2009 SATURN VUE engine overheat

{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 the
cooling system can be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water
or the wrong mixture, the engine
could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. The
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-quarter of a turn. If you hear
a hiss, wait for that to stop.
Service and Appearance Care 5-21
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This will allow any pressure still
left to be vented out the
discharge hose.
2. Then keep turning the pressure
cap slowly, and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with
the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant
mixture, to between the MIN
and MAX lines.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 DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture to the coolant
surge tank until the level reaches
between the MIN and MAX lines.
5. Then replace the pressure cap.
Be sure the pressure cap is
hand-tight.
Check the level in the surge
tank when the cooling system
has cooled down. If the coolant is
not at the proper level, repeat
Steps 1 through 3 and reinstall the
pressure cap. If the coolant still is not
at the proper level when the system
cools down again, see your dealer/
retailer.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle
is lled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in your vehicle for ve years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km),
whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life
coolant.
The following explains your cooling
system and how to add coolant
when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see
Engine Overheating on page 5-25.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to
−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to
265°F (129°C).
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Protect against rust and
corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages
work as they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL
®can cause premature
engine, heater core, or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing
sooner, at the rst maintenance
service after each 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free)
coolant in the vehicle.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean,
drinkable water and one-half
DEX-COOL
®coolant which will not
damage aluminum parts. If you
use this coolant mixture, you do not
need to add anything else.
{CAUTION
Adding only plain water to the
cooling system can be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before
the proper coolant mixture will.
The vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper
coolant mixture. With plain water
or the wrong mixture, the engine
could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. The
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:If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other
parts.
If you have to add coolant more
than four times a year, have
your dealer/retailer check your
cooling system.
Notice:If extra inhibitors
and/or additives are used in
the vehicle’s cooling system,
the vehicle could be damaged.
Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in
this manual for the cooling
system. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on
page 6-13for more information.
Service and Appearance Care 5-23
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Coolant Surge Tank
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.
If you need to replace your coolant
surge tank pressure cap, see
your retailer.
Engine Overheating
There is a coolant temperature
warning light on your vehicle’s
instrument panel. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light
on page 3-34.
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 the engine catches re
because of being driven with
no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
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.
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If you get the overheat warning with
no sign of steam, try this for a
minute or so:
1. If you have an air conditioner
and it is on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at
the highest fan speed and open
the windows as necessary.
3. Try to minimize engine load. If
you are in a traffic jam, shift to
N (Neutral); otherwise, shift to the
highest gear possible while
driving.
If you no longer have the overheat
warning, you can drive. Just to
be safe, drive slower for about
ten 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, idle
the engine for three minutes
while you are parked. If the warning
continues, 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.
Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for reservoir location.
When to Check Power
Steering Fluid
Power steering uid is used in all
vehicles with V6 engines. Vehicles
with the 4-cylinder engine have
electric power steering and does not
use power steering uid.
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
To check the power steering uid,
do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the
engine compartment cool down.
2. Remove engine oil ll cap.
3. Slide engine cover rearward and
lift to remove.
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Door
Ajar Light........................3-40
Automatic Door Lock.......... 2-8
Automatic Door Unlock........ 2-8
Delayed Locking................. 2-8
Locks............................... 2-7
Power Door Locks.............. 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks.... 2-8
Drive Systems
All-Wheel Drive................5-35
Driver
Seat Height Adjuster........... 1-4
Driver Behavior..................... 4-2
Driver Information
Center (DIC)....................3-42
DIC Operation and
Displays.......................3-42
DIC Vehicle
Customization...............3-57
DIC Warnings and
Messages....................3-49
Driving
At Night..........................4-22
Before a Long Trip............4-24
Defensive.......................... 4-3
Drunk............................... 4-4
Environment...................... 4-2
Highway Hypnosis............4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads....4-24Driving (cont.)
In Rain and on Wet
Roads.........................4-23
Loss of Control................4-12
Off-Road .........................4-13
Off-Road Recovery...........4-11
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get it Out ....................4-27
Winter.............................4-25
Driving for Better Fuel
Economy........................... 4-3
E
EDR ..................................7-16
Electrical Equipment
Add-On Equipment............5-79
Electrical System
Fuses and Circuit
Breakers......................5-80
Instrument Panel Fuse
Block...........................5-80
Power Windows and
Other Power Options.....5-80
Underhood Fuse Block......5-82
Windshield Wiper Fuses....5-80
Electronic Immobilizer
PASS-Key
®III+................2-13Electronic Immobilizer
Operation
PASS-Key
®III+................2-14
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter...............5-17
Change Engine Oil Light....3-38
Check and Service
Engine Soon Lamp........3-35
Compartment Overview......5-12
Coolant...........................5-22
Coolant Heater.................2-18
Coolant Temperature
Warning Light...............3-34
Cooling System................5-19
Drive Belt Routing.............6-16
Exhaust...........................2-28
Oil ..................................5-14
Oil Life System.................5-16
Overheating.....................5-25
Reduced Power Light........3-39
Starting...........................2-17
Entry Lighting......................3-14
Reporting Safety Defects
to the United States
Government.....................7-14
Event Data Recorders..........7-16
Extender, Safety Belt............1-23
Exterior Lamps....................3-12
i-4 INDEX
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