1997 CHEVROLET EXPRESS load capacity

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Listed are four situations you may experience with your
fuel gage:
0
0
0
0
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.
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 engine
gage pointer moves into
the red area your engine is
coolant
temperature.
If the
’% 260
too hot!
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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Run your engine only as long as you must. This
saves fuel. When
you run the engine, make it go a
little faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that
you get
and it keeps the battery (or batteries) charged.
You will
need a well-charged battery (or batteries) to restart the
vehicle, and possibly for signaling later
on with your
headlamps. Let
the heater run for awhile. If you have a
diesel engine you may have to run it at a higher speed
to get enough heat.
Then, shut the engine
off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it
as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get
out
of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
Loading Your Vehicle
fii I
in
The CertificatiodTire label is found on the rear edge
of the driver’s door. The label shows the size of your
original tires and the inflation pressures needed
to obtain
the gross weight capacity of your vehicle. This is called
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The
GVWR
includes the weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel
and cargo.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Towing a Trailer
A CAUTION:
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull
a
trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes
may not work well -- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull
a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps in this section.
Ask your GM dealer for
advice and information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
your warranty.
To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your
GM dealer
for important information about towing
a trailer
with your vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify what the
vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in “Weight of the Trailer’’
that appears later
in this section. But trailering is
different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling, durability and
fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has
to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this section.
In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many
of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers. So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at the address listed in your
Warranty and Owner Assistance Information Booklet.
In Canada, write
to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total or gross
weight of your vehicle. The
Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW) includes
the curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo
you may carry in it, and the people who will be
riding in the vehicle. And
if you will tow a trailer, you
must add the tongue load
to the GVW because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading
Your Vehicle” in the Index for more information about
your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
A B
If you’re using your platform hitch as a weight-carrying
hitch,
the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 10 percent of
the total loaded trailer weight
(B). If you’re using your
platform hitch as a weight-distributing hitch,
the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh
12 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then
the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, you may
be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll need
to add at least one quart
of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This part explains what kind
of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.
I NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Temperature -- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability
to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully
at the factory to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance. Scheduled
wheel alignment
and wheel balancing are not
needed. However, if you notice unusual tire wear or
your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment
may need
to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving
on a smooth road, your wheels
may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced.
If the
wheel leaks air, replace
it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
GM dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know
the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the one it replaces.
If
you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new
GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will
be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your vehicle.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Identification -- Gasoline Engines
Type V6 V8 Engine
“VORTEC”4300 “VORTEC”5000
VIN Code W M
Fuel System CSFI~ CSFI 1
Central Sequential Fuel
Injection
2Sequential Fuel Injection
Wheel Nut Torque
MODEL
All
TORQUE
140 ft-lb (1 90 N-m)
Cooling System Capacity
ENGINE VIN
“VORTEC”4300 W
“VORTEC”5000 M
“VORTEC”5700 R
“VORTEC”7400 J
“VORTEC”5700
V8
R
CSFI 1
“VORTEC”7400
V8
J
SFI*
QTY Without Rear Heater*
1 1 Quarts (10.4 L)
17 Quarts ( 16 L)
17 Quarts ( 16 L)
23 Quarts (21.8 L)
QTY With Rear Heater*
14 Quarts (13.2 L)
20 Quarts (18.9 L)
20 Quarts (18.9 L)
26 Quarts (24.6 L)
After refill, the level MUST be checked as outlined under “Engine Cooling System” in Section 5.
*All quantities are approximate.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Crankcase Capacity
ENGINE VIN Quantity With Filter
“VORTEC”4300 W 4.5 Quarts (4.3 L)
“VORTEC”5000 M 5 Quarts (4.8 L)
“VORTEC”5700 R 5 Quarts (4.8 L)
“VORTEC”7400 J 7 Quarts (6.5 L)
All quantities are approximate.
After refill, the level
MUST be checked as outlined
under “Engine Oil And Filter Recommendations”
in
Section 5.
**Add one additional quart for RPO 5Zl and
RPO KL5 Models.
Fuel Tank Capacity
TYPE QUANTITY
Standard Tank 31 Gallons (117.33 L)
Optional Tank** 55 Gallons (208.18 L)
*All quantities are approximate.
** 159” , 177” Wheelbase Vehicles Only.