engine coolant PONTIAC G6 2007 User Guide

A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 330.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 349.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 325.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 325.
E. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 339.F. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 342.
G. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 352.
H. Battery. SeeBattery on page 355.
I. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 418.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 350.
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A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 330.
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 349.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil on page 325.
D. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 325.
E. Electric Engine Cooling Fans. SeeCooling
System on page 345.
F. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 339.
G. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 342.H. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 352.
I. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick (Out of
View). See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (2.4L L4 and 3.5L V6
Engines) on page 332orAutomatic Transaxle
Fluid (3.6L Engine) on page 332orAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid (3.9L V6 Engine) on page 335.
J. Battery. SeeBattery on page 355.
K. Underhood Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 418.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 350.
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A. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 330.
B. Engine Coolant Bleed Valve.
C. Power Steering Fluid. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 349.
D. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick (Out of
View). See “Checking the Fluid Level” under
Automatic Transaxle Fluid (2.4L L4 and 3.5L V6
Engines) on page 332orAutomatic Transaxle
Fluid (3.6L Engine) on page 332orAutomatic
Transaxle Fluid (3.9L V6 Engine) on page 335.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add
Engine Oil” underEngine Oil on page 325.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 325.
G. Engine Coolant Surge Tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 339.
H. Pressure Cap. SeePressure Cap on page 342.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 352.
J. Battery. SeeBattery on page 355.K. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 350.
L. Engine Compartment Fuse Block. SeeEngine
Compartment Fuse Block on page 418.
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil every time
you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 318
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you
do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper
towel or cloth, then push it back in all the
way. Remove it again, keeping the tip down,
and check the level.
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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, seeEngine
Overheating on page 342.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).
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
®
may 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 your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
339

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 your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your 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 you use an improper coolant
mixture, your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost would not be
covered by your 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 check your cooling system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system,
you could damage your vehicle. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine coolant listed in
this manual for the cooling system. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on
page 442for more information.
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Checking Coolant
The engine coolant surge tank is located in the
rear of the engine compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 318for more
information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when
the engine and radiator are hot can allow
steam and scalding liquids to blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn the surge
tank pressure cap — even a little — when
the engine and radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When
your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the FULL COLD mark or slightly higher.
341

Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture at the surge tank,
but only when the engine is cool. If the surge tank
is empty, a special ll procedure is necessary.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 342andCooling
System on page 345.
{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.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight and fully seated.
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.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 318
for more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd an engine coolant temperature gage
on your vehicle’s instrument panel. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Gage on page 203.
342

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. 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 the vehicles
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.
SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 344for
information on driving to a safe place
in an emergency.Notice:If your engine catches re because
you keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle
can be badly damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. See
Overheated Engine Protection Operating Mode
on page 344for information on driving to a
safe place in an emergency.
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.
343

If you get the overheat warning with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in
NEUTRAL (N) while stopped. If it is safe to
do so, pull off the road, shift to PARK (P)
or NEUTRAL (N) and let the engine idle.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the windows as necessary.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you
can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 minutes. If the warning does not come back on,
you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, 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 you still have
the warning, 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.Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your
vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an emergency
situation. If an overheated engine condition exists,
an overheat protection mode which alternates ring
groups of cylinders helps prevent engine damage.
In this mode, you will notice a signicant loss in
power and engine performance. The temperature
gage will indicate an overheat condition exists.
Driving extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer
in the overheat protection mode should be avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. The engine oil will be
severely degraded. Repair the cause of coolant
loss, change the oil and reset the oil life
system. SeeEngine Oil on page 325.
344

Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is
what you will see:
A. Engine Cooling Fans
B. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
C. Pressure Cap{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the
hood can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
3.5L V6 Engine shown, 2.4L L4, 3.6L V6 and
3.9L V6 Engines similar
345