2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS CARGO VAN key

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle doesn't need an elaborate
ªbreak-in.º But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
·Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the ®rst 500 miles (805 km).
·Don't drive at any one speed Ð fast or
slow Ð for the ®rst 500 miles (805 km).
Don't make full-throttle starts.
·Avoid making hard stops for the ®rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new
brake linings aren't yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake linings.
·Don't tow a trailer during break-in. See ªTowing
a Trailerº in the Index for more information.
Ignition Positions
Use the key to turn the ignition switch to four different
positions.
A (LOCK):This position locks the ignition and
transmission. It's a theft-deterrent feature. You will only
be able to remove the key when the ignition is turned
to LOCK.
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Notice:If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you
can't turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if so, is it all the way in? Turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break the
key or the ignition switch. If none of these works,
then your vehicle needs service.
B (ACCESSORY):This position lets you use things like
the radio and the windshield wipers when the engine
is off.
Notice:Don't operate accessories in the
ACCESSORY position for long periods of time.
Prolonged operation of accessories in the
ACCESSORY position could drain your battery and
prevent you from starting your vehicle.
C (RUN):This is the position for driving.
D (START):This position starts the engine.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature which will allow certain features of
your vehicle to continue to work up to 10 minutes
after the ignition key is turned to LOCK.
Your radio and power windows will work when the
ignition key is in RUN or ACCESSORY. Once the key is
turned from RUN to LOCK, these features will continue
to work for up to 10 minutes or until a door is opened.
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Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position ± that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Don't try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the ¯oor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.When starting your engine in very cold weather
(below 0ÉF or-18ÉC), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there up to
15 seconds. When the engine starts, let go of
the key.
2. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be ¯ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
¯oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the
vehicle starts brie¯y but then stops again, do the
same thing, but this time keep the pedal down
for ®ve or six seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you don't, your engine
might not perform properly.
Fuel Regulator
You have a fuel regulator that shuts the fuel off when
the engine reaches 5,600 rpm.
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1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:
·Pull the lever toward you.
·Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
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Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. See
Automatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-24.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then,
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the system ®xed as soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things
that can burn.
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The hazard warning
¯asher button is located at
the top of the steering
column.
Your hazard warning ¯ashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn't in.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ¯ash on and off. Press the button again to
turn the ¯ashers off.
When the hazard warning ¯ashers are on, your turn
signals won't work.Other Warning Devices
If you carry re¯ective triangles, you can use them to
warn others. Set one up at the side of the road about
300 feet (100 m) behind your vehicle.
Horn
Press the horn symbol in the middle of the steering
wheel to sound the horn.
3-6

i(Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)):Turning the
control to this position selects the DRLs. When the
vehicle is shifted out of PARK (P), the instrument panel
lamps will illuminate and the DRLs will turn on, unless
defeated. When the DRLs are active, the DRL indicator
will illuminate.
;(Parking Lamps):Turn the control to this position
to turn on the parking lamps, together with the
following:
·Instrument Panel Lights
·Daytime Running Lamps
·Sidemarker Lamps
·Taillamps
·License Plate Lamps
·Ashtray Lamp
If the DRLs are active when the control is turned to this
position, the DRLs will turn off.
For vehicles ®rst sold in Canada, the DRLs will remain
active along with the lamps mentioned above.
5(Headlamps):Turn the control to this position to
turn on the headlamps together with the parking
lamps and turn off the daytime running lamps.
You can switch your headlamps from high to
low-beam by pulling the turn signal/high-beam lever
toward you.
A circuit breaker protects your headlamps. If you have
an electrical overload, your headlamps will ¯icker on and
off. Have your headlamp wiring checked right away if
this happens.
Lamps On Reminder
A reminder chime will sound when your control is turned
to the headlamps or parking lamps position, your key
is out of the ignition, and your driver's door is open. To
disable the chime, turn the control to the Daytime
Running Lamp (DRL) position and then back to the
parking lamps or headlamps position.
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Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
Press this knob located
next to the exterior lamps
knob to extend and
turn it to adjust the
instrument panel
brightness.
Turn the knob all the way up to turn on the interior
lamps. Press the knob back into its stored position.
Dome Lamp Override
You can use the dome
override button, located
below the exterior
lamp control, to set the
dome lamps to come
on automatically while a
door is opened, or to
remain off.
To turn the automatic operation of the lamps off, press
the button. The dome lamps will remain off while a
door is open. To return the lamps to automatic
operation, press the button again.
While pressed in, this will override the illuminated entry
feature unless you use your keyless entry transmitter
to unlock the vehicle.
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