Saturn Ion (2007 year). Manual

Dinghy Towing (All Transaxles)

Notice: Dolly towing or dinghy towing your
vehicle may cause damage because of reduced
ground clearance. Always tow your vehicle
using the dolly towing or dinghy towing
procedure listed in this section or put your
vehicle on a flatbed truck.

To tow your vehicle from the front with all four
wheels on the ground, do the following:

1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition key to ACC (Accessory) to

unlock the steering wheel.

3. Shift your transaxle to NEUTRAL.

4. Release the parking brake.

To prevent battery rundown on long trips, remove
the IP BATT 2 fuse (#41) from the engine
compartment fuse block. See Engine Compartment
Fuse Block on page 378 for more information.

Once you have reached your destination, be sure
to replace this fuse back into its original location.

Notice: If you exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) while
towing your vehicle, it could be damaged.
Never exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) while towing
your vehicle.

Notice: Towing your vehicle from the rear
could damage it. Also, repairs would not
be covered by the warranty. Never have your
vehicle towed from the rear.

Notice: Don’t tow a vehicle with the front
drive wheels on the ground if one of the front
tires is a compact spare tire. Towing with
two different tire sizes on the front of the
vehicle can cause severe damage to the
transaxle.

257

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dolly Towing (All Transaxles)

To tow your vehicle from the front with two wheels
on the ground, do the following:

1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.

2. If you have an automatic transaxle, shift the

transaxle to PARK (P). If you have a manual
transaxle, shift the vehicle to SECOND (2).

3. Set the parking brake and then remove

the key.

4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead

position with a clamping device designed for
towing.

5. Release the parking brake.

258

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Towing a Trailer

{

CAUTION:

If you do not use the correct equipment
and drive properly, you can lose control
when you pull a trailer. For example, if the
trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not
work well — or even at all. You and your
passengers could be seriously injured.
You may also damage your vehicle; the
resulting repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Pull a trailer only if you have
followed all the steps in this section. Ask
your retailer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with your vehicle.

Notice: Pulling a trailer improperly can
damage your vehicle and result in costly repairs
not covered by your warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in this part and see
your retailer for important information about
towing a trailer with your vehicle.

Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with
the proper trailer towing equipment. To identify
the trailering capacity of your vehicle, you should
read the information in “Weight of the Trailer”
that appears later in this section. Trailering
is different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling, durability
and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be used properly.

That is the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety
rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers. So please read
this section carefully before you pull a trailer.

Load-pulling components such as the engine,
transaxle, rear axle, wheel assemblies and tires
are forced to work harder against the drag of
the added weight. The engine is required
to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What is more,
the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.

259

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If You Do Decide to Pull a Trailer

If you do, here are some important points:

•

There are many different laws, including speed
limit restrictions, having to do with trailering.
Make sure your rig will be legal, not only where
you live but also where you’ll be driving. A
good source for this information can be state
or provincial police.

•

Consider using a sway control. You can ask a
hitch retailer about sway controls.

•

Do not tow a trailer at all during the first
1000 miles (1600 km) your new vehicle
is driven. Your engine, axle or other parts
could be damaged. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.

•

Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km) that
you tow a trailer, do not drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and don’t make starts at full throttle.
This helps your engine and other parts of
your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.

•

Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a
trailer. Do not drive faster than the maximum
posted speed for trailers, or no more than
55 mph (90 km/h), to save wear on your
vehicle’s parts.

•

Do not tow a trailer when the outside
temperature is above 100°F (38°C).

Three important considerations have to do with
weight:

•

the weight of the trailer,

•

the weight of the trailer tongue

•

and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.

Weight of the Trailer

How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg).
But even that can be too heavy.
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to
pull a trailer are all important. It can also depend on
any special equipment that you have on your
vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the
vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer
Tongue” later in this section for more information.

260

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming
only the driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all
the required trailering equipment. The weight
of additional optional equipment, passengers and
cargo must be subtracted from the maximum
trailer weight.

You can ask your retailer for trailering information
or advice.

