engine coolant CHEVROLET EPICA 2006 1.G User Guide

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.
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel cluster. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Gage on page 3-40.
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.
5-22

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{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. 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.
5-24

{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 your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
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 proper 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 5-19for more
information.
5-25

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. 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.
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.
5-26

{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.
5-27

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, if necessary.
5-28

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, 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 fluid that
has sufficient protection against freezing.
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 your washer uid tank only three-quarters
full when it is very cold. This allows for
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 your washer
system and paint.
5-30

❑Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer
perform this service. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-19for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean
radiator, condenser, pressure cap, and neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
❑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 †.)
❑Change brake fluid (or every 24 months, whichever
occurs first).
33,000 Miles (55 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
36,000 Miles (60 000 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 5-53for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
39,000 Miles (65 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
42,000 Miles (70 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Replace engine oil pan drain plug washer.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-53for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
45,000 Miles (75 000 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.
❑Inspect engine air cleaner filter. If necessary,
replace the filter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect filter at every engine oil change.
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for
more information.
❑Inspect drive belts.
6-9

❑Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer
perform this service. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-19for what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean
radiator, condenser, pressure cap, and neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect EVAP canister and vapor lines. Replace
EVAP vent solenoid valve.An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote †.)
❑Inspect PCV system.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote †.)
❑Change brake fluid (or every 24 months, whichever
occurs first).
63,000 Miles (105 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
66,000 Miles (110 000 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 5-53for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
69,000 Miles (115 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
72,000 Miles (120 000 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 5-53for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
75,000 Miles (125 000 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.
❑Inspect engine air cleaner filter. If necessary,
replace the filter. If vehicle is driven in dusty/dirty
conditions, inspect filter at every engine oil change.
SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for
more information.
❑Inspect drive belts.
6-11

78,000 Miles (130 000 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 5-53for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
81,000 Miles (135 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
84,000 Miles (140 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Replace engine oil pan drain plug washer.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-53for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
87,000 Miles (145 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
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 5-53for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
❑Replace fuel filter.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote †.)
❑Inspect drive belts.
❑Drain, flush, and refill cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer
perform this service. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-19for 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