engine coolant CHEVROLET SSR 2006 1.G User Guide

Checking Coolant
The engine coolant surge tank is located on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle at the rear of the engine
compartment. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for more information on location.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the FULL
COLD mark or a little higher.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture to the coolant surge tank, but be
careful not to spill it.
{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.
{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.
5-26

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. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-32.
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.
5-27

Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Engine Cooling 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.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
least up to the FULL COLD mark. 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, start the engine again.
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 may
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.
5-29

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If you have not found a problem yet, but the coolant
level is not at the FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50
mixture ofclean drinkable waterand DEX-COOL
®
engine coolant at the coolant recovery tank. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-24for more information.
{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.
When the coolant in the coolant surge tank is at the
FULL COLD mark, start your vehicle.
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 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.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder
reservoir is filled with
DOT-3 brake fluid. See
Engine 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 system. If it is, you
should have your brake system fixed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes will not work
well, or will not work at all.
5-32

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and filter. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13. Reset oil
life system. SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-16.An Emission
Control Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (g).••
Inspect engine air cleaner filter. If necessary, replace filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18.See footnote (j).•
Check tire inflation pressures and tire wear. SeeTires on page 5-51.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer fluid levels and add fluid
as needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services”
in this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
Check transmission fluid level and add fluid as needed.•
6-5

(i)Drain, ush, and rell cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-24 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap, and ller neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
(j)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
(k)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or
obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.
(l)Inspect hoses for cracks, chang, leaks, kinks, and
proper installation.
Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specified 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 fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil
if necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for
further details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-24for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer fluid reservoir and add the
proper fluid if necessary.
6-8

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part
number, or specification may be obtained from
your dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilThe engine requires a special
engine oil meeting GM Standard
GM4718M. Oils meeting this
standard may be identified as
synthetic, and should also be
identified with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol.
However, not all synthetic API oils
with the starburst symbol will meet
this GM standard. You should look
for and use only an oil that meets
GM Standard GM4718M. GM
Goodwrench
®oil meets all the
requirements for your vehicle. For
the proper viscosity, seeEngine Oil
on page 5-13.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-24.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid.
Windshield
WasherGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Hydraulic
Clutch SystemHydraulic Clutch Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345347, in
Canada 10953517) or equivalent
DOT-3 brake fluid.
Parking Brake
Cable GuidesChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in
Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184, in
Canada 89021186).
Manual
TransmissionDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid. Look for
“Approved for the H-Specification”
on the label.
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
6-12

Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-26
Infants and Young Children...........................1-23
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-30
Older Children.............................................1-20
Securing a Child Restraint in the Passenger
Seat Position...........................................1-36
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-20
Cleaning
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels..............5-82
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-80
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-78
Finish Care.................................................5-80
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-76
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces.......................................5-79
Leather......................................................5-78
Tires..........................................................5-82
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-83
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-80
Weatherstrips..............................................5-79
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-81
Climate Control System...................................3-21
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-23
Clutch, Hydraulic.............................................5-23
Collision Damage Repair..................................7-10
Content Theft-Deterrent....................................2-13
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Convertible Top..............................................2-45
Lowering the Convertible Top........................2-47Convertible Top (cont.)
Raising the Convertible Top..........................2-48
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-32
Surge Tank Pressure Cap.............................5-27
Cooling System..............................................5-29
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Cruise Control Light........................................3-37
Cupholder(s)..................................................2-34
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors.......7-14
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government............................................7-14
Reporting Safety Defects to the United
States Government...................................7-13
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-14
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-14
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
3

Door
Locks.......................................................... 2-8
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-9
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............2-10
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-12
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-42
DIC Controls and Displays............................3-42
DIC Vehicle Personalization..........................3-52
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-45
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-16
City...........................................................4-19
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Freeway.....................................................4-20
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-22
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-17
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-28
Winter........................................................4-24
E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-86
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-90
Floor Console Fuse Block.............................5-87Electrical System (cont.)
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-86
Headlamps.................................................5-86
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-86
Relay Center..............................................5-92
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-86
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Battery.......................................................5-36
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-37
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-33
Coolant......................................................5-24
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-32
Cover........................................................5-18
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-26
Oil .............................................................5-13
Oil Life System...........................................5-16
Overheating................................................5-27
Reduced Power Light...................................3-38
Speed Limiter.............................................3-27
Starting......................................................2-17
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-9
Exit Lighting...................................................3-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-19
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
4