Page 310 of 386

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL@ coolant which
won’t damage aluminum
parts. If you use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
I
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 mixture will. Your vehicle’s coolant
warning system
is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
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 mixture of clean water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mixture 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:
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.
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Page 311 of 386
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Coolant
L
The surge tank is located next to the engine block on the
passenger's side of the engine.
The cooling system is under a lot of pressure when it is
hot.
If the CHECK COOLANT LEVEL message
appears on the Driver Information Center (DIC), you
will need to add coolant.
l'brning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow
out and burn you badly.
Never turn
the surge tank pressure cap -- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be
at the
FULL COLD mark, which is 2.5 inches (6.4 cm)
below the base
of the fill neck. Use a flashlight as
necessary to
see into the tank.
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If the CHECK COOLANT LEVEL message comes on,
it means you're low on engine coolant.
For more information, see "Check Coolant Level"
message in the Index.
Page 312 of 386

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture at the surge tank, but only when the
engine
is cool.
r-
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.
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
I NOTICE:
The surge tank cap is a 15 psi (105 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.
If the surge tank pressure cap needs to be replaced, a
GM cap is recommended.
Thermostat When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is tight.
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.
If your thermostat needs to be replaced, a GM
thermostat is recommended.
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