coolant temperature CHEVROLET VENTURE 1998 Owners Manual

Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather, 0” F (- 18 O C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You’ll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
A C. [JTIO :
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong
kind
of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into
a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-pro: extension cord rated for at least 15 amps.
_____~
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts.
If you don’t, it could
be damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact your dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for
that particular area.
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Low Traction Light (Option)
LOW
TRACTION
If your vehicle has the
traction control system,
there will be a LOW
TRACTION light on
the instrument panel.
When your anti-lock system
is adjusting brake pressure
to help avoid
a braking skid, or when your traction
control system is limiting wheel spin, the LOW
TRACTION light will come on. Slippery road
conditions may exist if this light comes
on, so adjust
your driving accordingly. The light will come on and
stay on for four seconds when your anti-lock system
adjusts brake pressure for less than four seconds or
when your traction control system limits wheel spin
for less than four seconds. Otherwise, the light will
go
out as soon as the anti-lock system stops adjusting
brake pressure or the traction control system stops
limiting wheel spin.
The
LOW TRACTION light also comes on briefly,
as a bulb check, when the engine is started. If the light
doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be there to
tell you when the system is active.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage

C
%
125
%
United States
I
Canadian
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If
the gage pointer moves into the red area, your engine
is too hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you
have been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows you what
to do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
.. .
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Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light will come on
when your engine gets
too hot.
Low Coolant Light
If this light comes on,
your system is low on
coolant and the engine
may overheat.
If this light comes on, it means that your engine coolant
has overheated. If you have been operating your vehicle
under normal driving conditions, you should pull
off the
road, stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon
as possible. See
“Engine Coolant” in the Index and have your
vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
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Heating Defogging and Defrosting
Turn the temperature knob to the right (toward the red
area)
to warm the air.
In the LOWER mode, outside
air will be brought in and
sent through the floor outlets. The heater works best
if
you keep your windows closed while using it.
The BI-LEV setting is designed for use on sunny days
when the air is only moderately warm or cool. On days
like these, the sun may adequately warm your upper
body, but your lower body may not be warm enough.
For the best results,
turn the temperature control knob to
the middle position, and then adjust it for comfort.
If you have the optional engine coolant heater and use it
during cold weather,
0°F (- 18 O C) or lower, your heating
system will provide heat more quickly because the
engine coolant is already warmed. See “Engine Coolant
Heater” in the Index, To
rapidly defrost the windshield, turn the temperature
control knob all the way
to the right (to the red area) and
turn the mode knob
to DEFROST.
Adjust the fan to the highest speed.
To keep the windshield clear and bring in heated air
through the heater ducts, turn the mode knob
to
DEFOG.
When the temperature outside is above freezing, the air
conditioner compressor will
run in these settings to help
remove moisture from the air.
Your vehicle is equipped with side window defogger
vents located on the top of the instrument panel. For
additional side window defogging, turn the mode knob
to the
BI-LEVEL setting and adjust the fan to the
highest speed. Aim the side vents on the instrument
panel toward the side windows. For increased airflow to
the side vents, close the center vents.
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Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel.
See “Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage” in the Index.
You also have a low
coolant level light on your instrument panel. See “Low
Coolant Light’’ in the Index.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating
Mode
Should an overheated engine condition exist, an
overheat protection mode which alternates firing groups
of three cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this
mode, you will notice a significant loss in power and
engine performance. The low coolant light may come
on
and the temperature gage will indicate an overheat
condition exists. This emergency operating mode allows
your vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency. Towing
a trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
NOTICE:
I
After driving in the overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine damage, allow
the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair
the cause of coolant loss and change the
oil. See
“Engine Oil, When
to Change” in the Index.
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Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain
in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOLd extended life coolant.
J
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 DEX-COOL@
coolant will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 OF ( 129 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
~
~
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use
only DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to the
system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs
first. Damage caused by the
use
of coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
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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.
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.
Radiator I ressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 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,
a GM cap
is recommended. When you replace your thermostat, a
GM thermostat
is recommended.
Power
Steering Fluid
'l'kv Gower steering fluid reservoir is located to the right
of the windshield washer fluid reservoir, at the back of
the engine compartment.
