2006 CHEVROLET HHR coolant level

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
Your vehicle has an
engine coolant temperature
gage. With the ignition
turned to ON, this
gage shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves into the red area, your engine
is too hot. It means that your engine coolant has
overheated.
If you have been operating your vehicle under normal
driving conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-23.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle has a
computer which monitors
operation of the fuel,
ignition, and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD II (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. The check engine 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.
Notice:If you keep driving your vehicle with this
light on, after awhile, your emission controls
may not work as well, your fuel economy may not
be as good, and your engine may not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs that
may not be covered by your warranty.
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A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 5-29.
B. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 5-23.
C. Coolant Recovery Tank. See “Checking Coolant”
underEngine Coolant on page 5-20.
D. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 5-13.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick (Out of View). See “Checking
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 5-13.
G. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. SeeBrakes on
page 5-30andHydraulic Clutch on page 5-20.
H. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. SeeJump Starting
on page 5-33.
I. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 5-85.Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If you do not do this,
the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down and check the level.
5-13

Checking Coolant
The coolant recovery tank
cap has this symbol on it.
The tank is located in
the engine compartment
toward the front of the
engine on the passenger’s
side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
more information on location.
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be
at the COLD FILL line or a little higher. The COLD FILL
line is near the bottom of the tank and sticks out
from the rear of the tank.
Adding Coolant
If more coolant is needed, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank, but
only when the engine is cool.
If the coolant recovery tank is completely empty, a
special ll procedure is necessary. SeeCooling System
on page 5-25for more information.
{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.
5-22

Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Pressure Cap
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Electric Engine Cooling Fan{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling 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, do not do anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
5-25

When the engine is cold, the coolant level should
be at or above the COLD FILL line. If it is not, you
may have a leak at the pressure cap or in the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump, or
somewhere in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them.
If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak xed before you drive
the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fan is running. If
the engine is overheating, the fan should be running.
If it is not, your vehicle needs service.Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
How to Add Coolant to the Cooling
System
Notice:Your engine has a specic cooling system
drain and ll procedure. Failure to follow this
procedure could cause your engine to overheat
and be severely damaged. If your engine’s cooling
system needs to be drained and re-lled, please
see your dealer.
If you have not found a problem yet, but the coolant
level in the coolant recovery tank is below the COLD
FILL line, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®engine coolant at the coolant
recovery tank. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-20
for more information.
5-26

{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. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
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.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss
means there is still some pressure left to be vented.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap and remove it.
3. Add the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture to
the coolant ll port, up to the base of the port.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-20for more
information about the proper coolant mixture.4. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.
5. Then ll the coolant recovery tank to the COLD
FILL line.
6. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank,
but leave the pressure cap off.
7. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel
the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out
for the engine cooling fan.
8. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
ller port may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
through the ll port until the level reaches the
base of the ll port.
9. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure, if coolant begins to ow out of the
ll port, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
10. When the engine has cooled, check the coolant in
the coolant recovery tank. The level in the coolant
recovery tank should be at the COLD FILL line
when the engine is cold.
5-28

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13. Reset oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-16.An Emission Control Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (j).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. SeeEngine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.See footnote (k).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 5-53and “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once a Month
on page 6-9.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid as
needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services”
in this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
Replace passenger compartment air lter.See footnote (l).•
Inspect throttle system.See footnote (g).•
6-5

(i)Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-20 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and filler neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)A fluid loss in any vehicle system could indicate a
problem. Have the system inspected and repaired and
the fluid level checked. Add fluid if needed.
(k)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the filter at each engine oil change.
(l)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, the filter
may require replacement more often.
(m)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks,
or obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specied to help ensure the safety,
dependability, and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench
®dealer can assist you
with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-11.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks
at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for further
details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture if necessary.
SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-20for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer uid reservoir and add the proper uid if
necessary.
6-8