Saturn Ion (2007 year). Manual

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CAUTION:

If the airbag readiness light in the
instrument panel cluster ever comes on
and stays on, it means that something
may be wrong with the airbag system. If
this ever happens, have the vehicle
serviced promptly, because an adult-size
person sitting in the right front
passenger’s seat may not have the
protection of the frontal airbag. See
Airbag Readiness Light on page 167 for
more on this, including important safety
information.

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A thick layer of additional material such as a
blanket, or aftermarket equipment such as seat
covers, seat heaters, and seat massagers,
can affect how well the passenger sensing system
operates. Remove any additional material from
the seat cushion before reinstalling or securing the
child restraint and before a small occupant,
including a small adult, sits in the right front
passenger position. You may want to consider not
using seat covers or other aftermarket equipment
if your vehicle has the passenger sensing
system. See Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 83 for more
information about modifications that can affect how
the system operates.

The passenger sensing system may suppress the
airbag deployment when liquid is soaked into
the seat. If this happens, the off indicator in the
passenger airbag status indicator and the
airbag readiness light on the instrument panel will
be lit. The system should resume normal
operation after the seat is allowed to dry. If the
system operates incorrectly after the seat
has dried, have your retailer check the system.

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CAUTION:

Stowing of articles under the passenger’s
seat or between the passenger’s seat
cushion and seatback may interfere with
the proper operation of the passenger
sensing system.

Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle

Airbags affect how your vehicle should be
serviced. There are parts of the airbag system in
several places around your vehicle. You do
not want the system to inflate while someone is
working on your vehicle. Your retailer and the
service manual have information about servicing
your vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase a
service manual, see Service Publications
Ordering Information on page 425.

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CAUTION:

For up to 10 seconds, after the ignition is
turned off and the battery is disconnected,
an airbag can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you are
close to an airbag when it inflates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are probably part
of the airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and make sure
the person performing work for you is
qualified to do so.

The airbag system does not need regular
maintenance.

Adding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle

Is there anything I might add to the front
or sides of the vehicle that could keep the
airbags from working properly?

Yes. If you add things that change your
vehicle’s frame, bumper system, height,
front end or side sheet metal, they may keep
the airbag system from working properly.
Also, the airbag system may not work properly
if you relocate any of the airbag sensors. If
you have any questions about this, you should
contact Customer Assistance before you
modify your vehicle. The phone numbers and
addresses for Customer Assistance are in
Step Two of the Customer Satisfaction
Procedure in this manual. See Customer
Satisfaction Procedure on page 410.

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Because I have a disability, I have to get
my vehicle modified. How can I find out
whether this will affect my airbag system?

Changing or moving any parts of the
front seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing
and diagnostic module, steering wheel,
instrument panel, ceiling headliner, ceiling and
pillar garnish trim, roof-mounted airbag
modules, or airbag wiring can affect the
operation of the airbag system. If you have
questions, call Customer Assistance. The
phone numbers and addresses for Customer
Assistance are in Step Two of the Customer
Satisfaction Procedure in this manual.
See Customer Satisfaction Procedure on
page 410.

Restraint System Check

Checking the Restraint Systems

Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder
light and all your belts, buckles, latch plates,
retractors and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety
belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have
it repaired. See Care of Safety Belts on page 369
for more information.

Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in
a crash. They can rip apart under impact forces.
If a belt is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.

Also look for any opened or broken airbag
covers, and have them repaired or replaced. The
airbag system does not need regular maintenance.

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Notice: If you damage the covering for the
driver’s or the right front passenger’s airbag,
or the roof-mounted side impact airbag
covering (if equipped) on the garnish trim and
ceiling near the side windows, the airbag
may not work properly. You may have to
replace the airbag module in the steering
wheel, both the airbag module and the
instrument panel for the right front passenger’s
airbag, or the side impact airbag module,
garnish trim and the ceiling covering for
roof-mounted side impact airbags (if equipped).
Do not open or break the airbag coverings.

Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash

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CAUTION:

A crash can damage the restraint systems
in your vehicle. A damaged restraint
system may not properly protect the
person using it, resulting in serious injury
or even death in a crash. To help make
sure your restraint systems are working
properly after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as possible.

If you have had a crash, do you need new belts or
LATCH system parts?

After a very minor collision, nothing may be
necessary. But if the belts were stretched, as they
would be if worn during a more severe crash,
then you need new parts.

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If the LATCH system was being used during a
more severe crash, you may need new LATCH
system parts.

If belts are cut or damaged, replace them.
Collision damage also may mean you will need to
have LATCH system, safety belt or seat parts
repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs may
be necessary even if the belt or LATCH system
was not being used at the time of the collision.

If your seat adjuster will not work after a crash, the
special part of the safety belt that goes through
the seat to the adjuster may need to be replaced.

If an airbag inflates, you will need to replace
airbag system parts. See the part about the airbag
system earlier in this manual.

If the frontal airbags inflate you will need to
replace the driver’s and right front passengers
safety belt retractor assembly. Be sure to do so.
Then the new retractor assembly will be there
to help protect you in a collision.

After a crash you may need to replace the driver
and front passenger’s safety belt retractor
assemblies, even if the frontal airbags have not
deployed. The driver and front passenger’s safety
belt retractor assemblies contain the safety belt
pretensioners. Have your safety belt pretensioners
checked if your vehicle has been in a collision,
or if your airbag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle or while you are driving. See
Airbag Readiness Light on page 167.

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Keys

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CAUTION:

Leaving children in a vehicle with the
ignition key is dangerous for many
reasons, children or others could be badly
injured or even killed. They could operate
the power windows or other controls or
even make the vehicle move. The
windows will function with the keys in the
ignition and they could be seriously
injured or killed if caught in the path of a
closing window. Do not leave the keys in
a vehicle with children.

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This key operates the
ignition and all of the
lock cylinders on
the vehicle.

Notice: If you ever lock your keys in your
vehicle, you may have to damage the vehicle
to get in. Be sure you have spare keys.

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System

Your vehicle may have a Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) system. The RKE system operates on
a radio frequency subject to Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) Rules and
with Industry Canada.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:

1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference

received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.

This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:

1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference

received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.

Changes or modifications to this system by other
than an authorized service facility could void
authorization to use this equipment.

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At times you may notice a decrease in range. This
is normal for any remote keyless entry system.
If the transmitter does not work or if you have to
stand closer to your vehicle for the transmitter
to work, try this:

•

Check the distance. You may be too far from
your vehicle. You may need to stand closer
during rainy or snowy weather.

•

Check the location. Other vehicles or objects
may be blocking the signal. Take a few steps
to the left or right, hold the transmitter
higher, and try again.

•

Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See “Battery Replacement”
under Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System
Operation on page 91.

•

If you are still having trouble, see your retailer
or a qualified technician for service.

Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System Operation

With this feature, you can lock and unlock the
doors or the trunk from about 26 feet (8 m) away
using the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter supplied with your vehicle.

(Lock): Press this

symbol on the RKE
transmitter to lock the
doors. This also
arms the theft-deterrent
system. See Content
Theft-Deterrent on
page 103.

Your vehicle can be programmed so that the
parking lamps will flash and/or the horn will sound
when you lock the doors with the RKE transmitter.
See your retailer for more information on
programming this feature.

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(Unlock): Press this symbol on the RKE

transmitter to unlock the driver’s door. This also
disarms the theft-deterrent system. See Content
Theft-Deterrent on page 103. Press the button
again to unlock the rest of the doors.

Your vehicle can be programmed so that the
parking lamps will flash and/or the horn will sound
when you unlock the doors with the RKE
transmitter. See your retailer for more information
on programming this feature.

(Panic Alarm): The RKE transmitter has an

instant panic alarm. Press the horn symbol
when the ignition is turned off. The horn will sound
and the parking lamps and dome lamp will flash
for up to two minutes. To stop the instant
panic alarm, press the symbol again.

(Trunk): Press and hold this button for

approximately one second to open the trunk. If the
vehicle’s speed is faster than 2 mph (3 km/h),
the trunk will not open when this button is pressed.
The RKE transmitter is used to arm/disarm the
theft-deterrent system. The system will arm when
the lock button on the RKE transmitter pressed.
The system will disarm when the unlock button is
pressed.

