Saturn VUE Green Line Hybrid 2009 User manual

Seats and Restraint
System ............................... 1-1
Head Restraints .............. 1-2
Front Seats .................... 1-3
Rear Seats .................... 1-9
Safety Belts .................. 1-10
Child Restraints ............. 1-22
Airbag System .............. 1-41
Restraint System
Check ...................... 1-56
Features and Controls ...... 2-1
Keys ............................. 2-2
Doors and Locks ............ 2-6
Windows ........................ 2-9
Theft-Deterrent
Systems ................... 2-10
Starting and Operating
Your Vehicle ............. 2-14
Mirrors ......................... 2-27
OnStar
®
System ............ 2-29
Universal Home Remote
System ..................... 2-32
Storage Areas ............... 2-37
Instrument Panel ............... 3-1
Instrument Panel
Overview .................... 3-4
Climate Controls ............ 3-17
Warning Lights, Gages,
and Indicators ............ 3-22
Driver Information
Center (DIC) ............. 3-36
Audio System(s) ............ 3-56
Driving Your Vehicle ......... 4-1
Your Driving, the Road,
and the Vehicle ........... 4-1
Towing ........................ 4-22
Service and
Appearance Care ............... 5-1
Service .......................... 5-3
Fuel .............................. 5-5
Checking Things Under
the Hood .................... 5-9
Headlamp Aiming .......... 5-33
Bulb Replacement ......... 5-35
Windshield Wiper Blade
Replacement ............. 5-38
Tires ........................... 5-38
Appearance Care .......... 5-66
Vehicle Identification ...... 5-74
Electrical System ........... 5-74
Capacities and
Specifications ............ 5-81
Maintenance Schedule ...... 6-1
Maintenance Schedule ..... 6-1
Customer Assistance
Information ........................ 7-1
Customer Assistance and
Information ................. 7-1
Reporting Safety
Defects ..................... 7-12
Vehicle Data Recording
and Privacy ............... 7-14
Index ....................................i-1
2009 Saturn VUE Green Line Hybrid Owner Manual M

SATURN, the SATURN Emblem,
and the name VUE are registered
trademarks of Saturn Corporation.
GENERAL MOTORS and GM
are registered trademarks of
General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest
information at the time it was
printed. Saturn reserves the right to
make changes after that time
without further notice.
This manual describes features that
may or may not be on your
specific vehicle.
Read this manual from beginning to
end to learn about the vehicle’s
features and controls. Pictures,
symbols, and words work together
to explain vehicle operation.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for
quick reference.
Canadian Owners
A French language copy of this
manual can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer or from:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
helminc.com
Propriétaires Canadiens
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de
ce guide en français auprès de
concessionnaire ou à l’adresse
suivante:
Helm Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
helminc.com
About Driving Your
Vehicle
As with other vehicles of this type,
failure to operate this vehicle
correctly may result in loss of control
or an accident. Be sure to read
the “on-pavement” and “off-road”
driving guidelines which follow in this
manual in the section called “Your
Driving, the Road, and Your
Vehicle”.
ii Preface
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 25814240 A First Printing
©
2008 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Index
To quickly locate information about
the vehicle use the Index in the
back of the manual. It is an
alphabetical list of what is in the
manual and the page number where
it can be found.
Safety Warnings and
Symbols
A circle with a slash through it is a
safety symbol which means “Do
Not,” “Do not do this” or “Do not let
this happen.”
A box with the word CAUTION is
used to tell about things that
could hurt you or others if you were
to ignore the warning.
{CAUTION
These mean there is something
that could hurt you or other
people.
Cautions tell what the hazard is and
what to do to avoid or reduce the
hazard. Read these cautions.
A notice tells about something that
can damage the vehicle.
Notice: These mean there is
something that could damage
your vehicle.
Many times, this damage would not
be covered by the vehicle’s
warranty, and it could be costly. The
notice tells what to do to help
avoid the damage.
There are also warning labels on
the vehicle which use the same
words, CAUTION or Notice.
Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and
labels that use symbols instead
of text. Symbols are shown along
with the text describing the operation
or information relating to a specific
component, control, message,
gage, or indicator.
M:This symbol is shown when
you need to see your owner manual
for additional instructions or
information.
*:This symbol is shown when
you need to see a service manual
for additional instructions or
information.
Preface iii

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols
that may be found on the vehicle
and what they mean. For more
information on the symbol, refer to
the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel
Controls or OnStar
®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
iv Preface

