The cooling system in your 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, if only DEX-COOL® extended life coolant is added.

The following explains the cooling system and how to add coolant when it is low. If there is a problem with engine overheating or if coolant needs to be added to the radiator, see Engine Overheating .

A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL® coolant will:

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.

Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and one-half DEX-COOL® coolant which will not damage aluminum parts. If this coolant mixture is used, nothing else needs to be added.

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 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.

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 coolant needs to be added more than four times a year, have your dealer check the 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.

The coolant overflow reservoir is located in the engine compartment on the driver's side of the vehicle. See Engine Compartment Overview for more information on location.

The coolant level should be checked at each fuel fill, by looking at the dipstick in the coolant overflow reservoir. To remove the dipstick, push down on the coolant reservoir cap while turning it counterclockwise.

When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at or above the bottom arrow on the dipstick. After the vehicle has been driven and the engine is at normal operating temperature, the level should be somewhere between the two arrows on the dipstick.

If the coolant level is correct, replace the dipstick then push down on the coolant reservoir cap while turning it clockwise until it stops, to lock it into position.

Adding Coolant

If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL® coolant mixture at the coolant overflow reservoir, but be careful not to spill it. Check the level with the dipstick and keep adding fluid until the level is correct.

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 the level is correct, replace the dipstick then push down on the coolant reservoir cap while turning it clockwise until it stops, to lock it into position.

If the coolant overflow reservoir is completely empty, add coolant to the radiator. See Engine Overheating .

Caution: Turning the radiator pressure cap when the engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost never have to add coolant at the radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure cap -- even a little -- when the engine and radiator are hot.

Occasionally check the coolant in the radiator. For information on how to add coolant to the radiator, see Cooling System .