2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS CARGO VAN Owners Manual

How This Section is Organized
This maintenance schedule is divided into ®ve parts:
ªPart A: Scheduled Maintenance Servicesºexplains
what to have done and how often. Some of these
services can be complex, so unless you are technically
quali®ed and have the necessary equipment, you
should let your GM dealer's service department do
these jobs.
Your GM dealer has GM-trained and supported
service people that will perform the work using
genuine GM parts.
{CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you
can be seriously injured. Do your own
maintenance work only if you have the
required know-how and the proper tools and
equipment for the job. If you have any doubt,
have a quali®ed technician do the work.
If you want to get the service information, see
Service
Publications Ordering Information on page 7-9.ªPart B: Owner Checks and Servicesºtells you what
should be checked and when. It also explains what
you can easily do to help keep your vehicle in good
condition.
ªPart C: Periodic MaintenanceInspectionsºexplains
important inspections that your dealer's service
department can perform for you.
ªPart D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricantsºlists
some recommended products necessary to help
keep your vehicle properly maintained. These products,
or their equivalents, should be used whether you do
the work yourself or have it done.
ªPart E: Maintenance Recordºis a place for you to
record and keep track of the maintenance performed on
your vehicle. Keep your maintenance receipts. They
may be needed to qualify your vehicle for warranty
repairs.
6-3

Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
This part contains engine oil and chassis lubrication
scheduled maintenance which explains the engine oil life
system and how it indicates when to change the
engine oil and ®lter. Lubricate chassis components with
each oil change. Also, listed are scheduled maintenance
services which are to be performed at the mileage
intervals speci®ed.
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you to keep
your vehicle in good working condition. But we don't
know exactly how you'll drive it. You may drive
short distances only a few times a week. Or you may
drive long distances all the time in very hot, dusty
weather. You may use your vehicle in making deliveries.
Or you may drive it to work, to do errands or in many
other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need
more frequent checks and replacements.So please read the following and note how you drive.
If you have any questions on how to keep your vehicle
in good condition, see your dealer.
This part tells you the maintenance services you should
have done and when to schedule them.
When you go to your dealer for your service needs,
you'll know that GM-trained and supported service
people will perform the work using GM parts.
The proper ¯uids and lubricants to use are listed in
Part D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle uses
them. All parts should be replaced and all necessary
repairs done before you or anyone else drives the
vehicle.
This schedule is for vehicles that:
·carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will ®nd these limits on your vehicle's
Certi®cation/Tire label. See
Loading Your Vehicle
on page 4-29.
·are driven on reasonable road surfaces within
driving limits.
·use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline Octane
on page 5-4
.
6-4

Scheduled Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after 150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
See
Part B: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-11andPart C: Periodic MaintenanceInspections on
page 6-16.
Footnotes
²The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle's useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
+A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection on page 6-17.
Engine Oil and Chassis Lubrication
Scheduled Maintenance
Change engine oil and ®lter as indicated by the GM
Oil Life System (or every 12 months, whichever
occurs ®rst.) Reset the system.
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know
when to change the engine oil and ®lter. This is
based on engine revolutions and engine temperature,
and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions,
the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can
vary considerably. For the oil life system to work
properly, you must reset the system every time the oil is
changed.
When the system has calculated that oil life has been
diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL message will
come on. Change your oil as soon as possible within
the next two times you stop for fuel. It is possible that, if
you are driving under the best conditions, the oil life
system may not indicate that an oil change is necessary
for over a year. However, your engine oil and ®lter
must be changed at least once a year and at this time
the system must be reset. Your dealer has GM-trained
service people who will perform this work using
genuine GM parts and reset the system.
6-5

It is also important to check your oil regularly and keep
it at the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change your oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your
last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life system
whenever the oil is changed. See
Engine Oil on
page 5-13for information on resetting the system.
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate chassis components with each engine oil
and ®lter change.
Lubricate the front suspension, kingpin bushings,
steering linkage and rear driveline center splines.
See the mileage intervals following for additional
services that may be performed with an engine oil
change and chassis lubrication. After the services are
performed, record the date, odometer reading and
who performed the service on the maintenance record
pages in Part E of this schedule.
7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
qRotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter change indicator. If
necessary, replace the ®lter. If vehicle is driven in
dusty/dirty conditions, inspect ®lter change indicator
at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
qVehicles With GVWR Above 10,000 lbs. Only:
Inspect shields for damage or looseness. Adjust or
replace as required.
This is a Noise Emission Control
Service. Applicable only to vehicles sold in the
United States.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
22,500 Miles (37 500 km)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
qRotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
6-6

