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Saturn S-Series
1418 messages, Last post on Sep 11, 2012 at 4:19 PM
You are in the Saturn S-Series Forum.What is this discussion about? Saturn S-Series, Sedan
#926 of 1418 by 300silverbulit
Apr 12, 2002 (1:32 pm)
Saturn is starting to toss out equipment packages on the S series in it's swan song.The 2002 I drove for a day while my L300 was getting the oil cooler coolant leak fixed. Was a much smoother engine than my 94 SL2. It diddn't have the performance/normal switch on the automatic like mine does which does do alot for quicker throttle response. Actually I notice a big diffrence. I do use oil in the SL2 but I just add a 1/3 of a quart usually on fridays just to make it a habit so I don't let it go to long. But I drive alot each week.
As for the single cam engine with auto. We took a bath when we traded in our SW1 for a L300 but the power of the V6 L is fantastic. I am never at a loss for power in any driving situation.
With the SW1 you got going ok but once we had to slow down , then get back on it it just made noise. it was downright dangerous, we just couldn't live with that car anymore although it was very reliable.
#927 of 1418 won't get an SW1 by hpulley4
Apr 12, 2002 (1:42 pm)
or SL1. Even with a manual tranny, a friend has a 5-speed LW1 and I find it noisy and it doesn't have the performance I want. If I get an S-series it'll be an SL2 DOHC 5-speed.#928 of 1418 hpulley4 by claywaterfill
Apr 15, 2002 (8:36 am)
Good choice. I have a 5 speed SL2 and it is fine. You're not going to win any drag races, but you move around town more than adequately, IMO. Mine is a 1999 model with almost 48,000 miles--and I burn no oil. I check it every other fill up, and the dipstick always says it's full.#929 of 1418 '96 SL2 by danili19
Apr 15, 2002 (8:41 am)
Hey everyone, I have a '96 SL2 5-spd. with around 84k. I bought the car last May and have had numerous problems with it since. I'll try to keep this short..I'm just trying to see if these are common problems, and exactly what they might be. I put in an aftermarket intake mf'd by Hotshot for SPS (saturn performance specialists) and it's awesome. BUT, my car eats through a quart of oil just about every 1200-1400 miles now. Before, it'd be half a quart low at oil changes, and I don't drive my car hard or ever bring it past 6100rpm. Also, in warm weather, there's a squeal coming from a belt, I'd imagine. I had the drivebelt and drivebelt tensioner replaced 10k ago, so do you have any idea what it might be?? Also, if I try to accelerate quickly in anything but 1st gear (once already in motion), there's a muted 'tapping' sound that sounds like it's coming from under the hood or the driveaxle. I hope it's not the pistons....anyway, any advice? Similar prob's? Thanks!#930 of 1418 danili by claywaterfill
Apr 15, 2002 (11:57 am)
Wow, that's too bad. I guess whoever had the car for the first years may not have been too kind to it. You know, improper break in, negligent in maintenance, etc. Saturn redesigned the engine in 1998, so hopefully many of the sounds you have will be less frequent now. I know I don't have them in my '99.#931 of 1418 Has anyone seen the "Spingtime Special"? by cwo4
Apr 15, 2002 (3:57 pm)
Saturn has a special I didn't know about until I entered the dealership today. They call it a "Springtime Special" and what it is is a blue Saturn SL, base engine, 5 speed, 4 door with AC and CD player with AM/FM. What makes this really stand out to me is the price, $9995! And the SL1 has 0% financing. Now if I can talk the Mrs. out of a Toyota and into a Saturn, I'll save money!#932 of 1418 Oil Change Interval by jeff186
Apr 15, 2002 (4:56 pm)
OK, the dealer I'm leasing from said to change the oil every 3,000 miles or 3 months. I read the owners manual for my '02 SL1 and it says 3,000 for Severe conditions, which I'm not operating under. My question: under normal driving conditions, what does Saturn recommend for oil change interval. I believe it's when the oil change light comes on. I'm looking for Saturn's base requirements for mandatory service. Thanks.#933 of 1418 oil changes by danili19
Apr 15, 2002 (10:16 pm)
Oil changes don't really vary that much. With a car as new as yours, don't use synthetic- wait until about 25k. At that point, with syn. oil AND a syn. filter, change every 6-7k. With regular oil in any car though, I wouldn't go much more than 4k. There are myths all over the place about having to change at 3k 'if you want your car to last.' True, oil breaks down after a while. But as long as you're not driving a cab, I don't see why you couldn't bring it out to 4000 between changes. Also, I'm sure your car is past this point already, but it's always recommended that when you buy a new car, change the oil after 1000 miles. When the aluminum in a Saturn engine is new, sometimes there are rough edges in the cylinder housings and/or on the pistons, and the friction can cause small pieces of metal to enter the oil stream and clog the filter much faster. Even though it's just another myth, I'd rather spend 20 bucks changing it early one time than 200 or more fixing worn seals or compression leaks.#934 of 1418 oil change by claywaterfill
Apr 16, 2002 (7:19 am)
Go by the owner's manual. The dealer wants you to use 3000 miles because they make big bucks in the service department. That being said, city stop and go driving is considered "severe" is it not? Do what the book says and you'll be just fine.#935 of 1418 special SL by claywaterfill
Apr 16, 2002 (7:20 am)
There was another post a week or so ago about a guy who found one of these. It sounds like a heck of a deal. Have your wife drive it and see what you can do!To POST a message, please
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