1997 CHEVROLET EXPRESS instrument panel

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Making ’hrns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal.
Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
’hrn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring and a heavy-duty turn signal flasher (included in
the optional trailering package).
The arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you’re about to
turn, change lanes or stop. When
towing a trailer, the arrows
on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs
on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
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 kmh) 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.
4-36

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Overheating (Gasoline Engine)
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your vehicle’s
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 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 you
open 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.
I 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.
5-12

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airflow around it. This may cause wind noise
and affect windshield washer performance. Check with
your
GM dealer before adding equipment to the outside
of your vehicle.
Fuel (Gasoline Engine)
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Diesel Fuel
Requirements and Fuel System” in the Diesel Engine
Supplement. For vehicles with gasoline engines, please
read this.
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher. At a minimum, it should meet specifications
ASTM
D48 14 in the United States and CGSB 3.5-M93
in Canada. Improved gasoline specifications have been
developed by the American Automobile Manufacturers
Association (AAMA) for better vehicle performance
and engine protection. Gasolines meeting the AAMA
specification could provide improved driveability and
emission control system protection compared to
other gasolines. Be
sure the posted octane is at least 87. If the octane
is
less than 87, you may get a heavy knocking noise when
you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage your engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or higher and you
hear heavy knocking, your engine needs service.
But
don’t worry if you hear a little pinging noise when
you’re accelerating or driving up a hill. That’s normal,
and
you don’t have to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid
of pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock that means
you have a problem.
If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood tune-up label),
it
is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications.
If such fuels are not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on and/or your vehicle
may fail a smog-check test. If this occurs, return to your
authorized
GM dealer for diagnosis to determine the
cause of failure.
In the event it is determined that the
cause of the condition is the type
of fuels used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT);
ask your service station operator whether or not his fuel
contains MMT. General Motors does not recommend the
use
of such gasolines. If fuels containing MMT are used,
spark plug life may be reduced and your emission
control system performance may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument panel
may turn
on. If this occurs, return to your authorized
GM dealer for service.
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel
system, allowing your emission control system
to
function properly. Therefore, you should not have to add
anything to the fuel. In addition, gasolines containing
oxygenates, such as ethers and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines
may be available in
your area to
help clean the air. General Motors recommends that
you
use these gasolines if they comply with the
specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it.
It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3. If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine,
treat the area with
a waterhaking soda solution:
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to I cup (250 ml)
of lukewarm water.
4. If needed, clean lightly with solvent-type cleaner.
Combination Stains
Stains caused by candy, ice cream, mayonnaise, chili
sauce and unknown stains can be removed
as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.
2. Clean with cool water and allow to dry.
3. If a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type cleaner.
Cleaning Vinyl
use warm water and a clean cloth.
0 Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You
may have to do it more than once.
0 Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if you
don’t get them
off quickly. Use a clean cloth and a
vinylheather cleaner. See your dealer for this product.
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Then, let the
leather dry naturally.
Do not use heat to dry.
0 For stubborn stains, use a leather cleaner. See your
dealer for this product.
Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.
Soiled or stained leather should be cleaned
immediately.
If dirt is allowed to work into the
finish, it can harm the leather.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections
in the windshield
and even make
it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Appearance Care Materials Chart
PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION USAGE
1052929
Cleans vinyl, leather and rubber
Armor All
TM Cleaner
16 oz. (0.473 L) 12345002”” Attracts and
absorbs soils Capture
Dry Spot Remover
8 oz. (0.237 L)
1052930 Spray on wheel
cleaner
Wheel Cleaner 16
oz. (0.473 L)
12345725 Spot cleans paint and gives high luster Finish
Enhancer 16
oz. (0.473 L) 12377966 Protects finish
and removes fine scratches
Cleaning Wax
16
oz. (0.473 L)
12377964 Shines tires Silicone
Tire Shine
12
oz. (0.354 L)
See your General Motors Parts Department for these products.
** Not recommended for use on instrument panel vinyl.
See “Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
6-57

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
1
I II 11111.11 1.11 111 111111 II. 1111111I 111111111111 111111111 II
SAMPLE4UXVM072675 bl
ENGlNEA97 7 ASSEMBLY
CODE MODEL YEAR PLANT
This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front corner
of the instrument panel, on the
driver’s side. You can see
it if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The
VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help you identify your engine, specifications
and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label on the front passenger door frame.
It’s very helpful
if you ever need to order parts. On this
label
is:
your VIN,
0 the model designation,
0 paint information and
a list of all production options and
special equipment.
Be sure that this label
is not removed from the vehicle.
6-58

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Instrument Panel Fuse Block
The fuse block access door
is on the driver's side of the
instrument panel above the
hood release lever.
You can remove the cover
by turning the fastener
counterclockwise.
You can remove fuses with a fuse extractor. The fuse
extractor
is mounted to the fuse block access door.
To remove fuses if you don't have a fuse extractor, hold
the end of the fuse between your thumb and index finger
and pull straight out. Be sure to use
the correct fuse.
If you ever have a
problem on the road and don't have a spare fuse,
you can "borrow" one of the correct value. Just pick
some feature of your vehicle that you can get along
without
-- like the radio or cigarette lighter -- and use
its fuse, if it is of the value you need. Replace it
as soon
as you can. See "Fuses and Circuit Breakers'' in the
Index for more information.
6-60