2010 CHEVROLET HHR engine coolant

Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
The coolant recovery tank
cap has this symbol on it.
The tank is located in the
engine compartment
toward the front of
the engine on the
passenger's side of
the vehicle.
See Engine Compartment Overview
on page 6‑16for
more information on location.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant recovery
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at or
above the COLD FILL mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the
coolant recovery tank, but be sure the cooling system is
cool before this is done.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the COLD FILL (A) line or a little higher. The COLD
FILL line is near the bottom of the tank and sticks out
from the rear of the tank.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
or above the COLD FILL line. If it is not, you may have
a leak in the cooling system.
6-31

How to Add Coolant to the Cooling
System
{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 specific coolant fill
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.
6-32

If no coolant is visible in the coolant recovery tank, add
coolant at the pressure cap as follows:
1. Remove the pressurecap 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 there is still some pressure left to be
vented.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap and remove it.
3. Add the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture to the
coolant fill port, up to the base of the port. See
Engine Coolant
on page 6‑29Engine Coolant for
more information about the proper coolant mixture.
4. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine and the compartment.
5. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the COLDFILL (A) line.
6. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but leave the pressure cap off.
6-33

7. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel theupper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
8. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator filler port may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture
through the fill port until the level reaches the base
of the fill port.
9. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during this procedure, if coolant begins to flow out of the
fill port, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
10. When the engine has cooled, check the coolant in the coolant recovery tank. The level in the coolant
recovery tank should be at the COLD FILL line
when the engine is cold.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has several indicators to warn of engine
overheating.
You will find a coolant temperature warning light and a
coolant temperature gauge on your vehicle's instrument
panel. See Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light
on page 4‑34andEngine Coolant Temperature Gaugeon page 4‑34for more information.
You may decide not to lift the hood when this warning
appears, but instead get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program on page 8‑6.
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 fire because of being
driven with no coolant, your vehicle can be badly
damaged. The costly repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty.
6-34

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.
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.
6-35

If the temperature overheat gauge 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.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to
read the manufacturer's instructions before use. If you
will be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may 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
tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 6‑16for
reservoir location.
Notice:
.When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
adding water.
.Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage the washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system. Also, water does
not clean as well as washer fluid.
.Fill the washer fluid tank only three-quarters
full when it is very cold. This allows for fluid
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
.Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
the windshield washer. It can damage the
vehicle's windshield washer system and
paint.
6-36

MaintenanceI
.Change engine oil and filter. See Engine Oilon
page 6‑19. An Emission Control Service.
.Engine coolant level check. See Engine Coolanton page 6‑29.
.Windshield washer fluid level check. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 6‑36.
.Tire inflation check. SeeInflation - Tire Pressureon page 6‑63.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑69.
.Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotationon
page 6‑69.
.Fluids visual leak check (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first). A leak in any system
must be repaired and the fluid level checked.
.2.2L and 2.4L Engines: Engine air cleaner filter
inspection (vehicles driven in dusty conditions
only). See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6‑25.
.2.0L Engine: Engine air cleaner filter inspection.
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6‑25.
.Brake system inspection (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).
Maintenance II
.Perform all services described in Maintenance I.
.Steering and suspension inspection. Visual
inspection for damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear.
.Engine cooling system inspection. Visual
inspection of hoses, pipes, fittings, and clamps
and replacement, if needed.
.Windshield wiper blade inspection for wear,
cracking, or contamination and windshield and
wiper blade cleaning, if contaminated. See
Windshield and Wiper Blades
on page 6‑115. Worn
or damaged wiper blade replacement. See
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
on
page 6‑53.
.Body hinges and latches, key lock cylinders, and
rear compartment hinges lubrication. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on
page 7‑10. More frequent lubrication may be
required when vehicle is exposed to a corrosive
environment. Applying silicone grease on
weatherstrips with a clean cloth makes them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
.Restraint system component check. See Checking
the Restraint Systems on page 2‑78.
7-4

.Passenger compartment air filter replacement (or
every 12 months, whichever occurs first). More
frequent replacement may be required if vehicle is
driven regularly under dusty conditions.
.2.2L and 2.4L Engines: Engine air cleaner filter
inspection (vehicles not driven in dusty conditions).
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6‑25.
Additional Required Services
At Each Fuel Stop
.Engine oil level check. See Engine Oilon
page 6‑19.
.Engine coolant level check. See Engine Coolanton page 6‑29.
.Windshield washer fluid level check. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 6‑36.
Once a Month
.Tire inflation check. SeeInflation - Tire Pressureon page 6‑63.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑69.
Once a Year
.Starter switch check. See Owner Checks and
Services on page 7‑8.
.Parking brake and automatic transmission P (Park)
mechanism check. See Owner Checks and
Services on page 7‑8.
.Automatic transmission shiftlock control system
check. See Owner Checks and Serviceson
page 7‑8.
.Ignition transmission lock check. See Owner
Checks and Services on page 7‑8.
.Engine cooling system and pressure cap pressure
check. Radiator and air conditioning condenser
outside cleaning. See Cooling System
on
page 6‑28.
.Exhaust system and nearby heat shields
inspection for loose or damaged components.
.Throttle system inspection for interference, binding
or for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any components that have high
effort or excessive wear. Do not lubricate
accelerator or cruise control cables.
7-5