Page 133 of 404

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.
2-83
Page 134 of 404

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.
2-84
Page 220 of 404
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what
you’ll see:
A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Electric Engine Fan
A CAUTION:
An electric fan under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling
don’t do anything else
until it cools down.
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Page 221 of 404
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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Page 222 of 404

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.
5-18
Page 223 of 404
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
FULL COLD, 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.
5-19
Page 224 of 404
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 little -- they can come out
at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap,
is hot. Wait for the cooling system and
radiator pressure
cap to cool if you ever have to
turn the pressure cap.
5-20
Page 225 of 404
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
(V6 Engine Only)
1 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 pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the pressure cap and upper radiator
hose,
is no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise 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.
5-2 1