2004 Saturn L-Series Owner Manual M
Seats and Restraint Systems ........................... 1-1
Driving Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-1
Front Seats
............................................... 1-3
Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
..... 4-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-8
Towing
................................................... 4-32
Safety Belts
............................................. 1-11
Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1
Child Restraints
....................................... 1-35
Service
..................................................... 5-3
Air Bag Systems
...................................... 1-62
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
Restraint System Check
............................ 1-72
Checking Things Under the Hood
............... 5-10
Features and Controls ..................................... 2-1
Bulb Replacement
.................................... 5-46
Keys
........................................................ 2-3
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
......... 5-53
Doors and Locks
....................................... 2-9
Tires
...................................................... 5-54
Windows
................................................. 2-16
Appearance Care
..................................... 5-82
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................ 2-18
Vehicle Identification
................................. 5-90
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
........... 2-19
Electrical System
...................................... 5-91
Mirrors
.................................................... 2-33
Capacities and Specifications
..................... 5-98
OnStar® System
...................................... 2-40
Maintenance Schedule ..................................... 6-1
Storage Areas
......................................... 2-41
Maintenance Schedule
................................ 6-2
Sunroof
.................................................. 2-45
Customer Assistance and Information .............. 7-1
Instrument Panel ............................................. 3-1
Customer Assistance and Information
........... 7-2
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 3-2
Reporting Safety Defects
............................ 7-9
Climate Controls
...................................... 3-17
Index ................................................................ 1
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........ 3-25
Audio System(s)
....................................... 3-41

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Canadian Owners
A French language copy of this manual can be obtained
from your dealer or from:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
How to Use This Manual
Many people read the owner manual from beginning to
SATURN and the SATURN Emblem are registered
end when they first receive their new vehicle. If you
trademarks of Saturn Corporation. GM and the
do this, it can help you learn about the features
GM Emblem are registered trademarks of General
and controls for the vehicle. Pictures and words work
Motors Corporation.
together in the owner manual to explain things.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
Index
was printed. We reserve the right to make changes
after that time without further notice.
A good place to look for what you need is the Index in
Please keep this manual in your vehicle, so it will be
back of the manual. It is an alphabetical list of what
there if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you
is in the manual, and the page number where you will
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it so the
find it.
new owner can use it.
Litho in U.S.A.
© Copyright General Motors Corporation 11/04/03
Part No. 04LSERIES B FIRST EDITION
All Rights Reserved
ii

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Safety Warnings and Symbols
In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is.
Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce the
You will find a number of safety cautions in this book.
hazard. Please read these cautions. If you don’t, you
We use a box and the word CAUTION to tell you about
or others could be hurt.
things that could hurt you if you were to ignore the
warning.
You will also find a circle
with a slash through it in
this book. This safety
{CAUTION:
symbol means “Don’t,”
“Don’t do this” or “Don’t let
this happen.”
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
iii

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Vehicle Damage Warnings
Vehicle Symbols
Also, in this manual you will find these notices:
The vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with
Notice: These mean there is something that could
the text describing the operation or information
damage your vehicle.
relating to a specific component, control, message,
A notice tells about something that can damage your
gage, or indicator.
vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
by your vehicle’s warranty, and it could be costly. But
component, gage, or indicator, reference the following
the notice will tell you what to do to help avoid the
topics:
damage.
• Seats and Restraint Systems in Section 1
When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION
and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different
• Features and Controls in Section 2
words.
• Instrument Panel Overview in Section 3
There are also warning labels on your vehicle. They use
• Climate Controls in Section 3
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
• Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators in Section 3
• Audio System(s) in Section 3
• Engine Compartment Overview in Section 5
iv

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These are some examples of symbols that may be found on the vehicle:
v

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✍ NOTES
vi

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Section 1
Seats and Restraint Systems
Front Seats ......................................................1-3
Child Restraints .............................................1-35
Manual Seats ................................................1-3
Older Children ..............................................1-35
Driver Seat Height Adjuster ..............................1-3
Infants and Young Children ............................1-38
Six-Way Power Driver Seat ..............................1-4
Child Restraint Systems .................................1-42
Manual Lumbar ..............................................1-4
Where to Put the Restraint .............................1-44
Heated Seats .................................................1-5
Top Strap ....................................................1-46
Reclining Seatbacks ........................................1-5
Top Strap Anchor Location .............................1-47
Head Restraints .............................................1-7
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Rear Seats .......................................................1-8
Children (LATCH System) ...........................1-50
Split Folding Rear Seat ...................................1-8
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System .........................................1-52
Safety Belts ...................................................1-11
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone ................1-11
Position (Sedan) ........................................1-52
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts ......1-15
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly .................1-16
Seat Position (Wagon) ...............................1-54
Driver Position ..............................................1-16
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy ..................1-24
Seat Position (Wagon) ...............................1-56
Right Front Passenger Position .......................1-25
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Rear Seat Passengers ..................................1-25
Seat Position ............................................1-58
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children
and Small Adults .......................................1-33
Air Bag Systems ............................................1-62
Safety Belt Extender .....................................1-35
Where Are the Air Bags? ...............................1-64
When Should an Air Bag Inflate? ....................1-67
1-1

