2007 PONTIAC TORRENT engine overheat

Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode lets your vehicle
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
If an overheated engine condition exists, an
overheat protection mode which alternates ring
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In this mode, there is a signicant loss in power and
engine performance. The temperature gage
indicates an overheat condition exists. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the
overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. The engine oil will be
severely degraded. Repair the cause of coolant
loss, change the oil and reset the oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil on page 349.
Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is
what you will see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
B. Coolant Surge Tank
362

{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 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 COLD FILL line.
If it is not, you may have a leak at 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 fans
are running. If the engine is overheating, both fans
should be running. If they are not, your vehicle
needs service. Turn off the engine.
363

Notice:Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant is not covered by your
warranty. SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 362for information on
driving to a safe place in an emergency.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could 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 Coolant
Surge Tank
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure
could cause your engine to overheat and
be severely damaged.
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see
if coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant
is visible but the coolant level is not at the COLD
FILL line, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant
surge tank, but be sure the cooling system,
including the coolant surge tank pressure cap, is
cool before you do it.
364

{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system can blow out and burn
you badly. They are under pressure, and if
you turn the coolant surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — they can come out at
high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and coolant surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have
to turn the pressure cap.
{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.
365

E
Electric Power Management........................ 163
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment................................... 431
Engine Compartment Fuse Block............. 434
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...................... 431
Instrument Panel Fuse Block................... 432
Windshield Wiper Fuses........................... 431
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter...................................... 354
Battery..................................................... 372
Change Engine Oil Light.......................... 188
Check and Service Engine Soon Light..... 184
Coolant.................................................... 357
Coolant Heater......................................... 118
Coolant Temperature Gage...................... 183
Coolant Temperature Warning Light.......... 182
Drive Belt Routing.................................... 451
Engine Compartment Overview................ 348
Exhaust................................................... 127
Oil ........................................................... 349
Oil Life System........................................ 352
Overheated Protection Operating Mode.... 362
Overheating............................................. 360
Reduced Power Light............................... 190
Starting.................................................... 116Entry Lighting.............................................. 162
Event Data Recorders (EDR)...................... 468
Extender, Safety Belt..................................... 42
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner................................... 354
Finish Damage............................................ 428
Flashers, Hazard Warning........................... 150
Flash-to-Pass.............................................. 153
Flat Tire...................................................... 407
Flat Tire, Changing...................................... 408
Flat Tire, Storing......................................... 418
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle................................. 357
Windshield Washer.................................. 368
Fog Lamp Light........................................... 189
Fog Lamps.................................................. 161
Folding Rear Seat......................................... 17
Folding Seatback, Passenger........................ 15
Fuel............................................................ 341
Additives.................................................. 342
California Fuel.......................................... 342
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.............. 345
Filling Your Tank...................................... 343
Fuels in Foreign Countries....................... 343
481

Mirrors (cont.)
Automatic Dimming Rearview with
OnStar
®and Compass......................... 129
Manual Rearview Mirror........................... 129
Manual Rearview Mirror with OnStar
®...... 129
Outside Convex Mirrors............................ 133
Outside Power Mirrors............................. 132
MP3 ...................................................257, 264
MyGMLink.com............................................ 459
N
Navigation/Radio System, see Navigation
Manual..................................................... 274
New Vehicle Break-In.................................. 114
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts..... 450
O
Odometer.................................................... 174
Odometer, Trip............................................ 174
Off-Road Recovery...................................... 303
Oil
Change Engine Oil Light.......................... 188
Engine..................................................... 349
Pressure Light.......................................... 187
Oil, Engine Oil Life System......................... 352Older Children, Restraints............................. 43
Online Owner Center................................... 459
OnStar
®System, see OnStar®Manual........ 133
Other Warning Devices................................ 150
Outlet Adjustment........................................ 170
Outlet(s), Accessory Power.......................... 164
Outside
Convex Mirrors........................................ 133
Power Mirrors.......................................... 132
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode....................................... 362
Owner Checks and Services....................... 445
Owners, Canadian.......................................... 3
P
Paint, Damage............................................ 428
Park (P)
Shifting Into............................................. 123
Shifting Out of......................................... 125
Parking
Brake....................................................... 122
Over Things That Burn............................ 126
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator............... 177
Passenger Compartment Air Filter............... 170
Passenger Sensing System........................... 82
Passing....................................................... 303
485