5-13 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
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.
Tow a trailer.
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, shift to
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) and let the
engine idle.
2) Set the climate controls to the highest
heat setting and fan speed and open
the windows as necessary.If you no longer have the overheat warn-
ing, you can drive. Just to be safe, drive
slower for about 10 minutes. If the warning
does not come back on, you can drive nor-
mally.
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. Also, see
“Overheated Engine Protection Operating
Mode” later in this section.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to
get service help right away.
Overheated Engine Protection Operat-
ing Mode
This emergency operating mode allows
your vehicle to be driven to a safe place in
an emergency situation. If an overheated
engine condition exists, an overheat pro-
tection mode which alternates firing groups
of cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In this mode, you will notice a significant
loss in power and engine performance.
The engine coolant temperature warning
light on the instrument panel will come on
to indicate the vehicle has entered over-
heated engine protection operating mode.
The temperature gage will also indicate an
overheat condition exists. Drivingextended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer
in the overheat protection mode should be
avoided.
Cooling SystemWhen you decide it is safe to lift the hood,
here is what you will see:
1733770
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
CAUTION
If your engine catches fire because
you keep driving with no coolant,
your vehicle can be badly damaged.
The costly repairs would not be cov-
ered by your warranty. Refer to
“Overheated Engine Protection Oper-
ating Mode” in this section for infor-
mation on driving to a safe place in
an emergency.
CAUTION
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 cool-
ant loss, change the oil and reset the
oil life system. Refer to “Engine Oil”
in this section.
5-14 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
C. Pressure Cap
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.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level
should be at or above the cold fill line on
the coolant recovery tank. If it is not, there
may be a leak at the pressure cap or in the
radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator,
water pump, or somewhere else in the
cooling system.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, the fans should be
running. If the fans are not running, the
vehicle needs service.How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you have not found a problem yet, but
the coolant level is not at the cold fill line,
add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
® engine coolant at
the coolant recovery tank. Refer to “Engine
Coolant” in this section for more informa-
tion.
WARNING
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.
WARNING
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 fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive
the vehicle.
CAUTION
Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant is not covered
by your warranty. Refer to “Over-
heated Engine Protection Operating
Mode” in this section for information
on driving to a safe place in an emer-
gency.
CAUTION
Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater
core, or radiator corrosion. In addi-
tion, the engine coolant could require
changing sooner, at 30000 miles
(50000 km) or 24 months, whichever
occurs first. Any repairs would not be
covered by your warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL
® (silicate-free) cool-
ant in your vehicle.
WARNING
Adding only plain water to your cool-
ing 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 fire and you
or others could be burned. Use a 50/
50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX-COOL
® coolant.
CAUTION
In cold weather, water can freeze and
crack the engine, radiator, heater
core and other parts. Use the recom-
mended coolant and the proper cool-
ant mixture.
5-15 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
When the coolant level in the coolant
recovery tank is at the cold fill line, start the
vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there is
one more thing you can try. You can add
the proper coolant mixture directly to the
radiator, but be sure the system is cool
before you do it.How to Add Coolant to the Cooling Sys-
tem
809006
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 that there is still some
pressure left.2) Then keep turning the pressure cap
and remove it.
3) Fill the cooling system with the proper
DEX-COOL
® coolant mixture, up to the
base of the filler neck. Refer to “Engine
Coolant” in this section for more infor-
mation about the proper coolant mix-
ture.
4) Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from
the engine and the compartment.
1631525
5) Then fill the coolant recovery tank to
the cold fill line.
WARNING
You can be burned if you spill cool-
ant on hot engine parts. Coolant con-
tains ethylene glycol and it will burn
if the engine parts are hot enough. Do
not spill coolant on a hot engine.
WARNING
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out and
burn you badly. They are under pres-
sure, and if you turn the radiator
pressure cap – even a little – they can
come out at high speed. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the radiator pressure cap,
is hot. Wait for the cooling system
and radiator pressure cap to cool if
you ever have to turn the pressure
cap.
CAUTION
Your engine has a specific cooling
system drain and fill procedure. Fail-
ure 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-filled, please see your dealer.
WARNING
You can be burned if you spill cool-
ant on hot engine parts. Coolant con-
tains ethylene glycol and it will burn
if the engine parts are hot enough. Do
not spill coolant on a hot engine.
5-37 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
Wheel ReplacementReplace any wheel that is bent, cracked,
or badly rusted or corroded. If wheel nuts
keep coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts,
and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some
aluminum wheels, which can sometimes
be repaired). See your dealer if any of
these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you
need.
Each new wheel should have the same
load-carrying capacity, diameter, width,
offset, and be mounted the same way as
the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels,
wheel bolts or wheel nuts, replace them
only with new original equipment parts.