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Section 1
Seats and Restraint Systems
What Makes an Air Bag Inflate? .....................1-68
Restraint System Check ..................................1-72
How Does an Air Bag Restrain? .....................1-68
Checking Your Restraint Systems ...................1-72
What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates? .......1-69
Replacing Restraint System Parts After
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle .........1-71
a Crash ...................................................1-73
Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped
Vehicle ....................................................1-72
1-2

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Front Seats
Driver Seat Height Adjuster
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.
Lift the bar located under the front of the seat to unlock
If your vehicle has this feature, the driver’s seat height
it. Slide the seat to where you want it and release
adjuster is located on the outside of the seat.
the bar. Try to move the seat with your body to be sure
Pull lever up to raise or lower seat to a comfortable
the seat is locked in place.
height.
1-3

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Six-Way Power Driver Seat
Manual Lumbar
If your vehicle has this
feature, the knob is
located on the inboard
side of the driver’s
seatback.
If your vehicle has this feature, the control is located on
the outboard side of the driver’s seat. To adjust the
seat do any of the following:
Turn the knob forward or rearward to increase or
• Move the seat forward or rearward by pressing the
decrease the lumbar support.
center switch forward or rearward.
• Move the entire seat up or down by pressing the
DOWN/UP switch.
• Adjust the seatback by pressing the RECLINE
switch forward or rearward.
See Reclining Seatbacks on page 1-5, later in this
section, for more information.
1-4

