2006 CHEVROLET EXPRESS maintenance

Light On Steady:An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on the vehicle. Diagnosis
and service might be required.
An emission system malfunction might be corrected by
doing the following:
•Make sure the fuel cap is fully installed. SeeFilling
the Tank on page 6-10. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or
improperly installed. A loose or missing fuel cap
allows fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few
driving trips with the cap properly installed should
turn the light off.
•If the vehicle has been driven through a deep puddle
of water, the vehicle’s electrical system might be wet.
The condition is usually corrected when the electrical
system dries out. A few driving trips should turn the
light off.
•Make sure to fuel the vehicle with quality fuel. Poor
fuel quality causes the engine not to run as efficiently
as designed and can cause: stalling after start-up,
stalling when the vehicle is changed into gear,
misfiring, hesitation on acceleration, or stumbling on
acceleration. These conditions might go away once
the engine is warmed up.
If one or more of these conditions occurs, change the
fuel brand used. It will require at least one full tank of
the proper fuel to turn the light off.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 6-6.If none of the above have made the light turn off, your
dealer/retailer can check the vehicle. The dealer/retailer
has the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to
fix any mechanical or electrical problems that might have
developed.
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
might begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on the vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection
could prevent getting a vehicle registration.
Here are some things to know to help the vehicle pass
an inspection:
•The vehicle will not pass this inspection if the check
engine light is on with the engine running, or if the
key is in ON/RUN and the light is not on.
•The vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
OBD II (on-board diagnostic) system determines
that critical emission control systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the system. The vehicle
would be considered not ready for inspection.
This can happen if the battery has recently been
replaced or if the battery has run down. The
diagnostic system is designed to evaluate critical
emission control systems during normal driving.
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This can take several days of routine driving. If this
has been done and the vehicle still does not
pass the inspection for lack of OBD II system
readiness, your dealer/retailer can prepare
the vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Gage
The oil pressure gage shows the engine oil pressure in
psi (pounds per square inch) when the engine is
running. Canadian vehicles indicate pressure in
kPa (kilopascals).Oil pressure may vary with engine speed, outside
temperature and oil viscosity, but readings above the
low pressure zone indicate the normal operating range.
A reading in the low pressure zone may be caused
by a dangerously low oil level or other problem causing
low oil pressure. Check your oil as soon as possible.
{WARNING:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low. The
engine can become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance can
damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing
engine oil. United States
Canada
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Oil Pressure Light
{WARNING:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is low. The
engine can become so hot that it catches fire.
Someone could be burned. Check the oil as soon
as possible and have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance can
damage the engine. The repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Always follow the
maintenance schedule in this manual for changing
engine oil.This light comes on briefly while starting the engine.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the light comes on and stays on, it means that oil is
not flowing through the engine properly. The vehicle
could be low on oil and it might have some other system
problem.
Security Light
For information regarding
this light and the vehicle’s
security system, see
PASS-Key
®III+ Electronic
Immobilizer Operation
on page 3-20.
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Vehicle Information Menu Items
T
(Vehicle Information):Press this button to scroll
through the following menu items:
Oil Life
Press the vehicle information button until OIL LIFE
REMAINING displays. This display shows an estimate
of the oil’s remaining useful life. If you see 99% OIL LIFE
REMAINING on the display, that means 99% of the
current oil life remains. The engine oil life system
will alert you to change the oil on a schedule consistent
with your driving conditions.
When the remaining oil life is low, the CHANGE
ENGINE OIL SOON message will appear on the display.
See “CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON” underDIC
Warnings and Messages on page 4-44. You should
change the oil as soon as possible. SeeEngine Oil on
page 6-15. In addition to the engine oil life system
monitoring the oil life, additional maintenance is
recommended in the Maintenance Schedule in this
manual. SeeScheduled Maintenance on page 7-3for
more information.
Remember, you must reset the OIL LIFE yourself after
each oil change. It will not reset itself. Also, be
careful not to reset the OIL LIFE accidentally at any
time other than when the oil has just been changed.It cannot be reset accurately until the next oil change.
To reset the engine oil life system, seeEngine Oil
Life System on page 6-18.
Units
Press the vehicle information button until UNITS
displays. This display allows you to select between
English or Metric units of measurement. Once in this
display, press the set/reset button to select between
ENGLISH or METRIC units.
Tire Pressure
If your vehicle has the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS), the pressure for each tire can be
viewed in the DIC. The tire pressure will be shown in
either kilopascals (kPa) or pounds per square inch (psi).
Press the vehicle information button until the DIC
displays FRONT TIRES PSI (kPa) LEFT ## RIGHT ##.
Press the vehicle information button again until the
DIC displays REAR TIRES PSI (kPa) LEFT ##
RIGHT ##.
If a low tire pressure condition is detected by the
system while driving, a message advising you to
check the pressure in a specific tire will appear in the
display. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 6-68and
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-44for more
information.
