radiator cap PONTIAC G5 2010 Owners Manual

Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:A. Electric Engine Cooling Fan
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap{WARNING:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. 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.
The coolant level should be at the COLD FILL line. 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 in the cooling system.
6-20

{WARNING:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant
mixture will. The vehicle’s coolant warning system
is set for the proper coolant mixture. With plain
water or the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but you would not get the overheat
warning. The engine could catch fire 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.
{WARNING:
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.
1. You can remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when the cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is
no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about two or two and one-half
turns. If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. This will
let any pressure still left to be vented out the
discharge hose.
2. Then keep turning thepressure cap slowly,
and remove it.
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3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture,to the COLD FILL line. Wait about five minutes,
then check to see if the level is below the COLD
FILL line. If the level is below the line, add additional
coolant to bring the level up to the line. Repeat
this procedure until the level remains constant at the
COLD FILL line 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 COLD FILL line, add more of the proper mixture
to the coolant surge tank until the level reaches
the COLD FILL line.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
See your dealer/retailer, if necessary.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for five years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL
®extended life 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 on
page 6-27.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
•Give freezing protection down to −34°F (−37°C).
•Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protect against rust and corrosion.
•Help keep the proper engine temperature.
•Let the warning lights and gages work as they
should.
6-24

Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 6-12for more
information on location.
{WARNING:
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.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the COLD
FILL line.
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. See Engine
Overheating on page 6-27 for instructions on “How to
Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank.”
6-26

Additional Required Services
At Each Fuel Stop•
Engine oil level check. See Engine Oil on page 6-13.
•Engine coolant level check. See Engine Coolant on
page 6-24.
•Windshield washer fluid level check. See Windshield
Washer Fluid on page 6-28 .
Once a Month
•
Tire inflation check. See Ination - Tire Pressure on
page 6-55.
•Tire wear inspection. See Tire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6-62 .
Once a Year
•
Starter switch check. See Owner Checks and
Services on page 7-8 .
•Parking brake and automatic transmission P (Park)
mechanism check. See Owner Checks and
Services on page 7-8 .
•Automatic transmission shiftlock control system
check. SeeOwner Checks and Services on
page 7-8.
•Ignition transmission lock check. See Owner
Checks and Services on page 7-8 .
•Engine cooling system and pressure cap pressure
check. Radiator and air conditioning condenser
outside cleaning. SeeCooling System on
page 6-20.
•Exhaust system and nearby heat shields inspection
for loose or damaged components.
•Throttle system inspection for interference, binding
or for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any components that have
high effort or excessive wear. Do not lubricate
accelerator or cruise control cables.
•If the vehicle has a Tire Sealant and Compressor
Kit, check the sealant expiration date printed on
the instruction label of the kit. See Tire Sealant and
Compressor Kit on page 6-72 .
First Engine Oil Change After Every
40 000 km/25,000 Miles
•
Fuel system inspection for damage or leaks.
7-5

First Engine Oil Change After Every
80 000 km/50,000 Miles•
Engine air cleaner filter replacement. See Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 6-18 .
•Automatic transmission fluid change (severe service
only) for vehicles mainly driven in heavy city traffic
in hot weather, in hilly or mountainous terrain,
when frequently towing a trailer, or used for taxi,
police, or delivery service. See Automatic
Transmission Fluid on page 6-19 .
First Engine Oil Change After Every
160 000 km/100,000 Miles
•
Spark plug replacement. An Emission Control
Service.
First Engine Oil Change After Every
240 000 km/150,000 Miles
•
Engine cooling system drain, flush, and refill,
cooling system and cap pressure check, and
cleaning of outside of radiator and air conditioning
condenser (or every 5 years, whichever occurs
first). See Engine Coolant on page 6-24 .An
Emission Control Service.
•Engine accessory drive belt inspection for fraying,
excessive cracks, or obvious damage and
replacement, if needed. An Emission Control
Service.
7-6