2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS brake light

Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce vehicle traction
and affect your ability to stop and accelerate. Always
drive slower in these types of driving conditions
and avoid driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or flowing water.
{WARNING:
Wet brakes can cause crashes. They might not
work as well in a quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could lose control of the
vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water or a
car/vehicle wash, lightly apply the brake pedal until
the brakes work normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates strong forces.
Driving through flowing water could cause your
vehicle to be carried away. If this happens, you
and other vehicle occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be very cautious about
trying to drive through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water can build up under
your vehicle’s tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and
you are going fast enough. When your vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road.
There is no hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The
best advice is to slow down when the road is wet.
Other Rainy Weather Tips
Besides slowing down, other wet weather driving tips
include:
•Allow extra following distance.
•Pass with caution.
•Keep windshield wiping equipment in good shape.
•Keep the windshield washer fluid reservoir filled.
•Have good tires with proper tread depth. SeeTires
on page 6-60.
•Turn off cruise control.
5-13

Tow/Haul Mode
Pressing this button at
the end of the shift lever
turns on and off the
tow/haul mode.
This indicator light on the
instrument panel cluster
comes on when the
tow/haul mode is on.
Tow/Haul is a feature that assists when pulling a heavy
trailer or a large or heavy load. SeeTow/Haul Mode
on page 3-34for more information.Tow/Haul is designed to be most effective when the
vehicle and trailer combined weight is at least 75 percent
of the vehicle’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Weight of the Trailer” later in the section. Tow/Haul
is most useful under the following driving conditions:
•When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load
through rolling terrain.
•When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load
in stop and go traffic.
•When pulling a heavy trailer or a large or heavy load
in busy parking lots where improved low speed
control of the vehicle is desired.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul when lightly loaded or
with no trailer at all will not cause damage. However,
there is no benefit to the selection of Tow/Haul when the
vehicle is unloaded. Such a selection when unloaded
may result in unpleasant engine and transmission driving
characteristics and reduced fuel economy. Tow/Haul is
recommended only when pulling a heavy trailer or a large
or heavy load.
Trailer Brakes
A loaded trailer that weighs more than 1,500 lbs
(680 kg) needs to have its own brake system that is
adequate for the weight of the trailer. Be sure to read
and follow the instructions for the trailer brakes so
they are installed, adjusted and maintained properly.
5-38

Trailer Wiring Harness
The optional heavy-duty trailer wiring package includes
a wiring harness, with a seven-pin connector at the
rear of the vehicle and a four-wire harness assembly
under the driver side of the instrument panel. The
four-wire harness assembly comes without a connector.
If the vehicle does not have a trailer hitch, the
seven-wire harness assembly with connector is taped
together and located in a frame pocket at the driver side
rear left corner of the frame.
If the vehicle has a trailer hitch, the seven-wire harness
assembly with connector is attached to a bracket on
the hitch platform. In both cases, the seven-wire harness
has a connector and includes a 30-amp feed wire.
The seven-wire harness connector contains the following
trailer circuits:
•Light Green: Back-up Lamps (10A fuse)**
•White: Ground
•Dark Blue: Trailer Brake Signal
•Dark Green: Right Rear Stop and Turn Signal*
•Red/Black Stripe: Battery Feed (30A Fuse)
•Brown: Trailer Park Lamp Supply Voltage
(15A fuse)**
•Yellow: Left Rear Stop and Turn Signal *
The four-wire harness (without connector) contains the
following circuits:
•Black: Ground
•Red/White: Battery Feed
•Dark Blue: Trailer Brake Signal
•Light Blue: CHMSL/Stoplamp Supply Voltage
* If the vehicle is a cutaway with trailer provisions, a
15 amp fuse will be shared for both left/stop trailer turn
and right/stop trailer turn signals. However, the
cutaway lighting connector will have a 10 amp fuse for
each signal.
** If the vehicle is a cutaway with trailer provisions, a
15 amp fuse will be shared for trailer park lamps
and cutaway rear lighting connector park lamps. Also, a
10 amp fuse will be shared for trailer back-up lamps
and cutaway rear lighting connector back-up lamps.
5-42

Brake Wear
This vehicle has disc brakes. Disc brake pads have
built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning
sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads
are needed. The sound can come and go or be heard all
the time the vehicle is moving, except when applying
the brake pedal firmly.
{WARNING:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
the brakes will not work well. That could lead to an
accident. When the brake wear warning sound is
heard, have the vehicle serviced.
Notice:Continuing to drive with worn-out brake
pads could result in costly brake repair.Some driving conditions or climates can cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly applied.
This does not mean something is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly tighten wheel nuts
in the proper sequence to torque specifications
inCapacities and Specications on page 6-116.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer if the brake pedal does not
return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal travel. This could be a sign that brake service
might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every brake stop, the brakes adjust for wear.
6-42

