engine coolant CHEVROLET EQUINOX 2010 2.G User Guide

Vehicle Care 9-7
A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filteron
page 9‑13.
B. Engine Cover on page 9‑9.
C. Engine Oil Dipstick (out of view). See Engine Oil
on
page 9‑10.
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 9‑10. E. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See
Brakes on page 9‑21.
F. Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 9‑34.
G. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Startingon
page 9‑69.
H. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. See Jump Starting
on
page 9‑69. I.
Battery on page 9‑24.
J. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 9‑15.
K. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
on
page 9‑21.

Vehicle Care 9-9
A.Engine Air Cleaner/Filteron
page 9‑13.
B. Power Steering Fluid (2.4L L4
Engine)
on page 9‑20or
Power Steering Fluid (3.0L
V6 Engine) on page 9‑20.
C. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See Engine
Oil on page 9‑10.
D. Engine Cover on page 9‑9.
E. Engine Oil Dipstick (out of view). See Engine Oil
on
page 9‑10.
F. Brake Fluid Reservoir. See Brakes on page 9‑21. G.
Engine Compartment Fuse
Block on page 9‑34.
H. Remote Positive (+) Terminal. See Jump Starting
on
page 9‑69.
I. Remote Negative (−) Terminal. See Jump Starting
on
page 9‑69.
J. Battery on page 9‑24.
K. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap. See Engine
Coolant on page 9‑15.
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See Washer Fluid
on
page 9‑21.
Engine Cover
3.0L V6 Engine Cover
To remove:
1. Remove the oil fill cap.
2. Hold cover on both sides and pull upward.
3. Lift and remove the engine cover.
4. Install cover by aligning on oil fill tube, then firmly pushing down
onto the intake manifold.
5. Install the oil fill cap.

9-14 Vehicle Care
How to Reinstall Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
1. Install the air cleaner into the aircleaner housing. The outer air
cleaner filter seal must be fitted
properly in the air cleaner
housing.
2. Align the air cleaner housing cover tabs to the air cleaner
housing.
3. Install the air cleaner housing cover using the four screws.
{WARNING
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it
helps to stop flames if the engine
backfires. Use caution when
working on the engine and do not
drive with the air cleaner/filter off. Notice:
If the air cleaner/filter is
off, dirt can easily get into the
engine, which could damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/filter
in place when you are driving.
Cooling System
2.4 L L4 Engine
A. Engine Cooling Fan
B. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
3.0 L V6 Engine
A. Engine Cooling Fans
B. Engine Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
{WARNING
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.

Vehicle Care 9-15
If the coolant inside the coolant
surge tank is boiling, do not do
anything else until it cools down.
Park the vehicle on a level surface.
The coolant level should be at the
COLD FILL line. If it is not, there
might be a leak at the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water
pump, or somewhere else in the
cooling system.
{WARNING
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 fire, and you
could be burned. Get any leak
fixed 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. Turn off the engine.
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 50 000 km
(30,000 miles) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Any
repairs would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant
in the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is
filled with DEX-COOL®engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to
remain in the vehicle for five years
or 240 000 km (150,000 miles),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains the cooling
system and how to check and add
coolant when it is low. If there is a
problem with engine overheating,
see Engine Overheating
on
page 9‑18.

9-16 Vehicle Care
What to Use
{WARNING
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
fire and you or others could be
burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant.Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®
coolant. If using this mixture,
nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down
to
−37°C (−34°F), outside
temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to
129°C (265°F), engine
temperature.
.Protects against rust and
corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Notice: If an improper coolant
mixture is used, the engine could
overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Too much water in the mixture
can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other
parts.
Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level
surface when checking the coolant
level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in
the coolant surge tank. If the coolant
inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until
it cools down. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level is not at or
above the COLD mark, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at
the coolant surge tank, but be sure
the cooling system is cool before
this is done. See Engine
Overheating
on page 9‑18for more
information.
The coolant surge tank is located in
the engine compartment on the
driver side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on
page 9‑6for more information on
location.

Vehicle Care 9-17
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank
{WARNING
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.
Notice: This vehicle has a
specific coolant fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause the engine to
overheat and be severely
damaged.
{WARNING
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.
{WARNING
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 surge tank pressure
cap —even a little —they can
come out at high speed. Never
turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the surge tank
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the
cooling system and surge tank
pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap. If coolant is needed, add the proper
DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture at the
coolant surge tank.
The coolant surge tank pressure
cap can be removed when the
cooling system, including the surge
tank pressure cap and upper
radiator hose, is no longer hot.
1. Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise. If a hiss is
heard, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means there is still some
pressure left.
2. Keep turning the cap and remove it.

