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 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.

Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant recovery tank. If the coolant inside the coolant recovery 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 COLD FILL line, add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL® coolant at the coolant recovery tank, but be sure the cooling system is cool before this is done. See Engine Coolant Engine Coolant for more information.

If your vehicle has one of the V6 engines, the coolant recovery tank is located in the rear of the engine compartment on the passenger's side of the vehicle. If your vehicle has the 5.3L V8 engine, the coolant recovery tank is located in the rear of the engine compartment on the driver's side of the vehicle. See Engine Compartment Overview.

When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at or above the COLD FILL line on the coolant recovery tank. To check the coolant level, look for the COLD FILL line on the side of the coolant recovery tank that faces the engine. If the level is not correct, there may 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.

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

When the coolant level in the coolant recovery tank is at the COLD FILL line, start the vehicle.

If the overheat warning continues, there is one more thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant mixture directly to the cooling system through the coolant fill neck on the engine, but be sure the system is cool before you do it.

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 surge tank pressure cap -- even a little -- they can come out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the cooling system, including the surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and surge tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn the pressure cap.

If coolant is needed, add the proper mixture directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling system is cool before this is done.

1. You can remove the pressure cap when the cooling system, including the 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 that there is still some pressure left.

2. Keep turning the pressure cap and remove it.
3. Fill the cooling system with the proper DEX-COOL® coolant mixture, up to the base of the filler neck. See Engine CoolantEngine Coolant for more information about the proper coolant mixture. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine and the compartment.




Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the COLD FILL line.

4. Install the coolant recovery tank cap and the pressure cap. After a day or two of driving, when the engine is cold, check the coolant level in the recovery tank. If it is low, refill it to the COLD FILL line.

If the coolant in the recovery tank is constantly low, you should have a dealer/retailer service department inspect the vehicle for leaks.

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.