Your new Saturn vehicle was built to the highest quality standards to ensure reliability, durability and efficient operation year after year. The quality and integrity of your new Saturn vehicle can best be maintained with Saturn Service and Genuine Saturn Parts.
Saturn strongly recommends having all your maintenance and service performed by an authorized Saturn retailer because at your Saturn Servicing Retailer, you can be certain that you will receive the highest level of service and care available for your Saturn vehicle. Saturn technicians have been specially trained to maintain and repair your Saturn vehicle. Saturn trains, educates and tests every technician to ensure they meet the highest industry standards for vehicle repair and service. In addition, your Saturn retailer has special tools, equipment, computer software and complete access to product updates applicable to your vehicle to ensure fast and accurate diagnostics. This level of service is only available at an authorized Saturn retailer.
Saturn recommends using ONLY Saturn Original Equipment Manufactured replacement parts. They are specifically designed to fit your vehicle and are manufactured to the highest quality standards to ensure that your vehicle continues to perform at its peak.
Your Saturn retailer usually stocks the parts to meet your vehicle's service needs in its parts department. If not, your Saturn retailer can quickly access the Saturn Parts Warehouse electronic database to order and promptly obtain the part required for your vehicle.
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your vehicle in good working condition, but also helps the environment. All recommended maintenance procedures are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can even affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our environment, and to keep your vehicle in good condition, please follow our service recommendations.
Maintenance intervals, checks, inspections and recommended fluids and lubricants are necessary to keep your vehicle in good working condition. Damage caused by failure to follow the recommended Maintenance Schedule intervals including maintenance and/or failure to use or maintain fluids, fuel, lubricants or refrigerants recommended in the Owner Manual and/or this booklet is not covered by warranty.
Saturn recommends that all vehicle maintenance records be documented, including the date and kilometres at time of service as well as service performed and/or part(s) installed. We have included a maintenance logbook for your convenience in this section of your booklet. Should your original vehicle maintenance records be lost or misplaced, your Saturn retailer keeps electronic service records of all work done on your vehicle at the retailer's service department.
We at Saturn want to help you keep your vehicle in good working condition. But we do not know exactly how you drive. You may drive very short distances only a few times a week. Or you may drive long distances all the time in very hot, dusty weather. You may use your vehicle in making deliveries or towing a trailer. Trailer towing adds extra strain to many of the vehicle's components. This may require additional maintenance. Please consult with your retailer and/or refer to the Owner Manual. Or you may drive it to work, to do errands or in many other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more frequent checks and replacements. So please read the following maintenance requirements and determine the appropriate schedule for your driving habits. If you have any questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition, see your Saturn retailer, or contact us at 1-800-263-1999 or saturncanada.com.
Regardless of your driving habits and operating conditions, to keep your vehicle in good working order and to protect the environment as well as to ensure the safety of you and your occupants, every Saturn vehicle requires the following three service categories:
The service requirements in this booklet are for vehicles that:
• | Carry passengers and cargo within recommended limits. You will find these limits on your vehicle's Certification/Tire label. See "Loading Your Vehicle" in the Owner Manual. |
• | Are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal driving limits. |
• | Are driven off-road in the recommended manner. See "Off-Road Driving" in the Vehicle's Owner Manual. |
• | Use the recommended fuel. See "Fuel" in the Owner Manual. |
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know when to change the engine oil and filter.
The Oil Life System is based on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on kilometres driven. Based on driving conditions, the kilometres at which an oil change will be indicated can vary considerably. For the Oil Life System to work properly, the system must be reset every time the oil is changed.
When the change engine oil message comes on, it means that service is required for your vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible, within the next 1 000 kilometres. It is possible that, if you are driving under the best conditions, the Oil Life System may not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year. However, your engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year and at this time the system must be reset. Your Saturn retailer has Saturn-trained service technicians who will perform this work using Genuine Saturn Parts and will reset the Oil Life System.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, the oil must be changed at 5 000 kilometres from the date of your last service. Remember to have the Oil Life System reset whenever the oil is changed. See "Oil Life System" in the Owner Manual for information on resetting the system.
To help ensure the safety, dependability and emission control performance of your vehicle, the following checks and services are required at the interval indicated below.
