The instrument panel cluster (IPC) illuminates the low coolant warning indicator when any of the following occur:

The cooling system's function is to maintain an efficient engine operating temperature during all engine speeds and operating conditions. The cooling system is designed to remove approximately one-third of the heat produced by the burning of the air-fuel mixture. When the engine is cold, the coolant does not flow to the radiator until the thermostat opens. This allows the engine to warm quickly.

The charge air cooling systems function is to reduce the temperature of the air charge that is heated during the turbocharged process which improves the efficiency of the turbocharged system. The charge air cooling system is a air-to-air system that uses a charge air cooling radiator located in front of the fan shroud to cool the air charge.

Coolant from the water pump is circulated through the water jackets in the cylinder block where the coolant absorbs the released heat.

The coolant also flows through the cylinder head gasket openings and into the cylinder head. The coolant flows through the water jackets surrounding the combustion chambers and valve seats where the coolant absorbs additional heat.

Coolant flows from the water pump into the radiator inlet port located on top of the radiator. From the radiator outlet, the coolant flows to the surge tank and to the thermostat assembly. The flow of coolant will either be stopped at the thermostat until the engine reaches normal operating temperature, or it will flow through the thermostat and back through the cooling system to the radiator where it will be cooled. At this point, the coolant flow cycle is completed.

Some coolant flow through the engine is directed through the heater core, then back to the engine. This provides the passenger compartment with heat and defrosting capability as the cooling system warms up.

Efficient operation of the cooling system requires proper functioning of all cooling system components.

Coolant from the water pump is circulated through the water jackets in the cylinder block and absorbs the released heat.

The coolant then flows through the cylinder head gasket openings and into the cylinder head. The coolant flows through the water jackets surrounding the combustion chambers and valve seats where the coolant absorbs additional heat.

Coolant flows from the water pump outlet to the radiator inlet port located on top of the radiator. From the radiator outlet, the coolant flows to both the engine oil cooler (EOC) and the thermostat housing.

Some coolant flow through the engine is directed through the heater core, then back to the engine. This provides the passenger compartment with heat and defrosting capability as the cooling system warms up.

Coolant flow is also directed to the turbocharger assembly to aid the turbocharger in temperature control and system performance. At this point, the coolant flow cycle is complete.

Efficient operation of the cooling system requires proper functioning of all cooling system components.

The engine coolant is a solution made up of a 50-50 mixture of DEX-COOL and suitable drinking water. The coolant solution carries excess heat away from the engine to the radiator, where the heat is dissipated to the atmosphere.

The radiator is a heat exchanger. It consists of a core and two tanks. The aluminum core is a tube and fin crossflow design that extends from the inlet tank to the outlet tank. Fins are placed around the outside of the tubes to improve heat transfer to the atmosphere.

The inlet and outlet tanks are a molded, high temperature, nylon reinforced plastic material. A high temperature rubber gasket seals the tank flange edge to the aluminum core. The tanks are clamped to the core with clinch tabs. The tabs are part of the aluminum header at each end of the core.

The radiator also has a drain cock located in the bottom of the right hand tank. The drain cock unit includes the drain cock and drain cock seal.

The radiator removes heat from the coolant passing through it. The fins on the core transfer heat from the coolant passing through the tubes. As air passes between the fins, it absorbs heat and cools the coolant.

The pressure cap seals the cooling system. It contains a blow off or pressure valve and a vacuum or atmospheric valve. The pressure valve is held against its seat by a spring, which protects the radiator from excessive cooling system pressure. The vacuum valve is held against its seat by a spring, which permits opening of the valve to relieve vacuum created in the cooling system as it cools off. The vacuum, if not relieved, might cause the radiator and/or coolant hoses to collapse.

The pressure cap allows cooling system pressure to build up as the temperature increases. As the pressure builds, the boiling point of the coolant increases. Engine coolant can be safely run at a temperature much higher than the boiling point of the coolant at atmospheric pressure. The hotter the coolant is, the faster the heat transfers from the radiator to the cooler, passing air.

The pressure in the cooling system can get too high. When the cooling system pressure exceeds the rating of the pressure cap, it raises the pressure valve, venting the excess pressure.

As the engine cools down, the temperature of the coolant drops and a vacuum is created in the cooling system. This vacuum causes the vacuum valve to open, allowing outside air into the surge tank. This equalizes the pressure in the cooling system with atmospheric pressure, preventing the radiator and coolant hoses from collapsing.

The surge tank is a plastic tank that the pressure cap mounts onto. The tank is mounted at a point higher than all other coolant passages. The surge tank provides an air space in the cooling system. The air space allows the coolant to expand and contract. The surge tank also provides a coolant fill point and a central air bleed location. During vehicle use, the coolant heats and expands. The coolant that is displaced by this expansion flows into the surge tank. As the coolant circulates, air is allowed to exit. This is an advantage to the cooling system. Coolant without bubbles absorbs heat much better than coolant with bubbles.

The cooling system uses deflectors, air baffles and air seals to increase cooling system capability. Deflectors are installed under the vehicle to redirect airflow beneath the vehicle and through the radiator to increase engine cooling. Air baffles are also used to direct airflow through the radiator and increase cooling capability. Air seals prevent air from bypassing the radiator and A/C condenser, and prevent recirculation of hot air for better hot weather cooling and A/C condenser performance.

The water pump is a centrifugal vane impeller type pump. The pump consists of a housing with coolant inlet and outlet passages and an impeller. The impeller is mounted on the pump shaft and consists of a series of flat or curved blades or vanes on a flat plate. When the impeller rotates, the coolant between the vanes is thrown outward by centrifugal force.

The impeller shaft is supported by one or more sealed bearings. The sealed bearings never need to be lubricated. Grease cannot leak out, dirt and water cannot get in as long as the seal is not damaged or worn.

The purpose of the water pump is to circulate coolant throughout the cooling system. The water pump is driven by the crankshaft via the timing chain.

The thermostat is a coolant flow control component. It's purpose is to help regulate the operating temperature of the engine. It utilizes a temperature sensitive wax-pellet element. The element connects to a valve through a small piston. When the element is heated, it expands and exerts pressure against the small piston. This pressure forces the valve to open. As the element is cooled, it contracts. This contraction allows a spring to push the valve closed.

When the coolant temperature is below the rated thermostat opening temperature, the thermostat valve remains closed. This prevents circulation of the coolant to the radiator and allows the engine to warm up. After the coolant temperature reaches the rated thermostat opening temperature, the thermostat valve will open. The coolant is then allowed to circulate through the thermostat to the radiator where the engine heat is dissipated to the atmosphere. The thermostat also provides a restriction in the cooling system, after it has opened. This restriction creates a pressure difference which prevents cavitation at the water pump and forces coolant to circulate through the engine block.

The engine oil cooler (EOC) is an auxiliary heat exchanger located on the left rear side of the engine. Numerous cooling plates inside the EOC help to dissipate heat and control engine oil temperature.

The engine oil pump forces the engine oil through the EOC cooler through an inlet pipe. The engine oil then flows through the EOC where heat is dissipated from the fluid back to the atmosphere. The engine oil is then pumped through the EOC return pipe, back to the engine.

The transmission oil cooler is a heat exchanger. It is located inside the left side end tank of the radiator. The transmission fluid temperature is regulated by the temperature of the engine coolant in the radiator.

The transmission oil pump, pumps the fluid through the transmission oil cooler line to the transmission oil cooler. The fluid then flows through the cooler where the engine coolant absorbs heat from the fluid. The fluid is then pumped through the transmission oil cooler return line, to the transmission.