radiator cap CHEVROLET MALIBU 2007 6.G Owners Manual

{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 the
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the FULL COLD mark or slightly higher.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture at the surge tank,
but only when the engine is cool. If the surge tank
is empty, a special ll procedure is necessary.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 371andCooling
System on page 374.
{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.
Engine Overheating
You will nd an engine coolant temperature gage as
well as an engine coolant temperature warning light
on your vehicle’s instrument panel cluster. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 211
andEngine Coolant Temperature Warning Light on
page 211.
371

The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark on the front of the coolant surge
tank. 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 fans
are running. If the engine is overheating, both fans
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.
375

{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.
{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.
377

2. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly,
and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture, to the FULL COLD mark on the
front of the surge tank. Wait about
ve minutes, then check to see if the level
is below the FULL COLD mark. If the level is
below the FULL COLD mark, add additional
coolant to bring the level up to the mark.
Repeat this procedure until the level remains
constant at the FULL COLD mark 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 fans.
By this time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be lower. If the level
is lower than the FULL COLD mark, add
more of the proper mixture to the coolant
surge tank until the level reaches the
FULL COLD mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
See your dealer, if necessary.
378

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 other brake
parts, including 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 electric power
steering cables for proper hook-up, binding,
cracks, chang, etc. Inspect hydraulic 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 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)Inspect wiper blades for wear, cracking,
or contamination. Clean the windshield and wiper
blades, if contaminated. Replace wiper blades
that are worn or damaged. See Windshield WiperBlade Replacement on page 394andWindshield
and Wiper Blades on page 440for more
information.
(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, door hinges
and latches, hood hinges and latches, and trunk lid
hinges and latches. 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)Check system for interference or binding
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts
as needed. Replace any components that
have high effort or excessive wear. Do not
lubricate accelerator or cruise control cables.
463

(h)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.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police,
or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the uid and lter do not require
changing.
(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This
service can be complex; you should have
your dealer/retailer perform this service. See
Engine Coolant on page 368 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)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
inspect the lter at each engine oil change.
(l)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage. Replace belt if
necessary.
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
GM Goodwrench
®dealer 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 468.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks
at each fuel ll.
464