30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter change indicator. If
necessary, replace the ®lter. If vehicle is driven in
dusty/dirty conditions, inspect ®lter change indicator
at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle
seals for leaking.
qClean and repack the front wheel bearings
(or at each brake relining, whichever occurs ®rst).
qRotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
qReplace fuel ®lter.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote ².)
qVehicles With GVWR Above 10,000 lbs. Only:
Inspect shields for damage or looseness. Adjust or
replace as required.
This is a Noise Emission Control
Service. Applicable only to vehicles sold in the
United States.
37,500 Miles (62 500 km)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle
seals for leaking.
qRotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter change indicator. If
necessary, replace the ®lter. If vehicle is driven in
dusty/dirty conditions, inspect ®lter change indicator
at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle
seals for leaking.
qVehicles With GVWR Above 10,000 lbs. Only:
Inspect shields for damage or looseness. Adjust or
replace as required.
This is a Noise Emission Control
Service. Applicable only to vehicles sold in the
United States.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
6-7

50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
qChange automatic transmission ¯uid and ®lter if the
vehicle's GVWR is over 8,600 lbs or if the vehicle is
mainly driven under one or more of these conditions:
þ In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90ÉF (32ÉC) or
higher.
þ In hilly or mountainous terrain.
þ When doing frequent trailer towing.
þ Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the ¯uid and ®lter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle
seals for leaking.
qRotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter change indicator. If
necessary, replace the ®lter. If vehicle is driven in
dusty/dirty conditions, inspect ®lter change indicator
at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle
seals for leaking.
qClean and repack the front wheel bearings
(or at each brake relining, whichever occurs ®rst).
qRotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
qReplace fuel ®lter.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote ².)
qVehicles With GVWR Above 10,000 lbs. Only:
Inspect shields for damage or looseness. Adjust or
replace as required.
This is a Noise Emission Control
Service. Applicable only to vehicles sold in the
United States.
qInspect Evaporative Control System. Check all fuel
and vapor lines and hoses for proper hook-up,
routing and condition. Check that the purge valve
works properly, if equipped. Replace as needed.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
6-8

67,500 Miles (112 500 km)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle
seals for leaking.
qRotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
75,000 Miles (125 000 km)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter change indicator. If
necessary, replace the ®lter. If vehicle is driven in
dusty/dirty conditions, inspect ®lter change indicator
at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle
seals for leaking.
qVehicles With GVWR Above 10,000 lbs. Only:
Inspect shields for damage or looseness. Adjust or
replace as required.
This is a Noise Emission Control
Service. Applicable only to vehicles sold in the
United States.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
82,500 Miles (137 500 km)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle
seals for leaking.
qRotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter change indicator. If
necessary, replace the ®lter. If vehicle is driven in
dusty/dirty conditions, inspect ®lter change indicator
at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle
seals for leaking.
qClean and repack the front wheel bearings
(or at each brake relining, whichever occurs ®rst.)
qReplace fuel ®lter.
An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote ².)
qVehicles With GVWR Above 10,000 lbs. Only:
Inspect shields for damage or looseness. Adjust or
replace as required.
This is a Noise Emission Control
Service. Applicable only to vehicles sold in the
United States.
6-9

qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
qRotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
qInspect spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
qReplace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
qChange automatic transmission ¯uid and ®lter if
the vehicle's GVWR is over 8600 lbs or if the vehicle
is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
þ In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90ÉF (32ÉC) or
higher.þ In hilly or mountainous terrain.
þ When doing frequent trailer towing.
þ Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
qIf you haven't used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven't
changed your automatic transmission ¯uid, change
both the ¯uid and ®lter.
qInspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.
An Emission Control Service.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
qDrain, ¯ush and re®ll cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs ®rst).
See
Engine Coolant on page 5-21for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
qInspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
6-10