Seats and
Restraint System
Head Restraints
Head Restraints ..................1-2
Front Seats
Manual Seats .....................1-3
Seat Height Adjuster ...........1-4
Power Seat ........................1-4
Manual Lumbar ..................1-5
Heated Seats .....................1-5
Reclining Seatbacks ...........1-5
Passenger Folding
Seatback ...........................1-7
Rear Seats
Split Folding Rear Seat ......1-9
Safety Belts
Safety Belts: They Are
for Everyone ...................1-10
How to Wear Safety
Belts Properly ..................1-13
Lap-Shoulder Belt .............1-17
Safety Belt Use During
Pregnancy .......................1-22
Safety Belt Extender .........1-22
Child Restraints
Older Children ..................1-22
Infants and Young
Children ..........................1-25
Child Restraint Systems ....1-27
Where to Put the
Restraint .........................1-29
Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children
(LATCH) ..........................1-31
Securing a Child
Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position ...................1-36
Securing a Child
Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position .........1-38
Airbag System
Airbag System ..................1-41
Where Are the Airbags? ...1-44
When Should an Airbag
Inflate? ............................1-45
What Makes an Airbag
Inflate? ............................1-47
How Does an Airbag
Restrain? ........................1-47
What Will You See After
an Airbag Inflates? ..........1-48
Passenger Sensing
System ............................1-49
Servicing Your
Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle ............................1-54
Adding Equipment to
Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle ............................1-55
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint
Systems ..........................1-56
Replacing Restraint
System Parts After a
Crash ..............................1-57
Seats and Restraint System 1-1

Head Restraints
The front and rear seats have
adjustable head restraints in the
outboard seating positions.
{CAUTION
With head restraints that are not
installed and adjusted properly,
there is a greater chance that
occupants will suffer a neck/spinal
injury in a crash. Do not drive until
the head restraints for all
occupants are installed and
adjusted properly.
Adjust the head restraint so that the
top of the restraint is at the same
height as the top of the occupant’s
head. This position reduces the
chance of a neck injury in a crash.
Pull the head restraint up to
raise it. To lower the head restraint,
press the button, located on the
top of the seatback, and push the
restraint down.
Push down on the head restraint
after the button is released to make
sure that it is locked in place.
The head restraints are not
designed to be removed.
1-2 Seats and Restraint System

Active Head Restraint System
The vehicle has an active head
restraint system in the front outboard
seating positions. The active head
restraints automatically tilt forward to
reduce the risk of neck injury if
the vehicle is hit from behind.
Front Seats
Manual Seats
{CAUTION
You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a
manual driver’s seat while the
vehicle is moving. The sudden
movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a
pedal when you do not want to.
Adjust the driver’s seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
To move a manual seat forward or
rearward:
1. Lift the bar to unlock the seat.
2. Slide the seat to the desired
position and release the bar.
Try to move the seat with your body
to be sure the seat is locked in
place.
Seats and Restraint System 1-3

Seat Height Adjuster
If the vehicle has a manual driver
seat height adjuster, it is located on
the outboard side of the seat
near the front of the seat cushion.
To raise the seat, move the
lever upward repeatedly until the
seat is at the desired height.
To lower the seat, move the lever
downward repeatedly until the
seat is at the desired height.
Power Seat
a:To adjust the seat:
Move the seat forward or rearward.
Raise or lower the front or rear part
of the seat cushion.
1-4 Seats and Restraint System

Manual Lumbar
If the vehicle has this feature, the
knob is located on the inboard
side of the driver seatback.
Turn the knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or
decrease the lumbar support.
Heated Seats
On vehicles with heated front seats
the controls are located on the center
console. The engine must be running
to operate the heated seats.
M(Heated Seat): Press this
button to turn on the heated seat.
The indicator light on the button
shows that the feature is on and the
level of heat, three being the
highest. Press the button to choose
the level of heat.
The passenger seat may take
longer to heat up.
Reclining Seatbacks
Manual Reclining Seatbacks
{CAUTION
You can lose control of the
vehicle if you try to adjust a
manual driver’s seat while the
vehicle is moving. The sudden
movement could startle and
confuse you, or make you push a
pedal when you do not want to.
Adjust the driver’s seat only when
the vehicle is not moving.
{CAUTION
If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.
On seats with manual reclining
seatbacks, the lever used to operate
them is located on the outboard
side of the seat.
Seats and Restraint System 1-5

To recline the seatback:
1. Lift the recline lever.
2. Move the seatback to the desired
position, then release the lever to
lock the seatback in place.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked.
To return the seatback to an upright
position:
1. Lift the lever fully without
applying pressure to the
seatback and the seatback
returns to the upright position.
2. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked.
Power Reclining Seatbacks
If the seats have power reclining
seatbacks, the control used to
recline them is located on the
outboard side of the seat.
•To recline the seatback, tilt the
top of the control rearward.
•To bring the seatback forward, tilt
the top of the control forward.
{CAUTION
Sitting in a reclined position when
your vehicle is in motion can be
dangerous. Even if you buckle up,
your safety belts cannot do their
job when you are reclined like this.
The shoulder belt cannot do its job.
In a crash, you could go into it,
receiving neck or other injuries.
The lap belt cannot do its job
either. In a crash the belt could go
up over your abdomen. The belt
forces would be there, not at your
pelvic bones. This could cause
serious internal injuries.
For proper protection when the
vehicle is in motion, have the
seatback upright. Then sit well
back in the seat and wear your
safety belt properly.
1-6 Seats and Restraint System

