Page 254 of 372

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
Page 255 of 372

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
Page 256 of 372

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
Page 257 of 372

If No Steam Is Coming From
The Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be too
serious. Sometimes the engine can
get a little too hot when the vehicle:
•Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
•Stops after high-speed driving.
•Idles for long periods in traffic.
•Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest
temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows
as necessary.3. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle
in N (Neutral) while stopped. If it
is safe to do so, pull off the road,
shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and
let the engine idle.
If the temperature overheat gage is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer displays,
the vehicle can be driven. Continue
to drive the vehicle slow for about
10 minutes. Keep a safe vehicle
distance from the car in front of you.
If the warning does not come back
on, continue to drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle
the engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down. Also, see “Overheated
Engine Protection Operating Mode”
later in this section.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is
located under the engine cover on
the driver side toward the front of the
engine compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6.
When to Check Power
Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly
check power steering fluid unless
you suspect there is a leak in
the system or an unusual noise is
heard. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the
system inspected and repaired.
Vehicle Care 9-25
Page 258 of 372

How to Check Power Steering
Fluid
Check the level after the vehicle
has been driven for at least
twenty minutes so the fluid
is warm.
To check the power steering fluid:
1. Turn the ignition key to
LOCK/OFF and let the engine
compartment cool down.
2. Remove the engine cover. Refer
toEngine Cover on page 9-9.
3. Wipe the cap and the top of the
reservoir clean.
4. Turn the cap counterclockwise
and pull it straight up.
5. Wipe the dipstick with a
clean rag.6. Replace the cap and completely
tighten it.
7. Remove the cap again and look
at the fluid level on the dipstick.
When the engine is hot, the
level should be at the hot MAX
level. When the engine is
cold, the fluid level should be
between MIN and MAX on
the dipstick.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to
use, seeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-7. Always
use the proper fluid.
Washer Fluid
What to Use
When windshield washer fluid
is needed, be sure to read the
manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If operating vehicle in an area
where the temperature can 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 reservoir is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6
for reservoir location.
9-26 Vehicle Care
Page 263 of 372

What to Use
For 218 mm rear drive module
(RDM) V6 manual, V8 automatic
and V8 manual:
To add lubricant when the level
is low, use 75W-90 LS gear oil
(GM Part No. US 89021677
and 1052358, in Canada
Part No. 89021678 and 992694)
meeting GM Specification 9986226.
To completely refill after draining,
seeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-7. Then fill
to the bottom of the filler plug hole
with the Synthetic Gear Lubricant.
For 195 mm RDM V6 automatic:
To add lubricant when the level
is low, use 75W-90 gear Oil
(GM Part No. US 89021677,
in Canada Part No. 89021678)
meeting GM Specification 9986115.
To completely refill after draining,
seeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 10-7. Then fill
to the bottom of the filler plug hole
with the Synthetic Gear Lubricant.
Starter Switch Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could move
suddenly. If the vehicle moves,
you or others could be injured.
1. Before starting this check,
be sure there is enough
room around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking
brake and the regular brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 8-32.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal, and be ready to turn off
the engine immediately if it starts.3. For automatic transmission
vehicles, try to start the engine
in each gear. The vehicle
should start only in P (Park) or
N (Neutral). If the vehicle starts
in any other position, contact your
dealer/retailer for service.
For manual transmission
vehicles, put the shift lever in
Neutral, push the clutch pedal
down halfway, and try to start the
engine. The vehicle should start
only when the clutch pedal is
pushed down all the way to the
floor. If the vehicle starts when
the clutch pedal is not pushed
all the way down, contact your
dealer/retailer for service.
Vehicle Care 9-31
Page 264 of 372

Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Control
System Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this
inspection, the vehicle could move
suddenly. If the vehicle moves,
you or others could be injured.
1. Before starting this check, be
sure there is enough room
around the vehicle. It should
be parked on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
SeeParking Brake on page 8-32.
Be ready to apply the regular
brake immediately if the vehicle
begins to move.3. With the engine off, turn the
ignition to ON/RUN, but do
not start the engine. Without
applying the regular brake,
try to move the shift lever out
of P (Park) with normal effort.
If the shift lever moves out
of P (Park), contact your
dealer/retailer for service.
Ignition Transmission
Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking
brake set, try to turn the ignition
to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever
position.
•The ignition should turn to
LOCK/OFF only when the
shift lever is in P (Park).
•The ignition key should come out
only in LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer/retailer if
service is required.
Park Brake and P (Park)
Mechanism Check
{WARNING
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured
and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front
of the vehicle in case it begins to
roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle
begin to move.
9-32 Vehicle Care
Page 265 of 372

Park on a fairly steep hill, with the
vehicle facing downhill. Keeping
your foot on the regular brake,
set the parking brake.
•To check the parking brake’s
holding ability: With the engine
running and the transmission
in N (Neutral), slowly remove
foot pressure from the regular
brake pedal. Do this until
the vehicle is held by the
parking brake only.
•To check the P (Park)
mechanism’s holding ability:
With the engine running, shift
to P (Park). Then release the
parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your dealer/retailer if
service is required.
Wiper Blade
Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be
inspected for wear and cracking.
SeeScheduled Maintenance on
page 10-2for more information.
Replacement blades come in
different types and are removed
in different ways. For proper type
and length, seeMaintenance
Replacement Parts on page 10-9.To replace the windshield wiper
blade:
1. Pull the windshield wiper
assembly away from the
windshield.
2. Lift up on the latch in the middle
of the wiper blade where the
wiper arm attaches.
Vehicle Care 9-33