Saturn Vue (2010 year). Manual

8-4

Climate Controls

Rear Window Defogger

The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog from the
rear window.

The rear window defogger only
works when the ignition is in
ON/RUN.

< (Rear Window Defogger):
Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light
on the button comes on to show that
the rear window is activated.

The rear window defogger stays on
for approximately 10 minutes after
the button is pressed, unless the
ignition is turned to ACC/
ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF.

If turned on again, the defogger only
runs for approximately five minutes
before turning off again. At higher
vehicle speeds, the defogger may
stay on continuously. The defogger
can also be turned off by turning off
the engine.

For vehicles with the remote start
feature, the rear defogger will
automatically turn on.

Notice: Do not use anything
sharp on the inside of the rear
window. If you do, you could cut
or damage the warming grid, and
the repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Do not
attach a temporary vehicle
license, tape, a decal or anything
similar to the defogger grid.

Remote Start Climate Control
Operation

For vehicles with the remote start
feature and if it is activated, the
climate control system heats and
cools the inside of the vehicle using
the modes that were set before the
vehicle was turned off and the rear
defogger automatically turns on.

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Climate Controls

8-5

Automatic Climate Control System

The heating, cooling, and ventilation for the vehicle can be controlled with
this system. For vehicles with the remote start feature, the climate control
system functions as part of the remote start feature. See Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) System Operation on page 2‑3.

United States version shown, Canada version similar.

A. Fan Control

B. Temperature Control

C. Air Delivery Mode Control

D. Air Conditioning

E. Outside Air

F. Recirculation

G. Rear Window Defogger

Automatic Operation

This climate control system
automatically maintains the desired
temperature inside the vehicle. Do
not cover the sensor located on the
top of the instrument panel near the
windshield or the sensor grille below
the climate control faceplate. These
two sensors help regulate the inside
air temperature.

AUTO (Automatic Fan): Turn the
fan knob to AUTO for the system to
automatically adjust the fan speed
to reach the desired inside
temperature.

Temperature Control: Select the
desired cabin air temperature
between 60‐90°F (16‐32°C).
Choosing the coldest or warmest
temperature setting does not cause
the system to heat or cool any
faster.

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8-6

Climate Controls

AUTO (Automatic Air Delivery
Mode): Turn the air delivery mode
knob to AUTO for the system to
automatically control the direction of
the airflow to help reach the desired
inside temperature.

The system automatically controls
the air inlet to supply the outside air
or recirculated inside air needed to
heat or cool the vehicle faster. The
recirculation button indicator light is
lit whenever the recirculation mode
is on.

Press the outside air button to
change to outside air. However, the
recirculation mode may turn back on
automatically.

In cold weather, if the fan and air
delivery modes are in automatic, the
system starts at lower fan speeds to
avoid directing cold air into the
vehicle until warmer air is available.

The climate control system
directs air to the floor, but may
automatically change modes as the
vehicle warms up to maintain the
chosen temperature setting. The
length of time needed to warm the
interior depends on the outside
temperature and inside temperature
of the vehicle.

Manual Operation

A (Fan Control): Turn clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the fan speed. To turn the
fan off, turn the left knob to the

position. In any setting other than
off, the fan runs continuously with
the ignition on. The fan must be
turned on to run the air conditioning
compressor. There will be some
airflow noticeable from the various
outlets when driving, even with the
fan in the off position. To turn off the
air completely, turn the fan to

and select the recirculation button.

Temperature Control: Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise to
increase or decrease the
temperature. Select the desired
cabin air temperature between
60‐90°F (16‐32°C). Typically, the
best setting is near 75°F (23°C).
Choosing the coldest or warmest
temperature setting does not cause
the system to heat or cool any
faster.

Air Delivery Mode Control: Turn
clockwise or counterclockwise to
change the current airflow mode.

Select from the following air delivery
modes:

H (Vent): Air is directed to the
instrument panel outlets.

) (Bi-Level): Air is divided
between the instrument panel
outlets and the floor outlets.

6 (Floor): Air is directed to the
floor outlets with some air directed
to the windshield.

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Climate Controls

8-7

When this mode is selected, the
system turns the recirculation mode
off. Recirculation mode cannot be
selected while in floor mode. This is
to help prevent window fogging.

-(Defog): Clears the windows of
fog or moisture. Air is directed to the
floor outlets, with some air directed
to the windshield and side window
outlets. In this mode, the system
turns the recirculation mode off and
runs the air conditioning compressor
unless the outside air is at or below
freezing. Recirculation mode cannot
be selected while in defog mode.
This helps prevent window fogging.