Matching Transmitter(s) to
Your Vehicle

Each RKE transmitter is coded to prevent another
transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a replacement can be
purchased through your retailer. Remember to
bring any remaining transmitters with you
when you go to your retailer. When the retailer
matches the replacement transmitter to your
vehicle, any remaining transmitters must also be
matched. Once your retailer has coded the
new transmitter, the lost transmitter will not unlock
your vehicle. Each vehicle can have a maximum
of four transmitters matched to it.

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Battery Replacement

Under normal use, the battery in your RKE
transmitter should last about four years.

You can tell the battery is weak if the transmitter
will not work at the normal range in any location.
If you have to get close to your vehicle before
the transmitter works, it is probably time to change
the battery.

Notice: When replacing the battery, use care
not to touch any of the circuitry. Static
from your body transferred to these surfaces
may damage the transmitter.

1. Use a flat thin object to pry open the

transmitter.

2. Once the transmitter is separated, use a

toothpick, pen cap, or similar object to remove
the old battery. Do not use a metal object.

3. Insert the new battery as the instructions

under the cover indicate.

4. Snap the transmitter back together tightly so

moisture cannot enter.

5. Check the operation of the transmitter.

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Doors and Locks

Door Locks

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CAUTION:

Unlocked doors can be dangerous.

•

Passengers, especially children, can
easily open the doors and fall out of a
moving vehicle. When a door is
locked, the handle will not open it.
You increase the chance of being
thrown out of the vehicle in a crash if
the doors are not locked. So, wear
safety belts properly and lock the
doors whenever you drive.

CAUTION:

(Continued)

CAUTION:

(Continued)

•

Young children who get into unlocked
vehicles may be unable to get out. A
child can be overcome by extreme
heat and can suffer permanent injuries
or even death from heat stroke.
Always lock your vehicle whenever
you leave it.

•

Outsiders can easily enter through an
unlocked door when you slow down
or stop your vehicle. Locking your
doors can help prevent this from
happening.

There are several ways to lock your vehicle.

To lock a door from the outside, turn the
key toward the front of the vehicle or use the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter, if your
vehicle has one.

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From the inside, move
the manual lock knob
above the door
handle or use the power
door lock switch.

Power Door Locks

Press the top of the
switch to unlock the
doors. Press the bottom
of the switch to lock
the doors.

Delayed Locking

This feature will delay the actual locking of the
doors for up to five seconds when the power door
lock switch or Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter is used to lock the vehicle.

If any door is open when locking the vehicle,
three chimes will be heard signaling that
the delayed locking feature is active. Five seconds
after the last door is closed, all of the doors will
lock and the parking lamps will flash. To cancel the
delay and lock the doors immediately, press the
lock button a second time.

If the key is in the ignition this feature will not lock
the doors.

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Programmable Automatic
Door Locks

With this feature, the doors will automatically lock
when the vehicle is shifted out of PARK (P) for
vehicles with an automatic transaxle, or the vehicle
speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h) for
vehicles with a manual transaxle. The doors will
automatically unlock when the ignition is turned off.

To turn the automatic door locking feature on or
off, do the following:

1. Turn the ignition to RUN with the engine off

and all of the doors closed.

2. Press and hold the power door lock button in

the lock position until the horn chirps twice.

To turn the automatic door unlocking feature on or
off, do the following:

1. Turn the ignition to RUN with the engine off

and all of the doors closed.

2. Press and hold the power door lock button in

the unlock position until the horn chirps twice.

Rear Door Security Locks (Sedan)

Your vehicle has rear door security locks.
These prevent passengers from opening the rear
doors from the inside.

The rear door security
locks are located on the
inside edge of each
rear door. You
must open the rear
doors to access them.
The label depicting
lock and unlock
positions is located
near the lock.

To set the locks, do the following:

1. Insert the key into the security lock slot and

turn it so the slot is in the horizontal position.

2. Close the door.

Security Lock

Label shown

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Saturn Ion (2007 year). Manual - part 6