Weight of the Trailer Tongue

The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total
or gross weight of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle
Weight (GVW) includes the curb weight of the
vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it, and
the people who will be riding in the vehicle. And if
you tow a trailer, you must add the tongue load
to the GVW because your vehicle will be carrying
that weight, too. See Loading Your Vehicle on
page 250 for more information about your vehicle’s
maximum load capacity.

If you are using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh 10 percent of the total
loaded trailer weight (B). If you are using a
weight-distributing hitch, the trailer tongue (A)
should weigh 12 percent of the total loaded trailer
weight (B).

After you have loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer
and then the tongue, separately, to see if the
weights are proper. If they are not, you may be
able to get them right simply by moving some
items around in the trailer.

261

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires

Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the upper
limit for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the
Tire-Loading Information label, See Loading Your
Vehicle on page 250. Then be sure you don’t go
over the GVW limit for your vehicle, including the
weight of the trailer tongue.

Hitches

It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough
roads are a few reasons why you’ll need the right
hitch. Here are some rules to follow:

•

The rear bumper on your vehicle is not
intended for hitches. Do not attach rental
hitches or other bumper-type hitches to it. Use
only a frame-mounted hitch that does not
attach to the bumper.

•

Will you have to make any holes in the body
of your vehicle when you install a trailer
hitch? If you do, then be sure to seal the holes
later when you remove the hitch. If you do
not seal them, deadly carbon monoxide (CO)
from your exhaust can get into your vehicle.
See Engine Exhaust on page 120. Dirt
and water can, too.

Safety Chains

You should always attach chains between your
vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety
chains under the tongue of the trailer so that the
tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes
separated from the hitch. Instructions about safety
chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer
or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching
safety chains and do not attach them to the
bumper. Always leave just enough slack so you
can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety
chains to drag on the ground.

Trailer Brakes

If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, do not try to
tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system.
If you do, both brake systems won’t work well, or
at all.

Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the
trailer brakes, so you will be able to install,
adjust and maintain them properly.

262

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Driving with a Trailer

Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of
experience. Before setting out for the open road,
you’ll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint
yourself with the feel of handling and braking with
the added weight of the trailer. And always
keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is
now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.

Before you start, check the trailer hitch and
platform (and attachments), safety chains,
electrical connector, lamps, tires and mirror
adjustment. If the trailer has electric brakes, start
your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply
the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the
brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.

During your trip, check occasionally to be sure
that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any
trailer brakes are still working.

Following Distance

Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead
as you would when driving your vehicle without
a trailer. This can help you avoid situations
that require heavy braking and sudden turns.

Passing

You will need more passing distance up ahead
when you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re
a good deal longer when towing a trailer, you
will need to go much farther beyond the passed
vehicle before you can return to your lane.

Backing Up

Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one
hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left,
just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer
to the right, move your hand to the right. Always
back up slowly and, if possible, have someone
guide you.

263

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Making Turns

Notice: Making very sharp turns while
trailering could cause the trailer to come in
contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could be
damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns
while trailering.

When you are turning with a trailer, make wider
turns than normal. Do this so your trailer will
not strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees
or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in advance.

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer

When you tow a trailer, your vehicle may need a
different turn signal flasher and/or extra wiring.
See your retailer if you need information.
The arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
flash, telling other drivers you are about to turn,
change lanes or stop.

When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs
on the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may think
drivers behind you are seeing your signal when
they are not. It’s important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.

Driving on Grades

Notice: Do not tow on steep continuous
grades exceeding 6 miles (9.6 km). Extended,
higher than normal engine and transaxle
temperatures may result and damage your
vehicle. Frequent stops are very important to
allow the engine and transaxle to cool.

Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before
you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you
do not shift down, you might have to use your
brakes so much that they would get hot and
no longer work well.

On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce
your speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of the engine and the transaxle
overheating. If your engine does overheat,
see Engine Overheating on page 297.

264

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parking on Hills

{

CAUTION:

You really should not park your vehicle,
with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured, and
both your vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged.

But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill,
here’s how to do it:

1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into

PARK (P) for an automatic transaxle, or into
gear for a manual transaxle.