This way, you will be sure to have the right
wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for
your vehicle.Refer to “Changing a Flat Tire” in this sec-
tion for more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
Tire Chains
If a Tire Goes FlatIt is unusual for a tire to blowout while you
are driving, especially if you maintain your
vehicle’s tires properly. If air goes out of a
tire, it is much more likely to leak out
slowly. But if you should ever have a blow-
out, here are a few tips about what to
expect and what to do:
WARNING
Using the wrong replacement wheels,
wheel bolts, or wheel nuts on your
vehicle can be dangerous. It could
affect the braking and handling of
your vehicle, make your tires lose air
and make you lose control. You
could have a collision in which you
or others could be injured. Always
use the correct wheel, wheel bolts,
and wheel nuts for replacement.
CAUTION
The wrong wheel can also cause
problems with bearing life, brake
cooling, speedometer or odometer
calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance, and
tire or tire chain clearance to the
body and chassis.
WARNING
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle
is dangerous. You cannot know how
it has been used or how far it has
been driven. It could fail suddenly
and cause a crash. If you have to
replace a wheel, use a new original
equipment wheel.
WARNING
Do not use tire chains. There is not
enough clearance. Tire chains used
on a vehicle without the proper
amount of clearance can cause dam-
age to the brakes, suspension or
other vehicle parts. The area dam-
aged by the tire chains could cause
you to lose control of your vehicle
and you or others may be injured in a
crash.
Use another type of traction device
only if its manufacturer recommends
it for use on your vehicle and tire size
combination and road conditions.
Follow that manufacturer’s instruc-
tions. To help avoid damage to your
vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or
remove the device if it is contacting
your vehicle, and do not spin your
vehicle’s wheels. If you do find trac-
tion devices that will fit, install them
on the front tires.
5-55 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
1739443
The engine compartment fuse block is
located on the driver’s side of the engine
compartment.
Refer to “Engine Compartment Overview”
in this section for more information on loca-
tion. Relays Usage
RAP RLYRetained Accessory
Power Relay
REAR
DEFOG
RLYRear Defogger Relay
Circuit
BreakersUsage
PWR
WNDWPower Windows
PWR
SEATSPower Seats
EMPTY Empty
Misc. Usage
PLR Fuse Puller
Fuses Usage
1 Cooling Fan 2
2 Cooling Fan 1
3 Auxiliary Power
4 Rear Climate Control
5 Spare
6 Spare
7 Anti-lock Brake System
8 Air Conditioning Clutch
9 Driver’s Side Low-Beam
10 Daytime Running Lamp 2
11Passenger’s Side High-
Beam
12Passenger’s Side Park
Lamp
13 Horn
14 Driver’s Side Park Lamp
15 Starter
16Electronic Throttle Con-
trol, Engine Control Mod-
ule
17 Emission Device 1
5-57 SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE
78J00-03E
Capacities and SpecificationsThe following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. Refer to “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in
“Maintenance Schedule” in the “Maintenance Schedule” section for more information.
Engine SpecificationsApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134aFor the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant caution label located under
the hood. See your dealer for more information.
Cooling System
Front Only Climate Control System 12.7 qt 12.0 L
Front and Rear Climate Control System 13.1 qt 12.4 L
Fuel Tank18.5 gal 70.0 L
Transaxle Fluid4.1 qt 3.9 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 lb ft 140 N·m
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this manual.
Recheck fluid level after filling.
Engine VIN Code Transaxle Spark Plug Gap
3.6 L V6 7 Automatic 0.043 inches (1.10 mm)
6-4 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
78J00-03E
Service Instruction Maintenance I Maintenance II
Inspect engine air cleaner fil-
ter. If necessary, replace filter. Refer to “Engine Air Cleaner/Filter” in “Checking Things Under the
Hood” in the “Service and Appearance Care” section.
If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect the filter at
each engine oil change.•
Inspect suspension and steer-
ing components. Visually inspect front and rear suspension and steering system for
damaged, loose, or missing parts, signs of wear.
Inspect power steering cables for proper hook-up, binding,
cracks, chafing, etc. (if equipped).•
Inspect engine cooling sys-
tem. Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen, or deteriorated.
Inspect all pipes, fittings and clamps; replace parts as needed.
To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling
system and pressure cap and cleaning the outside of the radiator
and air conditioning condenser is recommended at least once a
year.•
Inspect wiper blades. Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking.
Replace wiper blades that appear worn or damaged or that streak
or miss areas of the windshield.•
Inspect restraint system com-
ponents. Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your belts, buck-
les, latch plates, retractors, and anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged safety belt system parts.
If you see anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken airbag coverings, and have
them repaired or replaced.
The airbag system does not need regular maintenance.•
6-7 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
78J00-03E
Service InstructionMiles (Kilometers)
25000
(40000)50000
(80000)75000
(120000)100000
(160000)125000
(200000)150000
(240000)
Engine cooling system service (or
every five years, whichever occurs
first). An Emission Control Ser-
vice. Drain, flush, and refill cooling
system.
This service can be complex;
you should have your dealer
perform this service.
Refer to “Engine Coolant” in
“Checking Things Under the
Hood” in the “Service and
Appearance Care” section for
what to use.
Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pres-
sure cap, and filler neck.
Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.•
Inspect engine accessory drive
belt. An Emission Control Service. Visually inspect belt for fraying,
excessive cracks, or obvious
damage.
Replace belt if necessary.•