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 150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only DEX-COOL® extended life 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 do the following:

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 won't damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you don't need to add anything else.

Caution: Adding only plain water to your cooling system can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant mixture will. Your vehicle's coolant warning system is set for the proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot but you would not get the overheat warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and the proper 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 you have to add coolant more than four times a year, have your dealer check your 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 surge tank is located in the engine compartment on the driver's side of the vehicle. See Engine Compartment Overview for more information on location.

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.

The coolant level should be checked at least weekly, by looking at the level on the coolant reservoir when the engine is cold. The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at or slightly above the COLD FILL mark, at the center weld joint. The level rises when the engine is running and drops when the engine cools down. If the level falls below the weld joint, the coolant should be added to a little over the mark. Do not overfill, as coolant requires space to expand when warmed up.

If the Low Coolant message on the trip computer display comes on and stays on, it means you're low on engine coolant. You should check the level as soon as possible. You may have to check the coolant level when it is hot. See Engine Overheating .

Adding Coolant

If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL® coolant mixture at the surge tank , but only when the engine is cool.

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 cap and turn clockwise until secure.