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{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 a proper 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.
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3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture to the Maximum mark on the
coolant surge tank. Wait about five minutes,
then check to see if the level is below the
mark. If the level is below the Maximum mark,
add additional coolant to bring the level up
to the mark. Repeat this procedure until
the level remains constant at the Maximum
mark for at least five minutes.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 than the Maximum mark, add
more of the proper mixture to the coolant
surge tank until the level reaches the mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
See your dealer, if necessary.
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Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is located toward
the front of the engine compartment on the
driver’s side of the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 258for reservoir
location.
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.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off and let the engine compartment
cool down. Then check the fluid level.The level should be between the MIN (B) and
MAX (A) marks on the reservoir. If the level
is below the MIN (B) mark, add the power steering
fluid to the appropriate level. Replace the cap
and completely tighten it.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 382. Always use the proper fluid. Failure
to use the proper fluid can cause leaks and
damage hoses and seals.
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Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure
to read the manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If you will be operating your vehicle in an area
where the temperature may fall below freezing,
use a fluid that has sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer fluid until
the tank is full. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 258
for reservoir location.Notice:
When using concentrated washer  uid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer
 uid. Water can cause the solution to
freeze and damage your washer  uid tank
and other parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as well as
washer  uid.
Fill your washer  uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very cold.
This allows for expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage the tank if it
is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.
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Brakes
Brake Fluid
The master cylinder
reservoir is filled with
DOT-3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 258
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. The other reason is that fluid is leaking out of
the brake system. If it is, you should have the
brake system fixed, since a leak means that
sooner or later the brakes will not work well, or
will not work at all.So, it is not a good idea to top off the brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid will not correct a leak. If you
add fluid when the linings are worn, then you will
have too much fluid when you get new brake
linings. You should add or remove brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is done on
the brake hydraulic system
{CAUTION:
If your vehicle has too much brake  uid, it
can spill on the engine. The  uid will burn if
the engine is hot enough. You or others
could be burned, and your vehicle could be
damaged. Add brake  uid only when work
is done on the brake hydraulic system.
When the brake fluid falls to a low level, the brake
warning light will come on. SeeBrake System
Warning Light on page 168.
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What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3
brake fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only. SeePart D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 382.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and
the area around the cap before removing it.
This helps keep dirt from entering the reservoir.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of  uid in the brake
system, the brakes may not work well, or
they may not even work at all. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper
brake  uid.Notice:
Using the wrong  uid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a
few drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine oil, in the brake system can
damage brake system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of  uid.
If you spill brake  uid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint  nish can
be damaged. Be careful not to spill brake
 uid on your vehicle. If you do, wash it
off immediately. SeeWashing Your Vehicle
on page 339.
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Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be of top quality and work
well together if the vehicle is to have really
good braking. Your vehicle was designed and
tested with top-quality GM brake parts. When you
replace parts of the braking system — for
example, when the brake linings wear down and
you need new ones put in — be sure you get new
approved GM replacement parts. If you do not,
the brakes might not work properly. For example,
if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between the front
and rear brakes can change — for the worse.
The braking performance you have come to expect
can change in many other ways if someone
puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your vehicle has a maintenance free battery.
When it is time for a new battery, get one that has
the replacement number shown on the original
battery’s label. SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 258for battery location.Warning:Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.
Vehicle Storage
If you are not going to drive your vehicle for
25 days or more, remove the black, negative (−)
cable from the battery. This will help keep
your battery from running down.
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and
gas that can explode. You can be badly
hurt if you are not careful. SeeJump
Starting on page 285for tips on working
around a battery without getting hurt.
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Notice:If you leave your radio or other
accessories on during the jump starting
procedure, they could be damaged. The repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
Always turn off your radio and other
accessories when jump starting your vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles.
Unplug unnecessary accessories plugged into
the cigarette lighter or the accessory power
outlet. Turn off the radio and all lamps that are
not needed. This will avoid sparks and help
save both batteries. And it could save
the radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries.
Find the positive (+) and negative (−)
terminal locations on each vehicle. Your
vehicle’s positive (+) terminal is located under
a red tethered cap on the battery. The
negative (–) terminal is located under a black
tethered cap on the battery. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 258for more
information on location. Flip the caps up to
access the positive (+) and negative (–)
terminals.
{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  ashlight if you need
more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water.
You do not need to add water to the
battery installed in your new vehicle.
CAUTION: (Continued)
286