0(Defrost): Removes fog or frost
from the windshield more quickly.
Air is directed to the windshield and
the side window outlets. In this
mode, the system turns the
recirculation mode off automatically
and runs the air conditioning
compressor unless the outside air is
at or below freezing. Recirculation
mode cannot be selected while in
defrost mode. This helps prevent
window fogging.

For best results, clear all snow and
ice from the windshield before
defrosting.

#(Air Conditioning): Press to turn
the air conditioning system on or off.
An indicator light comes on to show
that the air conditioning is on. The
air conditioning can be selected in
any mode as long as the fan is on
and the outside temperature is
above freezing. A flashing indicator
light indicates that the air
conditioning compressor is currently
not available.

On hot days, use the automatic fan
and automatic air delivery mode
settings and the vehicle will reach
the desired temperature more
quickly. The desired fan and air
delivery mode settings can still be
adjusted manually. Open the
windows to let the hot inside air
escape, then close them. This helps
reduce the time it takes for the
vehicle to cool down and helps the
system to operate more efficiently.

The air conditioning system
removes moisture from the air, so a
small amount of water might drip
under the vehicle while idling or
after turning off the engine.

;

(Outside Air): Press to turn the

outside air mode on. An indicator
light comes on to show that outside
air is on. Air from outside the vehicle
will circulate throughout the vehicle.
The outside air mode can be used
with all modes, but it cannot be
used with the recirculation mode.
Pressing this button will cancel the
recirculation mode.

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8-8

Climate Controls

@ (Recirculation): Press to turn
on the recirculation mode. An
indicator light comes on to show
that recirculation is on. This mode
recirculates and helps to quickly
cool or heat the air inside the
vehicle. It can be used to prevent
outside air and odors from entering
the vehicle. Avoid using the
recirculation mode during high
periods of humidity and cool outside
temperatures since this may result
in increased window fogging.
If window fogging is experienced,
select the defrost mode.

Recirculation mode is not available
in floor, defog or defrost modes and
will shut off automatically and
change to outside air. If the button is
selected in any of these modes, the
indicator will flash. This helps
prevent window fogging and
moisture building up inside the
vehicle.

Rear Window Defogger

The rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog from the
rear window.

The rear window defogger only
works when the ignition is in
ON/RUN.

< (Rear Window Defogger):
Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light
on the button comes on to show that
it is activated.

The rear window defogger stays on
for approximately 10 minutes after
the button is pressed, unless the
ignition is turned to ACC/
ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF.
If turned on again, the defogger only
runs for approximately five minutes
before turning off. At higher vehicle
speeds, the defogger may stay on
continuously. The defogger can also
be turned off by turning off the
engine.

For vehicles with the remote start
feature, the rear defogger will
automatically turn on when remote
start is activated.

Remote Start Climate Control
Operation

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Climate Controls

8-9

Air Vents

Use the louvers located on the air
outlets to adjust the airflow.

Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow,
or leaves from the air inlets at
the base of the vehicle that may
block the flow of air into the
vehicle.

Do not use any non-GM
approved hood deflectors that
could adversely affect the
performance of the system.

Keep the path under the front
seats clear of objects to help
circulate the air inside of the
vehicle more effectively.

Maintenance

Passenger Compartment
Air Filter

The filter removes dust, pollen, and
other airborne irritants from outside
air that is pulled into the vehicle.

The filter should be replaced as part
of routine scheduled maintenance.
See Scheduled Maintenance on
page 11‑2 for replacement
intervals. To find out what type of
filter to use, see Maintenance
Replacement Parts on page 11‑9.

The passenger compartment air
filter can be accessed by removing
the entire glove box.

1. Remove the six screws from

around the glove box and detach
the three inner clips from the
glove box.

2. Lower the loosened glove box

housing.

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8-10

Climate Controls

3. Unplug both wire cables and

remove the glove box.

4. Remove the air filter cover

screw.

5. Remove the filter cover and pull

out the old air filter.

6. Install the new air filter.

7. Reinstall the air filter cover.

Reconnect the wire cabling and
re‐install the glove box.

See your dealer/retailer if additional
assistance is needed.

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9-2

Driving and Operating

Driving Information

Driver Behavior

Whenever we drive, we are taking
on an important responsibility. This
is true for any motor
vehicle — passenger car, van, truck,
sport utility. Driver behavior, the
driving environment, and the
vehicle's design all affect how well a
vehicle performs. But statistics show
that the most important factor, by
far, is how we drive.

Knowing how these three factors
work together can help you
understand how your vehicle
handles and what you can do to
avoid many types of crashes,
including a rollover crash.

