1997 CHEVROLET EXPRESS Index

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine At Least Twice a Year At Least Once a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure- the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly. Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn
or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired
or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace blade
inserts that appear worn or damaged or that streak or
miss areas of the windshield. Also
see “Wiper Blades,
Cleaning” in the Index.
Automatic Transmission Check
Check the transmission fluid level; add if needed. See
“Automatic Transmission” in the Index. A fluid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified in Part
D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all hood hinges, hood prop rod pivot, fuel
filler door, rear compartment hinges, latches, locks and
any moving seat hardware. Part
D tells you what to use.
More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed
to a corrosive environment.
Starter Switch Check
A CAUTION:
rn
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2. Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking Brake” in the Index if necessary) and the regular brake.
NOTE: Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready
to turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL
(N). If
the starter works in any other position, your vehicle
needs service.
Brake-Tra- -mission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
/! CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room around
the vehicle.
It should be parked on a level surface.
2.
3.
Firmly apply the parking brake (see “Parking Brake”
in the Index if necessary).
NOTE: Be ready
to apply the regular brake
immediately if the vehicle begins
to move.
With the engine
off, turn the key to the RUN
position, but don’t start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move
the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK
(P), your vehicle’s BTSI
needs service.
Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key
to LOCK in each shift lever position.
The key should turn to LOCK only when the shift
0 The key should come out only in LOCK.
lever is in PARK (P).

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below 3Elnspections and services which should
be performed at least twice
a year (for instance, each
spring and fall). You should let your
GM dealer’s
service department or other qualified service center do
these
jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a
GM service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications’’ in the Index.
Steering and Suspension Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which could
cause a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust” in
the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and for damage or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any cables that have high effort or
excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and
cruise control cables.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Rear Axle Service
Check the gear lubricant level in the rear axle and add
if needed. See “Rear Axle”
in the Index. A fluid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the axle and repair it
if needed.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
Check parking brake adjustment.
You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often if your driving habits
or conditions result in frequent braking.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from your
GM dealer.
I USAGE I FLUIDLUBRICANT I
Engine Oil
(Gasoline
Engine)
Engine Coolant Engine oil
with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines “Starburst” symbol of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
50/50 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and use only
GM Goodwrench@ DEX-COOL@
or Havoline@ DEX-COOL@
coolant. See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index.
Hydraulic Brake (GM Part
No. 12377967 or
System Delco
Supreme
11 @ Brake Fluid
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid).
USAGE
Parking Brake
Cable Guides
Power Steering
System
Automatic
Transmission
Key Lock
Cylinders
Chassis
Lubrication
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Chassis lubricant (GM Part
No. 12377985 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI
## 2, Category LB
or GC-LB.
GM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part
No. 1052884 - 1 pint,
10500 17
- 1 quart, or equivalent).
DEXRON@-111 Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Purpose lubricant, Superlube@ (GM Part No. 12346241
or equivalent).
Chassis lubricant (GM Part
No. 12377985 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI # 2, Category LB
or GC-LB.
7-51

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine USAGE
Front Wheel
Bearings Differential,
Rear Axle
Windshield Washer Solvent
Propeller Shaft SplineNniversal
Joint and
Propeller Shaft
~~ ~
Hood Latch
Assembly,
Pivots, Spring
Anchor
and
Release Pawl
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Wheel bearing lubricant meeting
requirements
of NLGI # 2,
Category GC or GC-LB (GM Part
No. 105 1344 or equivalent).
Axle Lubricant (GM Part
No. 1052271) or SAE 8OW-90
GL-5 Gear Lubricant.
GM Optikleen’ Washer Solvent
(GM Part
No. 1051515)
or equivalent.
Chassis lubricant (GM Part
No. 12377985 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI
# 2, Category LB
or GC-LB.
Lubriplate lubricant aerosol (GM Part
No. 12346293 or
equivalent) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI
# 2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
USAGE
Hood Hinges
Outer Tailgate
Handle Pivot Points
Weatherstrip Conditioning
Weatherstrip
Squeaks
FLUIDLLUBRICANT
Multi-purpose lubricant, Superlube@
(GM Part No. 12346241
or equivalent).
Multi-Purpose lubricant, Superlube@ (GM
Part No. 1234624 1
or equivalent).
Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM
Part
No. 12345579 or equivalent).
Multi-purpose lubricant, Superlube@ (GM Part
No. 12346241
or equivalent).
See “Replacement Parts” in the Index for recommended
replacement filters, valves and spark plugs.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 9 Index
Adjustable Mast Antenna ........................ 3-28
AirBag
....................................... 1-25
Adding Equipment
............................ 1-32
How Does
it Restrain .......................... 1-30
How it Works
................................ 1-28
Location
.................................... 1-28
Readiness Light
......................... 1.27. 2-51
Servicing
................................... 1-31
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-29
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-30
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-29
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-17
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-67
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-47
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-55
Antenna. Adjustable Mast
........................ 3-28
Antenna. Power
................................ 3-28
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-22
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-53. 4-7
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Appearancecare
............................... 6-49
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-7
Air Control. Climate Control System
................. 3-3 Appearance
Care Materials
....................... 6-57
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-9
Ashtrays ...................................... 2-43
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-8
Automatic Transmission
Transmission Check
........................... 7-46
Transmission Fluid
............................ 6-18
Transmission Operation
........................ 2-20
Shifting
..................................... 2-20
Transmission Park Mechanism Check
............. 7-48
Axle. Locking Rear
............................. 2-23
Axle. Rear
.................................... 6-22
Battery
...................................... 6-32
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Replacement. Remote Keyless Entry
............... 2-8
Warnings
.................................... 5-3
Warnings
.................................... 5-3
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-9
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
.................... 4-21
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-9
Blizzard. Driving In
............................. 4-25
9-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service Station Checkpoints
BATERY
P6-32
TI RES P6-41
ENGINE COOLANT RECOVERY TANK
P6-24
SECONDARY
HOOD RELEASE
P6-8
WINDSHIELD
WASHER FLUID
P6-27 HOOD RELEASE P6-7
I
FUEL DOOR P6-5
For detailed information, refer to the page number listed, or see the index in the back of the owner’s manual.