engine overheat SATURN ION 2004 User Guide

Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixtureat the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool. SeeCooling System on page 5-32
for instructions on how to add coolant to the coolant
surge tank.
{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.
Coolant Surge Tank 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.
If you replace your coolant surge tank pressure cap,
a Saturn cap is required.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a coolant temperature gage and a low
coolant level warning message on your vehicle’s
instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature
Gage on page 3-35andLow Coolant Level Warning
Message on page 3-43. You also have a check
gage message and a transaxle uid hot message.
SeeCheck Gage Message on page 3-44andTransaxle
Fluid Hot Message on page 3-42.
Notice:Driving with either the CHK GAGE message
or the COOLANT message displayed in the
message center and the Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage on your instrument panel in the
red zone could cause your vehicle to overheat.
See “Engine Overheating” underEngine Coolant on
page 5-26. Your vehicle could be damaged and
the damages might not be covered by your warranty.
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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. 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 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.
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.
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If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
An overheat warning can indicate a serious problem.
SeeLow Coolant Level Warning Message on page 3-43.
If you get an engine overheat warning with no warning
messages, 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.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. If you have an air conditioner and it’s on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. Try to minimize engine load. If you’re in a traffic
jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N); otherwise, shift to the
highest gear while driving.If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about 10 minutes.
If the warning doesn’t 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’s still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for three minutes while you’re parked. If you still
have the warning,turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicleuntil it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
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The coolant level should be at the cold ll line. If it isn’t,
you may have a leak at 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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 fan should be running.
If it isn’t, your vehicle needs service. Turn off the
engine.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
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 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.
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CAUTION: (Continued)
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: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.
{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. You can remove the coolant surge tank pressure
cap when the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise (left) about one-quarter of a
turn. 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. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly, and
remove it.
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Driving (cont.)
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-24
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-17
Winter........................................................4-26
Driving on Grades...........................................4-44
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-27
Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-19
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-19
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-43
E
Electric Power Steering..................................... 4-9
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-95
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-95
Power Windows and Other Power Options.........5-95
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-95
Emergency Trunk Release Handle.....................2-14
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-38
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-22
Battery.......................................................5-41
Change Oil Message...................................3-43Engine (cont.)
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-36
Coolant......................................................5-26
Coolant Heater............................................2-22
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-35
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-17
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-34
Oil .............................................................5-15
Overheating................................................5-29
Starting......................................................2-20
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Replacement...............5-22
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
(2.0L Supercharged Engine)........................5-100
Engine Compartment Fuse Block
(2.2L L4 Engine).........................................5-98
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-46
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-19
Engine Specications.....................................5-103
Entry Lighting.................................................3-18
Error Message................................................3-45
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-7
Express-Down Window....................................2-16
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-28
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-15
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