1996 CHEVROLET EXPRESS overheating

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Listed are four situations you may experience with your
fuel gage:
At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off before the
gage reads FULL
(F).
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
fuel gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half
full, but it actually took a
little more or less than half the tank’s capacity to
fill
the tank.
0 The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
speed up.
The gage doesn’t go back to EMPTY (E) when you
turn off the ignition.
None
of these indicate a problem with the fuel gage.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the
If the gage pointer moves
into
the red area your
engine
coolant temperature.
260 engine is too hot!
TEMP J-- vw
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you
have been operating your vehicle under normal
operating conditions, you should pull off the road, stop
your vehicle, and turn off
the engine as soon as possible.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
3 LA

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down
a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and
no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce
your
speed to around 45 mph (70 kdh) to reduce the
possibility
of engine and transmission overheating.
When towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil
at a
lower temperature than at normal altitudes.
If you turn
your engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar
to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission
in PARK (P) for a few
minutes before turning the engine off. If you do get the
overheat warning, see “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached, on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig
on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. ’ Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet. Then turn your wheels into the curb
if facing downhill or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Re-apply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and then shift
to PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
4-36

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Overheating (Gasoline Engine)
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle instrument panel.
If you have a diesel engine,
you will also find a low coolant light
on your
instrument panel.
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see "Engine
Overheating"
in the GM Diesel Engine Supplement.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
--- - >?.
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay
away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before
opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine is cool.
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered
by your warranty.
5-10

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to remain
in your
vehicle for 5 years or 100,000 miles ( 166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
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” in
the Index.
A 5060 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your vehicle will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 “F ( 129 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant it is important that you use
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free)
coolant meeting
GM Specification 6277M.
If silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion may result. In addition, the engine coolant
will require change sooner -- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first.
6-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix ut the
coolant recovery tank.
I
L
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 0- when the engine and radiator are hot.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill it.
A 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. Don't spill coolant on
a hot engine.
Radiator Pressure Cap
The radiator pressure cap must be tightly installed with
the arrows
on the cap lined up with the overflow tube on
the radiator filler neck.
I NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a pressure-type cap and
must be tightly 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.
6-23

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tires
We don’t make tires. Your new vehicle comes with
high-quality tires made
by a leading tire manufacturer. If
you ever have questions about your tire warranty and
where
to obtain service, see your GM Warranty booklet
for details.
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much friction.
You could have an air-out and a serious
accident. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
0 Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
0 Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
0 Overinflated tires are more likely to be
6-41

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine ........................................ 6-8
Coolant
..................................... 6-20
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-43
Coolant Temperature Gage
..................... 2-54
Cooling System
.............................. 6-66
Exhaust
..................................... 2-24
Identification
........................... 6-60. 6-65
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-43
Overheating
................................. 5- 10
Running While Parked ......................... 2-25
StartingYour
................................ 2-14
Engineoil
.................................... 6-11
Additives ................................... 6-13
Checking
................................... 6-11
Pressure Gage
................................ 2-52
Used
....................................... 6-14
Whentochange
.............................. 6-14
Ethanol
........................................ 6-3
Exhaust, Engine
................................ 2-24
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-5 I
Fan Control, Climate Control System ................ 3-2
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-4
Filter, Air
..................................... 6-15
Finish Care
.................................... 6-56
Finish Damage ................................. 6-57
First Gear, Automatic Transmission
................ 2- I9
Flashers, Hazard Warning ......................... 5-1
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-20
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-65
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-49
Foreign Countries, Fuel
........................... 6-4
Adding ..................................... 6-11
French Language Manual 11
Front Parkingflurn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement .... 6-34
Front Storage Area
.............................. 2-41
FrontTowing
................................... 5-8
Fuel .......................................... 6-2
Canada
...................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-4
Gage
....................................... 2-53
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
Tank Capacity
............................... 6-67
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-62
Gages
.. ...........................
Engine Coolant Temperature .................... 2-54
Engine Oil Pressure
........................... 2-52
Fuel
....................................... 2-53
Speedometer
................................. 2-45
Voltmeter
................................... 2-55
Gear Positions. Automatic Transmission
............. 2-17
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-27
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-26
Guide en Franpis
11
GAWR ....................................... 4-27
.. .................................
GVWR ....................................... 4-26
Halogen
Bulbs ................................ 6-31
Hazard Warning Flashers .......................... 5-1
Head Restraints
................................. 1-5
Headlamps
.................................... 2-35
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-31
HighLow Beam Changer ...................... 2-30
OnReminder
................................ 2-36
Wiring
..................................... 6-61
9-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Locks Cylinders
................................... 7-44
Door
........................................ 2-3
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-44
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-3
Rear Door Security
............................. 2-4
Sliding Door Child Security
...................... 2-4
Steering Column Lock Check
................... 7-46
LossofControl
................................ 4-12
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-49
Lubrication Service,
Body ........................ 7-44
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts
........... 6-65
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-5 I
Maintenance Schedule ............................ 7- I
Long Tripmighway Definition ................... 7-5
Long Tripmighway Intervals
..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-43
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-47
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-49
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-3
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-4
Short Trip/City Intervals
........................ 7-4
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-58
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-37
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-50
ManualFrontSeat ............................... 1-1
Manual Mirror ................................. 2-40
Methanol
...................................... 6-3
Mirrors
....................................... 2-40
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-39 Inside
Daymight Rearview
..................... 2-39
Manual
..................................... 2-40
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-39
Visor Vanity
................................. 2-42
Model Reference
................................. vi
Mountain Roads ................................ 4-21
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-29
MMT
......................................... 6-3
Neutral. Automatic Transmission
................. 2-18
New Vehicle Break-In
........................... 2-13
Nightvision
................................... 4-14
Noise Control System
............................ 6-9
Odometer
...... ........................... 2-45
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-45
Off-Road Recovery 4-10
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6-11
Overheating Engine ............................. 5-10
Owner Checks and Services ....................... 7-43
Owner Publications. Ordering
...................... 8-9
~~
.............................
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-58
Park Automatic Transmission
................. ...... 2-17
Shifting Into
................................. 2-21
Shifting
Out of ............................. 2-23
9-6