radiator SATURN SKY 2007 Owners Manual

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 258.
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.
255
ProCarManuals.com

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 retailer 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.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 345for more information.
256
ProCarManuals.com

Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 242
for 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 COLD FILL line.
Do not overll the surge tank. Too much coolant
can result in an overow condition when the
uid is hot.
257
ProCarManuals.com

The coolant level should be at the COLD FILL line.
If it is not, you may have a leak at the pressure cap
or in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator,
water pump, or somewhere 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 fan
are running. If the engine is overheating, the fan
should be running. If they are not, your vehicle
needs service.
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 could 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.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
Notice:Your engine has a specic cooling
system drain and ll procedure. Failure
to follow this procedure could cause your
engine to overheat and be severely damaged.
If your engine’s cooling system needs to
be drained and re-lled, please see your dealer.
If you have not found a problem yet, check to
see if coolant is visible in the coolant surge tank.
262
ProCarManuals.com

If coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at
the COLD FILL line, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the
coolant surge tank, but be sure the cooling system,
including the coolant surge tank pressure cap, is
cool before you do it. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 255for more information.
If no coolant is visible in the coolant surge tank,
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 surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — they can come out at
high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and coolant surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have
to turn the pressure cap.
{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: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.
263
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 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 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. Then keep
turning the
pressure
cap slowly,
and remove it.
264
ProCarManuals.com

3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture, to the COLD FILL line. Wait about
ve minutes, then check to see if the level
is below the COLD FILL line. If the level
is below the line, add additional coolant to
bring the level up to the line. Repeat this
procedure until the level remains constant at
the COLD FILL line for at least ve minutes.4. With the coolant surge tank 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 fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower
than the COLD FILL line, add more of the
proper mixture to the coolant surge tank until
the level reaches the COLD FILL line.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
See your retailer, if necessary.
265
ProCarManuals.com

Maintenance Footnotes
(a)Visually inspect brake lines and hoses for
proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chang,
etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect drum brake
linings/shoes for wear or cracks. Inspect other
brake parts, including drums, wheel cylinders,
calipers, parking brake, etc.
(b)Visually inspect front and rear suspension and
steering system for damaged, loose, or missing
parts or signs of wear. Inspect power steering lines
and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chang, etc.
(c)Visually inspect hoses and have them replaced
if they are cracked, swollen, or deteriorated.
Inspect all pipes, ttings, and clamps; replace with
genuine Saturn parts as needed. To help ensure
proper operation, a pressure test of the cooling
system and pressure cap and cleaning the outside
of the radiator and air conditioning condenser is
recommended at least once a year.
(d)Visually inspect wiper blades for wear or
cracking. Replace wiper blades that appear worn
or damaged or that streak or miss areas of
the windshield.(e)Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all
your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors, and
anchorages are working properly. Look for
any other loose or damaged safety belt system
parts. If you see anything that might keep a safety
belt system from doing its job, have it repaired.
Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced. Also
look for any opened or broken airbag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. The
airbag system does not need regular maintenance.
(f)Lubricate all key lock cylinders. Lubricate all
hinges and latches, including those for the
body doors, hood, secondary latch, pivots, spring
anchor, release pawl, rear compartment, glove
box door, and console door. More frequent
lubrication may be required when exposed to a
corrosive environment. Applying silicone grease on
weatherstrips with a clean cloth will make them
last longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak.
(g)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage. Replace belt if
necessary.
(h)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
inspect the lter at each engine oil change.
339
ProCarManuals.com

(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This
service can be complex; you should have
your retailer perform this service. See Engine
Coolant on page 255 for what to use. Inspect
hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and ller neck. Pressure test the cooling
system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected and
repaired and the uid level checked. Add uid
if needed.
(k)Change automatic transmission uid and lter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C)
or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
Uses such as found in taxi, police, or
delivery service.Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be
performed at the intervals specied to help ensure
the safety, dependability, and emission control
performance of your vehicle. Your Saturn retailer
can assist you with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at
once. Whenever any uids or lubricants are added
to your vehicle, make sure they are the proper
ones, as shown inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 345.
340
ProCarManuals.com