How to Inspect the Drivetrain in a Saturn Ion
- 1). Inspect the components of the car's drivetrain visually. Raise the Saturn Ion on a hoist and look for any signs of breakage or wear on the axles that connect the driveshaft to the wheels. Look for seepage of fluids from the joints and seals. At the outer end of the driveshaft, check the support brackets for the drivetrain, making sure they're tight.
- 2). Change the oil filter while you have the car up on a hoist, because you can't reach the filter from under the hood without taking off the side fender.
- 3). Test drive your Saturn Ion. Listen carefully for any unusual noises, such as a clicking or clunking when you're cruising at a low speed, a clicking noise when you turn or clunks when you round a corner. Any of these noises could indicate trouble with the drivetrain.
- 4). Raise the hood to check the oil and transmission fluid levels. Pull out the oil and transmission dipsticks and check the fluid levels and the color of the fluids. Oil should be very light and the transmission fluid should be a light reddish color.
- 5). Replace the fluids, if they're discolored and add more fluid, it they're just low, but the color is normal. Wipe the dipsticks with an old rag and reinsert them into their respective holes.
- 6). Check all the hoses and clamps attached to the engine and coming from the oil and air filters because it could create bigger problems if they're allowed to break.
