2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS mirror

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired — by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.Here are some tips on night driving.
Drive defensively.
Do not drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the
glare from headlamps behind you.
Since you cannot see as well, you may need to
slow down and keep more space between you
and other vehicles.
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your
headlamps can light up only so much road ahead.
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you are tired, pull off the road in a safe place
and rest.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But
as we get older these differences increase. A
50-year-old driver may require at least twice as much
light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
What you do in the daytime can also affect your
night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright
sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your
eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you
are driving, do not wear sunglasses at night. They
may cut down on glare from headlamps, but they also
make a lot of things invisible.
4-15

Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways—also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways — are the
safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is:
Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the
same speed most of the other drivers are driving.
Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic ow.
Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the
freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you
drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check
traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with
the ow. Try to merge into the gap at close to the
prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your
mirrors, and glance over your shoulder as often as
necessary. Try to blend smoothly with the traffic ow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the
posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it is slower.
Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use
your turn signal.
Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your
shoulder to make sure there is not another vehicle in
your blind spot.
Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to
move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do
not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive
on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are
going slower than you actually are.
4-20

Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you are not fresh — such as after
a day’s work — do not plan to make too many miles that
rst part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course, you
will nd experienced and able service experts in GM
dealerships all across North America. They will be ready
and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as highway hypnosis?
Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with
the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the
road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the
wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Do
not let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can
leave the road in less than a second, and you could
crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be
aware that it can happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a
comfortably cool interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and
to the sides. Check your mirrors and your
instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest,
service, or parking area and take a nap, get some
exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
4-21

Driving with a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon
monoxide (CO) could come into your vehicle.
You can not see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness or death. SeeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-27. To maximize your safety
when towing a trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle. Do not use
the climate control setting for maximum air
because it only recirculates the air inside
your vehicle. See Climate Control System
in the Index.Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
4-43

Floor Console Fuse Block
The oor console fuse block is located under the
driver’s seat.
Fuse Usage
1 Spare
2 Outside Rear View Mirror
3 Courtesy Lamp/SEO
Fuse Usage
4 Left Rear Stop/Turn Signal
5 Cargo Locks
6 Right Rear Stop/Turn Signal
7 Driver Locks
8Stop/Center High Mounted
Stop Lamp
9 Climate Control 1
10 Climate Control
11 Brakes
12 Heated Mirror/Defogger
13 Right Rear Blower
14 Driver Turn Mirror
15 Door Locks
16 Uptter Park
17 Not Available
18 Left Rear Park Lamp
19 Pass Turn Mirror
20 Right Rear Park Lamp
5-93

Fuse Usage
6 Ignition 0
7 Stoplamp
8 Right Rear Defogger/Heated Mirror
9Right Daytime Running
Lamp/Turn Signal
10Left Daytime Running
Lamp/Turn Signal
11 Truck Body Control Module 4
12 Fuel Pump
13 Trailer
14 Flasher
15 Horn
16 Truck Body Control Module 3
17 Trailer Stop/Turn Signal
18 Truck Body Control Module 2
19 Truck Body Control Module
20 Remote Function Actuator
21 Engine 2Fuse Usage
22 Ignition E
23 Engine 1
24Truck Body Control Module
Ignition 1
25 Spare
26 RPA/Inside Rearview Mirror
27 Crankcase
28Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock System
29 Auxiliary Power Outlets
30 Cigarette Lighter
31 Instrument Panel Cluster
32 Air Conditioning
33 Spare
34 Vent
35 Spare
36 Vehicle Back Up
37Supplemental Inatable
Restraint System
5-95

Light (cont.)
Brake System Warning.................................3-29
Change Engine Oil......................................3-35
Charging System.........................................3-28
Check Gages Warning.................................3-38
Cruise Control.............................................3-36
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator..................3-37
Highbeam On.............................................3-37
Malfunction Indicator....................................3-32
Reduced Engine Power................................3-37
Safety Belt Reminder...................................3-25
Security.....................................................3-36
Stabilitrak
®Indicator.....................................3-31
Stabilitrak®Not Ready..................................3-30
Tow/Haul Mode...........................................3-38
Lighting
Entry.........................................................3-16
Exit...........................................................3-16
Locking Rear Axle............................................ 4-7
Lockout Protection............................................ 2-9
Locks
Cargo Door Relocking.................................... 2-8
Door........................................................... 2-7
Lockout Protection......................................... 2-9
Power Door.................................................. 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-8
Loss of Control...............................................4-14
M
Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services........................... 6-6
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-10
At Least Once a Month................................6-10
At Least Once a Year..................................6-11
At the First 100, 1,000 and 6,000 Miles
(160, 1 600 and 10 000km).......................6-10
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Maintenance Footnotes.................................. 6-8
Maintenance Record....................................6-16
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts.........6-15
Owner Checks and Services.........................6-10
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............6-13
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 6-4
Using Your................................................... 6-3
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-32
Manual Seats................................................... 1-3
Manual Windows............................................2-15
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-29
Outside Camper-Type Mirrors........................2-29
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-30
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-31
7

Mirrors (cont.)
Outside Manual Mirror..................................2-29
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-30
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-18
Noise Control System, Tampering......................5-45
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts............6-15
O
Odometer......................................................3-24
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-24
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-12
Oil
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-35
Engine.......................................................5-13
Pressure Gage............................................3-34
Older Children, Restraints................................1-31
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
®System.............................................2-31
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-20Outside
Camper-Type Mirrors....................................2-29
Convex Mirror.............................................2-30
Heated Mirrors............................................2-31
Manual Mirror.............................................2-29
Power Mirrors.............................................2-30
Owner Checks and Services.............................6-10
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-25
Shifting Out of............................................2-26
Parking
Brake........................................................2-24
Over Things That Burn.................................2-27
Passing.........................................................4-12
Passlock
®......................................................2-18
Power
Accessory Outlets........................................3-16
Door Locks.................................................. 2-8
Reduced Engine Light..................................3-37
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-19
Seat............................................................ 1-4
Steering Fluid.............................................5-32
Windows....................................................2-16
Pretensioners, Safety Belt................................1-30
8