engine overheat GMC SAVANA 2007 User Guide

{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.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the
radiator. For information on how to add coolant to
the radiator, seeCooling System on page 311.
Radiator Pressure Cap
The radiator pressure cap is located near the
center of the engine compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 296for more
information on location.
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 an engine coolant temperature gage
on your vehicle’s instrument panel. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Gage on page 178for more
information.
309

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.
•Tow a trailer. See “Driving on Grades” under
Towing a Trailer on page 266.
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.
310

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, push down the
accelerator until the engine speed is about
twice as fast as normal idle speed for at least
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
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Van
Models” under “Cooling System” in the
DURAMAX
®Diesel Supplement.
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is
what you will see:
A. Radiator Pressure Cap
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Engine Cooling Fan(s)
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
311

{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:
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.
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.
313

{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant
on hot components in the engine
compartment. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol, and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill coolant on a
hot engine or components in the engine
compartment.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is
at the COLD FILL mark, start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there is
one more thing you can try. You can add the
proper coolant mixture directly to the radiator,
but be sure the cooling system is cool before
you do it.
{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 radiator pressure cap — even a
little — they can come out at high speed.
Never turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the radiator pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and
radiator pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap.
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator for
Gasoline Engines
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “How to
Add Coolant to the Radiator” under “Van Models”
in the Cooling System section of the DURAMAX
®
Diesel Supplement for the proper radiator fill
procedure.
314

Dual Tire Operation
When the vehicle is new, or whenever a wheel,
wheel bolt or wheel nut is replaced, check the
wheel nut torque after 100, 1,000 and 6,000 miles
(160, 1 600 and 10 000 km) of driving. For proper
wheel nut tightening information, see “Removing
the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare Tire” later in
this section, underChanging a Flat Tire on
page 360. Also see “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specications on page 393.
The outer tire on a dual wheel setup generally
wears faster than the inner tire. Your tires will wear
more evenly and last longer if you rotate the
tires periodically. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 351. Also seeScheduled Maintenance
(Gasoline Engine) on page 399.{CAUTION:
If you operate your vehicle with a tire
that is badly underinated, the tire can
overheat. An overheated tire can lose air
suddenly or catch re. You or others could
be injured. Be sure all tires (including the
spare) are properly inated.
SeeTires on page 340andInation - Tire
Pressure on page 348for more information on
proper tire inflation.
350

Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Do not add anything electrical to your
vehicle unless you check with your dealer
rst. Some electrical equipment can damage
your vehicle and the damage would not
be covered by your warranty. Some add-on
electrical equipment can keep other
components from working as they should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before
attempting to add anything electrical to your
vehicle, seeServicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle on page 96.
Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring is protected by fuses in the
engine compartment fuse block. An electrical
overload will cause the lamps to flicker on and off,
or in some cases to remain off. If this happens,
have your headlamp wiring checked right away.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a
circuit breaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats
due to heavy snow, etc., the wiper will stop
until the motor cools. Although the circuit is
protected from electrical overload, overload due to
heavy snow, etc., may cause wiper linkage
damage. Always clear ice and heavy snow from
the windshield before using the windshield wipers.
If the overload is caused by some electrical
problem and not snow, etc., be sure to get it fixed.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected
from short circuits by a combination of fuses
and circuit breakers. This greatly reduces
the chance of fires caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse.
If the band is broken or melted, replace the fuse.
Be sure you replace a bad fuse with a new
one of the identical size and rating.
387

Door (cont.)
Rear Door Security Locks........................ 110
Rear Doors.............................................. 114
Sliding Side Door..................................... 111
Driver
Position, Safety Belt................................... 22
Driving
At Night................................................... 244
City.......................................................... 248
Defensive................................................. 228
Drunken................................................... 229
Freeway................................................... 249
Hill and Mountain Roads.......................... 252
In Rain and on Wet Roads...................... 245
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.......... 258
Winter...................................................... 254
Dual Tire Operation..................................... 350
E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment................................... 387
Engine Compartment Fuse Block............. 390
Floor Console Fuse Block........................ 388
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...................... 387Electrical System (cont.)
Headlamp Wiring..................................... 387
Windshield Wiper Fuses........................... 387
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter...................................... 302
Battery..................................................... 323
Change Engine Oil Light.......................... 183
Check and Service Engine Soon Light........ 178
Coolant.................................................... 306
Coolant Heater......................................... 124
Coolant Temperature Gage...................... 178
Drive Belt Routing.................................... 412
Engine Compartment Overview ................ 296
Exhaust................................................... 132
Fan Noise................................................ 317
Fuel Regulator......................................... 124
Oil ........................................................... 297
Oil Life System........................................ 300
Overheating............................................. 309
Reduced Power Light............................... 184
Starting.................................................... 122
Entry Lighting.............................................. 157
Event Data Recorders (EDR)...................... 430
Exit Lighting................................................ 157
Extender, Safety Belt..................................... 40
Exterior Lamps............................................ 154
443