9-18 Vehicle Care
3. Fill the coolant surge tank withthe proper mixture to the COLD
FILL line.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until the
upper radiator hose starts
getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan(s). By this time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be
lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mixture to the
coolant surge tank until the level
reaches the line pointed to on
the front of the coolant
surge tank.
5. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure cap is
hand–tight and full seated.
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 coolant is needed, add the proper
DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture at the
coolant surge tank.
Engine Overheating
The vehicle has an indicator to warn
of engine overheating. There is an
engine coolant temperature warning
light on the vehicle's instrument
panel. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge on page 4‑14.
Decide whether to lift the hood
when this warning appears, or get
service help instead.
If lifting the hood , make sure the
vehicle is parked on a level surface.
Then check to see if the engine
cooling fans are running. If the
engine is overheating, both fans
should be running. If they are not,
do not continue to run the engine
and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Engine damage from
running the engine without
coolant is not covered by the
warranty.

Vehicle Care 9-19
If Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment
{WARNING
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 fire. You or others
could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the engine
is cool.
If No Steam Is Coming From
The Engine Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is
displayed but no steam can be seen
or heard, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
.Tows a trailer.
If the overheat warning is displayed
with no sign of steam:
1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest
fan speed. Open the windows as
necessary. 3. 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.
If the temperature overheat gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer
displays, the vehicle can be driven.
Continue to drive the vehicle slow
for about 10 minutes. Keep a safe
vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come
back on, continue to drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park the vehicle
right away.
If there is no sign of steam, idle the
engine for three minutes while
parked. If the warning is still
displayed, turn off the engine until it
cools down.

Vehicle Care 9-21
Washer Fluid
What to Use
Read the manufacturer's
instructions before refilling the
windshield washer fluid. If operating
the 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 and add washer fluid
until full. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview
on page 9‑6for
reservoir location. Notice:
.When using concentrated
washer fluid, follow the
manufacturer's instructions
for adding water.
.Do not mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the solution
to freeze and damage the
washer fluid tank and other
parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as
well as washer fluid.
.Fill the washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it is
very cold. This allows for
fluid expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage
the tank if it is
completely full.
.Do not use engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the windshield
washer. It can damage the
vehicle's windshield washer
system and paint.
Brakes
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc
brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads
are worn and new pads are needed.
The sound can come and go or be
heard all the time the vehicle is
moving, except when applying the
brake pedal firmly.
{WARNING
The brake wear warning sound
means that soon the brakes will
not work well. That could lead to
an accident. When the brake
wear warning sound is heard,
have the vehicle serviced.
Notice: Continuing to drive with
worn-out brake pads could result
in costly brake repair.

Service and Maintenance 10-3
system whenever the oil is changed.
SeeEngine Oil Life Systemon
page 9‑11.
When the Change Engine Oil Soon
message displays, certain services,
checks, and inspections are
required. The services described for
Maintenance Ishould be performed
at every engine oil change. The
services described for Maintenance
II should be performed when:
.Maintenance Iwas performed
the last time the engine oil was
changed.
.It has been 10 months or more
since the Change Engine Oil
Soon message has displayed or
since the last service.
Maintenance I
.Change engine oil and filter. See
Engine Oilon page 9‑10.An
Emission Control Service.
.Engine coolant level check. See
Engine Coolant on page 9‑15.
.Windshield washer fluid level
check. See Washer Fluidon
page 9‑21.
.Tire inflation check. See Tire
Pressure on page 9‑46.
.Tire wear inspection. See Tire
Inspection on page 9‑52.
.Rotate tires. See Tire Rotationon page 9‑52.
.Fluids visual leak check (or
every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). A leak in any
system must be repaired and the
fluid level checked.
.Engine air cleaner filter
inspection (vehicles driven in
dusty conditions only). See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
on
page 9‑13.
.Brake system inspection (or
every 12 months, whichever
occurs first).
Maintenance II
.Perform all services described in
MaintenanceI.
.Steering and suspension
inspection. Visual inspection for
damaged, loose, or missing
parts or signs of wear.
.Engine cooling system
inspection. Visual inspection of
hoses, pipes, fittings, and
clamps and replacement,
if needed.
.Windshield wiper blade
inspection for wear, cracking,
or contamination and windshield
and wiper blade cleaning,
if contaminated. See Exterior
Care
on page 9‑75. Worn or
damaged wiper blade
replacement. See Wiper Blade
Replacement on page 9‑26.