2004 Saturn VUE Owners Manual

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Telephone number of your location Location of the vehicle 7-6 (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) Model, year, color, and license plate number (cid:127) Mileage, Vehicle Identiﬁcation Number and delivery date of the vehicle (cid:127) Description of the problem While we hope you never have the occasion to use our service, it is added security while traveling for you and your family. Remember we are only a phone call away. Saturn Roadside Assistance: 1-800-553-6000; text telephone (TTY) users, call 1-800-833-6000. Saturn reserves the right to limit services or reimbursement to an owner or driver when, in Saturn’s judgment, the claims become excessive in frequency or type of occurrence. Roadside Assistance is not part of or included in the coverage provided by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Saturn reserves the right to make any changes or discontinue the Roadside Assistance program at any time without notiﬁcation. Canadian Roadside Assistance Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive Saturn Roadside Assistance program accessible from anywhere in Canada or the United States. Please refer to the Warranty and Owner Assistance Information book. Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Recorders Your vehicle, like other modern motor vehicles, has a number of sophisticated computer systems that monitor and control several aspects of the vehicle’s performance. Your vehicle uses on-board vehicle computers to monitor emission control components to optimize fuel economy, to monitor conditions for air bag deployment and, if so equipped, to provide anti-lock braking and to help the driver control the vehicle in difficult driving situations. Some information may be stored during regular operations to facilitate repair of detected malfunctions; other information is stored only in a crash or near crash event by computer systems commonly called event data recorders (EDR). In a crash or near crash event, computer systems, such as the Air Bag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) in your vehicle may record information about the condition of the vehicle and how it was operated, such as engine speed, brake applications, throttle position, vehicle speed, safety belt usage, air bag readiness, air bag performance data, and the severity of a collision. This information has been used to improve vehicle crash performance and may be used to improve crash performance of future vehicles and driving safety. Unlike the data recorders on many airplanes, these on-board systems do not record sounds, such as conversation of vehicle occupants. 7-7 To read this information, special equipment is needed and access to the vehicle or the SDM is required. GM will not access information about a crash event or share it with others other than (cid:127) with the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee, in response to an official request of police or similar government office, as part of GM’s defense of litigation through the discovery process, or as required by law. In addition, once GM collects or receives data, GM may use the data for GM research needs, (cid:127) make it available for research where appropriate conﬁdentiality is to be maintained and need is shown, or share summary data which is not tied to a speciﬁc vehicle with non-GM organizations for research purposes. Others, such as law enforcement, may have access to the special equipment that can read the information if they have access to the vehicle or SDM. If your vehicle is equipped with OnStar®, please check the OnStar® subscription service agreement or manual for information on its operations and data collection. 7-8 Reporting Safety Defects Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in addition to notifying Saturn Corporation. If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it ﬁnds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your retailer or Saturn Corporation. To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in the Washington, D.C. area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation Washington, D.C. 20590 You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the hotline. (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) (cid:127) Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle has a safety defect, you should immediately notify Transport Canada, in addition to notifying General Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to: Transport Canada 330 Sparks Street Tower C Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5 Reporting Safety Defects to Saturn In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us. U.S. customers can call the Saturn Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-553-6000, or write: Saturn Corporation 100 Saturn Parkway Mail Drop 371-999-S24 Spring Hill, TN 37174-1500 In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263–1999. Or, write to: Saturn Customer Communication Centre General Motors of Canada Limited 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7 Service Publications Ordering Information Service Manuals A variety of publications are available to you. Saturn service manuals are written for trained technicians, and in some cases, specialized tools and equipment are necessary to complete certain repairs. However, the manuals are available to owners who either have the training, or wish to gain a greater understanding of the technical aspect of their Saturn. For additional publications information or to order publications, call toll free 1-800-2-SATURN or visit win.wallace.com/saturn to order on-line. In Canada, Saturn service manuals are available by calling toll free 1-800-551-4123. 7-9 Owner Publications Information on how to obtain product bulletins and as described below is applicable only in the ﬁfty U.S. states and the District of Columbia, and only for cars and light trucks with a GVWR less than 10,000 pounds (4 536 kg). Copies of individual bulletins are also at your participating Saturn retailer. You can ask to see them. In Canada, information relating to product service bulletins can be obtained by contacting your Saturn retailer. Service Bulletins Saturn regularly sends its retailers useful service bulletins about Saturn products. Saturn monitors product performance in the ﬁeld. We then prepare bulletins for servicing our products better. You can get these bulletins, too. Bulletins cover various subjects. Some pertain to the proper use and care of your vehicle. Some describe costly repairs. Others describe inexpensive repairs which, if done on time with the latest parts, may avoid future costly repairs. Some bulletins tell a technician how to repair a new or unexpected condition. Others describe a quicker way to ﬁx your vehicle. They can help a technician service your vehicle better. Most bulletins apply to conditions affecting a small number of vehicles. Your Saturn retailer or a qualiﬁed technician may have to determine if a speciﬁc bulletin applies to your vehicle. To order Saturn bulletins, call Saturn Publications at 1-800-2-SATURN or visit win.wallace.com/saturn to order on-line. 7-10 A About Driving Your Vehicle .................................... ii Accessory Power Outlets ................................. 3-20 Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature ................ 3-72 Adding a Snow Plow or Similar Equipment ......... 4-54 Adding Windshield Washer Fluid ....................... 5-40 Additives, Fuel ................................................. 5-6 Add-On Electrical Equipment ............................ 5-98 Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade) ............................ 3-45, 3-47, 3-53 After Off-Road Driving ..................................... 4-30 Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine ................................. 5-21 Air Conditioning .............................................. 3-21 Airbag Readiness Light .......................................... 3-28 Airbag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) ...... 7-7 Airbag Systems .............................................. 1-48 Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ................................................... 1-57 How Does an Airbag Restrain? ...................... 1-54 Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle .......... 1-56 What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate? ...................... 1-54 What Will You See After an Airbag Inﬂates? ........................................ 1-55 When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? .................... 1-53 Where Are the Airbags? ............................... 1-50 All-Wheel Drive ............................................... 5-51 All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System ......................... 4-12 AM ............................................................... 3-74 AM-FM Radio ................................................. 3-43 Antenna, Fixed Mast ....................................... 3-75 Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System .......................................... 3-75 Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ............................ 4-8 Anti-Lock Brake, System Warning Light .............. 3-31 Appearance Care ............................................ 5-89 Care of Safety Belts .................................... 5-92 Chemical Paint Spotting ............................... 5-95 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle ................ 5-89 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle .............. 5-92 Finish Damage ............................................ 5-95 Sheet Metal Damage ................................... 5-95 Underbody Maintenance ............................... 5-95 Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials ................ 5-96 Weatherstrips .............................................. 5-92 Approaching a Hill .......................................... 4-22 Audio Output .................................................. 3-64 Audio System(s) ............................................. 3-42 AM-FM Radio ............................................. 3-43 Care of Your CD and DVD Player .................. 3-75 Care of Your CDs and DVDs ........................ 3-75 Fixed Mast Antenna ..................................... 3-75 Radio with CD .................................... 3-45, 3-49 Audio System(s) (cont.) Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data Systems (RDS) ................................ 3-43 Setting the Time for Radios without Radio Data Systems (RDS) ....................... 3-43 Theft-Deterrent Feature ................................ 3-72 Understanding Radio Reception ..................... 3-74 XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System ............ 3-75 Automatic Dimming Mirror Operation .......... 2-30, 2-32 Automatic Headlamp System ............................ 3-18 Automatic Transaxle ........................................ 2-15 Fluid .......................................................... 5-25 Operation ................................................... 2-18 Backing Up .................................................... 4-59 Battery .......................................................... 5-44 Battery Replacement ......................................... 2-6 Battery Run-Down Protection ............................ 