The manual steering system used on Saturn vehicles is of the rack and pinion design. The major components of the steering system are the steering wheel, steering column and shaft, intermediate shaft, manual steering gear, tie rods, and steering knuckles.

The front wheels are steered by a manual steering system in the following manner: The steering wheel is turned by the driver, causing the steering shaft in the steering column to turn. The steering shaft turns the intermediate shaft (the intermediate shaft is a jointed shaft connecting the steering shaft to the steering gear) which turns the pinion of the steering gear. The gear teeth on the pinion mesh with the mating teeth on the straight rack inside the steering gear. Rotation of the pinion converts to a straight-line motion of the rack across the vehicle that moves the tie rods either left or right. This motion causes the steering knuckle to pivot either clockwise or counterclockwise, steering the front wheels.

Although the steering system is lubricated for life and requires no routine lubrication, it should be inspected periodically for damage and wear.