2008 CHEVROLET EXPRESS engine oil

Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
If your vehicle has the DURAMAX Diesel engine, see
the DURAMAX Diesel manual for more information.
The engine air cleaner/filter is located near the center
of the engine compartment. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 6-14for more information on location.
When to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the MaintenanceII
intervals and replace it at the first oil change after each
50,000 mile (80 000 km) interval. SeeScheduled
Maintenance on page 7-3for more information. If you are
driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the filter at each
engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/filter, remove the filter from the
vehicle and lightly shake the filter to release loose dust
and dirt. If the filter remains caked with dirt, a new filter is
required. Never use compressed air to clean the filter.
6-20

To inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter, do the
following:
1. Unhook the retainer clips and remove the cover.
2. Lift the filter out of the engine air cleaner/filter
housing. Care should be taken to dislodge as
little dirt as possible.
3. Clean the engine air cleaner/filter housing.
4. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
Make sure that the filter fits properly into the
housing.
5. Reinstall the cover and fasten the retaining clips.
{WARNING:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter off
can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air; it helps to stop
flames if the engine backfires. If it is not there and
the engine backfires, you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/filter off.Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into the engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner/lter in place when
you are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(4-Speed Transmission)
If your vehicle has the DURAMAX Diesel engine, see
the DURAMAX Diesel manual for more information.
When to Check and Change Automatic
Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the fluid and filter at the intervals listed in
Scheduled Maintenance on page 7-3, and be sure to
use the transmission fluid listed inRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 7-12.
6-21

How to Check Automatic Transmission
Fluid
Because this operation can be difficult, it is recommended
to have this check done at the dealer/retailer service
department, which can monitor the transmission
temperature. The transmission fluid level increases
with temperature. To obtain a highly accurate fluid level
check, the transmission temperature must be measured.
If it is decided to check the fluid level, be sure to follow
all the instructions here, or a false reading on the
dipstick may occur.
Notice:Too much or too little uid can damage
your transmission. Too much can mean that some
of the uid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a re.
Too little uid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes with the engine Off, before
checking the transmission fluid level if the vehicle has
been driven:
•In hot weather, when outside temperatures are
above 32°C (90°F).
•The vehicle is heavily loaded.
•At high speed for quite a while in hot weather.
•In heavy traffic and hot weather.
•While pulling a trailer.
After driving under these conditions, a hot check can
be performed. The fluid should be Hot, which is
71°C to 93°C (160°F to 200°F).
A cold fluid level check can be performed after the vehicle
has been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine
Off, but this is used only as a reference. Let the engine
run at idle for five minutes if outside temperatures is
between 15°C to 32°C (60°F to 90°F). Should the fluid
level be low during this cold check, the fluid must be
checked Warm or Hot before adding fluid. If the outside
temperature is colder than 15°C (60°F) or hotter than
32°C (90°F), a cold check cannot be performed.
A warm fluid level check can be performed by driving
the vehicle under lightly loaded conditions and outside
temperatures between 10°C to 27°C (50°F to 80°F).
The vehicle should be driven for at least 15 miles before
performing a warm check. Checking the fluid Warm or
Hot will give a more accurate reading of the fluid level
than a cold check.
Because the vehicle is equipped with a high-efficiency
air-to-oil cooler, the transmission fluid temperature
may not reach the required Hot fluid level checking
temperature under normal lightly loaded driving vehicle
conditions.
6-25

What to Use
{WARNING:
Adding only plain water to the cooling system can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid
such as alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant
mixture will. The vehicle’s coolant warning system
is set for the proper coolant mixture. With plain
water or the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but you would not get the overheat
warning. The engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant. If using this mixture, nothing else
needs to be added. This mixture:
•Gives freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C),
outside temperature.
•Gives boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C),
engine temperature.
•Protects against rust and corrosion.
•Will not damage aluminum parts.
•Helps keep the proper engine temperature.
Notice:If an improper coolant mixture is used,
the engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Too much water in the mixture can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core, and
other parts.
Notice:If extra inhibitors and/or additives are used
in the vehicle’s cooling system, the vehicle could
be damaged. Use only the proper mixture of
the engine coolant listed in this manual for the
cooling system. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 7-12for more information.
6-30

Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant recovery
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at or above
the COLD FILL mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant
recovery tank, but be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
or above the COLD FILL mark. If it is not, there could
be a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant is low, add the coolant or take the vehicle
to a dealer/retailer for service.
How to Add Coolant to the Recovery
Tank for Gasoline Engines
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “How to
Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank” under
“Van Models” in the Cooling System section of the
DURAMAX
®Diesel Supplement for the proper coolant
fill procedure.
{WARNING:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough.
Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause the engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
If coolant is needed, add the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank.
6-31

Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the brake fluid reservoir.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-14.
The fluid level should be
above MIN. If it is not,
have the brake hydraulic
system checked to
see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level is above the MIN but not over the
MAX mark.
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid from a sealed container.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7-12.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the
area around the cap before removing it. This helps keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
{WARNING:
With the wrong kind of fluid in the brake hydraulic
system, the brakes might not work well. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For example, just a
few drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in the brake hydraulic system can damage
brake hydraulic system parts so badly that they
will have to be replaced. Do not let someone
put in the wrong kind of uid.
If brake uid is spilled on the vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake uid on the vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately. SeeWashing
Your Vehicle on page 6-105.
6-41

Capacities and Specications
If your vehicle has the DURAMAX Diesel engine, see the DURAMAX Diesel manual for more information.
The following approximate capacities are given in metric and English conversions. SeeRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 7-12for more information.
ApplicationCapacities
Metric English
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134aFor the air conditioning system refrigerant charge
amount, see the refrigerant caution label located
under the hood. See your dealer/retailer for more
information.
Cooling System without Rear Heat
4.3L V6 9.5 L 10.0 qt
4.8L V8, 5.3L V8 11.8 L 12.4 qt
6.0L V8 13.1 L 13.8 qt
Cooling System with Rear Heat
4.3L V6 12.3 L 13.0 qt
4.8L V8, 5.3L V8 14.6 L 15.4 qt
6.0L V8 16.1 L 17.0 qt
Engine Oil with Filter
4.3L V6 4.3 L 4.5 qt
4.8L V8, 5.3L V8, 6.0L V8 5.7 L 6.0 qt
6-116

At your General Motors dealer/retailer, you can be
certain that you will receive the highest level of service
available. Your dealer /retailer has specially trained
service technicians, uses genuine GM replacement
parts, as well as, up to date tools and equipment
to ensure fast and accurate diagnostics.
The proper replacement parts, fluids, and lubricants to
use are listed inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 7-12andMaintenance Replacement Parts
on page 7-14. We recommend the use of genuine parts
from your dealer/retailer.
Rotation of New Tires
To maintain ride, handling, and performance of the
vehicle, it is important that the first rotation service
for new tires be performed when they have 8 000 to
13 000 km (5,000 to 8,000 miles). SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 6-75.
Scheduled Maintenance
When the Change Engine Oil Soon
Message Displays
Change engine oil and filter. SeeEngine Oil on
page 6-15.An Emission Control Service.
When the Change Engine Oil Soon message displays,
service is required for the vehicle as soon as possible,
within the next 1 000 km/600 miles. If driving under the
best conditions, the engine oil life system might not
indicate the need for vehicle service for more than a year.
The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a
year and the oil life system must be reset. Your dealer/
retailer has trained service technicians who will perform
this work and reset the system. If the engine oil life
system is reset accidentally, service the vehicle within
5 000 km/3,000 miles since the last service. Reset the oil
life system whenever the oil is changed. SeeEngine Oil
Life System on page 6-18.
7-3