November 17, 2004

• have you checked in your owner' manual (assuming you still have it)? It should have a section telling you what each cryptic heiroglyph means,
• Can't find it. I dug all the way through the trunk and it's not there, unfortunately. And I couldn't find one online either - just the saturn people trying to make me look at new cars.
• what model? can you provide a bit more description? the symbols will be in the manual (though by asking you've pretty much told us you lost it or never got it). as for your question, the lights tend to be very similar looking but the meanings don't always hold between manufacturers. (fwiw, the Check Engine light on my new car means "hey maybe you should go take a look soon maybe" where on my old car it meant "omg pull off NOW".) the battery symbol could be voltage, like the Audi one is, but it's more likely it's an alternator or other charging system problem - possibly not critical but you want to get it fixed, as you'll drain the battery out if you don't. if you're getting a cooling system one (always thought it looked like a basin or a bowl with a thermometer in it) it could be something simple like your fluid level is low or you're leaking somewhere or it could be worse, like a blockage somewhere. of course, if you don't know, best to take it in. the cooling one may not be that bad - just keep an eye on your temperature gauge - but the fact that you got lights does mean your car needs attention in some way.
• I have a '97 Saturn. Is the 'engine needs maintenance' message on? Or there's the 'check engine immediately' one as well. The first time I had those ones come on they told me that the nasty little computer in there often sends out 'false negatives'. But I really suggest both the manual and a call to a friendly mechanic.
• mrg beat me to the draw. I've got my manual.
• Have you tried your glove compartment for the owner's manual? That's where most of them have lived in my lifetime.
• What's on is the 2nd one down from the top - from the link - that looks like a thermometer in the ocean (the no swimming one, I guess) and a blocky one that looks kind of like a battery. I wish I had the stupid manual - but either the dog ate it or it's just evaporated. I really wish they had just put a little text message in there. Something along the lines of, You Idiot, Add Oil! (It's not that one. I know that one.)
• The Audi icons aren't standard for all cars. However, I drive a Saturn (2000) and I recognize both the cooling system and the battery icons. If you still had your manual, I'd say check whether your warranty was still good. Saturn will tow you to the dealership for free, as I have reason to know. My extended warranty paid for itself last month between repairs and towing.
• Thank you immlass!! No, alas, the warranty's long gone, but I think I still have triple A. Okay, so much for the grocery store tonight. As a general question though, WHY aren't the symbols the same for all cars? And easily accessible in a pdf? Like laundry symbols?
• I blame Sweden.
• I've got it right here! "High engine coolant temperature/automatic fluid temperature and low coolant level warning light" whew, but that's the title for those two lights. 'if the light comes on and stays on you could have one or both of: -overheated engine coolant -overheated automatic transaxle fluid.' it says to stop and turn car off asap. call saturn retailer for assistance. Do you know how to check the rad? Don't go do it unless you know how. If it's low fill it up, turn the key on accessories and see what happens. Then call saturn retailer for assistance, they say. That's my roadside assistance. Unfortunately, since mine is a standard, I don't think I can be of more practical assistance. Be careful and don't drive. Not worth losing even a sewing machine engine. /I must charge GM for this.
• Mygothlaundry, while I was googling to see if I could find something for you, I found this story from last year that might explain some of your nonstandard symbol woes. Apparently there's a debate over standardizing the icons. Given that it's been less than a year since that story and bureaucracy moves at the speed of molasses, I bet nothing has happened yet.
• "Those tested had no comprehension at all for nine of the 15 symbols " Yeah, that would be me. dxlifer, I will happily support you getting money from GM for this & send letters of recommendation. I'm glad I didn't drive tonight - although the cats are going to be pissed in the morning when there's no more cat food - or only strange cat food from the strange local store - but I need my plastic car & its sewing machine engine. It's a standard too though; still, I'm not messing with the radiator, I did that once with a previous car, never again.
• the radiator really isn't too bad as long as you make real sure the engine is cool. otherwise you'll get a gush of hot steamy death (maybe less so on the death, but either way it'll be real painful - cooling system is under pressure and that stuff is very very hot) when you open the cap. I was always told to fill to the bottom of the spout ont he radiator. if you overfill it should spill into the recovery bottle. most car manufs say fill the coolant bottle (should be close to the radiator).. never did understand that.
• ( ! ) hehehehe /beavis
• mygothlaundry: I have nothing to offer, but I like your nick. It reminds me of an old german song: "every morning it's hard to chose which black shirt we're gonna wear and when you do the laudry black clothes become grey It's hard to be a nihilist"
• s/chose/choose/
• Little plastic cars, with sewing machine engines are the greatest. Most folks think mine is a new model because it looks so good. It's the little wagon that they don't make anymore, although it's still very much in demand. Keep on rollin', mygothlaundry. I think helping others is part of the 'Saturn family' creed. Do you get invited to the yearly picnics they give for owners? That's seems to be a big deal, although I've never been.
• mygothlaundry: I'm no mechanic, but my guess would be that there's nothing wrong with your cooling system, but there is a problem with your battery system. Often when the battery voltage dips, the car's computer gets glitchy and starts showing spurious warning lights. Other symptoms are a wacky/nonfunctional speedometer dial and losing the presets on your radio...it gets worse from there... The cause is probably a faulty battery (won't hold a charge) or a faulty charging system (i.e. alternator). In any case, get it to a shop (not necessarily a dealer) ASAP.
• Well, as an update, it was towed this morning (god bless AAA! God BLESS them, I say!) to my favorite mechanic - the tow truck driver said, "Oh, cranky old Red." It's never broken down before, I'm lucky, it's got like 130,000 miles on it. And I've never been to a Saturn picnic, gee. I think I did get invited when I bought the car though - do they even do that anymore? I thought it was a little bizarre then - but hey! Maybe it's, like, the greatest party evah!
• But, Richer, faded gray is the nihilist color. Think avout it.
• I guess there's a discussion available to be had here re the difference between icons and ideograms, but far be it from me to bring that subject up.
• I wouldn't either, Wolof, It's bound to end up idiopathic.
• I've never been to a Saturn picnic either, but yeah, I know what you mean about the Saturn family. I have friends who call it a cult. I've also had friends who compare it to the Mac cult, which I can see. (I'm a card-carrying member of both, so I can say that.)