3-20 Battery Warning Light ...................................... 3-29 Before Leaving on a Long Trip ......................... 4-37 Before You Drive ............................................ 3-62 Before You Go Off-Roading .............................. 4-18 Brake Parking ...................................................... 2-23 System Warning Light .................................. 3-30 Brake Fluid .................................................... 5-41 Brake Wear ................................................... 5-43 Brakes .......................................................... 5-41 Braking ........................................................... 4-7 Braking in Emergencies ................................... 4-10 Break-In, New Vehicle ..................................... 2-14 Bulb Replacement ........................................... 5-53 Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) ........ 5-58 Fog Lamps ................................................. 5-57 Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps ............. 5-56 Halogen Bulbs ............................................ 5-53 Headlamp Aiming ........................................ 5-52 Headlamps ................................................. 5-53 Replacement Bulbs ...................................... 5-60 Sidemarker Lamps ....................................... 5-57 Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps ........................................ 5-59 Buying New Tires ........................................... 5-72 California Fuel .................................................. 5-6 Canadian Owners ................................................ ii Canadian Roadside Assistance ........................... 7-7 Capacities and Speciﬁcations .......................... 5-102 Carbon Monoxide ................... 2-10, 2-27, 4-40, 4-55 Care of Safety Belts ................................................ 5-92 Your CD and DVD Player ............................. 3-75 Your CDs and DVDs .................................... 3-75 Cargo Lamp ................................................... 3-19 CD Messages ........................................ 3-49, 3-61 Center Console Storage Area ........................... 2-36 Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) ........... 5-58 Chains, Tire ................................................... 5-76 Changing a Tire When Trailer Towing ................ 4-61 Check Engine Light ............................................... 3-35 Checking Coolant ............................................ 5-30 Checking Engine Oil ........................................ 5-15 Checking Things Under the Hood ...................... 5-10 Chemical Paint Spotting ................................... 5-95 Child Restraints Child Restraint Systems ............................... 1-34 Infants and Young Children ........................... 1-31 Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) .......................... 1-40 Older Children ............................................. 1-28 Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System .............................. 1-42 Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position ........................................... 1-42 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position ................................... 1-45 Child Restraints (cont.) Top Strap ................................................... 1-37 Top Strap Anchor Location ............................ 1-39 Where to Put the Restraint ........................... 1-36 Cleaning Inside of Your Vehicle .................................. 5-89 Outside of Your Vehicle ................................ 5-92 Underbody Maintenance ............................... 5-95 Weatherstrips .............................................. 5-92 Cleaning Aluminum Wheels .............................. 5-94 Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses ....................... 5-93 Cleaning Fabric/Carpet .................................... 5-89 Cleaning Glass Surfaces .................................. 5-91 Cleaning Interior Plastic Components ................. 5-91 Cleaning the DVD Player ................................. 3-71 Cleaning the Mirror ................................. 2-31, 2-33 Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel ........... 5-91 Cleaning the Video Screen ............................... 3-71 Cleaning Tires ................................................ 5-94 Cleaning Vinyl ................................................ 5-91 Cleaning Windshield and Wiper Blades .............. 5-94 Climate Control System ................................... 3-21 Air Filter, Passenger Compartment ................. 3-23 Clutch, Hydraulic ............................................. 5-28 Compact Spare Tire ........................................ 5-88 Compass Calibration ............................... 2-30, 2-32 Compass Operation ......................................... 2-32 Compass Variance .................................. 2-30, 2-32 Control of a Vehicle .......................................... 4-7 Coolant Engine Temperature Gage ............................ 3-34 Engine Temperature Warning Light ................. 3-33 Heater, Engine ............................................ 2-17 Low Warning Light ....................................... 3-34 Surge Tank Pressure Cap ............................. 5-31 Cooling System .............................................. 5-34 Cruise Control ........................................ 3-11, 3-14 Customer Assistance Information Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users ............................... 7-4 Customer Satisfaction Procedure ..................... 7-2 GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities ................................................ 7-5 Reporting Safety Defects to Saturn .................. 7-9 Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government .............................................. 7-9 Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government .................................... 7-8 Roadside Assistance Program ......................... 7-6 Service Publications Ordering Information ......... 7-9 Daytime Running Lamps .................................. 3-17 Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light ............. 3-40 Defensive Driving ............................................. 4-3 Defogging and Defrosting ................................. 3-22 Delayed Locking ............................................... 2-8 Dinghy Towing (All-Wheel Drive and Front-Wheel Drive with VTi Transaxle) ............ 4-46 Dinghy Towing (Manual or Five-Speed Automatic Transaxle*) ................................... 4-47 Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature ................. 3-74 Doing Your Own Service Work ........................... 5-4 Dolly Towing (All-Wheel Drive Vehicles) .............. 4-48 Dolly Towing (Front-Wheel Drive Vehicles) .......... 4-48 Dome Lamp ................................................... 3-19 Door Delayed Locking ........................................... 2-8 Locks .......................................................... 2-7 Power Door Locks ......................................... 2-8 Programmable Automatic Door Locks ............... 2-9 Rear Door Security Locks ............................... 2-9 Driver Position, Safety Belt ..................................... 1-15 Seat Height Adjuster ...................................... 1-3 Six-Way Power Seat ...................................... 1-3 Driver Behavior ................................................ 4-2 Driving At Night ..................................................... 4-30 City ........................................................... 4-35 Defensive ..................................................... 4-3 Drunken ....................................................... 4-4 Environment ................................................. 4-2 Driving (cont.) Freeway ..................................................... 4-36 Hill and Mountain Roads .............................. 4-38 In Rain and on Wet Roads ........................... 4-32 Winter ........................................................ 4-40 Driving Across an Incline .................................. 4-26 Driving Downhill .............................................. 4-25 Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow or Ice .................... 4-28 Driving in Water .............................................. 4-29 Driving on Grades ........................................... 4-60 Driving on Off-Road Hills ................................. 4-22 Driving on Snow or Ice .................................... 4-40 Driving Through Deep Standing Water ............... 4-34 Driving Through Flowing Water ......................... 4-34 Driving Uphill .................................................. 4-23 Driving with a Trailer ....................................... 4-58 DVD Rear Seat Entertainment System ................... 3-62 DVD Display Error Messages ........................... 3-71 DVD Distortion ............................................... 3-71 DVD Radio .................................................... 3-66 DVD Radio Error Messages ............................. 3-71 Electric Power Steering .................................... 4-12 Electrical System Add-On Equipment ...................................... 5-98 Fuses and Circuit Breakers ........................... 5-98 Power Windows and Other Power Options ...... 5-98 Windshield Wiper Fuses ............................... 5-98 Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs ................................................... 3-37 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter ......................................... 5-21 Battery ....................................................... 5-44 Change Engine Oil Light ............................... 3-39 Check and Service Engine Soon Light ............ 3-35 Coolant ...................................................... 5-28 Coolant Heater ............................................ 2-17 Coolant Temperature Gage ........................... 3-34 Coolant Temperature Warning Light ................ 3-33 Drive Belt Routing ....................................... 6-17 Engine Compartment Overview ...................... 5-12 Exhaust ..................................................... 2-27 Oil ............................................................. 5-15 Overheating ................................................ 5-31 Reduced Power Light ................................... 3-39 Starting ...................................................... 2-15 Fluid Automatic Transaxle ..................................... 5-25 Manual Transaxle ........................................ 5-27 Windshield Washer ...................................... 5-40 FM Stereo ..................................................... 3-74 Fog Lamps .................................................... 3-18 Folding Rear Seat ............................................ 1-8 Folding Seatback, Passenger ............................. 1-8 Following Distance .......................................... 4-59 ............................................................... 5-5 Fuel Additives ...................................................... 5-6 California Fuel .............................................. 