engine coolant CHEVROLET AVEO 2008 1.G User Guide

Checking Coolant
The engine coolant surge tank is located in the rear of
the engine compartment on the driver’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for 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.
To check the engine coolant, the vehicle must be on a
level surface. When your engine is cold, the coolant
level should be between the Maximum (A) and
Minimum (B) marks on the coolant surge tank. The level
rises at engine operation temperature and drops
again when the engine cools down.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture at the coolant surge tank, but only
when the engine is cool. If the coolant surge tank is
empty, a special fill procedure is necessary. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-25for instructions on “How to
Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank.”
5-24

{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.
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.
The coolant surge tank pressure cap must be fully
installed on the coolant surge tank. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more
information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel cluster. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-35.
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.
5-25

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.
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 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, here is what
you will see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure Cap
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fan
5-26

{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. To check the
engine coolant, the vehicle should be parked on a
level surface. Make sure that the air conditioning
is turned off.
The coolant level should be between the Minimum and
Maximum marks on the coolant surge tank when the
engine is cool. 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 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 fan is running.
If the engine is overheating, the fan should be running.
If it is not, your vehicle needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running the engine
without coolant is not covered by the warranty.
5-27

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause your engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see if
coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not between the Minimum and
Maximum marks, 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 5-22for more information.
If no coolant is visible in the 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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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 a proper coolant.
5-28

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 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.
5-29

3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture
to the Maximum mark on the coolant surge tank.
Wait about five minutes, then check to see if
the level is below the mark. If the level is below the
Maximum mark, add additional coolant to bring
the level up to the mark. Repeat this procedure until
the level remains constant at the Maximum mark
for at least five 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 Maximum mark, add more of the proper mixture
to the coolant surge tank until the level reaches
the mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
See your dealer/retailer, if necessary.
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is located toward the
front of the engine compartment on the driver’s side
of the vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for reservoir location.
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
5-30

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 5-12for 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.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your vehicle has one
reservoir for both the brake
and clutch hydraulic
systems. It is filled with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for the location of the
reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the
brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the fluid level goes back up. The other reason is
that fluid is leaking out of the brake or clutch hydraulic
system. If it is, you should have the brake/clutch
hydraulic system fixed, since a leak means that sooner
or later the brakes will not work well.
5-32

90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Replace passenger compartment air filter. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, the filter
may require replacement more often.
❑Replace engine air cleaner filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-61for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑Replace fuel filter.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote †.)
❑Inspect drive belt(s).
❑Inspect EVAP canister, vapor lines, and EVAP
vent solenoid valve.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote †.)
❑Inspect PCV system.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote †.)
93,000 Miles (155 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
96,000 Miles (160 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-61for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
99,000 Miles (165 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer/retailer
perform this service. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-22for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean
radiator, condenser, pressure cap, and neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
6-12

90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Replace engine oil pan drain plug washer.
❑Replace passenger compartment air filter. If you
drive regularly under dusty conditions, the filter
may require replacement more often.
❑Replace engine air cleaner filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-61for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑Replace fuel filter.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote †.)
❑Inspect drive belt(s).
❑Inspect EVAP canister, vapor lines and EVAP
vent solenoid valve.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote †.)
❑Inspect PCV system.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote †.)
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-61for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
❑Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer/retailer
perform this service. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-22for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean
radiator, condenser, pressure cap, and neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
6-17