2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS CARGO VAN maintenance schedule

All-Wheel Drive
Lubricant checks in this section also apply to these
vehicles. However, there are two additional systems that
need lubrication.
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant. SeePart C: Periodic
MaintenanceInspections on page 6-16.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If the level is below the bottom of the ®ller plug hole,
you'll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the ®ller plug hole.
Use care not to overtighten the plug.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeePart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-18.
5-46

Rear Axle
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant. SeePart A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services on page 6-4.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If you have the 1500 Series, the proper level is from
5/8 inch (15 mm) to 1 5/8 inch (40 mm) below the
bottom of the ®ller plug hole. The proper level for the
2500 and 3500 Series is from 0 to 1/4 (6 mm) below the
bottom of the ®ller plug hole. Add only enough ¯uid to
reach the proper level.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeePart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-18.
5-47

Front Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on page 6-4.
How to Check Lubricant
To get an accurate reading, the vehicle should be on a
level surface.
If the level is below the
bottom of the ®ller plug
hole, you may need to
add some lubricant.When the differential is cold, add enough lubricant to
raise the level to 3/8 inch (10 mm) below the ®ller
plug hole.
When the differential is at operating temperature
(warm), add enough lubricant to raise the level to the
bottom of the ®ller plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. SeePart D: Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-18.
5-48

Noise Control System
Tampering with Noise Control
System Prohibited
The following information relates to compliance with
federal noise emission standards for vehicles with
a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of more than
10,000 lbs (4 536 kg). The Maintenance Schedule
provides information on maintaining the noise control
system to minimize degradation of the noise emission
control system during the life of your vehicle. The noise
control system warranty is given in your warranty
booklet.
These standards apply only to vehicles sold in the
United States.
Federal law prohibits the following acts or the causing
thereof:
1. The removal or rendering inoperative by any
person, other than for purposes of maintenance,
repair or replacement, of any device or element of
design incorporated into any new vehicle for
the purpose of noise control, prior to its sale or
delivery to the ultimate purchaser or while it is in
use; or
2. The use of the vehicle after such device or element
of design has been removed or rendered inoperative
by any person.Among those acts presumed to constitute tampering are
the acts listed below.
Insulation:
·
Removal of the noise shields or any underhood
insulation.
Engine:
·
Removal or rendering engine speed governor
(if equipped) inoperative so as to allow engine
speed to exceed manufacturer speci®cations.
Fan and Drive:
·
Removal of fan clutch (if equipped) or rendering
clutch inoperative.
·Removal of the fan shroud (if equipped).
Air Intake:
·
Removal of the air cleaner silencer.
·Modi®cation of the air cleaner.
Exhaust:
·
Removal of the muffler and/or resonator.
·Removal of the exhaust pipes and exhaust pipe
clamps.
5-49

·Bad wear
·Bad handling
·Bad fuel economy
If your tires have too much air (overin¯ation), you
can get the following:
·Unusual wear
·Bad handling
·Rough ride
·Needless damage from road hazards
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Also, check the tire pressure of the spare tire.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can't tell if your tires are properly in¯ated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly in¯ated even when they're underin¯ated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and
moisture.
Dual Tire Operation
When the vehicle is new, or whenever a wheel, wheel
bolt or wheel nut is replaced, check the wheel nut torque
after 100, 1,000 and 6,000 miles (160, 1 600 and
10 000 km) of driving. For proper torque and wheel nut
tightening information, see ªTightening the Wheel
Nutsº later in this section.
The outer tire on a dual wheel setup generally wears
faster than the inner tire. Your tires will wear more
evenly and last longer if you rotate the tires periodically.
See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº earlier in this
section. Also see ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in
the Index for scheduled rotation intervals
{CAUTION:
If you operate your vehicle with a tire that is
badly underin¯ated, the tire can overheat. An
overheated tire can lose air suddenly or catch
®re. You or others could be injured. Be sure all
tires (including the spare) are properly in¯ated.
See ªTiresº and ªIn¯ation ± Tire Pressureº in the Index
for more information on proper tire in¯ation.
5-57

Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
(10 000 to 13 000 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your tires as
soon as possible and check wheel alignment. Also
check for damaged tires or wheels. See
When It Is Time
for New Tires on page 5-59andWheel Replacement
on page 5-62for more information.
Make sure the spare tire is stored securely. Push, pull,
and then try to rotate or turn the tire. If it moves,
use the ratchet/wheel wrench to tighten the cable. See
Changing a Flat Tire on page 5-65.
If your vehicle has dual rear wheels, also see
Dual Tire
Operation on page 5-57.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The ®rst rotation
is the most important. See ªPart A: Scheduled
Maintenance Services,º in Section 6, for scheduled
rotation intervals.If your vehicle has single rear wheels, always use one
of the correct rotation patterns shown here when rotating
your tires.
If your vehicle has dual rear wheels, always use one of
the correct rotation patterns shown here when rotating
your tires.
5-58

Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-17
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-17
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-41
Driving..........................................................4-13
At Night.....................................................4-13
City...........................................................4-18
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-19
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-22
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-15
Winter........................................................4-24
Dual Stage Air Bags........................................1-67
Dual Tire Operation.........................................5-57
E
Electrical System............................................5-91
Add-On Equipment......................................5-91
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-92
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-91
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-91
Electronic Road-Speed Governor.......................3-26
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-35Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-94
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-11
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-15
Engine Oil and Chassis Lubrication Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-5
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-11
Engine..........................................................5-17
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-17
Battery.......................................................5-40
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-37
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-33
Compartment Overview................................5-12
Coolant Heater............................................2-23
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-32
Coolant......................................................5-21
Cooling System Inspection............................6-16
Exhaust.....................................................2-30
Fan Noise..................................................5-34
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-24
Starting......................................................2-22
Entry Lighting.................................................3-17
Exit Lighting...................................................3-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-33
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
5

Locks............................................................. 2-8
Cargo Door Relocking.................................... 2-8
Door........................................................... 2-7
Leaving Your Vehicle....................................2-10
Lockout Protection.......................................2-10
Power Door.................................................. 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-8
Loss of Control...............................................4-12
Low Coolant Warning Light..............................3-33
M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts..........5-100
Maintenance Schedule.....................................6-11
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-11
At Least Once a Month................................6-11
At Least Once a Year..................................6-13
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-12
At the First 100, 1,000 and 6,000 Miles
(160, 1 600 and 10 000km).......................6-11
Brake System Inspection..............................6-17
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-16
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-16
Fuel System Inspection................................6-16
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-11
Part C - Periodic MaintenanceInspections......6-16
Part D - Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants...............................................6-18
Part E - Maintenance Record........................6-20
Rear Axle Service........................................6-17
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-5
Steering and Suspension Inspection...............6-16
Throttle System Inspection............................6-17
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive) Inspection.......................6-17
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-43
Making Turns.................................................4-42
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-33
Manual Seats................................................... 1-3
Manual Windows............................................2-16
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-5
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and
U.S. Virgin Islands) ± Customer Assistance....... 7-4
Mirrors..........................................................2-31
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-31
Outside Camper-Type Mirrors........................2-32
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-34
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-34
9