5-6 Filling a Portable Fuel Container .................... 5-10 Filling Your Tank ........................................... 5-8 Fuels in Foreign Countries .............................. 5-7 Gage ......................................................... 3-41 Gasoline Octane ........................................... 5-5 Gasoline Speciﬁcations .................................. 5-5 Low Warning Light ....................................... 3-42 Fuses Fuses and Circuit Breakers ........................... 5-98 Windshield Wiper ......................................... 5-98 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Replacement ............... 5-21 Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing .................. 4-61 Engine Oil Additives ........................................ 5-19 Entry Lighting ................................................. 3-19 Environmental Concerns .................................. 4-19 Event Data Recorders (EDR) ............................. 7-7 Express-Down Window .................................... 2-12 Extender, Safety Belt ....................................... 1-28 Exterior Lamps ............................................... 3-17 Filter Engine Air Cleaner ...................................... 5-21 Finding a Category (CAT) Station ...................... 3-53 Finding a Station ............................ 3-44, 3-46, 3-51 Finish Care .................................................... 5-93 Finish Damage ............................................... 5-95 Five-Speed .................................................... 2-21 Five-Speed Automatic and VTi Variable .............. 2-18 Fixed Mast Antenna ........................................ 3-75 Flash-to-Pass ................................................... 3-8 Flat Tire ........................................................ 5-77 Flat Tire, Changing ......................................... 5-78 G Gage Engine Coolant Temperature ......................... 3-34 Fuel .......................................................... 3-41 Speedometer .............................................. 3-27 Tachometer ................................................. 3-27 Garment Hooks .............................................. 2-36 Gasoline Octane ........................................................ 5-5 Speciﬁcations ............................................... 5-5 Gate Ajar Light ............................................... 3-40 Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving ................ 4-20 Glove Box ..................................................... 2-36 GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities .................................................... 7-5 Hazard Warning Flashers ................................... 3-6 Head Restraints ............................................... 1-7 Headlamp Aiming ....................................................... 5-52 Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer .................... 3-8 Headlamps ...................................... 3-8, 3-17, 5-53 Bulb Replacement ....................................... 5-53 Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps ............. 5-56 Halogen Bulbs ............................................ 5-53 Sidemarker Lamps ....................................... 5-57 Headphones ................................................... 3-63 Heated Seats ................................................... 1-4 Heater ........................................................... 3-21 Height Adjuster, Driver Seat ............................... 1-3 Highway Hypnosis ........................................... 4-38 Hill and Mountain Roads .................................. 4-38 Hitches .......................................................... 4-58 Hood Checking Things Under ................................ 5-10 Release ..................................................... 5-11 Horn ............................................................... 3-6 How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank ................................................. 5-36 How to Add Fluid ............................................ 5-27 How to Check ........................................ 5-25, 5-69 How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter .............................................. 5-22 How to Use This Manual ...................................... ii How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................... 1-15 Hydraulic Clutch ............................................. 5-28 Hydroplaning .................................................. 4-33 If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine .......... 5-33 If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine ............... 5-32 If the Light Is Flashing ..................................... 3-36 If the Light Is On Steady ................................. 3-36 If You Are Caught in a Blizzard ......................... 4-42 If You Do Decide to Pull a Trailer ...................... 4-56 Ignition Positions ............................................. 2-14 Infants and Young Children, Restraints ............... 1-31 Inﬂation - Tire Pressure ................................... 5-69 Instrument Panel Cluster ....................................................... 3-26 Overview ..................................................... 3-4 Instrument Panel Brightness ............................. 3-19 Instrument Panel Fuse Block ............................ 5-99 Interior Lamps ................................................ 3-19 Jump Starting ................................................. 5-45 Keyless Entry System ....................................... 2-3 Keys ............................................................... 2-2 Lamps Exterior ...................................................... 3-17 Fog Lamps ................................................. 5-57 Interior ....................................................... 3-19 Lap-Shoulder Belt ................................... 1-15, 1-23 LATCH System Child Restraints ........................................... 1-40 Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System ................................... 1-42 Leaving Your Vehicle ....................................... 2-10 Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running ... 2-25 Liftgate .......................................................... 2-10 Liftgate Lamps ................................................ 3-19 Light Airbag Readiness ........................................ 3-28 Anti-Lock Brake System Warning ................... 3-31 Battery Warning .......................................... 3-29 Brake System Warning ................................. 3-30 Change Engine Oil ...................................... 3-39 Daytime Running Lamps Indicator .................. 3-40 Engine Coolant Temperature Warning ............. 3-33 Gate Ajar ................................................... 3-40 Low Coolant Warning ................................... 3-34 Low Fuel Warning ....................................... 3-42 Low Traction ............................................... 3-33 Malfunction Indicator .................................... 3-35 Oil Pressure ............................................... 3-38 Reduced Engine Power ................................ 3-39 Safety Belt Reminder ................................... 3-28 Security ..................................................... 3-39 Service Vehicle Soon ................................... 3-40 Light (cont.) TCS Warning Light ...................................... 3-32 Traction Control System (TCS) Warning .......... 3-32 ..................................................... 3-30 Up-Shift Load Floor Storage Box ................................... 2-37 Loading Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-49 Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving .......... 4-18 Lockout Protection .......................................... 2-10 Locks Delayed Locking ........................................... 2-8 Door ........................................................... 2-7 Leaving Your Vehicle .................................... 2-10 Lockout Protection ....................................... 2-10 Power Door .................................................. 2-8 Programmable Automatic Door Locks ............... 2-9 Rear Door Security Locks ............................... 2-9 Loss of Control ............................................... 4-16 Low Coolant Warning Light .............................. 3-34 Low Fuel Warning Light ................................... 3-42 Low Traction Light .......................................... 3-33 Lumbar Manual Controls ............................................ 1-4 Maintenance Schedule Additional Required Services ........................... 6-6 At Each Fuel Fill ......................................... 6-10 Maintenance Schedule (cont.) At Least Once a Month ................................ 6-11 At Least Once a Year .................................. 6-11 Introduction .................................................. 6-2 Maintenance Footnotes .................................. 6-9 Maintenance Record .................................... 6-18 Maintenance Requirements ............................. 6-2 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts ......... 6-16 Owner Checks and Services ......................... 6-10 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............. 6-14 Scheduled Maintenance ................................. 6-4 Using Your ................................................... 6-2 Your Vehicle and the Environment ................... 6-2 Maintenance When Trailer Towing ..................... 4-61 Making Turns ................................................. 4-59 Malfunction Indicator Light ................................ 3-35 Manual Lumbar Controls .................................... 1-4 Manual Seats ................................................... 1-2 Manual Transaxle ............................................ 2-15 Fluid .......................................................... 5-27 Operation ................................................... 2-21 Manual Windows ............................................ 2-11 Map Lamps .................................................... 3-20 Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle ............... 2-5 Mirrors Automatic Dimming Rearview with Compass and Temperature Display ........................... 2-31 Mirrors (cont.) Automatic Dimming Rearview with OnStar®, Compass and Temperature Display ............. 2-29 Manual Rearview Mirror ................................ 2-29 Outside Convex Mirror ................................. 2-34 Outside Manual Mirrors ................................ 2-33 Outside Power Mirrors .................................. 2-34 MyGMLink.com ................................................ 7-4 New Vehicle Break-In ...................................... 2-14 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts ............ 6-16 Odometer ...................................................... 3-27 Off-Road Recovery .......................................... 4-15 Oil Change Engine Oil Light ............................... 3-39 Engine ....................................................... 5-15 Pressure Light ............................................. 