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Document Outline

• 2004 Saturn L-Series Book TOC
• Seats and Restraint Systems
  • Front Seats
    • Manual Seats
    • Driver Seat Height Adjuster
    • Six-Way Power Driver Seat
    • Manual Lumbar
    • Heated Seats
    • Reclining Seatbacks
    • Head Restraints
  • Rear Seats
    • Split Folding Rear Seat
  • Safety Belts
    • Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone
    • Questions and Answers About Safety Belts
    • How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
    • Driver Position
    • Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
    • Right Front Passenger Position
    • Rear Seat Passengers
    • Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides for Children and Small Adults
    • Safety Belt Extender
  • Child Restraints
    • Older Children
    • Infants and Young Children
    • Child Restraint Systems
    • Where to Put the Restraint
    • Top Strap
    • Top Strap Anchor Location
    • Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for Children (LATCH System)
    • Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System
    • Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat Position (Sedan)
    • Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside Seat Position (Wagon)
    • Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Rear Seat Position (Wagon)
    • Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position
  • Air Bag Systems
    • Where Are the Air Bags?
    • When Should an Air Bag Inflate?
    • What Makes an Air Bag Inflate?
    • How Does an Air Bag Restrain?
    • What Will You See After an Air Bag Inflates?
    • Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
    • Adding Equipment to Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
  • Restraint System Check
    • Checking Your Restraint Systems
    • Replacing Restraint System Parts After a Crash
• Features and Controls
  • Keys
    • Remote Keyless Entry System
    • Remote Keyless Entry System Operation
  • Doors and Locks
    • Door Locks
    • Power Door Locks
    • Delayed Locking
    • Programmable Automatic Door Locks
    • Rear Door Security Locks
    • Lockout Protection
    • Leaving Your Vehicle
    • Trunk/Liftgate
  • Windows
    • Manual Windows
    • Power Windows
    • Sun Visors
  • Theft-Deterrent Systems
    • Passlock®
  • Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
    • New Vehicle Break-In
    • Ignition Positions
    • Starting Your Engine
    • Engine Coolant Heater
    • Automatic Transaxle Operation
    • Parking Brake
    • Shifting Into Park (P) (Automatic Transaxle)
    • Shifting Out of Park (P)
    • Parking Over Things That Burn
    • Engine Exhaust
    • Running Your Engine While You Are Parked
  • Mirrors
    • Manual Rearview Mirror
    • Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar®
    • Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with OnStar®, Compass and Temperature Display
    • Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass and Temperature Display
    • Outside Remote Control Mirror
    • Outside Power Mirrors
    • Outside Convex Mirror
    • Outside Heated Mirrors
  • OnStar® System
  • Storage Areas
    • Glove Box
    • Center Console Storage Area
    • Assist Handles
    • Load Floor Storage Box
    • Roof Rack System
    • Cargo Cover
  • Sunroof
• Instrument Panel
  • Instrument Panel Overview
    • Hazard Warning Flashers
    • Other Warning Devices
    • Horn
    • Tilt Wheel
    • Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
    • Windshield Wiper Lever
    • Cruise Control
    • Exterior Lamps
    • Interior Lamps
    • Accessory Power Outlets
    • Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
  • Climate Controls
    • Climate Control System
    • Automatic Climate Control System
    • Outlet Adjustment
    • Passenger Compartment Air Filter
  • Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
    • Instrument Panel Cluster
    • Speedometer and Odometer
    • Tachometer
    • Safety Belt Reminder Light
    • Air Bag Readiness Light
    • Battery Warning Light
    • Brake System Warning Light
    • Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
    • Traction Control System (TCS) Warning Light
    • Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
    • Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
    • Low Coolant Warning Light
    • Malfunction Indicator Lamp
    • Oil Pressure Light
    • Change Engine Oil Light
    • Security Light
    • Reduced Engine Power Light
    • Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light
    • Low Washer Fluid Warning Light
    • Trunk Ajar Light
    • Service Vehicle Soon Light
    • Fuel Gage
    • Low Fuel Warning Light
  • Audio System(s)
    • Setting the Time
    • AM-FM Radio
    • Radio with CD
    • Radio with Cassette and CD
    • Rear Seat Entertainment System
    • Theft-Deterrent Feature
    • Radio Reception
    • Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
    • Care of Your CDs and DVDs
    • Care of Your CD and DVD Player
    • Fixed Mast Antenna
• Driving Your Vehicle
  • Your Driving, the Road, and Your Vehicle
    • Defensive Driving
    • Drunken Driving
    • Control of a Vehicle
    • Braking
    • Traction Control System (TCS)
    • Steering
    • Off-Road Recovery
    • Passing
    • Loss of Control
    • Driving at Night
    • Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
    • City Driving
    • Freeway Driving
    • Before Leaving on a Long Trip
    • Highway Hypnosis
    • Hill and Mountain Roads
    • Winter Driving
    • If You Are Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
  • Towing
    • Towing Your Vehicle
    • Recreational Vehicle Towing
    • Loading Your Vehicle
    • Towing a Trailer
• Service and Appearance Care
  • Service
    • Doing Your Own Service Work
    • Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle
  • Fuel
    • Gasoline Octane
    • Gasoline Specifications
    • California Fuel
    • Additives
    • Fuels in Foreign Countries
    • Filling Your Tank
    • Filling a Portable Fuel Container
  • Checking Things Under the Hood
    • Hood Release
    • Engine Compartment Overview
    • Engine Oil
    • Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
    • Automatic Transaxle Fluid
    • Engine Coolant
    • Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
    • Engine Overheating
    • Cooling System
    • Power Steering Fluid
    • Windshield Washer Fluid
    • Brakes
    • Battery
    • Jump Starting
  • Bulb Replacement
    • Halogen Bulbs
    • Headlamps, Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps
    • Fog Lamps
    • Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) (Sedan)
    • Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) (Wagon)
    • Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps (Sedan)
    • Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and Back-up Lamps (Wagon)
    • Replacement Bulbs
  • Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
  • Tires
    • Inflation - Tire Pressure
    • Tire Inspection and Rotation
    • When It Is Time for New Tires
    • Buying New Tires
    • Uniform Tire Quality Grading
    • Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
    • Wheel Replacement
    • Tire Chains
    • If a Tire Goes Flat
    • Changing a Flat Tire
    • Compact Spare Tire
  • Appearance Care
    • Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
    • Care of Safety Belts
    • Weatherstrips
    • Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
    • Sheet Metal Damage
    • Finish Damage
    • Underbody Maintenance
    • Chemical Paint Spotting
    • Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
  • Vehicle Identification
    • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
    • Service Parts Identification Label
  • Electrical System
    • Add-On Electrical Equipment
    • Windshield Wiper Fuses
    • Power Windows and Other Power Options
    • Fuses and Circuit Breakers
  • Capacities and Specifications
• Maintenance Schedule
  • Maintenance Schedule
    • Introduction
    • Maintenance Requirements
    • Your Vehicle and the Environment
    • Using Your Maintenance Schedule
    • Scheduled Maintenance
    • Additional Required Services
    • Maintenance Footnotes
    • Owner Checks and Services
    • At Each Fuel Fill
    • At Least Once a Month
    • At Least Once a Year
    • Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
    • Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
    • Engine Drive Belt Routing
    • Maintenance Record
• Customer Assistance and Information
  • Customer Assistance and Information
    • Customer Satisfaction Procedure
    • Online Owner Center
    • Customer Assistance for Text Telephone (TTY) Users
    • GM Mobility Program for Persons with Disabilities
    • Roadside Assistance Program
    • Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data Recorders
  • Reporting Safety Defects
    • Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government
    • Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian Government
    • Reporting Safety Defects to Saturn
    • Service Publications Ordering Information
• Index

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