The single most important thing is
this: everyone in the vehicle,
including the driver, should buckle
up. See Safety Belts on page 3‑10.
In fact, most serious injuries and
fatalities to unbelted occupants can
be reduced or prevented by the use

of safety belts. In a rollover crash,
an unbelted person is significantly
more likely to die than a person
wearing a seat belt. In addition,
avoiding excessive speed, sudden
or abrupt turns, and drunken or
aggressive driving can help make
trips safer and avoid the possibility
of a crash, especially a rollover
crash. This section provides many
useful tips to help you drive more
safely.

Driving Environment

You can also help avoid a rollover or
other type of crash by being
prepared for driving in inclement
weather, at night, or during other
times where visibility or traction may
be limited, such as on curves,
slippery roads, or hilly terrain.
Unfamiliar surroundings can also
have hidden hazards.

To help you learn more about
driving in different conditions, this
section contains information about

city, freeway, and off-road driving,
as well as other hints for driving in
various weather conditions.

Vehicle Design

According to the U.S. Department of
Transportation, utility vehicles have
a significantly higher rollover rate
than other types of vehicles. Utility
vehicles do have higher ground
clearance and a narrower track or
shorter wheelbase than passenger
cars, to make them more capable
for off-road driving. Specific design
characteristics like these give the
driver a better view of the road, but
also give utility vehicles a higher
center of gravity than other types of
vehicles. This means that you
should not expect a utility vehicle to
handle the same way a vehicle with
a lower center of gravity, like a car,
would in similar situations.

But driver behavior factors are far
more often the cause of a utility
vehicle rollover than are
environmental or vehicle factors.

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Driving and Operating

9-3

Safe driver behavior and
understanding the environment in
which you will be driving can help
avoid a rollover crash in any type of
vehicle, including utility vehicles.

Defensive Driving

Defensive driving means “always
expect the unexpected.” The first
step in driving defensively is to wear
your safety belt, see Safety Belts on
page 3‑10.

{

WARNING

Assume that other road users
(pedestrians, bicyclists, and other
drivers) are going to be careless
and make mistakes. Anticipate
what they might do and be ready.
In addition:

Allow enough following
distance between you and
the driver in front of you.

Focus on the task of driving.

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

Driver distraction can cause
collisions resulting in injury or
possible death. These simple
defensive driving techniques
could save your life.

Drunk Driving

{

WARNING

Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
a small amount of alcohol. You
can have a serious — or even
fatal — collision if you drive after
drinking. Do not drink and drive or
ride with a driver who has been
drinking. Ride home in a cab; or if
you are with a group, designate a
driver who will not drink.

Death and injury associated with
drinking and driving is a global
tragedy.

Alcohol affects four things that
anyone needs to drive a vehicle:
judgment, muscular coordination,
vision, and attentiveness.

Police records show that almost
40 percent of all motor
vehicle-related deaths involve
alcohol. In most cases, these
deaths are the result of someone
who was drinking and driving. In
recent years, more than
17,000 annual motor vehicle-related
deaths have been associated with
the use of alcohol, with about
250,000 people injured.

For persons under 21, it is against
the law in every U.S. state to drink
alcohol. There are good medical,
psychological, and developmental
reasons for these laws.

The obvious way to eliminate the
leading highway safety problem is
for people never to drink alcohol
and then drive.

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9-4

Driving and Operating

Medical research shows that alcohol
in a person's system can make
crash injuries worse, especially
injuries to the brain, spinal cord,
or heart. This means that when
anyone who has been
drinking — driver or passenger — is
in a crash, that person's chance of
being killed or permanently disabled
is higher than if the person had not
been drinking.

Control of a Vehicle

The following three systems help to
control the vehicle while
driving — brakes, steering, and
accelerator. At times, as when
driving on snow or ice, it is easy to
ask more of those control systems
than the tires and road can provide.
Meaning, you can lose control of the
vehicle. See Traction Control
System (TCS) on page 9‑40.

Adding non‐dealer/non‐retailer
accessories can affect vehicle
performance. See Accessories and
Modifications on page 10‑3.

Braking

See Brake System Warning Light
on page 5‑18.

Braking action involves perception
time and reaction time. Deciding to
push the brake pedal is perception
time. Actually doing it is
reaction time.

Average reaction time is about
three‐fourths of a second. But that is
only an average. It might be less
with one driver and as long as two
or three seconds or more with
another. Age, physical condition,
alertness, coordination, and
eyesight all play a part. So do
alcohol, drugs, and frustration. But
even in three‐fourths of a second, a
vehicle moving at 100 km/h
(60 mph) travels 20 m (66 ft). That
could be a lot of distance in an
emergency, so keeping enough
space between the vehicle and
others is important.