3-38 Older Children, Restraints ................................ 1-28 Online Owner Center ........................................ 7-4 OnStar® Personal Calling ................................. 2-36 OnStar® Services ............................................ 2-35 OnStar® System ............................................. 2-35 10 OnStar® Virtual Advisor .................................... 2-36 Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle Off Paved Roads .............................................. 4-18 Operation ...................................................... 3-21 Outlet Adjustment ............................................ 3-23 Outside Convex Mirror ............................................. 2-34 Manual Mirrors ............................................ 2-33 Power Mirrors ............................................. 2-34 Owner Checks and Services ............................. 6-10 Owner Publications ......................................... 7-10 Owners, Canadian ............................................... ii Park (P) Parking Shifting Into ................................................ 2-24 ............................................ 2-26 Shifting Out of Brake ........................................................ 2-23 Over Things That Burn ................................. 2-27 Parking on Hills .............................................. 4-60 Parking Your Vehicle ....................................... 2-26 Passenger Compartment Air Filter ..................... 3-23 Passing ................................................. 4-15, 4-59 Passlock® ...................................................... 2-13 Playing a CD ................................................. 3-47 Playing the Radio ........................... 3-43, 3-45, 3-50 Playing the Single CD Player ........................... 3-54 Playing the Six-Disc CD Player ......................... 3-56 Power ............................................................. 1-3 Accessory Outlets ........................................ 3-20 Door Locks .................................................. 2-8 Electrical System ......................................... 5-98 Reduced Engine Light .................................. 3-39 Windows .................................................... 2-12 Pretensioners, Safety Belt ................................ 1-28 Programmable Automatic Door Locks .................. 2-9 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ......... 1-14 Radio Data System (RDS) ............................... 3-49 Radio Personalization ...................................... 3-62 Radios .......................................................... 3-42 AM-FM Radio ............................................. 3-43 Care of Your CD and DVD Player .................. 3-75 Care of Your CDs and DVDs ........................ 3-75 Radio with CD .................................... 3-45, 3-49 Setting the Time for Radios with Radio Data Systems (RDS) ....................... 3-43 Setting the Time for Radios without Radio Data Systems (RDS) ....................... 3-43 Radios (cont.) Theft-Deterrent ............................................ 3-72 Understanding Reception .............................. 3-74 RDS Messages .............................................. 3-53 Rear Door Security Locks .................................. 2-9 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides ...................... 1-25 Rear Seat Entertainment System ....................... 3-62 Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts .................. 1-23 Rear Window Defogger .................................... 3-23 Rear Window Wiper/Washer ............................. 3-10 Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with Compass and Temperature Display ................ 2-31 Rearview Mirror, Automatic Dimming with OnStar®, Compass and Temperature Display .................................... 2-29 Rearview Mirrors ............................................. 2-29 Reclining Seatbacks .......................................... 1-5 Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ................. 6-14 Recovery Hook ............................................... 4-45 Recreational Vehicle Towing ............................. 4-46 Reduced Engine Power Light ............................ 3-39 Remote Control .............................................. 3-68 Remote Keyless Entry System ............................ 2-3 Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation ............ 2-4 Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire .................................................. 5-82 Removing the Spare Tire and Tools ................... 5-78 Removing the Wheel ....................................... 5-82 11 Replacement Bulbs ......................................... 5-60 Replacing Brake System Parts .......................... 5-44 Reporting Safety Defects Canadian Government ................................... 7-9 Saturn ......................................................... 7-9 United States Government .............................. 7-8 Restraint System Check Checking Your Restraint Systems ................... 1-58 Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash .......................................... 1-58 Restraint Systems Checking .................................................... 1-58 Replacing Parts ........................................... 1-58 Resynchronization ............................................. 2-6 Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts ...... 1-23 Roadside Assistance Program ....................................... 7-6 Rocking Your Vehicle To Get It Out ................... 4-44 Roof Rack System .......................................... 2-37 Routing, Engine Drive Belt ............................... 6-17 Running Your Engine While You Are Parked ....... 2-28 Safety Belt Pretensioners .............................................. 1-28 Reminder Light ............................................ 3-28 12 Safety Belts Care of ...................................................... 5-92 Driver Position ............................................ 1-15 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly ................ 1-15 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ..... 1-14 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults ......................... 1-25 Rear Seat Passengers ................................. 1-23 Right Front Passenger Position ...................... 1-23 Safety Belt Extender .................................... 1-28 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ................. 1-22 Safety Belts Are for Everyone ....................... 1-10 Safety Chains ................................................. 4-58 Safety Warnings and Symbols .............................. iii Scanning the Terrain ....................................... 4-21 Scheduled Maintenance ..................................... 6-4 Seatback, Folding Passenger ............................. 1-8 Seats Driver Seat Height Adjuster ............................. 1-3 Head Restraints ............................................ 1-7 Heated Seats ............................................... 1-4 Manual ........................................................ 1-2 Manual Lumbar ............................................. 1-4 Passenger Folding Seatback ........................... 1-8 Reclining Seatbacks ...................................... 1-5 Six-Way Power Driver .................................... 1-3 Split Folding Rear Seat .................................. 1-8 Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System ................... 1-42 Rear Seat Position ...................................... 1-42 Right Front Seat Position .............................. 1-45 Security Light ................................................. 3-39 Service ........................................................... 5-3 Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle .............................................. 5-5 Doing Your Own Work ................................... 5-4 Engine Soon Light ....................................... 3-35 Publications Ordering Information ..................... 7-9 Vehicle Soon Light ....................................... 3-40 Service Bulletins ............................................. 7-10 Service Engine Soon Light ............................... 3-35 Service Manuals ............................................... 7-9 Setting Preset Stations .................... 3-44, 3-46, 3-51 Setting the Time Radios with Radio Data Systems (RDS) ......... 3-43 Radios without Radio Data Systems (RDS) ..... 3-43 Setting the Tone (Bass/Treble) .......... 3-45, 3-47, 3-52 Sheet Metal Damage ....................................... 5-95 Shift Lock Release .......................................... 2-20 Shift Speeds .................................................. 2-22 Shifting Into Park (P) ....................................... 2-24 Shifting Out of Park (P) ................................... 2-26 Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster ........................... 1-17 Skidding ........................................................ 4-17 Snow Plow .................................................... 4-54 Some Other Rainy Weather Tips ....................... 4-34 Special Fabric Cleaning Problems ..................... 5-90 Speciﬁcations, Capacities ............................... 5-102 Speedometer .................................................. 3-27 Split Folding Rear Seat ..................................... 1-8 Stalling on an Incline ....................................... 4-28 Starting Your Engine ............................... 2-15, 2-16 Steering ........................................................ 4-12 Steering in Emergencies .................................. 4-14 Steering Tips .................................................. 4-13 Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel ................................. 3-7 Stereo RCA Jacks .......................................... 3-64 Storage Garment Hooks ........................................... 2-36 Storage Areas Center Console Storage Area ........................ 2-36 Glove Box .................................................. 2-36 Load Floor Storage Box ............................... 2-37 Roof Rack System ....................................... 2-37 Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools ............... 5-87 Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow ...................... 4-44 Sun Visors ..................................................... 2-12 Sunroof ......................................................... 2-38 Tachometer .................................................... 3-27 Taillamps Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps .... 5-59 13 TCS Warning Light .......................................... 3-32 Temperature and Compass Display .................... 2-29 Temperature Display ........................................ 2-31 Theft-Deterrent, Radio ..................................... 3-72 Theft-Deterrent System ...................................... 2-4 Theft-Deterrent Systems ................................... 2-13 Passlock® ................................................... 2-13 Tilt Wheel ........................................................ 3-7 Tire Sidewall Labeling ...................................... 