< Previous | Contents | Next >
Cooling System (Gasoline Only)
The cooling system allows the engine to maintain the correct working
temperature.
2.0L L4 Gasoline Only Engine
1. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
3.0L V6 Engine
1. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
3.6L V6 Engine
1. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
2. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
{ Warning
An underhood electric fan can start up even when the engine is not
running and can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
VEHICLE CARE 323
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling, do not do anything
else until it cools down. The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
The coolant level should be at the cold fill mark on the middle of the
tank. If it is not, the vehicle may have a leak at the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump,
or somewhere else in the cooling system.
{ Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator
hoses, or other engine parts. They can be very hot and can burn you. Do not run the engine if there is a leak; all coolant could leak out.
That could cause an engine fire and can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to see if the electric
cooling fan is running. If the engine is overheating, the fan should be
running. If it is not, the vehicle needs service. Turn off the engine.
Engine Coolant
The engine cooling system in the vehicle is filled with a DEX-COOL
engine coolant mixture. This coolant needs to be checked and replaced at
appropriate intervals. See Maintenance Schedule 0 399.
The following explains the cooling system and how to check and add coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating, see
What to Use
{ Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or the wrong mixture, the
engine could get too hot but there would not be an overheat warning.
The engine could catch fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
coolant. If using this mixture, nothing else needs to be added. This mixture:
. Gives freezing protection down to
−37 °C (−34 °F), outside temperature
. Gives boiling protection up to 129 °C (265 °F), engine
temperature
. Protects against rust and corrosion
. Will not damage aluminum parts
. Helps keep the proper engine temperature
Caution
Do not use anything other than a mix of DEX-COOL coolant that
meets GM Standard GMW3420 and clean, drinkable water. Anything
else can cause damage to the
engine cooling system and the
vehicle, which would not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
324 VEHICLE CARE
Never dispose of engine coolant by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, or into sewers, streams, or bodies of water. Have the coolant changed by an authorized service
center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used coolant disposal. This will help protect the
environment and your health.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking the coolant level.
2.0L L4 and 3.0L V6 Engine Coolant Surge Tank
3.6L V6 Engine Coolant Surge Tank
The coolant surge tank is in the
engine compartment on the passenger side of the vehicle. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0 309.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down. See Engine Overheating 0 330.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank
If no problem is found, check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant surge tank. If coolant is visible but not at or
above the indicated mark, add a 50/ 50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL coolant. Be sure the
cooling system, including the coolant surge tank pressure cap, is cool before this is done. See Engine Overheating
0 330.
{ Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine parts can burn you. Coolant contains
ethylene glycol and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough.
{ Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure cap, even a little, can cause them to
come out at high speed and you
could be burned. Never turn the cap when the cooling system, including
the pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and pressure cap to cool.