2001 CHEVROLET TRACKER engine coolant

6-32
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 ªEngine Overheatingº
in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and the
proper coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-33F (-36C).

Give boiling protection up to 258F (125C).

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, drinkable water and
one
-half coolant 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
coolant mixture, you don't need to add anything else.
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 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, drinkable water
and the proper coolant.

6-33
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.
Checking Coolant
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. 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.

6-34
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper coolant
mixture at the coolant recovery tank.
CAUTION:
Turning 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 mixture at the recovery tank, but be careful
not to spill it.
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.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator.
For information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
see ªCooling Systemº in the Index.

6-35
Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15.6 psi (110 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.
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system
or you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.

6-37
NOTICE:

When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
adding water.

Don't mix water with ready
-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn't clean as well as washer fluid.

Fill your washer fluid tank only
three
-quarters full when it's very cold.
This allows for expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.

Don't use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is filled with
DOT
-3 brake fluid. See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index for the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid
level goes back up.

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7-14
30,000 Miles (50 000 km) (Continued)

Inspect engine accessory drive belts (or every 30 months,
whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.

Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 30 months, whichever occurs
first). See ªEngine Coolantº 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. (See footnote
.)
Inspect ignition coil plug cap (or every 30 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
For Two
-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean and repack the front wheel
bearings (or at each brake relining, whichever occurs first).
Replace engine air cleaner filter.
An Emission Control Service.
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
± In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly
reaches 90F (32C) or higher.
± In hilly or mountainous terrain.
± When doing frequent trailer towing.

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7-20
60,000 Miles (100 000 km) (Continued)

Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
± In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly
reaches 90F (32C) or higher.
± In hilly or mountainous terrain.
± When doing frequent trailer towing.
± Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, change the fluid
and filter every 100,000 miles (166 000 km).
Inspect engine accessory drive belts (or every 30 months, whichever
occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 30 months, whichever occurs
first). See ªEngine Coolantº 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. (See footnote
.)
Replace spark plugs.
An Emission Control Service.

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
7-27

Inspect camshaft timing belt (1.6L Code 6 engine only).
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
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. (See footnote
.)
Inspect ignition coil plug cap (or every 30 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 30 months, whichever occurs
first). See ªEngine Coolantº 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. (See footnote
.)
Replace engine air cleaner filter.
An Emission Control Service.
Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
Change manual transmission fluid.
Change transfer case fluid.
Change differential fluid.
(Continued)