5-63 Tire Size ....................................................... 5-65 Tire Terminology and Deﬁnitions ........................ 5-66 Tires ............................................................. 5-62 Buying New Tires ........................................ 5-72 Chains ....................................................... 5-76 Changing a Flat Tire .................................... 5-78 Compact Spare Tire ..................................... 5-88 If a Tire Goes Flat ....................................... 5-77 Inﬂation - Tire Pressure ................................ 5-69 Inspection and Rotation ................................ 5-70 Uniform Tire Quality Grading ......................... 5-73 Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance ................. 5-74 Wheel Replacement ..................................... 5-75 When It Is Time for New Tires ...................... 5-71 To Use the Engine Coolant Heater .................... 2-17 Top Strap ...................................................... 1-37 Top Strap Anchor Location ............................... 1-39 Torque Lock ................................................... 2-25 14 Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires .................. 4-58 Towing Loading Your Vehicle ................................... 4-49 Recreational Vehicle ..................................... 4-46 Towing a Trailer .......................................... 4-55 Your Vehicle ............................................... 4-46 Towing Your Vehicle From the Rear ................... 4-49 Traction Control System (TCS) .................................. 4-10 Control System Warning Light ....................... 3-32 Low Light ................................................... 3-33 Trailer Brakes ................................................. 4-58 Trailer Wiring ................................................. 4-62 Transaxle Fluid, Automatic ........................................... 5-25 Fluid, Manual .............................................. 5-27 Transaxle Operation, Automatic ......................... 2-18 Transaxle Operation, Manual ............................ 2-21 Transfer Case (3.5L Engine) ............................. 5-52 Transfer Case (Power Transfer Unit for 2.2L Engine) ............................................... 5-51 Transmission Up-Shift Light .............................................. 3-30 Traveling to Remote Areas ............................... 4-20 Turn and Lane-Change Signals .......................... 3-8 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever ........................... 3-7 Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer .................. 4-59 U Underhood Fuse Block ................................... 5-100 Understanding Radio Reception ........................ 3-74 Uniform Tire Quality Grading ............................ 5-73 Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a Power Loss ................................................ 3-73 Up-Shift Light ................................................. 3-30 Used Replacement Wheels .............................. 5-76 Using an MP3 CD .......................................... 3-59 Using Cleaner on Fabric .................................. 5-90 Vehicle Control ........................................................ 4-7 Damage Warnings ........................................... iv Design ......................................................... 4-2 Loading ...................................................... 4-49 Parking Your ............................................... 2-26 Service Soon Light ...................................... 3-40 Symbols ......................................................... iv Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Recorders .................................................... 7-7 Vehicle Identiﬁcation Number (VIN) ............................................. 5-97 Service Parts Identiﬁcation Label ................... 5-97 Vehicle Storage .............................................. 5-45 Vehicles Equipped with VTi Variable Transmission ............................................... 4-45 Vehicles with Manual Door Locks ...................... 2-11 Vehicles with Power Door Locks ....................... 2-11 Video Screen ................................................. 3-65 Visor Vanity Mirrors ......................................... 2-12 Visors ........................................................... 2-12 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators ................ 3-25 Warnings Hazard Warning Flashers ............................... 3-6 Safety and Symbols ......................................... iii Vehicle Damage .............................................. iv Washing Your Vehicle ...................................... 5-92 Weight of the Trailer ........................................ 4-56 Weight of the Trailer Tongue ............................. 4-57 What Kind of Engine Oil to Use ........................ 5-16 What to Do with Used Oil ................................ 5-21 What to Use .......................................... 5-29, 5-40 Wheels Alignment and Tire Balance .......................... 5-74 Replacement ............................................... 5-75 When to Add Engine Oil .................................. 5-16 When to Change Engine Oil (GM Oil Life System) ..................................................... 5-20 When to Check .............................................. 5-69 15 When to Check and Change ............................ 5-25 When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter ..... 5-21 When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill ......................................... 4-61 Where to Put the Restraint ............................... 1-36 Why Safety Belts Work .................................... 1-11 Window Lock Out ........................................... 2-12 Windows ....................................................... 2-11 Manual ...................................................... 2-11 Power ........................................................ 2-12 Windshield Washer ......................................... 3-10 Fluid .......................................................... 5-40 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ...................................... 5-60 Fuses ........................................................ 5-98 Windshield Wiper Lever ..................................... 3-9 Winter Driving ................................................ 4-40 XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System ................ 3-75 XM™ Satellite Radio Service .................... 3-50, 3-74 Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle ............. 4-2 Your Vehicle and the Environment ....................... 6-2 16 2004 Saturn VUE Owner Manual M Front Seats Rear Seats Safety Belts Child Restraints Airbag Systems Restraint System Check Seats and Restraint Systems ........................... 1-1 ............................................... 1-2 ............................................... 1-8 ............................................. 1-10 ....................................... 1-28 ........................................ 1-48 ............................ 1-58 Features and Controls ..................................... 2-1 ........................................................ 2-2 ....................................... 2-7 ................................................. 2-11 ............................ 2-13 ........... 2-14 .................................................... 2-29 ...................................... 2-35 ......................................... 2-36 .................................................. 2-38 Instrument Panel ............................................. 3-1 .......................... 3-4 ...................................... 3-21 ........ 3-25 ....................................... 3-42 Keys Doors and Locks Windows Theft-Deterrent Systems Starting and Operating Your Vehicle Mirrors OnStar® System Storage Areas Sunroof Instrument Panel Overview Climate Controls Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators Audio System(s) Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle Towing Driving Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-1 ..... 4-2 ................................................... 4-46 Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1 Service ..................................................... 5-3 Fuel ......................................................... 5-5 Checking Things Under the Hood ............... 5-10 All-Wheel Drive ........................................ 5-51 Headlamp Aiming ..................................... 5-52 Bulb Replacement .................................... 5-53 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ......... 5-60 Tires ...................................................... 5-62 Appearance Care ..................................... 5-89 Vehicle Identiﬁcation ................................. 5-97 Electrical System ...................................... 5-98 Capacities and Speciﬁcations ................... 5-102 Maintenance Schedule ..................................... 6-1 ................................ 6-2 Customer Assistance and Information .............. 7-1 ........... 7-2 ............................ 7-8 Index ................................................................ 1 Customer Assistance and Information Reporting Safety Defects Maintenance Schedule SATURN, the SATURN Emblem, and the name VUE are registered trademarks of Saturn Corporation. GENERAL MOTORS and GM are registered trademarks of General Motors Corportation. This manual includes the latest information at the time it was printed. We reserve the right to make changes after that time without further notice. Keep this manual in the vehicle so it will be there if it is needed. If the vehicle is sold, leave this manual in the vehicle. Canadian Owners A French language copy of this manual can be obtained from your dealer or from: Helm, Incorporated P.O. Box 07130 Detroit, MI 48207 About Driving Your Vehicle As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or an accident. Be sure to read the “on-pavement” and “off-road” driving guidelines in this manual. See Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle on page 4-2 and Operating Your All-Wheel-Drive Vehicle Off Paved Roads on page 4-18. How to Use This Manual Many people read the owner manual from beginning to end when they ﬁrst receive their new vehicle. If this is done, it can help you learn about the features and controls for the vehicle. Pictures and words work together in the owner manual to explain things. Litho in U.S.A. Part No. 04VUE B Second Edition ©2004 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved. ii Index A good place to quickly locate information about the vehicle is the Index in the back of the manual. It is an alphabetical list of what is in the manual and the page number where it can be found. Safety Warnings and Symbols There are a number of safety cautions in this book. We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell about things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the warning. {CAUTION: These mean there is something that could hurt you or other people. In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is. Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the hazard. Please read these cautions. If you do not, you or others could be hurt. You will also ﬁnd a circle with a slash through it in this book. This safety symbol means “Do Not,” “Do Not do this” or “Do Not let this happen.” iii Vehicle Damage Warnings Also, in this manual you will ﬁnd these notices: Notice: These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle. A notice tells about something that can damage the vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered by your vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. But the notice will tell what to do to help avoid the damage. When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different words. There are also warning labels on the vehicle. They use the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE. Vehicle Symbols The vehicle has components and labels that use symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with the text describing the operation or information relating to a speciﬁc component, control, message, gage, or indicator. If you need help ﬁguring out a speciﬁc name of a component, gage, or indicator, reference the following topics: (cid:127) Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1 Features and Controls in Section 2 Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3 (cid:127) Climate Controls in Section 3 (cid:127) Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators in Section 3 (cid:127) Audio System(s) in Section 3 (cid:127) Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5 iv (cid:127) (cid:127) These are some examples of symbols that may be found on the vehicle: ✍ NOTES vi Section 1 Seats and Restraint Systems Front Seats ......................................................1-2 Manual Seats ................................................1-2 Driver Seat Height Adjuster ..............................1-3 Six-Way Power Driver Seat ..............................1-3 Manual Lumbar ..............................................1-4 Heated Seats .................................................1-4 Reclining Seatbacks ........................................1-5 Head Restraints .............................................1-7 Passenger Folding Seatback ............................1-8 Rear Seats .......................................................1-8 Split Folding Rear Seat ...................................1-8 Safety Belts ...................................................1-10 Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone ................1-10 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ......1-14 How to Wear Safety Belts Properly .................1-15 Driver Position ..............................................1-15 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ..................1-22 Right Front Passenger Position .......................1-23 Rear Seat Passengers ..................................1-23 Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults ..........................1-25 Safety Belt Pretensioners ...............................1-28 Safety Belt Extender .....................................1-28 Child Restraints .............................................1-28 Older Children ..............................................1-28 Infants and Young Children ............................1-31 Child Restraint Systems .................................1-34 Where to Put the Restraint .............................1-36 Top Strap ....................................................1-37 Top Strap Anchor Location .............................1-39 Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) ...........................1-40 Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System ....................................1-42 Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position ....................................1-42 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position ....................................1-45 Airbag Systems ..............................................1-48 Where Are the Airbags? ................................1-50 When Should an Airbag Inﬂate? .....................1-53 What Makes an Airbag Inﬂate? .......................1-54 How Does an Airbag Restrain? .......................1-54 What Will You See After an Airbag Inﬂates? .....1-55 Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ...........1-56 Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle ....................................................1-57 Restraint System Check ..................................1-58 Checking Your Restraint Systems ...................1-58 Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash ............................................1-58 1-1 Front Seats Manual Seats {CAUTION: You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle is moving. The sudden movement could startle and confuse you, or make you push a pedal when you do not want to. Adjust the driver’s seat only when the vehicle is not moving. 1-2 Lift the bar located under the front of the seat to unlock it. Slide the seat to where you want it and release the bar. Try to move the seat with your body to be sure the seat is locked in place. Driver Seat Height Adjuster Six-Way Power Driver Seat If your vehicle has a driver’s seat height adjuster, it is located on the outboard side of the seat. To raise the seat, ratchet the lever upward until the seat is at the desired height. To lower the seat, ratchet the lever downward until the seat is at the desired height. If your vehicle has this feature, the control is located on the outboard side of the driver’s seat. To adjust the seat do any of the following: (cid:127) Move the seat forward or rearward by moving the control forward or rearward. (cid:127) Raise or lower the seat by sliding the control up or down. (cid:127) Raise or lower the front portion of the seat by sliding the front of the control up or down. (cid:127) Raise or lower the rear portion of the seat by sliding the rear of the control up or down. 1-3 Manual Lumbar Heated Seats If your vehicle has this feature, the knob is located on the inboard side of the driver’s seatback. Turn the knob forward or rearward to increase or decrease the lumbar support. 1-4 Your vehicle may have heated seats. The switches are located below the climate control system. Press 1 to warm the seat. Press 2 for a higher temperature setting. To turn this feature off, move the switch to the center position. Reclining Seatbacks To adjust the seatback, lift the lever on the outboard side of the seat and move the seatback to where you want it. Then release the lever to lock the seatback in place. 1-5 {CAUTION: Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle is in motion can be dangerous. Even if you buckle up, your safety belts can not do their job when you are reclined like this. The shoulder belt can not do its job because it will not be against your body. Instead, it will be in front of you. In a crash you could go into it, receiving neck or other injuries. The lap belt can not do its job either. In a crash the belt could go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at your pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. For proper protection when the vehicle is in motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit well back in the seat and wear your safety belt properly. But don’t have a seatback reclined if your vehicle is moving. 1-6 Head Restraints Press the button on the side of the head restraint to adjust it. Adjust your head restraint so that the top of the restraint is closest to the top of your head. This position reduces the chance of a neck injury in a crash. 1-7 Passenger Folding Seatback The front passenger’s seatback folds ﬂat. To fold the seatback, do the following: 1. Lift the bar under the seat to unlock it. 2. Slide the seat as far back as it will go and release the bar. Try to move the seat with your body to make sure it is locked into place. 3. Lift the recliner lever, located on the outside of the seat, and fold the seat forward until the seatback disengages. Continue to fold the seat forward until it locks in the folded position. Pull up on the seatback to be sure it is locked. {CAUTION: If you fold the seatback forward to carry longer objects, such as skis, be sure any such cargo is not near an airbag. In a crash, an inﬂating airbag might force that object toward a person. This could cause severe injury or even death. Secure objects away from the area in which an airbag would inﬂate. For more information, see “Where Are the airbags?” and “Loading Your Vehicle,” in the Index. Rear Seats Split Folding Rear Seat The rear split bench seatbacks have three available positions — folded forward, upright, or partially reclined. Each of the rear seatbacks can be moved to any of the three positions independent of the other seatback position. 1-8 {CAUTION: If the seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always press rearward on the seatback to be sure it is locked. {CAUTION: A safety belt that is improperly routed, not properly attached, or twisted will not provide the protection needed in a crash. The person wearing the belt could be seriously injured. After raising the rear seatback, always check to be sure that the safety belts are properly routed and attached, and are not twisted. Prior to lowering the seatback, ensure all three of the seatbelts are unbuckled and the front seats are not reclined. Lift the lever on the upper back corner of the seatback to move it to the desired position and then release it. Push and pull on the seatback to be sure it is locked in place. 1-9 Safety Belts Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone This part of the manual tells you how to use safety belts properly. It also tells you some things you should not do with safety belts. {CAUTION: Do not let anyone ride where he or she can not wear a safety belt properly. If you are in a crash and you are not wearing a safety belt, your injuries can be much worse. You can hit things inside the vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be seriously injured or killed. In the same crash, you might not be, if you are buckled up. Always fasten your safety belt, and check that your passengers’ belts are fastened properly too. {CAUTION: It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed. Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a safety belt properly. Your vehicle has a light that comes on as a reminder to buckle up. See Safety Belt Reminder Light on page 3-28. In most states and in all Canadian provinces, the law says to wear safety belts. Here is why: They work. 1-10 Why Safety Belts Work When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it goes. You never know if you will be in a crash. If you do have a crash, you do not know if it will be a bad one. A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so serious that even buckled up, a person would not survive. But most crashes are in between. In many of them, people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt or killed. After more than 30 years of safety belts in vehicles, the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does matter...a lot! Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it is just a seat on wheels. 1-11 Put someone on it. Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider does not stop. 1-12 The person keeps going until stopped by something. In a real vehicle, it could be the windshield... or the instrument panel... 