And, of course, actual stopping
distances vary greatly with the
surface of the road, whether it is
pavement or gravel; the condition of
the road, whether it is wet, dry,
or icy; tire tread; the condition of the
brakes; the weight of the vehicle;
and the amount of brake force
applied.

Avoid needless heavy braking.
Some people drive in
spurts — heavy acceleration
followed by heavy braking — rather
than keeping pace with traffic. This
is a mistake. The brakes might not
have time to cool between hard
stops. The brakes will wear out
much faster with a lot of heavy
braking. Keeping pace with the
traffic and allowing realistic following
distances eliminates a lot of
unnecessary braking. That means
better braking and longer brake life.

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Driving and Operating

9-5

If the engine ever stops while the
vehicle is being driven, brake
normally but do not pump the
brakes. If the brakes are pumped,
the pedal could get harder to push
down. If the engine stops, there will
still be some power brake assist but
it will be used when the brake is
applied. Once the power assist is
used up, it can take longer to stop
and the brake pedal will be harder
to push.

Adding non‐dealer/non‐retailer
accessories can affect vehicle
performance. See Accessories and
Modifications on page 10‑3.

Steering

Electric Power Steering

If the vehicle has the electric power
steering system and the engine
stalls while driving, the power
steering assist system will continue

to operate until you are able to stop
the vehicle. If power steering assist
is lost because the electric power
steering system is not functioning,
the vehicle can be steered but it will
take more effort.

If you turn the steering wheel in
either direction several times until it
stops, or hold the steering wheel in
the stopped position for an
extended amount of time, you may
notice a reduced amount of power
steering assist. The normal amount
of power steering assist should
return shortly after a few normal
steering movements.

The electric power steering system
does not require regular
maintenance. If you suspect
steering system problems and/or the
Service Vehicle Soon light comes
on, contact your dealer/retailer for
service repairs.

Hydraulic Power Steering

If the vehicle has the hydraulic
power steering system and power
steering assist is lost because the
engine stops or the power steering
system is not functioning, the
vehicle can be steered but it will
take more effort.

Steering Tips

It is important to take curves at a
reasonable speed.

Traction in a curve depends on the
condition of the tires and the road
surface, the angle at which the
curve is banked, and vehicle speed.
While in a curve, speed is the one
factor that can be controlled.

If there is a need to reduce speed,
do it before entering the curve, while
the front wheels are straight.

Try to adjust the speed so you can
drive through the curve. Maintain a
reasonable, steady speed. Wait to
accelerate until out of the curve, and
then accelerate gently into the
straightaway.

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9-6

Driving and Operating

Steering in Emergencies

There are times when steering can
be more effective than braking. For
example, you come over a hill and
find a truck stopped in your lane,
or a car suddenly pulls out from
nowhere, or a child darts out from
between parked cars and stops right
in front of you. These problems can
be avoided by braking — if you can
stop in time. But sometimes you
cannot stop in time because there is
no room. That is the time for
evasive action — steering around
the problem.

The vehicle can perform very well in
emergencies like these. First apply
the brakes. See Braking on
page 9‑4. It is better to remove as
much speed as possible from a
collision. Then steer around the
problem, to the left or right
depending on the space available.

An emergency like this requires
close attention and a quick decision.
If holding the steering wheel at the
recommended 9 and 3 o'clock
positions, it can be turned a full
180 degrees very quickly without
removing either hand. But you have
to act fast, steer quickly, and just as
quickly straighten the wheel once
you have avoided the object.

The fact that such emergency
situations are always possible is a
good reason to practice defensive
driving at all times and wear safety
belts properly.

Off-Road Recovery

The vehicle's right wheels can drop
off the edge of a road onto the
shoulder while driving.

If the level of the shoulder is only
slightly below the pavement,
recovery should be fairly easy. Ease
off the accelerator and then, if there
is nothing in the way, steer so that
the vehicle straddles the edge of the
pavement. Turn the steering wheel
8 to 13 cm (3 to 5 inches), about
one-eighth turn, until the right front

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Driving and Operating

9-7

tire contacts the pavement edge.
Then turn the steering wheel to go
straight down the roadway.

Loss of Control

Let us review what driving experts
say about what happens when the
three control systems — brakes,
steering, and acceleration — do not
have enough friction where the tires
meet the road to do what the driver
has asked.

In any emergency, do not give up.
Keep trying to steer and constantly
seek an escape route or area of
less danger.

Skidding

In a skid, a driver can lose control of
the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid
most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions,
and by not overdriving those
conditions. But skids are always
possible.

