engine overheat CHEVROLET TRACKER 1996 User Guide

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at or above the
FULL mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean water (preferably distilled) and a proper antifi-eeze at
the coolant recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolant” in the
Index for more information about the proper coolant mix.)
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid
like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix
will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set
for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine couId
get
too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and
you or
others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and a proper antifreeze.
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
mix.
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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. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at or
above the FULL mark start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more
thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant mix
directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling system is
cool before you do it.
5-17
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If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help you get out when you’re stuck, but
you must use caution.
..
.. , p j ,
;..z - ’ A CAUTION:
!& I
I ,-I ,I
I
let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transmission or other parts
of the vehicle can
overheat. That
could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don’t
spin the wheels above
35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer.
I NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires.
If you spin the wheels
too
fast while shifting your transmission back
and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains”
in the Index.
5-33
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What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
W of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when
it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Geo will:
Give freezing protection down to -33 “F (-36°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 258°F (125°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature,
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets
GM
Specification 1825-M, which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming
to
GM Specification 1825-M with a complete coolant flush
and refill. If you use this mixture, you don’t need to add
anything else.
/i CAUTTON:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix
will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant
mix. With
plain water
or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot
but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch
fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and the proper antifreeze.
6-24
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NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered by
your
warranty. Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
r
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
LOW, or
a little higher. When your engine is warm, the
level should be
up to FULL, or a little higher.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
coolant recovery tank.
6-25
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A RI
/t! CAUTION:
lhrning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine
and radiator are hot can allow steam and,
scalding liquids to blow out and burn
you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have to add coolant
at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap -- even a
little -- when the engine and radiator are hot.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill it.
'
A CAUTION:
Radiator Pressure Cap
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. Don't spill coolant on
a hot engine.
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 13 psi (90 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant
loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC@
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace
your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
6-26
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Driving City
........................................ 4-34
Defensive
.................................... 4-1
Drunken ..................................... 4-2
Freeway
.................................... 4-35
Guidelines
.................................. 4- 14
InaBlizzard ................................. 4-41
In. Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
In the Rain
.................................. 4-31
Night ...................................... 4-29
Off-Road
................................... 4-14
On Curves.
.................................... 4-9
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-53
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-37
On Snow
and Ice ............................. 4-40
Throughwater
............................... 4-33
WetRoads
.................................. 4-31
Winter
...................................... 4-39
With a Trailer
................................ 4-52
DrunkenDriving
................................ 4-2
Easy Entry Seat ................................ 1-4
Electrical
Equipment. Adding ................. 2-9. 6-57
Electrical System
............................... 6-57
Engine
........................................ 6-8
Coolant
..................................... 6-24
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-47 Coolant Temperature
Gage
. . ......... 2-64
Exhaust
................ ......... 2-25
Identification
...... ........... 6-57
Main Fuse Block ...... ......... 6-60
Oil Level Check ............ ......... 7-47
Overheating
................................. 5-12
Running While Parked
......................... 2-25
Specifications
................................ 6-62
Stating Your
............................. 2-8, 2-9
Engine Compartment
Main Fuse Block .............. 6-60
EngineOil ..................................... 6-9
Adding
.............. ................... 6 -10
Additives ................................... 6-12
Checking ................................... 6-10
Used
....................................... 6-13
When to Change
.............................. 6-12
Ethanol
........................................ 6-3
Exhaust, Engine
.................. .............. 2-25
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-49
Fifth
Gear, Manual Transmission ................... 2-14
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-4
Filter.
Air ..................................... 6-14
Finish Care
.................................... 6-52
FinishDamage
................................. 6-55
First Gear, Manual Transmission ................... 2-14
Flashers, Hazard Warning
......................... 5-1
9-4
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Odometer .................................... 2-59
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-59
Off-Road Driving
.............................. 4- 14
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 11
Oil. Engine
...................................... 6-9
Oil Pressure Light
.............................. 2-67
Overdrive. Automatic Transmission ................ 2- 13
Overdrive
Off Light ............................. 2-69
Overheating Engine ............................. 5- 12
Owner Checks and Services ....................... 7-47
Owner Publications. Ordering
...................... 8-9
..... Paint Spotting. Chemical . . ... 6-55
Park
Automat.ic Transmission
..................... 2-10
Shifting Into ................................. 2-21
Shifting out
of .......... ... ... 2-23
Parking
AtNight
..................................... 2-6
Brake
...................................... 2-20
Brake Mechanism Check ....................... 7-50
Over Things That Bum ............ ..... 2-24
With a Trailer ................................ 4-54
Your Vehicle. Manual Transmission .............. 2-24
Parking Lamp Bulb Replacement .................. 6-36
Passenger Position .............................. 1-3 1 Passing
....................... ... .... 4-11
Power Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-51
Door Locks .............. .......... . .2-3
Remote Control Mirror ........................ 2-38
Steering
..................................... 4-9
Steering
Fluid ................................ 6-27
Windows ................................... 2-27
Power Mode Selector Switch
...................... 2-13
Pregnancy. Use
of Safety Belts .................... 1-31
Preparing Your Canvas
Top for Storage ............. 2-54
Problems
on the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner
................ 8-9
Radiator. Coolant .............................. 5-19
Radiator Pressure Cap ........................... 6-26
Radios ........................................ 3-6
Rain. Driving
In ................................ 4-31
Rear
Axle ....................................... 6-21
Combination Lamp Bulb Replacement ............ 6-38
Seat Passengers .............................. 1-31
Sidemarker Lamp Bulb Replacement ............. 6-38
Radio Reception ................................ 3-17
Door Security Locks ........................... 2-4
Towing
..................................... 5-10
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