Your Saturn Vue requires several types of inspections and maintenance procedures to keep it running properly. Many of these are done on intervals of 25,000 miles, and others are performed more frequently. Since the Saturn brand is being phased out by General Motors, it is important to try and keep up with the necessary servicing your Vue and its V-6 engine require.
If you live in a city and the weather is constantly around 90 degrees F or the road conditions are hilly, then the automatic transmission fluid (ATF) must be changed every 25,000 miles. If not, then the fluid only needs to be changed at 100,000 and again at 150,000 miles. At 100,000 miles, you'll also need to replace the spark plugs, the timing belt (again at 150,000 miles), change the transfer assembly fluid and the rear drive module fluid (both again at 150,000 miles), and the engine's valve clearance needs to be inspected. You may want to keep the old timing belt in your Vue's trunk in the event of an emergency. Once you reach 150,000 miles you also will have to perform a cooling system flush and refill as well as inspect the engine's drive belt.
Whenever you refuel your Vue, you may want to inspect the oil level and the coolant level under the hood. You should use full-synthetic SAE 5W-20 oil for your V-6 engine and a 50/50 distilled water/Dex-Cool-brand coolant mix. Perform an oil and filter change every 3,000 miles. Dex-Cool (orange-colored) is GM's only recommendation for coolant. Check your Vue's tires for pressure, including the spare, which requires 60 pounds per square inch, once a month and when they are cold. Look for wear and any damage that may indicate a need for replacement. Rotate the tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.
Perform a starter switch test every year. To do so, apply the parking brake and the normal brakes and attempt to start the car on every gear ("drive," "reverse," "1st," etc.). Your Vue should only start on "park" and on "neutral." If it starts in another gear, have your car serviced by a professional. You should also perform a lock test for the shifter. Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition to run. Do not start the engine. Attempt to shift gears from park. If you find that you are able to shift gears, have your car serviced. Perform a similar test with the shift in any gear other than park and attempt to turn the ignition to "lock" and try to remove the key. If either should occur while not in park, your Vue needs servicing.
If you are servicing your Vue yourself, you should properly dispose of or recycle your used fluids in accordance with your local or state recommendations and standards. Always keep coolant away from small children and pets, as their sweet smell attracts them. Coolant is fatal if swallowed and should be cleaned up immediately after a spill.
