Radiator Pressure Cap; Engine Overheating - Pontiac 2003 Aztek Owner's Manual

Add coolant mixture at the recovery tank, but be Careful
not to sp
t.
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. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator. For
information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
see Cooling System on page 5-28.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice: Your radiator cap is a pressure-type cap
and must be tiahtlv installed to prevent coolant
loss
and possible engine damage from overheating.
Be sure the arrows on the cap line up with the
overflow tube on the radiator filler neck.
The radiator pressure cap is located at the front of the
enaine compartment
on
the passenger's side of the
vehvicle. See Engine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12 for more information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will find an engine coolant temperature gage
on
your vehicle's instrument panel. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-36. You also have
an engine coolant temperature warning message on
your instrument panel. See Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Message on page 3-42.
Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
This emergency operating mode allows your vehicle to
be driven to a safe place in an emergency situation.
If an overheated engine condition exists, an overheat
protection mode which alternates firing groups of
cylinders helps prevent engine damage. In this mode,
you will notice a significant loss in power and engine
performance. The temperature gage will indicate
an overheat condition exists. Driving extended miles
(km) and/or towing a trailer in the overheat protection
mode should be avoided.
Notice: After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine damage,
allow the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair the
cause of coolant loss, change the oil and reset the oil
!ife system.
spp
"Engine Oil''
in
the Index.
5-25