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I Long Tripmfghway Maintenance Schedule I
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0 Inspect spark plug wires.
0 Replace spark plugs.
0 Change automatic transaxle fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
An Emission Control Service.
An Emission Control Service.
under one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches 90°F
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
(32°C) or higher.
- 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 fluid and
filter
do not require changing.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first).
See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck. Pressure test
the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
DATE I
MILEAGE
I DATE I
I MILEAGE ACTUAL I SERVICEDBY I
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Driving (Continued) IntheRain
.................................. 4-18
On Curves
.................................. 4- 11
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-40
On Hill and Mountain Roads
.................... 4-24
OnSnowandIce
............................. 4-26
Wet Roads
.................................. 4-18
Winter
...................................... 4-26
WithaTrailer
................................ 4-37
Night
...................................... 4-16
Through Water
............................... 4-20
Dump and Stow Feature
........................... 1-7
Electrical Equipment. Adding
.................... 2-28
Electrical
System ............................... 6-57
Electronic Level Control
......................... 4-32
Engine
....................................... 6-10
Coolant
..................................... 6-21
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-29
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-29
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-9 1
Cooling System .............................. 6-65
Exhaust
..................................... 2-38
Identification
................................ 6-56
Oil Level Check
.............................. 7-29
Overheated Protection Operating Mode
........... 5- 13
Overheating
................................. 5-13
Running While Parked
......................... 2-39
Specifications
................................ 6-65
StartingYour
................................ 2-27
Temperature Warning Light
..................... 2-92 Engine
Oil ............................... 2.95. 6.11
Checking
................................... 6-12
Additives
................................... 6-14
Used
....................................... 6-15
What Kind to Use
............................. 6-13
WhentoAdd
................................ 6-12
When to Change
.............................. 6-14
Equipment. Adding to the Outside Of Your Vehicle ..... 6-3
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-38
Exit Lighting
.................................. 2-63
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-49
Fan Knob. Climate Control System .................. 3-2
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-5
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-15
Filter. Passenger Compartment Replacement
......... 6-16
Finishcare
.................................... 6-52
Finish Damage
................................. 6-54
FirstGear
..................................... 2-33
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-24
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-65
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-34
Folding Driver’s Seatback
......................... 1-3
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
.................... 6-7
FrenchLanguageManual
........................... ii
FrontDoor
..................................... 2-4
Front ParkingEurn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement
.... 6-34
Front Seat Storage Bin
........................... 2-71
9-4
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Front Seat Storage Net ........................... 2-71
Front Sidemarker Lamp Bulb Replacement
........... 6-36
Front Towing
.................................. 5-10
Fuel
.......................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-97
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-58
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-9 1
Fuel ....................................... 2-97
Speedometer
................................. 2-85
Garage Door Opener Compartment
................. 2-67
Gear Positions. Automatic Transaxle
................ 2-30
GloveBox
.................................... 2-66
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-31
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-30
Guide en Franpis
11
GAWR ....................................... 4-31
.. .................................
GVWR ....................................... 4-30
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-31
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-2
Head Restraints
................................. 1-6
Headlamps
.................................... 2-60
Bulb Replacement ............................ 6-3 1
OnReminder ................................ 2-60
Wiring
..................................... 6-57
HighLow Beam Changer ...................... 2-54
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-4 Heating
........................................ 3-4
High-BeamHeadlamps
.......................... 2-54
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-24
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-24
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-36
Hood
Checking Things Under ......................... 6-8
Prop ........................................ 6-9
Release ...................................... 6-8
Horn ......................................... 2-52
Hydroplaning .................................. 4-20
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2-26
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
.................... 7-32
Illuminated Entry
............................... 2-62
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-41
Inflator. Air
................................... 2-78
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-65
Inspections
Brake System
................................ 7-33
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-33
Front Drive Axle Boot ......................... 7-33
Front Drive Axle Seal
......................... 7-33
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-33
Steering
.................................... 7-33
Suspension
.................................. 7-33
Throttle
System .............................. 7-33
InstrumentPanel
............................... 2-82
Cleaning
.................................... 6-50
Cluster ..................................... 2-84
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-58
Light Intensity Control ......................... 2-61
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