The three types of skids correspond
to the vehicle's three control
systems. In the braking skid, the
wheels are not rolling. In the
steering or cornering skid, too much
speed or steering in a curve causes
tires to slip and lose cornering force.
And in the acceleration skid, too
much throttle causes the driving
wheels to spin.

If the vehicle starts to slide, ease
your foot off the accelerator pedal
and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start
steering quickly enough, the vehicle
may straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.

Of course, traction is reduced when
water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material is on the road. For safety,
slow down and adjust your driving to
these conditions. It is important to
slow down on slippery surfaces
because stopping distance is longer
and vehicle control more limited.

While driving on a surface with
reduced traction, try your best to
avoid sudden steering, acceleration,
or braking, including reducing
vehicle speed by shifting to a lower
gear. Any sudden changes could
cause the tires to slide. You might
not realize the surface is slippery
until the vehicle is skidding. Learn to
recognize warning clues — such as
enough water, ice, or packed snow
on the road to make a mirrored
surface — and slow down when you
have any doubt.

Remember: Any Antilock Brake
System (ABS) helps avoid only the
braking skid.

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9-8

Driving and Operating

Off-Road Driving

Vehicles with all‐wheel drive can be
used for off‐road driving. Vehicles
without all‐wheel drive should not be
driven off-road except on a level,
solid surface.

Many of the vehicle design features
that help make the vehicle more
responsive on paved roads during
poor weather conditions also help
make it better suited for off‐road use
than conventional passenger
vehicles. The vehicle does not have
features usually thought to be
necessary for extended or severe
off‐road use such as special
underbody shielding and transfer
case low gear range.

The airbag system is designed to
work properly under a wide range of
conditions, including off‐road usage.
Always wear your safety belt and
observe safe driving speeds,
especially on rough terrain.

Drinking and driving can be very
dangerous on any road and this is
certainly true for off-road driving. At

the very time you need special
alertness and driving skills, your
reflexes, perceptions, and judgment
can be affected by even a small
amount of alcohol. You could have a
serious — or even fatal — accident
if you drink and drive or ride with a
driver who has been drinking.

Off-roading can be great fun but has
some definite hazards. The greatest
of these is the terrain itself. When
off-road driving, traffic lanes are not
marked, curves are not banked, and
there are no road signs. Surfaces
can be slippery, rough, uphill,
or downhill.

Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers. Failure to operate the
vehicle correctly off‐road could
result in loss of vehicle control or
vehicle rollover.

Off-roading involves some new
skills. That is why it is very
important that you read these
driving tips and suggestions to help
make off-road driving safer and
more enjoyable.

Before You Go Off-Roading

Have all necessary maintenance
and service work done.

Make sure there is enough fuel,
that fluid levels are where they
should be, and that the spare
tire is fully inflated.

Be sure to read all the
information about all-wheel-drive
vehicles in this manual.

Make sure all underbody
shields, if the vehicle has them,
are properly attached.

Know the local laws that apply to
off-roading where you will be
driving or check with law
enforcement people in the area.

Be sure to get the necessary
permission if you will be on
private land.

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Driving and Operating

9-9

Loading Your Vehicle for
Off-Road Driving

{

WARNING

Cargo on the load floor piled
higher than the seatbacks
can be thrown forward during
a sudden stop. You or your
passengers could be injured.
Keep cargo below the top of
the seatbacks.

Unsecured cargo on the load
floor can be tossed about
when driving over rough
terrain. You or your
passengers can be struck by
flying objects. Secure the
cargo properly.

(Continued)

WARNING (Continued)

Heavy loads on the roof raise
the vehicle's center of gravity,
making it more likely to roll
over. You can be seriously or
fatally injured if the vehicle
rolls over. Put heavy loads
inside the cargo area, not on
the roof. Keep cargo in the
cargo area as far forward and
low as possible.

There are some important things to
remember about how to load your
vehicle.

The heaviest things should be
on the floor, forward of the rear
axle. Put heavier items as far
forward as you can.

Be sure the load is properly
secured, so things are not
tossed around.

You will find other important
information under Vehicle Load
Limits on page 9‑22 and Tires on
page 10‑43.

Environmental Concerns

Off-road driving can provide
wholesome and satisfying
recreation. However, it also raises
environmental concerns. We
recognize these concerns and urge
every off-roader to follow these
basic rules for protecting the
environment:

Always use established trails,
roads, and areas that have been
specially set aside for public
off-road recreational driving and
obey all posted regulations.

Avoid any driving practice that
could damage shrubs, flowers,
trees, or grasses or disturb
wildlife. This includes
wheel-spinning, breaking down
trees, or unnecessary driving
through streams or over soft
ground.

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Saturn Vue (2010 year). Manual - part 13