Notice:Using coolant other
than DEX-COOL®can cause
premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant could require
changing sooner, at 50 000 km
(30,000 miles) 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.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle
is filled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for five years
or 240 000 km (150,000 miles),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
seeEngine Overheating on
page 9-24.
What to Use
{WARNING
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 fire and
you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®
coolant.Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
•Gives freezing protection
down to−37°C (−34°F),
outside temperature.
•Gives boiling protection up
to 129°C (265°F), engine
temperature.
•Protects against rust and
corrosion.
•Will not damage aluminum parts.
•Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
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.
Vehicle Care 9-19
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check coolant as follows:
1. Turn the ignition OFF.
2. Locate the coolant recovery
bottle. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 9-6.
3. Turn the coolant dipstick cap
counterclockwise and slowly
pull out the dipstick.4. There are maximum and
minimum markings on the
dipstick. When the engine is
cold, the coolant level should
be at or above the MIN mark on
the dipstick. After the vehicle has
been driven and the engine is at
normal operating temperature,
the level should be somewhere
between half full and the
maximum mark.
5. If the coolant level is correct,
replace the dipstick and turn
the cap clockwise to secure.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Recovery Bottle
{WARNING
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.
Notice:This vehicle has a
speci c coolant ll procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
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.
9-20 Vehicle Care
Add coolant as follows:
1. Turn the coolant overflow bottle
dipstick cap counterclockwise
and slowly pull out the dipstick.
2. Pour the coolant into the coolant
recovery bottle.
3. When the level is correct,
replace the dipstick and turn
the cap clockwise to secure.
How to Add Coolant to the
Radiator
{WARNING
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.Notice:This vehicle has a
speci c coolant ll procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
{WARNING
An electric engine cooling fan
under the hood can start up even
when the engine is not running
and can cause injury. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from any underhood electric fan.
{WARNING
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
surge tank pressure cap — even a
little — they can come out at high
speed. Never turn the cap when
the cooling system, including the
surge tank pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
surge tank pressure cap to cool
if you ever have to turn the
pressure cap.
If coolant is needed, add the proper
mixture directly to the radiator,
but be sure the cooling system
is cool before this is done.
Vehicle Care 9-21
If no coolant is visible in the coolant
overflow bottle, add coolant as
follows:
3.6 L V6 Engine Fill Procedure
1. Locate the radiator cap.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 9-6.
2. Remove engine cover to access
the radiator cap. SeeEngine
Cover on page 9-9.
3. Cover the radiator cap with a
thick cloth and turn it slowly
counterclockwise and remove.
4. If there is no coolant visible or
the level is low, slowly fill the
system through the radiator cap
opening with a 50/50 mixture
of DEX-COOL
®and clean
drinkable water.Wait 30 seconds for coolant to
settle and continue filling if
the level drops.
Do not spill coolant on the
accessory drive belts.
If a spill occurs, rinse the belt
with fresh water.
5. Start the engine.
6. With the engine idling, continue
to add coolant through the
radiator cap opening until full.
Wait 30 seconds for the coolant
to settle and top off, if the level
drops.
7. Once the system is full, put the
radiator cap back on by turning
clockwise.
8. With the engine still running,
raise the engine to 2500 RPM
for 30–40 seconds.
9. Turn the engine OFF.
10. Repeat steps 2–7 then turn the
engine off.11. Allow engine to cool for
45 minutes. Top off coolant
through the radiator cap
opening and re-install the
radiator cap.
12. Re-install the engine cover.
SeeEngine Cover on
page 9-9.
13. Check the coolant level in the
coolant recovery bottle and fill
it until the level is at the top
symbol on the dipstick.
9-22 Vehicle Care
6.2 L V8 Engine Fill Procedure
1. Locate the radiator cap.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 9-6.
2. Cover the radiator cap with a
thick cloth and turn it slowly
counterclockwise and remove.
3. If there is no coolant visible or
the level is low, slowly fill the
system through the radiator cap
opening with a 50/50 mixture
of clean, drinkable water and a
DEX-COOL
®coolant until full.Wait 30 seconds for coolant to
settle and top off if the level
drops.
Do not spill coolant on the
accessory drive belts.
If a spill occurs, rinse the belt
with fresh water.
4. Start the engine.
5. With the engine idling, top off the
coolant through the radiator cap
opening until full.
Wait 30 seconds for the coolant
to settle and top off, if the level
drops.
6. Once the system is full, put the
radiator cap back on by turning
clockwise.
7. Turn the engine OFF.8. Check the coolant level in the
coolant recovery bottle and fill
it until the level is at the top mark
on the dipstick.
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.
Vehicle Care 9-23
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an indicator to warn
of engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant
temperature warning light on
your vehicle’s instrument panel.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gage on page 4-14.
You may decide not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, but
instead get service help right away.
SeeRoadside Assistance Program
on page 12-6.
If you do decide to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked
on a level surface.Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans
should be running. If they are
not, do not continue to run the
engine and have the vehicle
serviced.
Notice:Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
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 Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
{WARNING
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 fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
9-24 Vehicle Care