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I A CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and
it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough, Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at or
above the
“COLD” mark, start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more
thing you can try.
You can add the proper coolant mix
directly to the radiator but be sure the cooling system is
cool before you do it.
A CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and
burn you badly. They
are under pressure,
and if you turn the radiator
pressure cap
-- even a fittle -- they can come out
at
high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap, is
hot.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Wait for
the cooling system and radiator
pressure cap to cool
if you ever have to turn the
pressure cap.
d
I
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How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
NOTICE:
Your engine has a specific radiator fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure could cause your
engine to overheat and
be severely damaged.
. ..,
1. You can remove the
radiator pressure cap when
the
cooling system,
including the
radiator pressure
cap and upper
radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
2.
Turn the pressure cap slowly to the left until it first stops.
(Don’t press down while turning the pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means
there
is still some pressure left.
Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you turn
it. Remove the pressure cap.
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3. After the engine cools, open the coolant air bleed
valve
or valves.
3.1L
V6 (VIN Code T or M): There are two bleed
valves. One
is located on the thermostat housing.
The
other is located on the thermostat bypass tube.
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1
S
3.8L V6 (VIN Code L27): There is one bleed valve.
It is located on the thermostat housing.
:'
4. Fill the radiator with the proper
mix, up to the base
of the filler neck.
.,
If you see a stream of coolant coming from an air
bleed valve, close the valve. Otherwise, close the valve(s) after the radiator
is filled.
5. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and compartment.
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6. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to “COLD.”
7. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave
the radiator pressure cap off.
A
8. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine
fan( s).
9. By this time the coolant level inside the radiator
filler neck may
be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mix through the filler neck
until
the level reaches the base of the filler neck.
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10. Then replace the pressure cap. At
any time during this
procedure
if coolant
begins to flow out
of the filler neck,
reinstall the
pressure cap. Be
sure the arrows on
pressure cap line up
like this.
11. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level
in
the coolant recovery tank should be at the “HOT”
mark when the engine is hot or at the “COLD” mark
when the engine is cold.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving,
especially
if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out
of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, then gently brake to a
stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require
the same correction you’d use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go.
It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake
to a stop, well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next section shows how to use
your jacking equipment to change
a flat tire safely.
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Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your hazard
warning flashers.
The following steps will
tell you how to use the jack and
change a
tire.
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The equipment you’ll need is in the trunk. If there
is a-wheel
cover, remove it by using the flat end
of the wheel wrench. Pry along the edge of the wheel
cover until
it comes off. Be careful, the rim edges may
be sharp. Don’t try
to remove it with your bare hands.
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