Do not have a seatback reclined if
the vehicle is moving.
Passenger Folding
Seatback
The front passenger seatback may
fold flat.
{CAUTION
If you fold the seatback forward to
carry longer objects, such as skis,
be sure any such cargo is not
near an airbag. In a crash, an
inflating airbag might force that
object toward a person. This
could cause severe injury or even
death. Secure objects away from
the area in which an airbag would
inflate. For more information, see
Where Are the Airbags? on
page 1-44 and Loading the
Vehicle on page 4-18.
{CAUTION
Things you put on this seatback
can strike and injure people in a
sudden stop or turn, or in a crash.
Remove or secure all items
before driving.
To fold the seatback:
1. Lower the head restraint all
the way.
2. Lift the bar under the front of the
seat to unlock it. Slide the seat
as far back as it will go and
release the bar. Try to move the
seat back and forth to make
sure it is locked into place.
Seats and Restraint System 1-7

3. Lift the recliner lever, located on
the outboard side of the seat, up
fully and fold the seatback
forward until it disengages.
4. Continue to fold the seat forward
into the folded position.
5. Pull up on the seatback to be
sure it is locked.
To raise the seatback:
1. Lift the recliner lever, located on
the outboard side of the seat, up
fully and push up on the
seatback.
2. Continue raising the seatback
until the seatback re-engages.
{CAUTION
If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.
3. Push and pull on the seatback to
make sure it is locked in place.
The recliner lever is also used to
recline the seatback while a
passenger is seated. See Reclining
Seatbacks on page 1-5.
1-8 Seats and Restraint System

Rear Seats
Split Folding Rear Seat
The rear split bench seatbacks can
be folded forward, upright, or
partially reclined, independent of the
other seatback position.
{CAUTION
If either seatback is not locked, it
could move forward in a sudden
stop or crash. That could cause
injury to the person sitting there.
Always push and pull on the
seatbacks to be sure they are
locked.
{CAUTION
A safety belt that is improperly
routed, not properly attached, or
twisted will not provide the
protection needed in a crash. The
person wearing the belt could be
seriously injured. After raising the
rear seatback, always check to be
sure that the safety belts are
properly routed and attached, and
are not twisted.
To fold the seatback down:
Notice: Folding a rear seat with
the safety belts still fastened may
cause damage to the seat or the
safety belts. Always unbuckle the
safety belts and return them to
their normal stowed position
before folding a rear seat.
1. Unbuckle all three safety belts
and put the front seatback in
an upright position.
2. Lift the lever located on the top
of the seatback to release the
seatback and fold the seatback
forward.
To recline the seatback:
1. Lift and hold the lever located on
top of the seatback.
2. Tilt the seatback rearward, then
release the lever.
Seats and Restraint System 1-9

Safety Belts
Safety Belts: They Are
for Everyone
This section of the manual describes
how to use safety belts properly.
It also describes some things not to
do with safety belts.
{CAUTION
Do not let anyone ride where a
safety belt cannot be worn
properly. In a crash, if you or your
passenger(s) are not wearing
safety belts, the injuries can be
much worse. You can hit things
inside the vehicle harder or be
ejected from the vehicle. You and
your passenger(s) can be seriously
injured or killed. In the same crash,
you might not be, if you are
buckled up. Always fasten your
safety belt, and check that your
passenger(s) are restrained
properly too.
{CAUTION
It is extremely dangerous to ride
in a cargo area, inside or outside
of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more
likely to be seriously injured or
killed. Do not allow people to ride
in any area of your vehicle that is
not equipped with seats and
safety belts. Be sure everyone in
your vehicle is in a seat and using
a safety belt properly.
This vehicle has indicators as a
reminder to buckle the safety belts.
See Safety Belt Reminders on
page 3-24 for additional information.
In most states and in all Canadian
provinces, the law requires
wearing safety belts. Here is why:
You never know if you will be
in a crash. If you do have a crash,
you do not know if it will be a
serious one.
A few crashes are mild, and some
crashes can be so serious that even
buckled up, a person would not
survive. But most crashes are
in between. In many of them, people
who buckle up can survive and
sometimes walk away. Without
safety belts they could have been
badly hurt or killed.
After more than 40 years of safety
belts in vehicles, the facts are clear.
In most crashes buckling up does
matter... a lot!
1-10 Seats and Restraint System

Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything,
you go as fast as it goes.
Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose
it is just a seat on wheels.
Put someone on it.
Get it up to speed. Then stop the
vehicle. The rider does not stop.
The person keeps going until
stopped by something. In a real
vehicle, it could be the windshield...
Seats and Restraint System 1-11

or the instrument panel...
or the safety belts!
With safety belts, you slow down as
the vehicle does. You get more
time to stop. You stop over more
distance, and your strongest bones
take the forces. That is why
safety belts make such good sense.
Questions and Answers
About Safety Belts
Q: Will I be trapped in the vehicle
after a crash if I am wearing a
safety belt?
A: You could be — whether you are
wearing a safety belt or not. But
your chance of being conscious
during and after an accident, so
you can unbuckle and get out, is
much greater if you are belted.
And you can unbuckle a safety
belt, even if you are upside down.
Q: If my vehicle has airbags, why
should I have to wear safety
belts?
A: Airbags are supplemental
systems only; so they work with
safety belts — not instead of
them. Whether or not an airbag
is provided, all occupants
still have to buckle up to get the
most protection. That is true
not only in frontal collisions, but
especially in side and other
collisions.
1-12 Seats and Restraint System

Q: If I am a good driver, and I
never drive far from home,
why should I wear safety
belts?
A: You may be an excellent driver,
but if you are in a crash — even
one that is not your fault — you
and your passenger(s) can be
hurt. Being a good driver does not
protect you from things beyond
your control, such as bad drivers.
Most accidents occur within
25 miles (40 km) of home. And
the greatest number of
serious injuries and deaths occur
at speeds of less than 40 mph
(65 km/h).
Safety belts are for everyone.
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly
This section is only for people of
adult size.
Be aware that there are special
things to know about safety
belts and children. And there are
different rules for smaller children
and infants. If a child will be riding in
the vehicle, see Older Children on
page 1-22 or Infants and Young
Children on page 1-25. Follow those
rules for everyone’s protection.
It is very important for all occupants
to buckle up. Statistics show that
unbelted people are hurt more often
in crashes than those who are
wearing safety belts.
Occupants who are not buckled up
can be thrown out of the vehicle
in a crash. And they can strike
others in the vehicle who are
wearing safety belts.
First, before you or your
passenger(s) wear a safety belt,
there is important information
you should know.
Sit up straight and always keep your
feet on the floor in front of you.
The lap part of the belt should be
worn low and snug on the hips, just
touching the thighs. In a crash,
this applies force to the strong pelvic
bones and you would be less
likely to slide under the lap belt. If
you slid under it, the belt would
apply force on your abdomen. This
could cause serious or even
Seats and Restraint System 1-13

fatal injuries. The shoulder belt
should go over the shoulder
and across the chest. These parts
of the body are best able to take belt
restraining forces.
The shoulder belt locks if there is a
sudden stop or crash.
Q: What is wrong with this?
A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It
will not give as much protection
this way.
{CAUTION
You can be seriously hurt if your
shoulder belt is too loose. In a
crash, you would move forward
too much, which could increase
injury. The shoulder belt should fit
snugly against your body.
Q: What is wrong with this?
A: The lap belt is too loose. It will
not give nearly as much
protection this way.
{CAUTION
You can be seriously hurt if your
lap belt is too loose. In a crash,
you could slide under the lap belt
and apply force on your abdomen.
This could cause serious or even
fatal injuries. The lap belt should
be worn low and snug on the
hips, just touching the thighs.
1-14 Seats and Restraint System

Q: What is wrong with this?
A: The belt is buckled in the wrong
buckle.
{CAUTION
You can be seriously injured if
your belt is buckled in the wrong
place like this. In a crash, the belt
would go up over your abdomen.
The belt forces would be there,
not on the pelvic bones. This
could cause serious internal
injuries. Always buckle your belt
into the buckle nearest you.
Q: What is wrong with this?
A: The belt is over an armrest.
{CAUTION
You can be seriously injured if
your belt goes over an armrest
like this. The belt would be much
too high. In a crash, you can slide
under the belt. The belt force
would then be applied on the
abdomen, not on the pelvic
bones, and that could cause
serious or fatal injuries. Be sure
the belt goes under the armrests.
Seats and Restraint System 1-15

Q: What is wrong with this?
A: The shoulder belt is worn under
the arm. It should be worn over
the shoulder at all times.
{CAUTION
You can be seriously injured if
you wear the shoulder belt under
your arm. In a crash, your body
would move too far forward, which
would increase the chance of
head and neck injury. Also, the
belt would apply too much force
to the ribs, which are not as
strong as shoulder bones. You
could also severely injure internal
organs like your liver or spleen.
The shoulder belt should go over
the shoulder and across the
chest.
Q: What is wrong with this?
A: The belt is behind the body.
1-16 Seats and Restraint System