It is important to perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
• | Engine Oil Level Check -- Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if necessary. See "Engine Oil" in the Owner Manual for further details. |
Notice: It is important to check the engine oil regularly and to keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep the engine oil at the proper level can cause damage to the engine that will not be covered by the warranty. |
• | Engine Coolant Level Check -- Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL® coolant mixture if necessary. See "Engine Coolant" in the Owner Manual for further details. |
• | Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check -- Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield washer tank and the proper fluid, if necessary. See"Windshield Washer Fluid" in the Owner Manual for details. |
Perform these checks and services.
• | Tire Inflation Check -- Visually inspect the tires and make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check the spare tire. See "Tires" in the Owner Manual for further details. |
• | Tire Wear Inspection -- Tire rotation may be required for high mileage highway drivers prior to the Oil Life System service notification. Check the tires for wear and, if necessary, rotate the tires. |
You or your Saturn Retailer should perform the following checks and services every 6 months. See "Owner Checks and Services" and "Periodic Maintenance Inspections" in the Owner Manual for further details. Contact your Saturn Servicing Retailer for an appointment and pricing.
Anniversary Months:__________for Semi-Annual | |||
---|---|---|---|
Service/Check/Inspection Required | Semi-Annual | Service/Check/Inspection Required | Semi-Annual |
Restraint System Check | · | Steering and Suspension System Inspection | · |
Throttle System Inspection | · | Lubrication Service | · |
Automatic/Manual Transmission/Transaxle Check | · | Starter Switch Check | · |
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Inspection | · | Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Shift Lock Control System Check | · |
Wiper Blade Check | · | Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Park (P) Mechanism Check | · |
Engine Cooling System Inspection | · | Ignition Transmission/Transaxle Lock Check | · |
Brake and Tire Inspection (including Tire Rotation Service and Spare Tire Check) | · |
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule section of the Owner Manual.
The following explanations are to help you understand the maintenance services your Saturn retailer will perform. Your Saturn vehicle has the industry leading technological innovations that have been designed to make sure you will have years of safe, efficient and trouble free driving. Therefore, you will want only the best people servicing your Saturn vehicle, the Saturn trained technician equipped with Saturn parts.
Change the engine oil and filter as follows:
• | Vehicles that have the Oil Life System, a light or message on the instrument panel indicates when the oil is to be changed or every 12 months, whichever occurs first. Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible within the next 1 000 kilometres. |
Use only GF4 (U.S. -- SM) engine oil, such as Saturn Approved Engine Oil, which improved oxidation resistance (i.e., the oil will not thicken as rapidly), improved deposit protection, better wear protection and better low temperature performance over the life of the oil. To ensure your vehicle does in fact get the GF4 engine oil, this service should be performed at a Saturn retailer. For recommended viscosity grade level, see "What Kind of Engine Oil to Use" in the Owner Manual.
To prolong tire life, rotate tires every 10 000 kilometres. Considering that the average Canadian drives approximately 21 000 kilometres per year, a tire rotation service should be performed twice per year when your vehicle is at your Saturn retailer for the Semi-Annual Check, Inspections and Services visit. See "Tire Inspection and Rotation" in the Owner Manual for proper rotation pattern and additional information. All Saturn retailers have been issued special tools to properly torque the wheel nuts to factory specifications. To insure wheel nuts are torqued properly and avoid damage to the wheel assembly and your braking system, a qualified Saturn retailer's technician should perform this service. A tire rotation service is included in the Semi-Annual Check, Inspections and Services outlined in the vehicle maintenance section of this booklet.
Your Saturn vehicle has an engine accessory drive belt that has a wear indicator to advise you when to have the belt replaced. When the wear indicator shows that it is time to replace the belt, a qualified Saturn retailer's technician should perform this service.
