Engine Overheating - GMC CHEVROLET Equinox 2021 Owner's Manual

262 Vehicle Care
How to Add Coolant to the Surge Tank
Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine parts can
burn you. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough.
Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system are under pressure.
Turning the pressure cap, even a little,
can cause them to come out at high
speed and you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific coolant fill
procedure could cause the engine to
overheat and could cause system
damage. If coolant is not visible in the
surge tank, contact your dealer.
The coolant surge tank pressure cap can be
removed when the cooling system, including
the surge tank pressure cap and upper
radiator hose, is no longer hot.
1. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise. If a hiss is heard, wait
for that to stop. A hiss means there is
still some pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap slowly and
remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the
proper mixture to the mark pointed to
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 fans. 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 reaches the
mark pointed to on the front of the
coolant surge tank.
5. Replace the pressure cap tightly.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and
tightly secured.

Engine Overheating

The vehicle has an engine coolant
temperature gauge on the instrument
cluster and overheat messages in the Driver
Information Center (DIC) to warn of engine
overheating. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 0 91. The DIC also
displays overheat messages.
The decision may be made not to lift the
hood when the engine coolant temperature
gauge is in the overheat zone or an engine
overheat DIC message displays, but instead
to get service help right away. See Roadside
Assistance Program 0 341.
If the decision to lift the hood is made,
make sure the vehicle is parked on a level
surface. Then check to see if the engine