engine coolant PONTIAC G6 2007 Owner's Manual

The coolant level should be at or above the FULL
COLD mark on the coolant surge tank. 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, with the engine on,
check to see if the electric engine cooling fans
are running. If the engine is overheating, both fans
should be running. If they are not, your vehicle
needs service.
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 could 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.
346

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure
could cause your engine to overheat and
be severely damaged.
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see if
coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is
visible but the coolant level is not at or above the
FULL COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the
coolant surge tank, but be sure the cooling system,
including the coolant surge tank pressure cap, is
cool before you do it. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 339for more information.If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add
coolant as follows:
{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 coolant surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — they can come out at
high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and coolant surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have
to turn the pressure cap.
347

{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.
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 allow any pressure still left to be vented out
the discharge hose.
348

2. Then keep turning
the pressure cap
slowly, and
remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture, to the FULL COLD mark. Wait about
ve minutes, then check to see if the level is
below the mark. If the level is below the FULL
COLD mark, add additional coolant to bring the
level up to the mark. Repeat this procedure
until the level remains constant at the FULL
COLD mark for at least ve 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 fans.By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower
than the FULL COLD mark, add more of the
proper mixture to the coolant surge tank until
the level reaches the FULL COLD mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
Power Steering Fluid
SeeEngine
Compartment
Overview on page 318
for reservoir location.
349

Adding Washer Fluid
When the windshield washer uid reservoir is low, a
LOW WASHER FLUID message will be displayed
on the Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 212for more
information.
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer uid
until the tank is full. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 318
for 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.
351

MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the
message comes on within 10 months since the
vehicle was purchased or MaintenanceII
was performed.MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the
previous service performed was MaintenanceI.
Always use MaintenanceIIwhenever the message
comes on 10 months or more since the last
service or if the message has not come on at all
for one year.
Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on page 325. Reset oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 328.An Emission Control Service.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (j).••
Inspect engine air cleaner lter. If necessary, replace lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 330.See footnote (k).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 381and “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once a Month on
page 438.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels and add uid as
needed.••
432

(h)Change automatic transaxle uid and lter if
the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
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 uid and lter do not require
changing.
(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 339 for what to use. Inspect
hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap,
and ller neck. Pressure test the cooling
system and pressure cap.
(j)A uid loss in any vehicle system could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected and
repaired and the uid level checked. Add uid if
needed.(k)If you drive regularly under dusty conditions,
inspect the lter at each engine oil change.
(l)Change automatic transaxle uid if the vehicle
is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or
higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
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 uid does not require changing.
(m)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive
cracks, or obvious damage. Replace belt if
necessary.
437

Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be
performed at the intervals specied 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 uids or lubricants are added
to your vehicle, make sure they are the proper
ones, as shown inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 442.
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 325for
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. See
Engine Coolant on page 339for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in
the windshield washer uid reservoir and add the
proper uid if necessary.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Visually inspect your vehicle’s tires and make sure
they are inated to the correct pressures. Do not
forget to check the spare tire. SeeInation - Tire
Pressure on page 379. Check to make sure the
spare tire is stored securely. SeeChanging a Flat
Tire on page 390.
438

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name,
part number, or specication may be obtained from
your dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil which meets GM
Standard GM6094M and displays
the American Petroleum Institute
Certied for Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. GM Goodwrench
®
oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle. To determine the
proper viscosity for your vehicle’s
engine, seeEngine Oil on page 325.
Engine
Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 339.
Hydraulic
Brake SystemDelco
®Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
WasherGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Hydraulic
Clutch SystemHydraulic Clutch Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345347,
in Canada 10953517) or equivalent
DOT-3 brake uid.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hydraulic
Power
Steering
System (if
equipped)GM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184,
in Canada 89021186).
Automatic
TransaxleDEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Manual
TransaxleManual Transmission Fluid
(Part No. 21018899).
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Secondary
Latch, Pivots,
Spring Anchor,
and Release
PawlLubriplate Lubricant Aerosol
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346293,
in Canada 992723) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Hood and
Door HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 109435474).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningWeatherstrip Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 3634770,
in Canada 10953518) or Dielectric
Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579, in
Canada 992887).
442

Cleaning (cont.)
Underbody Maintenance........................... 412
Washing Your Vehicle.............................. 408
Weatherstrips........................................... 408
Windshield and Wiper Blades................... 410
Climate Control System............................... 182
Automatic................................................. 187
Outlet Adjustment..................................... 191
Clutch, Hydraulic......................................... 338
Collision Damage Repair............................. 462
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt................. 42
Compact Spare Tire.................................... 403
Compass............................................143, 145
Content Theft-Deterrent............................... 118
Control of a Vehicle..................................... 258
Convenience Net......................................... 150
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage........................ 203
Heater, Engine......................................... 128
Cooling System........................................... 345
Courtesy Lamps.......................................... 178
Cruise Control............................................. 171
Cruise Control Light.................................... 208
Cupholder(s)................................................ 150Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation........................... 459
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users ......................... 454
Customer Assistance Offices.................... 454
Customer Satisfaction Procedure.............. 450
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program........ 455
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors..................................... 467
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government.......................... 467
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government.................... 466
Roadside Assistance Program.................. 456
Service Publications Ordering
Information........................................... 468
D
Daytime Running Lamps............................. 176
Defensive Driving........................................ 254
Delayed Headlamps.................................... 176
Delayed Locking.......................................... 110
Doing Your Own Service Work.................... 309
474