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 .
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. |
Notice: Using coolant other than DEX-COOL can cause premature engine, heater core or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months, whichever occurs first. Any repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Always use DEX-COOL (silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and one-half DEX-COOL® coolant which will not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you do not need to add anything else.
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 fire and you or others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and the proper coolant.
Notice: If an improper coolant mixture is used, the engine could overheat and be badly damaged. The repair cost would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year, have your dealer check your cooling system.
Notice: If you use the proper coolant, you do not have to add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
2.2L L4 ECOTEC engine shown, 3400 V6 engine similar
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine compartment on the passenger's side of the vehicle. See Engine Compartment Overview for more information on location.
Caution: 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 hash mark, or a little higher.
If the LOW COOLANT light comes on and stays on, it means you are low on engine coolant.
See Low Coolant Warning Light .
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 and "How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank" under Cooling System for instructions.
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.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is hand-tight.