Notice:Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to the vehicle that would not be covered
by the warranty.
Trying to start the vehicle by pushing or pulling it
will not work, and it could damage the vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
Notice:If the other vehicle’s system is not a 12-volt
system with a negative ground, both vehicles can
be damaged. Only use vehicles with 12-volt systems
with negative grounds to jump start your vehicle.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles are not touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you do not want. You would not be
able to start your vehicle, and the bad grounding
could damage the electrical systems.To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved
in the jump start procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) or a manual transmission
in N (Neutral) before setting the parking brake.
Notice:If you leave the radio or other accessories
on during the jump starting procedure, they could
be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by
the warranty. Always turn off the radio and other
accessories when jump starting the vehicle.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or the accessory power outlet. Turn off the
radio and all lamps that are not needed. This will
avoid sparks and help save both batteries. And it
could save the radio!
6-45

A
Accessories and Modifications............................ 6-3
Accessory Power............................................3-23
Accessory Power Outlets.................................4-14
Additives, Fuel................................................. 6-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................6-109
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................6-20
Air Conditioning..............................................4-15
Airbag
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................2-79
Airbag System
Airbag Off Switch........................................2-70
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................2-67
Passenger Sensing System...........................2-73
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........2-78
What Makes an Airbag Inflate?......................2-67
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates?....2-68
When Should an Airbag Inflate?....................2-65
Where Are the Airbags?...............................2-63
Airbags
Off Light.....................................................4-24
Passenger Status Indicator...........................4-25
Readiness Light..........................................4-23
System Check.............................................2-60
All-Wheel Drive...............................................6-49
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System........................... 5-8Antenna
Fixed Mast.................................................4-78
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 5-4
Warning Light.............................................4-28
Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels......................................6-107
Care of Safety Belts...................................6-104
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................6-108
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses..................6-105
Fabric/Carpet............................................6-103
Finish Care...............................................6-106
Finish Damage..........................................6-108
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces...............................................
6-104
Interior Cleaning........................................6-102
Sheet Metal Damage..................................6-107
Tires........................................................6-107
Underbody Maintenance.............................6-108
Washing Your Vehicle.................................6-105
Weatherstrips............................................6-105
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................6-106
Ashtray.........................................................4-15
Assistance Program, Roadside........................... 8-8
Audio System.................................................4-59
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................4-77
Radio Reception..........................................4-78
Setting the Clock.........................................4-60
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................4-77
1

Audio System(s).............................................4-62
Automatic Door Lock.......................................3-11
Automatic Door Unlock....................................3-11
Automatic Headlamp System............................4-11
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..................................................6-21, 6-24
Operation...........................................3-27, 3-32
Axle, Rear.....................................................6-50
B
Battery..........................................................6-43
Electric Power Management..........................4-13
Run-Down Protection...................................4-14
Belt Routing, Engine.......................................7-15
Brake
Emergencies................................................ 5-5
Brakes..........................................................6-40
Antilock....................................................... 5-4
Parking......................................................3-36
System Warning Light..................................4-27
Braking........................................................... 5-3
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 5-5
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................3-22
Bulb Replacement...........................................6-58
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)........6-56
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking
Lamps ....................................................6-55
Halogen Bulbs............................................6-53Bulb Replacement (cont.)
Headlamps.................................................6-53
License Plate Lamps....................................6-58
Taillamps....................................................6-56
Buying New Tires...........................................6-79
C
Calibration.....................................................4-42
California
Perchlorate Materials Requirements................. 6-4
Warning....................................................... 6-4
California Fuel.................................................. 6-6
Canadian Owners............................................... iii
Capacities and Specifications..........................6-116
Carbon Monoxide
Engine Exhaust...........................................3-40
Winter Driving.............................................5-16
Care of
Safety Belts..............................................6-104
Cargo Door Relocking.....................................3-10
CD, MP3 .......................................................4-72
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)...........6-56
Chains, Tire...................................................6-84
Charging System Light....................................4-26
Check
Engine Lamp..............................................4-30
Checking Things Under the Hood......................6-12
Chemical Paint Spotting.................................6-108
2

J
Jump Starting.................................................6-44
K
Keyless Entry
Remote (RKE) System................................... 3-4
Keyless Entry System....................................... 3-4
Keys............................................................... 3-3
L
Labeling, Tire Sidewall.....................................6-61
Lamps
Daytime Running (DRL)................................4-10
Dome ........................................................4-12
Dome Lamp Override...................................4-12
License Plate..............................................6-58
Malfunction Indicator....................................4-30
Reading.....................................................4-13
Taillamps....................................................6-56
Lap-Shoulder Belt...........................................2-23
LATCH System for Child Restraints...................2-42
Lighting
Entry/Exit...................................................4-13Lights
Airbag Off..................................................4-24
Airbag Readiness........................................4-23
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning............4-28
Brake System Warning.................................4-27
Charging System.........................................4-26
Cruise Control.............................................4-35
Exterior Lamps............................................. 4-9
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 4-5
Highbeam On.............................................4-35
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 4-5
Oil Pressure...............................................4-34
On Reminder..............................................4-10
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator..................4-25
Safety Belt Reminders..................................4-22
Security.....................................................4-34
StabiliTrak
®Indicator....................................4-29
Tire Pressure..............................................4-30
Tow/Haul Mode...........................................4-35
Loading Your Vehicle.......................................5-19
Locking Rear Axle............................................ 5-8
Locks
Automatic Door Lock....................................3-11
Automatic Door Unlock.................................3-11
Cargo Door Relocking..................................3-10
Delayed Locking..........................................3-10
Door ........................................................... 3-9
7