2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS CARGO VAN check engine

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 2-28.
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 vehicle
should start only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the vehicle starts in any other position, contact
your dealer/retailer 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 2-28.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the ignition to ON/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 dealer/retailer
for service.
6-11

Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition to LOCK/OFF in each shift lever position.
•The ignition should turn to LOCK/OFF only
when the shift lever is in PARK (P).
•The ignition key should come out only in
LOCK/OFF.
Contact your dealer/retailer 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 the 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 dealer/retailer if service is required.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-12

ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-551-4123
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Eastern Time
For Credit Card Orders Only
(VISA-MasterCard-Discover), visit Helm, Inc. on the
World Wide Web at: www.helminc.com
Or you can write to:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
Prices are subject to change without notice and without
incurring obligation. Allow ample time for delivery.
Note to Canadian Customers: All listed prices are
quoted in U.S. funds. Canadian residents are to make
checks payable in U.S. funds.
Vehicle Data Recording and
Privacy
Your GM vehicle has a number of sophisticated
computers that record information about the vehicle’s
performance and how it is driven. For example,
your vehicle uses computer modules to monitor and
control engine and transmission performance, to monitor
the conditions for airbag deployment and deploy
airbags in a crash and, if so equipped, to provide
antilock braking to help the driver control the vehicle.
These modules may store data to help your
dealer/retailer technician service your vehicle. Some
modules may also store data about how you operate the
vehicle, such as rate of fuel consumption or average
speed. These modules may also retain the owner’s
personal preferences, such as radio pre-sets, seat
positions, and temperature settings.
7-16

Automatic Door Unlock...................................... 2-8
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-16
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-21
Operation...................................................2-24
B
Battery..........................................................5-40
Electric Power Management..........................3-17
Run-Down Protection...................................3-18
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 4-5
Brakes..........................................................5-37
System Warning Light..................................3-34
Braking........................................................... 4-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-20
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-50
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........5-52
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps.........................................5-52
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-50
Headlamps.................................................5-50
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-54
Taillamps....................................................5-53
Buying New Tires...........................................5-74
C
Calibration.....................................................3-50
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements....... 5-4
California Proposition 65 Warning....................... 5-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specifications..........................5-116
Carbon Monoxide...........................2-31, 4-16, 4-28
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................5-102
Cargo Door Relocking....................................... 2-7
CD, MP3 .......................................................3-81
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........5-52
Chains, Tire...................................................5-80
Charging System Light....................................3-33
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-38
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-12
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................5-106
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-35
Infants and Young Children...........................1-32
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........1-39
Older Children.............................................1-29
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position...........................................1-45
2

Door
60/40 Swing-Out Side Door...........................2-10
Automatic Door Lock..................................... 2-8
Automatic Door Unlock.................................. 2-8
Cargo Door Relocking.................................... 2-7
Delayed Locking........................................... 2-7
Locks.......................................................... 2-6
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-7
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-7
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-8
Rear Doors.................................................2-12
Sliding Side Door.......................................... 2-9
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-44
DIC Operation and Displays..........................3-45
DIC Vehicle Customization............................3-60
DIC Warnings and Messages........................3-52
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-12
Before a Long Trip......................................4-14
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Highway Hypnosis.......................................4-14
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-15
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-13
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-20
Winter........................................................4-16
Dual Tire Operation.........................................5-65E
EDR .............................................................7-16
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-109
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-112
Floor Console Fuse Block...........................5-110
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-109
Headlamp Wiring.......................................5-109
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-109
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-38
Coolant......................................................5-24
Coolant Heater............................................2-23
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-36
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-16
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-14
Exhaust.....................................................2-31
Fan Noise..................................................5-34
Fuel Regulator............................................2-23
Oil .............................................................5-15
Oil Life System...........................................5-18
Overheating................................................5-27
Running While Parked..................................2-32
Starting......................................................2-21
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-17
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-28
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
4

Mirrors (cont.)
Outside Heated Mirrors................................2-35
Outside Manual Mirror..................................2-33
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-34
MP3 .............................................................3-81
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................7-18
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-20
Noise Control System, Tampering......................5-48
O
Odometer......................................................3-27
Odometer, Trip...............................................3-27
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-10
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-15
Pressure Gage............................................3-41
Pressure Light.............................................3-42
Oil, Engine Oil Life System..............................5-18
Older Children, Restraints................................1-29
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-4
OnStar, Privacy..............................................7-18
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6Outlet Adjustment............................................3-22
Outlets
Accessory Power.........................................3-18
Outside
Camper-Type Mirrors....................................2-33
Convex Mirror.............................................2-34
Heated Mirrors............................................2-35
Manual Mirror.............................................2-33
Power Mirrors.............................................2-34
Owner Checks and Services.............................. 6-9
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
P
Paint, Damage..............................................5-106
Park Brake....................................................2-28
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-29
Shifting Out of............................................2-30
Parking
Over Things That Burn.................................2-31
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator.....................3-31
Passenger Sensing System..............................1-69
Passing.........................................................4-10
PASS-Key
®III+..............................................2-18
PASS-Key®III+ Operation................................2-18
Perchlorate Materials Requirements, California...... 5-4
8

Power
Door Locks.................................................. 2-7
Retained Accessory (RAP)............................2-21
Seat............................................................ 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-35
Windows....................................................2-14
Privacy..........................................................7-16
Event Data Recorders..................................7-17
Navigation System.......................................7-18
OnStar.......................................................7-18
Radio Frequency Identification.......................7-18
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................. 2-7
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-27
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Privacy....7-18
Radios..........................................................3-66
Radio(s)........................................................3-70
Radios
Reception...................................................3-88
Setting the Clock.........................................3-68
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-86
Reading Lamps..............................................3-17
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System.........3-23
Rear Axle......................................................5-47
Locking........................................................ 4-5
Rear Door Security Locks.................................. 2-8
Rear Doors....................................................2-12Rear Heating System......................................3-22
Rear Seat Operation......................................... 1-6
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-33
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-3
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.................6-13
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-26
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System.................. 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) System,
Operation..................................................... 2-4
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-86
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-83
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-54
Replacement Parts, Maintenance......................6-15
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-14
General Motors...........................................7-14
United States Government............................7-14
Restraint System Check
Checking the Restraint Systems....................1-75
Replacing Restraint System Parts After
a Crash..................................................1-76
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-21
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-20
Routing, Engine Drive Belt...............................6-16
Running the Engine While Parked.....................2-32
9