1996 CHEVROLET TRACKER engine coolant

Checking Things Under the Hood
A CAUTICV: I
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure
you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan. Don’t reach through the
grille to release the underhood lever.
To open the hood, first pull the release handle inside the
glove box.
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start
a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber.
You or others
could
be burned, Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will
burn onto a hot engine.
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When you open the hood, you’ll see the following:
c
A. Windshield Washer Reservoir
B. Engine Coolant Reservoir
C. Main Fuse Box
D. Battery
E. Engine Oil Dipstick
E Automatic Transmission Dipstick (if equipped)
G. Oil Fill Cap
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Air Cleaner
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What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
W of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when
it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Geo will:
Give freezing protection down to -33 “F (-36°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 258°F (125°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature,
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets
GM
Specification 1825-M, which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming
to
GM Specification 1825-M with a complete coolant flush
and refill. If you use this mixture, you don’t need to add
anything else.
/i CAUTTON:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix
will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant
mix. With
plain water
or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot
but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch
fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and the proper antifreeze.
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NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered by
your
warranty. Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
r
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
LOW, or
a little higher. When your engine is warm, the
level should be
up to FULL, or a little higher.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
coolant recovery tank.
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A RI
/t! CAUTION:
lhrning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine
and radiator are hot can allow steam and,
scalding liquids to blow out and burn
you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have to add coolant
at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap -- even a
little -- when the engine and radiator are hot.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill it.
'
A CAUTION:
Radiator Pressure Cap
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.
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 13 psi (90 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant
loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC@
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace
your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
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)p/City Maintenance Schedule I
27,000 Miles (45 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect the locking front hubs (if equipped)
for correct operation (or every
3 months,
whichever occurs first). Repair or replace
if necessary.
DATE
SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
I7 Inspect engine accessory drive belts (or
every
24 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
I7 Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or
every 30 months, whichever occurs first).
See “Engine Coolant”
in the Index for what
to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure
test the cooling system
and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Clean and repack the front wheel bearings
(or at each brake relining, whichever
occurs first).
(Continued)
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1 Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule ~-1
57,000 Miles (95 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect ,the locking front hubs (if equipped)
for correct operation (or every
3 months,
whichever occurs first). Repair or replace
if necessary.
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
c] Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Clean and repack the front wheel bearings
(or
at each brake relining, whichever
occurs first).
0 Replace spark plugs.
Inspect engine accessory drive belts (or
An Emission Control Service.
every 24 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Drain, flush and refill. cooling system (or
every 30 months, whichever occurs first).
See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for
what
to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator,
condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure
test the cooling system and pressure
cap.
An Emission Control Service.
An Emission Control Service.
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I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
90,000 Miles (150 000 km) (Continued)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or
every 30 months, whichever occurs first).
See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for
what to use. Inspect
hoses. Clean radiator,
condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure
test the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Replace air cleaner filter.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect fuel tank, cap and lines for damage
or leaks. Inspect fuel cap gasket for
any
damage. Replace parts as needed.
An Emission Control Service.
otate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotatio
in the Index for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.
During tire rotation,
check brake calipers for heedom of movement.
Refer to the appropriate
GM service manual for
proper caliper service procedures.
15 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Check engine idle speed and adjust it
to underhood label specifications.
An Emission Control Service.?
0 Inspect the locking front hubs (if equipped)
for correct operation (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first). Repair or replace
as necessary.
0 Change manual transmission fluid (or every
0 Inspect the valve lash and adjust if necessary.
0 Replace fuel filter (or every 30 months,
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