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CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON
This message displays when the engine oil needs to be
changed. When you change the engine oil, be sure
to reset the CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message.
SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 6-18for information
on how to reset the message. SeeEngine Oil on
page 6-15andScheduled Maintenance on page 7-3for
more information.
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE or TIRE LOW
ADD AIR TO TIRE
If your vehicle has the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS), this message displays when the
pressure in one or more of the vehicle’s tires is low.
The low tire pressure warning light will also come on.
SeeTire Pressure Light on page 4-30. This message will
also indicate which tire needs to be checked. You can
receive more than one tire pressure message at a time.
To read the other messages that may have been sent
at the same time, press the set/reset button. If a tire
pressure message appears on the DIC, stop as soon as
you can. Have the tire pressures checked and set to
those shown on the Tire Loading Information label.
SeeTires on page 6-60,Loading the Vehicle on
page 5-19, andInation - Tire Pressure on page 6-68.
The DIC also shows the tire pressure values. SeeDIC
Operation and Displays on page 4-37.
DRIVER DOOR OPEN
This message displays and a chime sounds if the driver
door is not fully closed and the vehicle is in a drive
gear. Stop and turn off the vehicle, check the door for
obstructions, and close the door again. Check to
see if the message still appears on the DIC.
ENGINE HOT A/C
(Air Conditioning) OFF
This message displays when the engine coolant
becomes hotter than the normal operating temperature.
SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on page 4-29.
To avoid added strain on a hot engine, the air
conditioning compressor automatically turns off. When
the coolant temperature returns to normal, the air
conditioning compressor turns back on. You can
continue to drive your vehicle.
If this message continues to appear, have the system
repaired by your dealer/retailer as soon as possible
to avoid damage to the engine.
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Parking on Hills
{WARNING:
Parking the vehicle on a hill with the trailer
attached can be dangerous. If something goes
wrong, the rig could start to move. People can be
injured, and both the vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged. When possible, always park the rig on a
flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill:
1. Press the brake pedal, but do not shift the
transmission into P (Park) yet. Turn the wheels into
the curb if facing downhill or into traffic if facing
uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
brake pedal until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking
brake and shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal while you:
•start the engine,
•shift into a gear, and
•release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when pulling a
trailer. See this manual’s Maintenance Schedule
or Index for more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system
and brake system. It is a good idea to inspect
these before and during the trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
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Tires..............................................................6-60
Tire Sidewall Labeling...................................6-61
Tire Terminology and Definitions.....................6-65
Inflation - Tire Pressure.................................6-68
Dual Tire Operation.......................................6-70
Tire Pressure Monitor System.........................6-70
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation.....................6-72
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................6-75
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................6-78
Buying New Tires.........................................6-79
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................6-80
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................6-81
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................6-82
Wheel Replacement......................................6-82
Tire Chains..................................................6-84
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................6-85
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................6-86
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................6-87
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................6-90
Secondary Latch System...............................6-97
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...........6-100
Spare Tire.................................................6-101
Appearance Care..........................................6-102
Interior Cleaning.........................................6-102
Fabric/Carpet..............................................6-103Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................6-104
Care of Safety Belts....................................6-104
Weatherstrips.............................................6-105
Washing Your Vehicle..................................6-105
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................6-105
Finish Care................................................6-106
Windshield and Wiper Blades.......................6-106
Aluminum Wheels.......................................6-107
Tires.........................................................6-107
Sheet Metal Damage...................................6-107
Finish Damage...........................................6-108
Underbody Maintenance...............................6-108
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................6-108
Vehicle Identication.....................................6-109
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)................6-109
Service Parts Identification Label...................6-109
Electrical System..........................................6-109
Add-On Electrical Equipment.........................6-109
Headlamp Wiring........................................6-110
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................6-110
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................6-110
Floor Console Fuse Block............................6-111
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................6-112
Capacities and Specications........................6-116
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-2

California Proposition 65 Warning
Most motor vehicles, including this one, contain and/or
emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Engine exhaust, many parts and systems, many fluids,
and some component wear by-products contain and/or
emit these chemicals.
California Perchlorate Materials
Requirements
Certain types of automotive applications, such as
airbag initiators, seat belt pretensioners, and lithium
batteries contained in remote keyless transmitters,
may contain perchlorate materials. Special handling
may be necessary. For additional information, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Doing Your Own Service Work
{WARNING:
You can be injured and the vehicle could be
damaged if you try to do service work on a vehicle
without knowing enough about it.
•Be sure you have sufficient knowledge,
experience, the proper replacement parts,
and tools before attempting any vehicle
maintenance task.
•Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts, and
other fasteners. English and metric fasteners
can be easily confused. If the wrong fasteners
are used, parts can later break or fall off.
You could be hurt.
If doing some of your own service work, use the proper
service manual. It tells you much more about how to
service the vehicle than this manual can. To order
the proper service manual, seeService Publications
Ordering Information on page 8-17.
This vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting
to do your own service work, seeServicing Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 2-78.
6-4