1-13 Questions and Answers About Safety Belts Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident if I am wearing a safety belt? A: You could be — whether you are wearing a safety belt or not. But you can unbuckle a safety belt, even if you are upside down. And your chance of being conscious during and after an accident, so you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if you are belted. Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why should I have to wear safety belts? A: Airbags are in many vehicles today and will be in most of them in the future. But they are supplemental systems only; so they work with safety belts — not instead of them. Every airbag system ever offered for sale has required the use of safety belts. Even if you are in a vehicle that has airbags, you still have to buckle up to get the most protection. That is true not only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and other collisions. or the safety belts! With safety belts, you slow down as the vehicle does. You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance, and your strongest bones take the forces. That is why safety belts make such good sense. 1-14 First, you will want to know which restraint systems your vehicle has. We will start with the driver position. Driver Position This part describes the driver’s restraint system. Lap-Shoulder Belt The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here is how to wear it properly. 1. Close and lock the door. 2. Adjust the seat so you can sit up straight. To see how, see “Seats” in the Index. Q: If I am a good driver, and I never drive far from home, why should I wear safety belts? A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you are in an accident — even one that is not your fault — you and your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver does not protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers. Most accidents occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home. And the greatest number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than 40 mph (65 km/h). Safety belts are for everyone. How to Wear Safety Belts Properly This part is only for people of adult size. Be aware that there are special things to know about safety belts and children. And there are different rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be riding in your vehicle, see Older Children on page 1-28 or Infants and Young Children on page 1-31. Follow those rules for everyone’s protection. 1-15 4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-28. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. 3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted. The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly. 1-16 5. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder belt. Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt adjuster to the height that is right for you. Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the belt is centered on your shoulder. The belt should be away from your face and neck, but not falling off your shoulder. The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you would be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. The safety belt locks if there is a sudden stop or crash, or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor. To move it down, squeeze the release button and move the height adjuster to the desired position. You can move the adjuster up just by pushing up on the shoulder belt guide. After you move the adjuster to where you want it, try to move it down without squeezing the release button to make sure it has locked into position. 1-17 Q: What’s wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should ﬁt against your body. A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It will not give nearly as much protection this way. 1-18 Q: What’s wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if your belt is buckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash, the belt would go up over your abdomen. The belt forces would be there, not at the pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal injuries. Always buckle your belt into the buckle nearest you. A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place. 1-19 Q: What’s wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured if you wear the shoulder belt under your arm. In a crash, your body would move too far forward, which would increase the chance of head and neck injury. Also, the belt would apply too much force to the ribs, which are not as strong as shoulder bones. You could also severely injure internal organs like your liver or spleen. A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should be worn over the shoulder at all times. 1-20 Q: What’s wrong with this? {CAUTION: You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In a crash, you would not have the full width of the belt to spread impact forces. If a belt is twisted, make it straight so it can work properly, or ask your retailer to ﬁx it. A: The belt is twisted across the body. 1-21 Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnant women. Like all occupants, they are more likely to be seriously injured if they do not wear safety belts. To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. The belt should go back out of the way. Before you close the door, be sure the belt is out of the way. If you slam the door on it, you can damage both the belt and your vehicle. 1-22 A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion should be worn as low as possible, below the rounding, throughout the pregnancy. The best way to protect the fetus is to protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it is more likely that the fetus will not be hurt in a crash. For pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly. Right Front Passenger Position To learn how to wear the right front passenger’s safety belt properly, see Driver Position on page 1-15. The right front passenger’s safety belt works the same way as the driver’s safety belt — except for one thing. If you ever pull the shoulder portion of the belt out all the way, you will engage the child restraint locking feature. If this happens, just let the belt go back all the way and start again. Rear Seat Passengers It is very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people in the rear seat are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing safety belts. Rear passengers who are not safety belted can be thrown out of the vehicle in a crash. And they can strike others in the vehicle who are wearing safety belts. Lap-Shoulder Belt All rear seating positions have lap-shoulder belts. Here is how to wear one properly. 1. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Do not let it get twisted. The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across you very quickly. If this happens, let the belt go back slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across you more slowly. 1-23 2. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks. If the belt stops before it reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate and keep pulling until you can buckle it. Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt is not long enough, see Safety Belt Extender on page 1-28. Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to. The lap part of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash this applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you would be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. 3. To make the lap part tight, pull down on the buckle end of the belt as you pull up on the shoulder part. 1-24 The safety belt locks if there is a sudden stop or a crash, or if you pull the belt very quickly out of the retractor. {CAUTION: You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash, you would move forward too much, which could increase injury. The shoulder belt should ﬁt against your body. Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults If you would like to have rear shoulder belt comfort guides installed on your vehicle, contact your retailer. Rear shoulder belt comfort guides will provide added safety belt comfort for older children who have outgrown booster seats and for small adults. When installed on a shoulder belt, the comfort guide better positions the belt away from the neck and head. There is one guide available for each outside passenger position in the rear seat. To provide added safety belt comfort for children who have outgrown child restraints and booster seats and for smaller adults, the comfort guides may be installed on the shoulder belts. Here is how to install a comfort guide and use the safety belt: To unlatch the belt, just push the button on the buckle. 1-25 1. Pull the elastic cord out from between the edge of the seatback and the interior body to remove the guide from its storage clip. 2. Slide the guide under and past the belt. The elastic cord must be under the belt. Then, place the guide over the belt, and insert the two edges of the belt into the slots of the guide. 1-26 3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies ﬂat. The elastic cord must be under the belt and the guide on top. 4. Buckle, position and release the safety belt as described in Rear Seat Passengers on page 1-23. Make sure that the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder. To remove and store the comfort guides, squeeze the belt edges together so that you can take them out of the guides. Pull the guide upward to expose its storage clip, and then slide the guide onto the clip. Turn the guide and clip inward and slide them in between the seatback and the interior body, leaving only the loop of elastic cord exposed. 1-27 Child Restraints Older Children Older children who have outgrown booster seats should wear the vehicle’s safety belts. Safety Belt Pretensioners Your vehicle has safety belt pretensioners. Although you cannot see them, they are located on the retractor part of the safety belts for the driver and right front passenger. They help the safety belts reduce a person’s forward movement in a moderate to severe frontal or near frontal crash. Pretensioners work only once. If they activate in a crash, you will need to get new ones, and probably other new parts for your safety belt system. See Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash on page 1-58. Safety Belt Extender If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you should use it. But if a safety belt is not long enough, your retailer will order you an extender. It is free. When you go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender will be long enough for you. To help avoid personal injury, do not let someone else use it, and use it only for the seat it is made to ﬁt. The extender has been designed for adults. Never use it for securing child seats. To wear it, just attach it to the regular safety belt. For more information see the instruction sheet that comes with the extender. 1-28 Q: What is the proper way to wear safety belts? A: If possible, an older child should wear a lap-shoulder belt and get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder belt should not cross the face or neck. The lap belt should ﬁt snugly below the hips, just touching the top of the thighs. It should never be worn over the abdomen, which could cause severe or even fatal internal injuries in a crash. Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear seat. In a crash, children who are not buckled up can strike other people who are buckled up, or can be thrown out of the vehicle. Older children need to use safety belts properly. {CAUTION: Never do this. Here two children are wearing the same belt. The belt can not properly spread the impact forces. In a crash, the two children can be crushed together and seriously injured. A belt must be used by only one person at a time. 1-29 Q: What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt, but the child is so small that the shoulder belt is very close to the child’s face or neck? A: If the child is sitting in a seat next to a window, move the child toward the center of the vehicle. If the child is sitting in the center rear seat passenger position, move the child toward the safety belt buckle. In either case, be sure that the shoulder belt still is on the child’s shoulder, so that in a crash the child’s upper body would have the restraint that belts provide. If the child is so small that the shoulder belt is still very close to the child’s face or neck, you might want to place the child in a seat that has a lap belt, if your vehicle has one. 1-30 {CAUTION: Never do this. Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a lap-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind the child. If the child wears the belt in this way, in a crash the child might slide under the belt. The belt’s force would then be applied right on the child’s abdomen. That could cause serious or fatal injuries. Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching the child’s thighs. This applies belt force to the child’s pelvic bones in a crash. Infants and Young Children Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes infants and all other children. Neither the distance traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact, the law in every state in the United States and in every Canadian province says children up to some age must be restrained while in a vehicle. Every time infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should have the protection provided by appropriate restraints. Young children should not use the vehicle’s adult safety belts alone, unless there is no other choice. Instead, they need to use a child restraint. {CAUTION: People should never hold a baby in their arms while riding in a vehicle. A baby does not weigh much — until a crash. During a crash a baby will become so heavy it is not possible to hold it. For example, in a crash at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12 lb (5.5 kg) baby will suddenly become a 240 lb (110 kg) force on a person’s arms. A baby should be secured in an appropriate restraint. 1-31 {CAUTION: Children who are up against, or very close to, any airbag when it inﬂates can be seriously injured or killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer protection for adults and older children, but not for young children and infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor its airbag system is designed for them. Young children and infants need the protection that a child restraint system can provide. Q: What are the different types of add-on child restraints? A: Add-on child restraints, which are purchased by the vehicle’s owner, are available in four basic types. Selection of a particular restraint should take into consideration not only the child’s weight, height and age but also whether or not the restraint will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which it will be used. 1-32 {CAUTION: The body structure of a young child is quite unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom the safety belts are designed. A young child’s hip bones are still so small that the vehicle’s regular safety belt may not remain low on the hip bones, as it should. Instead, it may settle up around the child’s abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply force on a body area that is unprotected by any bony structure. This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young children always should be secured in appropriate child restraints. For most basic types of child restraints, there are many different models available. When purchasing a child restraint, be sure it is designed to be used in a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. The restraint manufacturer’s instructions that come with the restraint state the weight and height limitations for a particular child restraint. In addition, there are many kinds of restraints available for children with special needs. {CAUTION: Newborn infants need complete support, including support for the head and neck. This is necessary because a newborn infant’s neck is weak and its head weighs so much compared with the rest of its body. In a crash, an infant in a rear-facing seat settles into the restraint, so the crash forces can be distributed across the strongest part of an infant’s body, the back and shoulders. Infants always should be secured in appropriate infant restraints. 1-33 Child Restraint Systems An infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in a motor vehicle, is an infant restraint system designed to restrain or position a child on a continuous ﬂat surface. Make sure that the infant’s head rests toward the center of the vehicle. A rear-facing infant seat (B) provides restraint with the seating surface against the back of the infant. The harness system holds the infant in place and, in a crash, acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint. 1-34 A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint for the child’s body with the harness and also sometimes with surfaces such as T-shaped or shelf-like shields. A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to improve the ﬁt of the vehicle’s safety belt system. Some booster seats have a shoulder belt positioner, and some high-back booster seats have a ﬁve-point harness. A booster seat can also help a child to see out the window. 1-35 Q: How do child restraints work? A: A child restraint system is any device designed for use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position children. A built-in child restraint system is a permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add-on child restraint system is a portable one, which is purchased by the vehicle’s owner. For many years, add-on child restraints have used the adult belt system in the vehicle. To help reduce the chance of injury, the child also has to be secured within the restraint. The vehicle’s belt system secures the add-on child restraint in the vehicle, and the add-on child restraint’s harness system holds the child in place within the restraint. One system, the three-point harness, has straps that come down over each of the infant’s shoulders and buckle together at the crotch. The ﬁve-point harness system has two shoulder straps, two hip straps and a crotch strap. A shield may take the place of hip straps. A T-shaped shield has shoulder straps that are attached to a ﬂat pad which rests low against the child’s body. A shelf- or armrest-type shield has straps that are attached to a wide, shelf-like shield that swings up or to the side. When choosing a child restraint, be sure the child restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, it will have a label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle safety standards. Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may ﬁnd these instructions on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system or the LATCH system in your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury. When securing an add-on child restraint, refer to the instructions that come with the restraint which may be on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to this manual. The child restraint instructions are important, so if they are not available, obtain a replacement copy from the manufacturer. Where to Put the Restraint Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We, therefore, recommend that child restraints be secured in a rear seat, including an infant riding in a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding in a forward-facing child seat and an older child riding in a booster seat. Never put a rear-facing child restraint in the front passenger seat. Here is why: 1-36 Top Strap Some child restraints have a top strap, or “top tether.” It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision. For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored to the vehicle. Some top strap-equipped child restraints are designed for use with or without the top strap being anchored. Others require the top strap always to be anchored. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for your child restraint. If yours requires that the top strap be anchored, do not use the restraint unless it is anchored properly. If the child restraint does not have a top strap, one can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available. {CAUTION: A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger’s airbag inﬂates. This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be very close to the inﬂating airbag. Always secure a rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat. If you need to secure a forward-facing child restraint in the right front seat, always move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat. Wherever you install it, be sure to secure the child restraint properly. Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint in your vehicle — even when no child is in it. 1-37 {CAUTION: Each top tether bracket is designed to anchor only one child restraint. Attaching more than one child restraint to a single bracket could cause the anchor to come loose or even break during a crash. A child or others could be injured if this happens. To help prevent injury to people and damage to your vehicle, attach only one child restraint per bracket. Once you have the top strap anchored, you will be ready to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions say. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be anchored. In the United States, some child restraints also have a top strap. If your child restraint has a top strap, it should be anchored. Anchor the top strap to an anchor point speciﬁed in Top Strap Anchor Location on page 1-39. Be sure to use an anchor point located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed. 1-38 Top Strap Anchor Location Your vehicle has one of the following top strap anchors already installed for the rear seating positions. Do not secure a child restraint in the right front passenger’s position if a national or local law requires that the top strap be anchored, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top strap must be anchored. There is no place to anchor the top strap in this position. Anchor the top strap to one of the anchor points shown in the illustration. Be sure to use an anchor point located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed. If you have an adjustable head restraint, raise the head restraint and route the top strap under it. {CAUTION: Each top tether bracket is designed to anchor only one child restraint. Attaching more than one child restraint to a single bracket could cause the anchor to come loose or even break during a crash. A child or others could be injured if this happens. To help prevent injury to people and damage to your vehicle, attach only one child restraint per bracket. 1-39 Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System) Your vehicle has the LATCH system. You will ﬁnd

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2004 Saturn VUE Owners Manual