Drain and refill the cooling system at the interval specified in the Kilometre Driven Vehicle Maintenance Service Schedule. See "Engine Coolant" in the Owner Manual for additional information. Use only Saturn Approved DEX-COOL® (orange-colour) engine coolant. If a top up is required, add ONLY Saturn Approved DEX-COOL® (orange-colour) engine coolant and clean tap water in a 50/50 mixture. Using regular antifreeze (green-colour) will reduce the 60-month change interval to 24-months or 50 000 kilometres. If regular antifreeze (green-colour) were introduced to the cooling system, a qualified Saturn retailer technician has a procedure to return the cooling system back to the original long-life properties. Therefore, to save money and protect the integrity of the coolant system, as well as to protect your vehicle's warranty coverage, a qualified Saturn retailer technician should perform this service. An engine cooling system inspection is included in the Semi-Annual Check, Inspections and Services outlined in the vehicle maintenance section of this booklet.
Visually inspect the exhaust pipes, muffler and hangers for cracks, deterioration or damage every time the tires are rotated. See "Engine Exhaust" in the Owner Manual for additional information. Start the engine and listen carefully for any exhaust leakage. If a problem is detected, connectors may need tightening or parts replaced, as necessary. A qualified Saturn retailer technician should perform this service. An exhaust system inspection is included in the Semi-Annual Check, Inspections and Services outlined in the vehicle maintenance section of this booklet.
Inspect air cleaner/filter element as scheduled and replace as indicated in the Kilometre Driven Vehicle Maintenance Schedule. Replace more often if you drive in dusty conditions or off road conditions. See "Engine Air Cleaner/Filter" or "Air Cleaner" in the Owner Manual for additional information. A qualified Saturn retailer technician should perform this service. An engine air cleaner/filter inspection is included in the Semi-Annual Check, Inspections and Services outlined in the vehicle maintenance section of this booklet.
Your Saturn vehicle has long life - platinum/iridium spark plugs that have been designed to last up to 160 000 kilometres. However, various fuel additives used by the Canadian petroleum industry may shorten the life span. Long life - platinum/iridium spark plugs should never be taken out and cleaned. Always install new plugs of the same type as originally equipped. See "Spark Plug" in the Owner Manual for additional information. A qualified Saturn retailer technician should perform this service.
Every 6 months, inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface condition. Inspect other brake parts, including calipers, parking brake, etc. Check parking brake adjustment. You may need to have the brakes inspected more often if your driving habits or conditions result in frequent braking. With many Saturn vehicles having an advanced electronic braking system (ABS), a qualified Saturn retailer technician should perform brake service. A brake system inspection is included in the Semi-Annual Check, Inspections and Services outlined in the vehicle maintenance section of this booklet.
Every 6 months, inspect the front and rear suspension and steering system for damage, loose or missing parts or signs of wear. A qualified Saturn retailer technician should perform this service. A steering, suspension and front drive axle boot and seal inspection is included in the Semi-Annual Check, Inspections and Services outlined in the vehicle maintenance section of this booklet.
Saturn transmissions have been designed for durability, dependability and reliability. They can either be sealed or conventional, but when the vehicle is operated in severe conditions as described below, the transmission fluid has to be changed more frequently.
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter using the severe service interval in the Scheduled Maintenance section of your vehicle Owner Manual, if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these conditions:
• | In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher. |
• | In hilly or mountainous terrain. |
• | When doing frequent trailer towing. |
• | Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service. |
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, change the fluid and filter following the normal service interval specified in the Scheduled Maintenance section of the Owner Manual. To insure the transmission fluid and filter are managed correctly and that DEXRON®-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid is used, a qualified Saturn retailer's technician should perform this service. An automatic/manual transmission/transaxle inspection is included in the Semi-Annual Check, Inspections and Services outlined in the vehicle maintenance section of this booklet.
Replace passenger compartment air filter, if equipped, as indicated in the Scheduled Maintenance section of the Owner Manual, or more frequently if operating in a dusty environment. A qualified Saturn retailer technician should perform this service.
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life and best overall performance. Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle vibrating when driving on a smooth road, the wheels may need to be rebalanced. A qualified Saturn retailer technician should perform these services.
Please be sure to properly operate, care for and maintain your Saturn vehicle as outlined in the Owner Manual and this warranty booklet. It is your responsibility to maintain your service records, as it may be necessary for warranty reasons to show that the required maintenance on your vehicle has been performed. After you have had the required services performed, record the date, odometer reading and who performed the service in the following record pages. An area to record your maintenance visits is also found in the Owner Manual. Also, you should retain all maintenance receipts in the glove box literature portfolio.