1997 CHEVROLET CAMARO coolant level

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Coolant Temperature Gage

1
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into
the red area, your engine
is approaching an
overheating condition.
Low Coolant Light (V8 Engine)
This warning light should
come on briefly while
you
are starting your engine. If
the light doesn’t come on,
m
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop
your vehicle and turn off the road as soon as possible.
In “Problems on the Road” this section shows what
to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index. Your
Camaro is equipped with a
LOW COOLANT
indicator that is designed to detect when the coolant
level drops below the set limit.
If the low coolant level
sensor (on the radiator) detects that the level drops while
the engine is running, the
LOW COOLANT indicator
will light and remain lit until the ignition switch is
turned to the
OFF position. Check the coolant level and
add coolant as needed.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The LOW COOLANT light might stay on after filling
the radiator. Turn the ignition switch to the
OFF
position, then restart the engine to verify that the LOW
COOLANT light goes out. See “Engine Coolant’’ in
the Index.
NOTICE:
Driving with the LOW COOLANT light on could
cause your Chevrolet to overheat. See “Engine
Overheating” in the Index. Your Chevrolet
could be damaged, and it wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Your Chevrolet is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation
of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD
I1 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce
a cleaner
environment. (In Canada,
OBD I1 is replaced by
Enhanced Diagnostics.)
The SERVICE ENGINE SOON
light comes on to indicate that there is a problem and
service is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated
by the system before any problem is apparent. This may
prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system
is also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Heating
The heater works best if you keep your windows closed
while using it.
1. Turn the air control knob to HEATER.
2. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
3. Turn the temperature control knob to a
If your vehicle is equipped with an optional engine coolant
heater,
you can use it in cold weather (around 20 “F/-8 “C
or lower)
to improve heater performance on initial start up.
Because an engine coolant heater warms the engine
coolant, your vehicles heating system can more quickly
and efficiently provide heat for your vehicle’s passenger
area.
See “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.
Bi-Level Heating
You may want to use bi-level heating on cool, but sunny
days. This setting directs cool air toward your body and
warmer air toward your feet.
1. Turn the air control knob to BI-LEVEL.
2. Turn the temperature control knob to a
3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
comfortable
setting.
comfortable setting.
Ventilation System
Adjust the direction of airflow by moving the louvered vents.
Your Chevrolet’s flow-through ventilation system
supplies outside air into the vehicle when it is moving.
Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the blower
fan is running.
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, you can still direct outside air through
your vehicle.
1. Turn the air control knob to VENT.
2. Turn the temperature control knob to a
comfortable setting.
3. Turn the fan control knob to the desired speed.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When it is cool, remove the coolant recovery tank cap
and look at the dipstick.
The coolant level should be
at FULL COLD.
If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses,
heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere
else in
the cooling system.
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine if there
is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered
by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine fan is running. If the engine is
overheating, the fan should be running. If it isn’t, your
vehicle needs service.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at FULL COLD, add a
50/50 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free)
antifreeze
at the coolant recovery tank. (See “Engine
Coolant’’ in the Index for more information.)
A CAUTION:
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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 DEX-COOL@ coolant.
I NOTICE:
~
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mix.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3
7. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Wdtch out for the
engine fan(
s).
filler neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more
of the proper DEX-COOL@ coolant mixture
through the filler neck
until the level reaches the
base
of the filler neck.
8. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
9. 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 the pressure cap line up like this.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 8. Start the engine and allow it to run in idle for
approximately four minutes. By this time, the
coolant level inside the radiator will be lower. Add
more
of the proper mix through the filler neck until
the level reaches the base of the filler neck.
4. Fill with the proper DEX-COOL@ coolant mixture.
Add coolant until
you see a steady stream of coolant
coming from
the bleed valves.
5. Close the bleed valves.
I
E
6. Continue to fill the radiator up to the base of the
filler neck.
7. Rinse or wipe the spilled coolant from the engine
and compartment.
9. Shut the engine off and replace the pressure cap. Be
sure the arrows on the cap line up like this.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 10. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the
For a complete drain, flush and refill,
see your Chevrolet
dealer or a Chevrolet Service Manual.
To purchase a
service manual, see “Service and Owner Publications”
in the Index. proper
level.
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, and 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 part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
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