2006 PONTIAC GTO engine

The coolant level should be checked at each fuel ®ll, by
looking at the dipstick in the coolant over¯ow reservoir.
To remove the dipstick, push down on the coolant
reservoir cap while turning it counterclockwise.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
or above the bottom arrow on the dipstick. After the
vehicle has been driven and the engine is at normal
operating temperature, the level should be somewhere
between the two arrows on the dipstick.
If the coolant level is correct, replace the dipstick then
push down on the coolant reservoir cap while turning
it clockwise until it stops, to lock it into position.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOLž
coolant mixture at the coolant over¯ow reservoir, but
be careful not to spill it. Check the level with the dipstick
and keep adding ¯uid until the level is correct.
{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.
When the level is correct, replace the dipstick then push
down on the coolant reservoir cap while turning it
clockwise until it stops, to lock it into position.
5-25
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

If the coolant over¯ow reservoir is completely empty,
add coolant to the radiator. SeeEngine Overheating on
page 5-26.
{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 Ð even a little Ð when the engine and
radiator are hot.
Occasionally check the coolant in the radiator. For
information on how to add coolant to the radiator, see
Cooling System on page 5-29.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for
information on location.
Engine Overheating
Immediate action is required if your engine overheats.
This is indicated by the coolant temperature gage
and the Engine Temp Hot message on the trip computer
display. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage on
page 3-28andTrip Computer on page 3-33for more
information.
5-26
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

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 ®re. 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 ®re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
An overheat warning, along with an Engine Temp Hot
message can indicate a serious problem.
If you get an engine overheat warning, 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.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in NEUTRAL (N)
while stopped. If it is safe to do so, pull off the road,
apply the parking brake, shift to PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) and let the engine idle while you get
out and check that the cooling fan is working.
5-27
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

2. If the fan is working and the temperature gage
needle has not returned to its normal position
within a few minutes, stop the engine and remove
the ignition key.
Look for leaks at the radiator hoses and
connections, heater hoses and connections,
radiator, and water pump. Be careful when checking
these areas as they will probably still be hot. If
you ®nd a major leak or other problems that may
have caused the engine to overheat, do not run the
engine until these problems have been corrected.
If you do not ®nd anything wrong, you should check
the engine coolant level. See
Engine Coolant on
page 5-23. You should also check the air intake
area below the front bumper to ensure that it is clear
of leaves and road grime.3. Turn off your air conditioning and turn on your
heater to full hot at the highest fan speed and
open the windows as necessary.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning does not come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues and you have not stopped, pull
over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for three minutes while you are 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.
5-28
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Radiator Pressure Cap (Out of View)
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fan
C. Engine Coolant Over¯ow Reservoir{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 you can hear the coolant inside the coolant over¯ow
reservoir bubbling or boiling, do not do anything
else until it cools down. The vehicle should be parked
on a level surface.
5-29
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

The coolant level should be at or above the bottom
arrow on the dipstick. 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.
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:If you operate the engine without coolant
or fail to maintain the cooling system properly,
you could damage the engine. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for
maintaining your cooling system. See
Cooling
System on page 5-29for more information.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOLžmay
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
ž(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
5-30
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Over¯ow Reservoir
{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
žcoolant.If you have not found a problem yet, check the coolant
level on the coolant over¯ow reservoir dipstick. If
the coolant level is not at or above the bottom arrow on
the dipstick, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
žcoolant at the coolant over¯ow
reservoir. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-23for
more information.
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.
5-31
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual

Power Steering Fluid
The power steering ¯uid reservoir is located toward the
front of the engine compartment on the driver's side
of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering ¯uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A ¯uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
The ¯uid level should be checked after the vehicle has
been driven for at least 20 minutes, so that the ¯uid
is warm. A cold level check can be done after the engine
has been off for at least ®ve hours. However, the hot
level check is recommended.
The ¯uid level can be viewed through the reservoir. The
level markings are next to the ¯uid window. When the
¯uid is cold, the level should be between the COLD MIN
(Minimum) and MAX (Maximum) marks. When the
vehicle has been driven for at least 20 minutes and the
¯uid is hot, the level should be between the HOT
MIN and MAX marks.
If ¯uid must be added, turn the cap counterclockwise to
the stop; then the cap can be lifted off. Do not over®ll
the reservoir and remember to replace the cap
tightly when you are ®nished and clean up any
spilled ¯uid.
If you often need to add ¯uid, you should see
your dealer.
What to Use
To determine what kind of ¯uid to use, seeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
Always use the proper ¯uid. Failure to use the proper
¯uid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
5-33
2006 - Pontiac GTO Owner Manual