The cooling system in the vehicle is filled with DEX-COOL® engine coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in the vehicle for five years or 150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs first.

The following explains the cooling system and how to check and add coolant when it is low. If there is a problem with the engine overheating, see Engine Overheating.

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 fire and you or others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL® coolant.

Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL® coolant. If using this mixture, nothing else needs to be added. This mixture:

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.

Notice: If extra inhibitors and/or additives are used in the vehicle's cooling system, the vehicle could be damaged. Use only the proper mixture of the engine coolant listed in this manual for the cooling system. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants for more information.

The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking the coolant level.

The engine coolant surge tank is located toward the rear of the engine compartment on the driver side of the vehicle. For more information on location, see Engine Compartment Overview.

Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant surge tank. If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down. 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 is cool before this is done.

When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at or above the FULL COLD mark on the side of the coolant surge tank that faces the front. When the engine is hot, the level could be higher than the FULL COLD mark.

If the coolant is below the FULL COLD mark when the engine is hot, there could be a leak in the cooling system.

If the LOW COOLANT message on the Driver Information Center (DIC) comes on and stays on, it means the vehicle is low on engine coolant. See DIC Warnings and Messages. A low coolant level should be indicated by a LOW COOLANT message on the Driver Information Center (DIC). If it is, there could be a leak in the cooling system.

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.

Notice: This vehicle has a specific coolant fill procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could cause the engine to overheat and be severely damaged.

Caution: 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.

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.

If no coolant is visible in the coolant surge tank, add coolant as follows:

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.

If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means there is still some pressure left.

2. Then keep turning the cap and remove it.



3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture until the level inside the coolant surge tank stabilizes at the FULL COLD mark on the front of the coolant surge tank.



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, add more of the proper mixture to the coolant surge tank until the level stabilizes at the FULL COLD mark on the coolant surge tank.

5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the cap is hand-tight and fully seated.

If the LOW COOLANT message does not appear on the Driver Information Center (DIC) after two minutes, the coolant is at the proper fill level. If a LOW COOLANT message does appear, repeat Steps 1 through 3 then reinstall the pressure cap, or see your dealer/retailer.

If coolant is needed, add the proper DEX-COOL® coolant mixture at the coolant surge tank.

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.

The coolant surge tank pressure cap must be fully installed on the coolant surge tank. See Engine Compartment Overview for more information on location.