coolant SATURN ASTRA 2008 User Guide

If you get the engine coolant
temperature warning with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. If your air conditioner is on,
turn it off.
2. 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.
3. 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 and you
have not stopped, pull over, stop,
and park your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam,
you can 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.Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the
hood, this is what you see:
A. Coolant Reservoir
B. Coolant Reservoir Pressure Cap
C. Engine Cooling Fans
(Out of view)
9-16 Vehicle Service and Care
ProCarManuals.com

{CAUTION
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.
If the coolant inside the coolant
reservoir is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a
level surface.
The coolant level should be at or
above the KALT/COLD mark on the
coolant reservoir. If it is not, you
may have a leak at the coolant
reservoir pressure cap or in
the radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump, or somewhere
else in the cooling system.
{CAUTION
Heater and radiator hoses, and
other engine parts, can be very
hot. Do not touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there
is a leak. If you run the engine,
it could lose all coolant.
That could cause an engine
re, and you could be burned.
Get any leak xed before you
drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak,
with the engine on, check to see
if the electric engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating,
both fans should be running.
If they are not, your vehicle needs
service.Notice:Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.
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 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) 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.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-17
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How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Reservoir
Notice:This vehicle has a
specic coolant ll procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
If you have not found a problem yet,
check to see if coolant is visible
in the coolant reservoir. If coolant is
visible but the coolant level is not
at or above the KALT/COLD
mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®
coolant at the coolant reservoir,
but be sure the cooling system,
including the coolant reservoir
pressure cap, is cool before you
do it. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 9-12for more information.If no coolant is visible in the coolant
reservoir, add coolant as follows:
{CAUTION
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 coolant
reservoir pressure cap — even
a little — they can come out at
high speed. Never turn the cap
when the cooling system,
including the coolant reservoir
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and coolant
reservoir pressure cap to cool
if you ever have to turn the
pressure cap.
{CAUTION
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 re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50
mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core and other
parts. Use the recommended
coolant and the proper coolant
mixture.
9-18 Vehicle Service and Care
ProCarManuals.com

{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.
1. Remove the coolant reservoir
pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant
reservoir pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot. Turn the coolant
reservoir pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about two
or two and one-half turns.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that
to stop. This will allow any
pressure still left to be vented
out the discharge hose.2. Keep turning the coolant
reservoir pressure cap slowly,
and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant reservoir with
the proper mixture, to the
KALT/COLD mark. Wait about
ve minutes, then check to
see if the level is below the
mark. If the level is below the
KALT/COLD mark, add additional
coolant to bring the level up to
the mark. Repeat this procedure
until the level remains constant
at the KALT/COLD mark for
at least ve minutes.4. With the coolant reservoir
pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you
can feel the upper radiator hose
getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
By this time, the coolant level
inside the coolant reservoir might
be lower. If the level is lower
than the KALT/COLD mark,
add more of the proper mixture
to the coolant reservoir until
the level reaches the
KALT/COLD mark.
5. Replace the coolant reservoir
pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and
fully seated. Coolant Reservoir
Pressure Cap
Vehicle Service and Care 9-19
ProCarManuals.com

Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power
Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to check the
power steering uid level. A power
steering uid leak is the only
reason for uid loss. If a leak
occurs, take your vehicle to the
dealer/retailer service department
and have it repaired as soon
as possible.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield
washer uid, 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 uid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the washer
symbol on it. Add washer uid
until the tank is full. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 9-6
for reservoir location.Notice:
When using concentrated
washer uid, follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer uid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage your
washer uid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as
well as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for uid
expansion if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in your windshield
washer. It can damage the
vehicle’s windshield washer
system and paint.
9-20 Vehicle Service and Care
ProCarManuals.com

