engine coolant CHEVROLET OPTRA 5 2007 1.G User Guide

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 271for instructions on “How to Add
Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank.”
{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 find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel cluster. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Gage on page 171.
271

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.
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.
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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
273

{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.
{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.
274

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 268for 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. 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.
275

{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.
{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.
276

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.
278

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. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 258
for 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.
280

93,000 Miles (155 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter and replace engine
oil pan drain plug washer (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control
Service.
96,000 Miles (160 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter and replace engine
oil pan drain plug washer (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 316for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
99,000 Miles (165 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter and replace engine
oil pan drain plug washer (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 perform this service. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 268for what to use. Inspect
hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
368

❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 316for 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 timing belt.
❑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/clutch fluid (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs first).97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter and replace engine
oil pan drain plug washer (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control
Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 316for 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 perform this service. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 268for what to use. Inspect
hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.An Emission Control Service.
373