cooling PONTIAC SOLSTICE 2008 User Guide

{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 fan are running.
If the engine is overheating, the fan should be running.
If they are not, your vehicle needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running the engine
without coolant is not covered by the 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 the warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in the vehicle.
5-31

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
Notice:The engine has a specic cooling system
drain and ll procedure. Failure to follow this
procedure could cause the engine to overheat and
be severely damaged. If the engine’s cooling system
needs to be drained and re-lled, please see the
dealer/retailer.
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see if
coolant is visible in the coolant surge tank. If coolant is
visible but the coolant level is not at the COLD FILL line,
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 5-24for more information.
If no coolant is visible in the coolant 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.
5-32

{CAUTION:
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 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. 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.
2. Then keep turning the
pressure cap slowly,
and remove it.
5-33

3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture,
to the COLD FILL line. Wait about ve 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 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 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.
5-34

Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See
your dealer/retailer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer/retailer will know the kind of wheel
you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted
the same way as the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your vehicle.{CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts, or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you lose control. You could have
a collision in which you or others could be
injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts, and wheel nuts for replacement.
Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause problems
with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance, and tire clearance to
the body and chassis.
5-72

Fuses Usage
1 Empty (LE5); Cooling Fan (LNF)
2 Rear Window Defogger
3 Empty
4 Body Control Module 3
5 Crank
6 Body Control Module 2
7 Body Control Module
Fuses Usage
8 Cooling Fan 2 (LE5); Empty (LNF)
9 Empty
10 Trunk
11 Trunk
12 Empty
13 Fuel Pump
14 Rear Defogger Relay
15 Air Conditioning Clutch Relay
16 Empty
17 Empty
18 Trunk Release Relay
19 Fuel Pump Relay
20 Empty
21 Mirrors
22 Air Conditioning
23 Empty
24Cooling Fan 2 Relay (LE5);
Empty (LNF)
5-98

Fuses Usage
25 Fuse Puller
26 Powertrain Relay
27 Empty
28Back-up Lamps Relay
(Automatic Transmission);
Empty (Manual Transmission)
29 Data Link Connector
30 Outlet
31Back-up Lamps
(Automatic Transmission);
Empty (Manual Transmission)
32 Empty
33 Emissions
34 Crank Relay
35 Empty
36 Empty
37 Power Seat
38 Empty
39 EmptyFuses Usage
40 Cooling Fan 1 (LE5); Empty (LNF)
41Empty (LE5); Turbo,
Cam Phaser (LNF)
42 Engine Control Module
43Engine Control Module,
Transmission
44 Antilock Brake System
45Injectors, Ignition Coils (LE5);
Ignition Coils (LNF)
46Back-up Lamps
(Manual Transmission);
Empty (Automatic Transmission)
47 Empty
48 Daytime Running Lamps Relay
49 Daytime Running Lamps
50Cooling Fan 1 Relay (LE5);
Empty (LNF)
51 Run/Crank Relay
52 Windshield Wiper Low/High Relay
53 Fog Lamps
5-99

Capacities and Specications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. Please refer toRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-12for more information.
ApplicationCapacities
English Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134aFor the air conditioning system refrigerant
charge amount, see the refrigerant caution
label located under the hood. See your
dealer/retailer for more information.
Cooling System
2.0L Engine Automatic 9.2 qt 8.7 L
2.0L Engine Manual 9.5 qt 9.0 L
2.4L Engine Automatic 8.7 qt 8.2 L
2.4L Engine Manual 8.9 qt 8.4 L
Engine Oil with Filter 5.0 qt 4.7 L
Fuel Tank 13.6 gal 51.5 L
Transmission, Automatic (Complete Drain and Rell) 7.4 qt 7.0 L
Transmission, Manual (Complete Drain and Rell) 2.75 qt 2.6 L
Wheel Nut Torque 100 lb ft 140Y
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to ll to the appropriate level, as recommended in this
manual.
5-101

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and lter. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15. Reset oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-19.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 5-21.See footnote (h).•
Rotate tires and check ination pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 5-65andAt Least Once a Month on page 6-9.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer uid levels. Add uid as needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services”
in this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (b).•
Inspect engine cooling system.See footnote (c).•
Inspect wiper blades.See footnote (d).•
Inspect restraint system components.See footnote (e).•
Lubricate body components.See footnote (f).•
6-5

Additional Required Services
The following services should be performed at the rst maintenance service (IorII) after the indicated miles
(kilometers) shown for each item.
Additional Required Services
Service and Miles (Kilometers)25,000
(40 000)50,000
(80 000)75,000
(120 000)100,000
(160 000)125,000
(200 000)150,000
(240 000)
Inspect fuel system for damage or leaks.• •••••
Inspect exhaust system for loose or
damaged components.• •••••
Replace engine air cleaner lter. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-21.•••
Change automatic transmission uid
(severe service).See footnote (k).•••
Change automatic transmission uid
(normal service).•
Replace spark plugs.An Emission
Control Service.•
Engine cooling system service (or every
ve years, whichever occurs rst).
An Emission Control Service.
See footnote (i).•
Inspect engine accessory drive belt.
An Emission Control Service.
See footnote (g).•
6-6