2010 SATURN AURA engine

{WARNING:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter off
can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to stop
flames if the engine backfires. If it is not there and
the engine backfires, you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/filter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre can
cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt can
easily get into the engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/lter in place when you
are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the transmission fluid level.
A transmission fluid leak is the only reason for fluid
loss. If a leak occurs, take your vehicle to the
dealer/retailer and have it repaired as soon as possible.
Change the fluid and filter at the intervals listed in
Scheduled Maintenance on page 7-3, and be sure to
use the transmission fluid listed inRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 7-10.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic transmission
uid may damage the vehicle, and the damages
may not be covered by the vehicle’s warranty.
Always use the automatic transmission uid listed
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7-10.
For the 2.4L and 3.6L engines, the transmission fluid
will not reach the end of the dipstick unless the
transmission is at operating temperature. If you need to
check the transmission fluid level, please take your
vehicle to your dealer/retailer.
6-23
ProCarManuals.com

Cooling System
The Cooling System allows the engine to maintain the
correct working temperature.
A. Engine Cooling Fans
B. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
C. Pressure Cap{WARNING:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{WARNING:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine parts,
can be very hot. Do not touch them. If you do, you
can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle. 3.6L V6 Engine shown, 2.4L L4 Engine similar
6-24
ProCarManuals.com

Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL®can
cause premature engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant could
require changing sooner, at 50 000 km (30,000 miles)
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.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in the vehicle for five years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first.
The following explains the cooling system and how to
check and add coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 6-28.
What to Use
{WARNING:
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 fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant. If using this mixture, nothing else
needs to be added. This mixture:
•Gives freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C),
outside temperature.
•Gives boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C),
engine temperature.
6-25
ProCarManuals.com

•Protects against rust and corrosion.
•Will not damage aluminum parts.
•Helps keep the proper engine temperature.
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.
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 7-10for more information.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant recovery
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at
or above the FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant atthe coolant recovery tank, but be sure the cooling
system is cool before this is done. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 6-25for more information.
The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark on the coolant surge tank. If it is not, you
may have a leak at the pressure cap or in the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump, or
somewhere else in the cooling system.
How to Add Coolant to the
Recovery Tank
{WARNING:
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.
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause the engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
If coolant is needed, add the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank.
6-26
ProCarManuals.com

How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
{WARNING:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
{WARNING:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They are
under pressure, and if you turn the surge tank
pressure cap — even a little — they can come out
at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap.If coolant is needed, add the proper mixture directly to
the radiator, but be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.
1. Remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap
when the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose,
is no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about two or two and one-half
turns.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. This will
allow any pressure still left to be vented out
the discharge hose.
2. Then keep turning the
pressure cap slowly,
and remove it.
6-27
ProCarManuals.com

3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture,
to the FULL COLD mark. Wait about five minutes,
then check to see if the level is below the mark.
If the level is below the FULL COLD mark,
add additional coolant to bring the level up to the
mark. Repeat this procedure until the level remains
constant at the FULL COLD mark for at least
five minutes.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off,
start the engine and let it run until you can feel
the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for
the engine cooling fans.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank might be lower. If the level is lower than
the FULL COLD mark, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge tank until the level
reaches the FULL COLD mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
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.Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators to warn of engine
overheating.
You will find an engine coolant temperature gage as
well as an engine coolant temperature warning light on
your vehicle’s instrument panel cluster. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Gage on page 4-33andEngine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light on page 4-33.
You may decide not to lift the hood when this warning
appears, but instead get service help right away.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program on page 8-6.
If you do decide to lift the hood, make sure the vehicle
is parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating, both fans should
be running. If they are not, do not continue to run
the engine and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from running the engine
without coolant is not covered by the warranty.
Notice:If the engine catches re while driving with
no coolant, the vehicle can be badly damaged.
The costly repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. SeeOverheated Engine
Protection Operating Mode on page 6-30for
information on driving to a safe place in an
emergency.
6-28
ProCarManuals.com

If Steam Is Coming From The Engine
Compartment
{WARNING:
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. 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.
If you keep driving when the vehicles engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop the engine if it
overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 6-30for information on driving to a safe
place in an emergency.
If No Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is displayed but no steam
can be seen or heard, the problem may not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot
when the vehicle:
•Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
•Stops after high-speed driving.
•Idles for long periods in traffic.
•Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed with no sign of
steam:
1. Turn the air off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and
to the highest fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary.
3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in N (Neutral)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the
road, shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and let
the engine idle.
6-29
ProCarManuals.com

If the temperature overheat gage is no longer in the
overheat zone or an overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven. Continue to drive
the vehicle slow for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the car in front of you. If the
warning does not come back on, continue to drive
normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park the
vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the engine for three
minutes while parked. If the warning is still displayed,
turn off the engine until it cools down. Also, see
“Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode”
following.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
If an overheated engine condition exists, an overheat
protection mode which alternates firing groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a significant loss in power and engine
performance. The temperature gage will indicate
an overheat condition exists. Driving extended miles
(km) and/or towing a trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any
repair. The engine oil will be severely degraded.
Repair the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and
reset the oil life system. SeeEngine Oil on
page 6-17.
Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 6-14for
reservoir location.
6-30
ProCarManuals.com