Welcome! New Saturn? Below you will find answers to many common questions. If you still need help, please check the Saturn FAQ section or email me. I will do my best to answer your question. I look forward to hearing from you and, again, thanks for supporting Saturn.
1. My key is stuck and won't turn. This is common, especially when new. All Saturn's are equipped with a steering wheel-lock as a theft deterrent. The lock is supposed to disengage when the key is placed in the ignition. Sometimes, because of the way the wheel is turned, it sticks. Here's what to do: Put one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the key in the ignition. Jiggle the steering wheel from left to right (there will be a small amount of room to move the wheel from left to right). At the same time, turn the key normally to start the car. You may need to apply moderate pressure. The key will turn. Do NOT force the key. This may damage your ignition.
2. What's that green light on my speedometer? That's the ejection seat malfunction indicator. Just kidding. (The ejection seat indicator is actually located at the lower right side of the tachometer). All Saturn cars after 1996 come with day time running lights (DRL). The DRL are your high-beam bulbs at about 30% brightness. DRL are very effective at dusk, dawn and other difficult vision situations. A reduction in daylight accidents is the central benefit of DRL.
3. How often should I change my oil? Every 3 months or 3,000 miles. All four cylinder S and L series cars have a timing chain and changing your oil is the best way to make it last a long, long, long time. L-series V6 owners should still change their oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles. Basically, you need to decide how long you want your car to last. Yes, you can probably stretch the interval to 5,000 miles BUT you will end up risking the piston rings and other lubricated parts of the engine somewhere around 100.
4. Do I need an appointment for an oil change? Yes. I recommend one.
5. Can I schedule a service appointment online? Yes. GO HERE.
6.
Where's the rear defroster? The
rear defroster button is operated by pressing the button between the AC and
RECIRCULATE buttons on the front of the heating
/air
conditioning control panel. Click on the picture to the left. The
rear defrost is the button with those little squiggles. The rear defrost
squiggle button also operates the heated exterior mirrors on all L-series except
the LS sedan (LS has no heated mirrors).
7. Air Conditioner, Heater and Air Flow Operation:
Fig. 7.1 HVAC Control Panel, 2000-2001 Saturn L and Saturn S
a) Temperature Control: Blue (or the left or lighter half) is cold. Red (or the right or darker half) is hot. Changes the temperature of the air coming through the system into the passenger compartment.
b) Fan Speed: Moving the switch from left to right increases the speed of the fan and the amount of air that comes out of the vents. Fun Tip: For a Winnie-the-Pooh Blustery Day sort-of experience, turn the switch to IIII, roll all the windows down and drive really fast. This works even better if you also have a sunroof.
c) Air Flow Direction: Controls the direction of the air into the passenger compartment. You can position the knob to any one of five settings: (from left to right)
c.1) VENT: Use when little heating or cooling is needed. Directs air flow through the vents in the instrument panel. Fresh air flows into the passenger compartment even with the fan in the off position. So, adjust the temperature by moving the Temperature Control know to the desired temperature.
c.2) BI-LEVEL: Directs air through two places: the instrument panel vents and the heater outlets on the floor. The air from the heater outlets will be warmer than the instrument panel (vent) air.
d) HEATER: Use for the heater :) Directs air through the heater vents on the floor, the rear floor outlets and a even a bit through the windshield defroster outlets.
e) DEFROST/HEATER: Use to keep the glass fog free. Directs air in two ways: windshield defroster outlets and heater outlets (some air may also come through the instrument panel vents). You may also notice the a/c operating during defrost/heater and defrost modes. THIS IS NORMAL. The a/c helps to clear the windows.
f) DEFROST: Use to defrost the front and front side windows. Directs air through the windshield defroster outlets onto the windshield and past the front side windows.
Fig. 7.2. Air conditioning, rear defrost and recirculate location.
please click to enlarge.
g) Air Conditioner Switch: Turns the a/c on. A light glows when a/c is on. You can select the AC in any mode as only as the fan switch is ON.
h) Rear Defogger: Designed to clear condensation on the inside or the outside of the rear window. Those lines across your back window are the elements that warm the glass. The defogger stays on for 15 minutes and then turns itself off unless 1) the key is turned to the ACC or LOCK position (in which case the defogger shuts off right away) or 2) the switch is pressed again before the 15 minutes are up. To run the defogger for more than 15 minutes, wait until the defogger turns off and then push the switch again. The defogger will stay on for an additional 7 1/2 minutes.
i) Recirculate Switch: Controls the source (inside or outside) of the air for all modes except Defrost and Defrost/Heater. When you press this button (a light glows when it's on), the inside air is recirculated through the system. This cools the air more quickly. When Defrost or Defrost/Heater is selected, only outside air is used even if the recirculate light is on. In cold or hot/humid weather, outside air is best for clearing windows; in other words, avoid using the recirculate button when the weather is cold or humid. This is the best way to avoid fogged windows.
8. Warranty Information:
You also have access to complete warranty information in you Owner's Handbook.
| Each Section contains important warranty info. The pictures on the left are smaller; the pictures of the right are larger and will take more time to load. Both are the same material. | |
| Section 1: L and S series Basic Coverage: length of bumper to bumper and Federal Emissions/California Emissions coverage. | |
 Section 1: size 313 K 4"x5.1" |
 Section 1: size 703 K 6"x7.7" |
| Section 2: L and S series New Car Warranty text including bumper to bumper coverage, corrosion, rust through, getting repairs and the start of items not covered by the bumper to bumper warranty. | |
 Section 2: size 5.3 M 4"x5.1" |
 Section 2: size 11.9 M 6"x7.7" |
| Section 3: What's not covered: It's a warranty, not an insurance policy. Damage from accidents, riots (my favorite), weather events, negligence and failure to do basic maintenance are not covered. | |
Section 3: |
Section 3: |
| Section 4: Other rights and responsibilities under law. Includes Things You Should Know like the kinds of parts we might use, the inclusion of recycled materials and the Frank Sinatra CDs you should buy. | |
 Section 4: size 5.36 M 4"x5.1" |
 Section 4: size 12.1 M 6"x7.8" |
| Section 5: Other things you need to know (like why not to use those rust proofing products), paint and trim warranty info, when your warranty starts and ends and how to get warranty service in the US and beyond. | |
 Section 5: size 5.36 M 4"x5.1" |
 Section 5: size 12.1 M 6"x7.8" |
9. What is a new owner's clinic and when is the next one?
a) A New Owner's Clinic is a time for all folks new to Saturn to gather together and learn how to get the most out of the Saturn experience. You'll meet service technicians, eat some good food and learn a ton of stuff about how to car for your car. There's also a chance to ask questions, examine cars up close and take a tour of the facility. Plan on spending about 2 hours with us.
b) Where are the clinics held? The clinics are held at Saturn of Bowie.
c) How often? Usually every other month but sometimes every three months.
d) When is the next one? Check my home page for updates.
I hope to see you there!