When parking uphill, turn your wheels away
from the curb. When parking downhill,
turn your wheels into the curb.

2. Have someone place chocks behind the trailer

wheels.

3. When the chocks are in place, release

the regular brakes until the chocks absorb
the load.

4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your

parking brake and shift into PARK (P) for an
automatic transaxle or REVERSE (R) for
a manual transaxle.

5. Release the regular brakes.

When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill

1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal

down while you:

•

start your engine

•

shift into a gear, and

•

release the parking brake.

2. Let up on the brake pedal.

3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the

chocks.

4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the

chocks.

265

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maintenance When Trailer Towing

Your vehicle will need service more often when
you are pulling a trailer. See Scheduled
Maintenance on page 391 for more information.
Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, drive belt,
cooling system and brake system. Each of these
is covered in this manual, and the Index will
help you find them quickly. If you are trailering,
it’s a good idea to review this information
before you start your trip.

Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and
bolts are tight.

Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing

Your cooling system may temporarily overheat
during severe operating conditions. See Engine
Overheating on page 297.

Changing a Tire When Trailer Towing

If you get a flat tire while towing a trailer, be
sure to secure the trailer and disconnect it from
the vehicle before changing the tire.

266

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Service

Your Saturn retailer knows your vehicle best and
wants you to be happy with it. We hope you
will go to your retailer for all your service needs.
You will get genuine Saturn parts and
Saturn-trained and supported service people.

We hope you will want to keep your Saturn vehicle
all Saturn.

Genuine Saturn parts have one of these marks.

Accessories and Modifications

When you add non-Saturn accessories to your
vehicle they can affect your vehicle’s performance
and safety, including such things as, airbags,
braking, stability, ride and handling, emissions
systems, aerodynamics, durability, and electronic
systems like anti-lock brakes, traction control,
and stability control. Some of these accessories
may even cause malfunction or damage not
covered by warranty.

Saturn accessories are designed to complement
and function with other systems on your
vehicle. Your Saturn retailer can accessorize your
vehicle using genuine Saturn accessories.
When you go to your Saturn retailer and ask for
Saturn accessories, you will know that
Saturn-trained and supported service technicians
will perform the work using genuine Saturn
accessories.

270

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

California Proposition 65 Warning

Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain
and/or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Engine exhaust, many parts and
systems (including some inside the vehicle), many
fluids, and some component wear by-products
contain and/or emit these chemicals.

Doing Your Own Service Work

{

CAUTION:

You can be injured and your vehicle could
be damaged if you try to do service work
on a vehicle without knowing enough
about it.

•

Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement
parts, and tools before you attempt any
vehicle maintenance task.

•

Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts,
and other fasteners. English and metric
fasteners can be easily confused. If you
use the wrong fasteners, parts can later
break or fall off. You could be hurt.

If you want to do some of your own service work,
you should use the proper service manual. It
tells you much more about how to service your
vehicle than this manual can. To order the proper
service manual, see Service Publications
Ordering Information on page 425.

271

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your vehicle has an airbag system. Before
attempting to do your own service work, see
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on
page 82.

You should keep a record with all parts receipts
and list the mileage and the date of any service
work you perform. See Maintenance Record
on page 406.

Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle

Things you might add to the outside of your
vehicle can affect the airflow around it. This may
cause wind noise and affect windshield washer
performance. Check with your retailer before
adding equipment to the outside of your vehicle.

Fuel

Use of the recommended fuel is an important part
of the proper maintenance of your vehicle.
To help keep the engine clean and maintain
optimum vehicle performance, Saturn recommends
the use of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline.

The 8th digit of the Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) shows the code letter or number
that identifies your vehicle’s engine. The VIN is at
the top left of the instrument panel. See Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) on page 374.

Gasoline Octane

If your vehicle has the 2.2L L4 engine (VIN Code F),
use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less
than 87, you may notice an audible knocking noise
when you drive, commonly referred to as spark
knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If you are
using gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher and you
hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.

272

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturn Ion (2007 year). Manual - part 17