For 1990-2009 cars

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 100,000 miles (166,000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only DEX-COOL® (ethylene-glycol based) engine 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.

### What to Use

Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water and one-half DEX-COOL® (ethylene-glycol based) coolant which will not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you do not need to add anything else.

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.

### Checking Coolant

The vehicle must be on a level surface. Your vehicle has a coolant fill surge tank located on the passenger's side of the engine compartment.

When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be near the "MIN./MAX. COLD" range. When your engine is warm, the level should be in the "MIN./MAX. COLD" range or a little higher. If you have to add coolant more than four times a year, have your retailer check your cooling system.

If the coolant lever warning light comes on, it means you are low on engine coolant.

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.

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.

### Adding Coolant

If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL® (ethylene-glycol based) coolant mixture at the coolant surge tank when the engine is cool. Be careful not to spill it.

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.

1. When the engine is cool, remove the surge tank pressure cap.

• | Turn the pressure cap slowly one-quarter turn to the left, and then stop.

• | If you hear a hiss, it means there is still some pressure. Wait for the hiss to stop. Then keep turning the pressure cap slowly and remove it.

2. Add the coolant mixture to the surge tank until the level is in the "MIN./MAX. COLD" range. Do not overfill.
3. With the surge tank pressure cap still removed, run the engine until the upper radiator hose is hot.

With the engine at idle, add more coolant mixture, if needed, to bring the level back up to the surge tank "MIN./MAX. COLD" range.

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.

4. Replace the pressure cap. Be sure it is tight.

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.