(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to indicate
the type of ply construction in
the tire. The letter R means
radial ply construction; the
letter D means diagonal or
bias ply construction; and the
letter B means belted-bias
ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter
:Diameter of
the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description
:These characters represent the
load range and speed rating
of the tire. The load index
represents the load carry
capacity a tire is certied to
carry. The load index can range
from 1 to 279. The speed
rating is the maximum speed a
tire is certied to carry a load.
Speed ratings range from A to Z.
Tire Terminology and
Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of
air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch
of the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in pounds per square
inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight
:This means
the combined weight of optional
accessories. Some examples
of optional accessories are,
automatic transmission, power
steering, power brakes, power
windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
:The relationship
of a tire’s height to its width.
Belt
:A rubber coated layer of
cords that is located between the
plies and the tread. Cords may
be made from steel or other
reinforcing materials.Bead
:The tire bead contains
steel wires wrapped by steel
cords that hold the tire onto
the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
:A pneumatic tire
in which the plies are laid at
alternate angles less than
90 degrees to the centerline of
the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
:The
amount of air pressure in a
tire, measured in pounds
per square inch (psi) or
kilopascals (kPa) before a tire
has built up heat from driving.
SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 9-46.
Curb Weight
:The weight of a
motor vehicle with standard
and optional equipment including
the maximum capacity of fuel,
oil, and coolant, but without
passengers and cargo.
Vehicle Service and Care 9-43
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C
California Fuel.....................8-35
California Perchlorate
Materials Requirements....... 9-3
California Proposition 65
Warning............................ 9-3
Canadian Owners..................... ii
Capacities and
Specications...................10-2
Carbon Monoxide.........8-14, 8-27
Care, Safety Belts................1-22
Cargo Cover......................... 3-1
Cargo Tie Downs................... 3-1
Cautions and Notices............... iii
Chains, Tire........................9-59
Charging System Light..........4-17
Check
Engine Light....................4-20
Chemical Paint Spotting........9-79
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems.....1-41
Infants and Young
Children.......................1-38
Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children.......1-45Child Restraints (cont.)
Older Children..................1-37
Securing..................1-50, 1-53
Where to Put the
Restraint......................1-43
Cleaning
Exterior...........................9-75
Interior............................9-72
Underbody Maintenance....9-79
Climate Control System.......... 7-1
Outlet Adjustment............... 7-4
Clutch, Hydraulic..................9-12
Collision Damage Repair.....11-10
Compact Spare Tire.............9-67
Content Theft-Deterrent.......... 2-9
Control of a Vehicle..............8-17
Coolant
Engine............................9-12
Engine Temperature
Warning Light...............4-19
Cooling System...................
9-16
Cruise Control....................... 4-5
Cruise Control Light..............4-24
Cupholders........................... 3-1Customer Assistance
Information
Courtesy
Transportation.......11-4, 11-8
Customer Assistance
Offices.........................11-5
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure....................11-1
GM Mobility
Reimbursement
Program.......................11-5
Reporting Safety
Defects to
Saturn........................11-14
Reporting Safety
Defects to the
Canadian
Government................11-14
Reporting Safety Defects
to the United States
Government................11-13
Roadside Assistance
Program.......................11-5
Service Publications
Ordering Information.....11-14
i-2 INDEX
ProCarManuals.com

D
Daytime Running Lamps......... 5-2
Defensive Driving.................8-16
Delayed Headlamps............... 5-2
Doing Your Own
Service Work..................... 9-4
Dome Lamps ........................ 5-3
Door
Ajar Light........................4-24
Locks............................... 2-5
Power Door Locks.............. 2-5
Rear Door Security Locks.... 2-6
Driver Information
Center (DIC)....................4-26
DIC Operation and
Displays...............4-27, 4-31
DIC Warnings and
Messages....................4-37
Driving
At Night..........................8-24
Before a Long Trip............8-26
Defensive........................8-16
Drunken..........................8-16
Highway Hypnosis............8-26Driving (cont.)
Hill and Mountain Roads....8-26
In Rain and on Wet
Roads.........................8-25
Rocking Your Vehicle to
Get it Out ....................8-30
Winter.............................8-27
Winter Mode Light............4-23
E
EDR .................................11-15
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment............9-33
Engine Compartment
Fuse Block...................9-34
Fuses.............................9-34
Headlamp Wiring..............9-33
Power Windows and
Other Power
Options........................9-34
Rear Compartment Fuse
Block...........................9-36
Windshield Wiper Fuses....9-34Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter...............9-11
Check and Service
Engine Soon
Light............................4-20
Coolant...........................9-12
Coolant Temperature
Warning Light...............4-19
Engine Compartment
Overview....................... 9-6
Exhaust...........................8-14
Oil ................................... 9-7
Oil Life System.................. 9-9
Overheating.....................9-15
Starting............................. 8-3
Engine Heater....................... 8-4
Entry Lighting........................ 5-3
Event Data Recorders.........11-16
Extender, Safety Belt............1-22
Exterior Lamps...................... 5-1
Exterior Lamps Off
Reminder........................4-24
INDEX i-3
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Hood
Release............................ 9-5
Horn .................................... 4-4
How to Wear Safety Belts
Properly..........................1-12
Hydraulic Clutch...................9-12
I
Ignition Positions................... 8-2
Immobilizer........................... 2-7
Immobilizer Operation............. 2-8
Infants and Young
Children, Restraints...........1-38
Ination - Tire Pressure.........9-46
Instrument Panel
Brightness......................... 5-3
Cluster............................4-12
Overview........................... 4-2
J
Jump Starting......................9-68
K
Keyless Entry System............ 2-3
Keys.................................... 2-2
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall..........9-40
Lamp
Rear Compartment............. 5-4
Lamps
Dome ............................... 5-3
Exterior, Off Reminder.......4-24
Reading............................ 5-3
Lap-Shoulder Belt................1-17
LATCH System
Child Restraints................1-45
Replacing Parts After a
Crash..........................1-50
License Plate Lamps............9-32
Liftgate
Carbon Monoxide............... 2-6
Light
Airbag Readiness.............4-14
Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) Warning..............4-18Light (cont.)
Brake System Warning......4-17
Charging System..............4-17
Cruise Control..................4-24
Door Ajar.........................4-24
Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning.....4-19
Fog Lamp ........................4-23
Highbeam On...................4-24
Low Fuel Warning.............4-25
Low Oil Level...................4-23
Malfunction Indicator.........4-20
Oil Pressure.....................4-22
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator.......................4-15
Safety Belt Reminders.......4-14
Service Vehicle Soon........4-24
StabiliTrak
®Indicator.........4-19
Tire Pressure...................4-19
Winter Driving Mode..........4-23
Lighting
Entry................................ 5-3
Lights
Exterior Lamps................... 5-1
Flash-to-Pass..................... 4-8
High/Low Beam Changer..... 4-8
INDEX i-5
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