2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS automatic transmission

At Least Once a Year
Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the
regular brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-24
if necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the starter works in any other position, contact
your GM Goodwrench dealer for service.
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough
room around the vehicle. It should be parked
on a level surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. SeeParking Brake
on page 2-24if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to RUN, but do
not start the engine. Without applying the regular
brake, try to move the shift lever out of PARK (P)
with normal effort. If the shift lever moves out
of PARK (P), contact your GM Goodwrench dealer
for service.
6-11

Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to LOCK in each shift lever position.
The ignition should turn to LOCK only when the
shift lever is in PARK (P).
The key should come out only in LOCK.
Contact your GM Goodwrench dealer if service
is required.
Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability: With
the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to PARK (P).
Then release the parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Contact your GM Goodwrench dealer if service
is required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-12

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identied below by name,
part number or specication may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil which meets GM
Standard GM6094M and displays
the American Petroleum Institute
Certied for Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. GM Goodwrench
oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle. To determine the
proper viscosity for your vehicle’s
engine, seeEngine Oil on
page 5-13.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
®Coolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-22.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake uid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Parking Brake
Cable GuidesChassis Lubricant (GM Part
No. U.S. 12377985, in
Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184, in
Canada 89021186).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid. Look for
“Approved for the H-Specication”
on the label.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
6-13

Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant (GM Part
No. U.S. 12377985, in
Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Front Wheel
BearingsWheel bearing lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2, Category
GC or GC-LB (GM Part No.
U.S. 1051344, in Canada 993037).
Front and
Rear AxleSAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle
Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12378261, in
Canada 10953455)
or equivalent meeting GM
Specication 9986115.
Transfer CaseDEXRON
®-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid. Look for
“Approved for the H-Specication”
on the label.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
One-Piece
Propshaft Slip
Yoke Spline,
Two-Piece
Propshaft
Slip-in-Tube
SplineSpline Lubricant, Special Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345879, in
Canada 10953511) or lubricant
meeting requirements of
GM 9985830.
Hood HingesMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip
ConditioningDielectric Silicone Grease
(GM Part No. U.S. 12345579, in
Canada 992887).
Weatherstrip
SqueaksSynthetic Grease with Teon,
Superlube (GM Part No.
U.S. 12371287, in
Canada 10953437).
6-14

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-40
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS).......................3-40
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-71
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-72
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-19
Operation...................................................2-22
B
Battery..........................................................5-37
Run-Down Protection...................................3-16
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-21
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-6
Emergencies................................................ 4-7
Parking......................................................2-24
System Warning Light..................................3-29
Brakes..........................................................5-34
Braking........................................................... 4-5
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-7
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-18
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-46
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-49
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps.........................................5-48Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
Headlamps.................................................5-47
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-50
Taillamps....................................................5-49
Buying New Tires...........................................5-62
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications............................5-97
Carbon Monoxide...........................2-27, 4-24, 4-34
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-85
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-72
Your CD Player...........................................3-74
Your CDs ...................................................3-74
Cargo Door Relocking....................................... 2-8
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-49
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.......1-23, 1-24
Chains, Tire...................................................5-66
Charging System Light....................................3-28
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-32
Gages Warning Light...................................3-38
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-89
2

Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-30
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-17
Finish Damage...............................................5-89
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-74
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-67
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-68
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-80
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-19
Power Steering...........................................5-32
Windshield Washer......................................5-33
Front Axle......................................................5-44
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-38
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Regulator...................................................2-20Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-94
Floor Console Fuse Block.............................5-93
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-92
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-92
G
Gage
Check Gages Warning Light..........................3-38
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-31
Fuel..........................................................3-38
Oil Pressure...............................................3-34
Speedometer..............................................3-24
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-28
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-5
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-5
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-92
Headlamps....................................................5-47
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-46
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-9
5

Traction
Stabilitrak®System........................................ 4-8
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-19
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-22
Trip Odometer................................................3-24
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................... 3-8
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-7
U
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-72
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-63
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Symbols......................................................... iv
Vehicle Data Collection and Event Data
Recorders.................................................... 7-9
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).............................................5-91
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-91
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-20
Visors...........................................................2-17
Voltmeter Gage..............................................3-28
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-22
Warnings
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-6
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-6
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Wheels
Alignment and Tire Balance..........................5-64
Replacement...............................................5-65
Where to Put the Restraint...............................1-42
Windows.......................................................2-15
Manual......................................................2-15
Power........................................................2-16
Swing-Out Windows.....................................2-17
Windshield
Wiper Blades, Cleaning................................5-87
Windshield Washer.........................................3-10
Fluid..........................................................5-33
Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement......................................5-51
Fuses........................................................5-92
Windshield Wipers......................................... 3-9
Winter Driving................................................4-24
Y
Your Vehicle and the Environment....................... 6-2
12