2011 CHEVROLET HHR coolant level

Black plate (22,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Manual Transmission Fluid
It is not necessary to check the manual transmission
fluid level. A transmission fluid leak is the only reason
for fluid loss. If a leak occurs, take the vehicle to a
dealer for service. Have it repaired as soon as possible.
You may also have the fluid level checked by your
dealer when the oil is changed. SeeRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants
on page 7‑8for the proper fluid
to use.
Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. This system does not have its own
reservoir. It receives fluid from the brake master cylinder
reservoir.
See Brakes
on page 6‑30for more information.
Cooling System
The cooling system allows the engine to maintain the
correct working temperature.
2.4L L4 Engine Shown, 2.2L L4 Engine Similar
A. Pressure Cap
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Electric Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
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Black plate (24,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
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 5 years or 240 000 km
(150,000 mi), 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, see Engine
Overheating on page 6‑28
What to Use
{WARNING:
Adding only plain water or some other liquid to the
cooling system can be dangerous. Plain water
and other liquids, 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
−34°F (−37°C),
outside temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C),
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.
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.
See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on
page 7‑8for more information.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
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Black plate (25,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
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 6‑14for
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.
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Black plate (28,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
8. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiatorfiller 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 4‑32andEngine Coolant Temperature Gaugeon page 4‑32for 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.
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.
(Continued)
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Black plate (30,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
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 6‑14for
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
windshield washer system and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder and, on manual transmission
vehicles, the clutch hydraulic system use the same
reservoir. See Engine Compartment Overview
on
page 6‑14for the location of the reservoir. The
reservoir is filled with DOT 3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down:
.The brake fluid level goes down because of
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are
installed, the fluid level goes back up.
.A fluid leak in the brake and/or clutch hydraulic
system can also cause a low fluid level. Have the
brake and/or clutch hydraulic system fixed, since a
leak means that sooner or later the brakes and/or
clutch will not work well.
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Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
Rotation of New Tires
To maintain ride, handling, and performance of the
vehicle, it is important that the first rotation service for
new tires be performed. Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km/7,500 miles. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑60.
Scheduled Maintenance
When the Change Oil Soon Message
Displays
Change engine oil and filter. See Engine Oilon
page 6‑16. An Emission Control Service.
When the CHANGE OIL SOON message displays,
service is required for the vehicle as soon as possible,
within the next 1 000 km/600 miles. If driving under the
best conditions, the engine oil life system might not
indicate the need for vehicle service for more than a
year. The engine oil and filter must be changed at least
once a year and the oil life system must be reset. Your
dealer has trained service technicians who will perform
this work and reset the system. If the engine oil life
system is reset accidentally, service the vehicle within
5 000 km/3,000 miles since the last service. Reset the
oil life system whenever the oil is changed. See Engine
Oil Life System on page 6‑19.
When the Change Oil Soon message displays, certain
services, checks, and inspections are required.
Every Engine Oil Change
.Change engine oil and filter. Reset oil life system.
See Engine Oilon page 6‑16andEngine Oil Life
Systemon page 6‑19. An Emission Control
Service.
.Engine coolant level check. See Engine Coolanton page 6‑24.
.Engine cooling system inspection. Visual
inspection of hoses, pipes, fittings, and clamps and
replacement, if needed.
.Windshield washer fluid level check. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 6‑30.
.Windshield wiper blade inspection for wear,
cracking, or contamination and windshield and
wiper blade cleaning, if contaminated. See
Windshield and Wiper Blades
on page 6‑96. Worn
or damaged wiper blade replacement. See
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
on
page 6‑46.
.Tire inflation pressures check. See Inflation - Tire
Pressure on page 6‑54.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑60.
.Rotate tires if necessary. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑60.
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Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet HHR Owner Manual - 2011
.Fluids visual leak check (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first). A leak in any system must
be repaired and the fluid level checked.
.Engine air cleaner filter inspection. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6‑20.
.Brake system inspection (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).
.Steering and suspension inspection. Visual
inspection for damaged, loose, or missing parts or
signs of wear.
.Body hinges and latches, key lock cylinders, and
rear compartment hinges lubrication. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on
page 7‑8. More frequent lubrication may be
required when the 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 2‑73.
.Fuel system inspection for damage or leaks.
.Exhaust system and nearby heat shields
inspection for loose or damaged components.
Additional Required Services
Every 12 000 km/7,500 Miles
.Rotate tires. Tires should be rotated every
12 000 km/7,500 miles. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑60.
At Each Fuel Stop
.Engine oil level check. See Engine Oilon
page 6‑16.
.Engine coolant level check. See Engine Coolanton page 6‑24.
.Windshield washer fluid level check. See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 6‑30.
Once a Month
.Tire inflation pressures check. See Inflation - Tire
Pressure on page 6‑54.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6‑60.
.Sunroof track and seal inspection, if equipped. See
Sunroof on page 3‑48.
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