurs. Have the vehicle serviced
by your dealer/retailer as soon
as possible.
STABILITRAK NOT READY
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak,
this message may display and the
StabiliTrak indicator light on the
instrument panel cluster may be on
after rst driving the vehicle and
exceeding 20 mph (32 km/h) for
30 seconds. The StabiliTrak system
is not functional until the light has
turned off. SeeStabiliTrak
®System
on page 4-7for more information.
STABILITRAK OFF
If your vehicle has StabiliTrak, this
message displays when you turn off
the StabiliTrak, or when the stability
control has been automatically
disabled. To limit wheel spin and
realize the full bene ts of the stability
enhancement system, you should
normally leave StabiliTrak on.
However, you should turn StabiliTrak
off if your vehicle gets stuck in sand,
mud, ice, or snow and you want to
rock your vehicle to attempt to free it,or if you are driving in extreme
off-road conditions and require more
wheel spin. SeeIf Your Vehicle is
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 4-27. To turn the StabiliTrak
system on or off, seeStabiliTrak
®
System on page 4-7.
TIGHTEN GAS CAP
This message may display along
with the check engine light on the
instrument panel cluster if the
vehicle’s fuel cap is not tightened
properly. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 3-35. Reinstall the
fuel cap fully. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 5-8. The diagnostic system
can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed.
A loose or missing fuel cap allows
fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. A few driving trips
with the cap properly installed should
turn this light and message off.
Instrument Panel 3-55
ProCarManuals.com
The label shows the gross
weight capacity of your vehicle.
This is called the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, fuel, cargo, and
trailer tongue weight, if
the vehicle is pulling a trailer.
The Certi cation/Tire label also
tells you the maximum weights
for the front and rear axles, called
the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). To nd out the actual
loads on your front and rear
axles, you need to go to a weigh
station and weigh your vehicle.
Your dealer/retailer can help you
with this. Be sure to spread out
your load equally on both sides of
the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for
your vehicle or the GAWR
for either the front or rear axle.{CAUTION
Do not load the vehicle any
heavier than the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR), or
either the maximum front or
rear Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). If you do, parts on
the vehicle can break, and it
can change the way your
vehicle handles. These could
cause you to lose control and
crash. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of the vehicle.
Notice
:Overloading your
vehicle may cause damage.
Repairs would not be covered
by your warranty. Do not
overload your vehicle.
If you put things inside your
vehicle — like suitcases, tools,
packages, or anything else, they
will go as fast as the vehicle
goes. If you have to stop or turn
quickly, or if there is a crash,
they will keep going.
{CAUTION
Things you put inside your
vehicle can strike and injure
people in a sudden stop or
turn, or in a crash.
Put things in the cargo
area of your vehicle. Try to
spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
Do not leave an unsecured
child restraint in your
vehicle.
When you carry something
inside the vehicle, secure it
whenever you can.
Do not leave a seat folded
down unless you need to.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-31
ProCarManuals.com
Towing
Towing Your Vehicle
To avoid damage, the disabled
vehicle should be towed with all four
wheels off the ground. Consult your
dealer/retailer or a professional
towing service if the disabled vehicle
must be towed. SeeRoadside
Assistance Program on page 7-6.
To tow the vehicle behind another
vehicle for recreational purposes,
such as behind a motorhome,
see “Recreational Vehicle Towing”
following.
Recreational Vehicle
Towing
Recreational vehicle towing means
towing the vehicle behind another
vehicle – such as behind a
motorhome. The two most common
types of recreational vehicle towing
are known as dinghy towing anddolly towing. Dinghy towing is towing
the vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground. Dolly towing is towing the
vehicle with two wheels on the
ground and two wheels up on a
device known as a dolly.
Here are some important things to
consider before recreational
vehicle towing:
What is the towing capacity of the
towing vehicle? Be sure to read
the tow vehicle manufacturer’s
recommendations.
What is the distance that will be
travelled? Some vehicles have
restrictions on how far and how
long they can tow.
Is the proper towing equipment
going to be used? See your
dealer/retailer or trailering
professional for additional advice
and equipment recommendations.
Is the vehicle ready to be towed?
Just as preparing the vehicle for a
long trip, make sure the vehicle is
prepared to be towed. SeeBefore
Leaving on a Long Trip on
page 4-24.
Dinghy Towing
Front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive
vehicles may be dinghy towed from
the front. These vehicles can also be
towed by placing them on a platform
trailer with all four wheels off of the
ground. For other towing options,
see “Dolly Towing” following in this
section.
For vehicles being dinghy towed,
the vehicle should be run at the
beginning of each day and at each
RV fuel stop for about ve minutes.
This will ensure proper lubrication of
transmission components.
4-32 Driving Your Vehicle
ProCarManuals.com
Notice:Towing the vehicle from
the rear could damage it. Also,
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Never have
the vehicle towed from the rear.
Towing a Trailer
{CAUTION
The driver can lose control when
pulling a trailer if the correct
equipment is not used or the
vehicle is not driven properly.
For example, if the trailer is too
heavy, the brakes may not work
well — or even at all. The driver
and passengers could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may
also be damaged; the resulting
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer
only if all the steps in this section
have been followed. Ask your
dealer/retailer for advice and
information about towing a trailer
with the vehicle.Notice:Pulling a trailer
improperly can damage the
vehicle and result in costly
repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in this
section and see your dealer/
retailer for important information
about towing a trailer with the
vehicle.
The vehicle can tow a trailer if it is
equipped with the proper trailer
towing equipment.
To identify the trailering capacity of
the vehicle, read the information
in “Weight of the Trailer” that
appears later in this section.
Trailering is different than just driving
the vehicle by itself. Trailering means
changes in handling, acceleration,
braking, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-35
ProCarManuals.com