Page 87 of 360

2-26 To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
On vehicles with a 2.2L L4 (LN2) engine, the
electrical cord is located near the engine oil dipstick.
On vehicles with a 2.4L L4 (LD9) or 2.2L L4
ECOTEC (L61) engine, the electrical cord is located
in front of the engine coolant surge tank on the
passenger's side.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110
-volt AC outlet.
CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three
-prong
11 0
-volt AC outlet. If the cord won't reach, use a
heavy
-duty three-prong extension cord rated for
at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug
and store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts. If you don't, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
Page 212 of 360

5-5
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive (+) and negative (
-) terminal locations on
each vehicle. See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº
in the Index for more information on location.
CAUTION:
An electric fan 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.
CAUTION:
Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight
if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You don't
need to add water to the ACDelco battery
installed in every new GM vehicle. But if a
battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount
of fluid is there. If it is low, add water to take
care of that first. If you don't, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don't get it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.
Page 217 of 360
5-10
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage and a low
coolant warning light on your vehicle's instrument
panel. See ªEngine Coolant Temperature Gageº and
ªLow Coolant Warning Lightº in the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire.
You or others could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out of the vehicle
until the engine is cool.
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not
be covered by your warranty.
Page 218 of 360

5-11 If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
An overheat warning, along with a low coolant light,
can indicate a serious problem. See ªLow Coolant
Lightº in the Index.
If you get an engine overheat warning with no low
coolant light, but see or hear no steam, the problem
may not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can
get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high
-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. If your air conditioner is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.3. If you're in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D)
for automatic transaxles.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you
can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning doesn't come back on,
you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park
your vehicle right away.
If there's still no sign of steam, idle the engine for
three minutes while you're parked. If you still have the
warning, turn off the engine and get everyone out of
the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
Page 248 of 360
6-9
Checking Things Under the Hood
CAUTION:
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.
CAUTION:
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.
Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following.
1. Pull the handle located
inside the vehicle on
the driver's side under
the instrument panel.
Page 250 of 360
6-11 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 2.2L L4 (LN2) engine, you'll see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap/DipstickD. Brake Fluid Reservoir
E. Clutch Master Cylinder
Reservoir (If Equipped)F. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
G. Battery
H. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
Page 251 of 360
6-12
When you open the hood on the 2.2L L4 ECOTEC (L61) engine, you'll see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Engine Oil Dipstick
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap
D. Brake Fluid ReservoirE. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
F. Clutch Master Cylinder
Reservoir (If Equipped)
(Not Shown)G. Battery
H. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
Page 252 of 360
6-13
When you open the hood on the 2.4L L4 (LD9) engine, you'll see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Engine Oil Fill Cap
C. Engine Oil DipstickD. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
E. Brake Fluid Reservoir
F. Clutch Master Cylinder
Reservoir (If Equipped)G. Battery
H. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir