If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or additives
in your vehicle’s cooling system, you could
damage your vehicle. Use only the proper mixture
of the engine coolant listed in this manual for
the cooling system. SeePart C: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-33for more
information.
Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Turning 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.
The vehicle must be parked on a level surface. When
your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the FULL COLD mark or higher.
If the low coolant warning
light comes on in the
instrument panel cluster
and stays on, it means
you are low on engine
coolant.
SeeLow Coolant Warning Light on page 3-37for further
information.
5-39
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling, do
not do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.
The coolant level should
be at the FULL COLD
mark or higher. 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 else
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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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, start the engine again.
The engine cooling fan speed should increase when idle
speed is doubled by pushing the accelerator pedal
down. If it does not, your vehicle needs service. Turn off
the engine.
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.
5-43
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as 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 would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
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 mixture.
{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
coolant surge tank
pressure cap when the
cooling system,
including the coolant
surge tank pressure
cap and upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise
about one full turn. If you hear a hiss, wait for that to
stop. A hiss means there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and
remove it.
5-45
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture,
to the FULL COLD mark.4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start
the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mixture to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches slightly above the FULL
COLD mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
5-46
(23)= Check the air intake system installation to see
that gaskets are seated properly and all hose
connections, fasteners, and other components are tight.
Tighten connections and fasteners or replace parts
as required.
(24)= Evaporative Control System Service, if
equipped: Check all fuel and vapor lines and hoses
for proper connections and correct routing (or every
24 months, whichever occurs first). Replace parts
as needed.
(25)= Replace spark plugs. Inspect wires for damage.
Check the wire boot and boot heat shield fit at spark
plugs and coil. Replace parts as needed.
(26)= Check the fuel tank, fuel cap and fuel lines for
damage which could cause leakage. Inspect fuel cap for
correct sealing ability and any indications of damage.
Check fuel cap gasket for even filler neck imprint.
Replace parts as needed.
(27)= Check Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system
as described in the service manual. SeeService
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-11.
(28)= Inspect Electronic Vacuum Regulator Valve
(EVRV) filter for excessive contamination or plugging.
If needed, clean filter with solution of soap and water, let
dry and install.(29)= Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. This
service can be complex; you should have your dealer
perform this service. SeePart C: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 6-33for what to use. Inspect
hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and neck. Pressure test cooling system and pressure
cap. For Caterpillar
®diesel engines, always refer to the
Caterpillar®Diesel Engine Operation & Maintenance
Manual for coolant recommendations and change
intervals.
(30)= Change the lubricant. SeePart C: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-33.
(31)= Front axle service: Re-pack upper kingpin roller
bearing.
(32)= Air brake service:
•Inspect brake lines and hoses for proper hook-up,
binding, leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Inspect drum
brake linings for wear or cracks. Inspect other brake
parts at each wheel, including drums and wheel
speed sensor wiring. Check brake pedal for
excessive free play or travel (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first) and have serviced if needed.
Check brakes more often if driving habits and
conditions result in frequent braking. Replace air
dryer cartridge only if excessive oil or moisture
is present. A small amount of oil in the system is
normal and should not be considered as a reason to
replace the cartridge.
6-26
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brakes.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. On automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the
engine in each gear. The starter should work only
in PARK (P), if equipped, or NEUTRAL (N). If
the starter works in any other position, your vehicle
needs service. On manual transmission vehicles,
the starter should work only when the clutch pedal is
all the way down.
Automatic Transmission Shift
Indicator Check
Check that the indicator points to the gear chosen.
Steering Check
Be alert for any changes in steering action, abnormal
front tire wear or steering wheel position. An inspection
or service is needed when the steering wheel is
harder to turn or has too much free play, or if there are
strange sounds when turning or parking.
Brake System Check
Be alert to illumination of the low air warning lamp or for
the tone alarm, or changes in braking action, such as
repeated pulling to one side, unusual sounds when
braking or increased brake pedal travel. Make sure air
brake system reservoirs are drained daily with full
system air pressure, and check system for leaks. Any of
these conditions could indicate the need for brake
system inspection and/or service.
Engine Cooling System Service
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen, or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings, and clamps; replace as needed. Clean
the outside of the radiator and air conditioning
condenser. To help ensure proper operation, a pressure
test of the cooling system and pressure cap is
recommended at least once a year.
6-30