2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS CARGO VAN engine

Engine Coolant Heater
If the vehicle has the DURAMAX Diesel engine, see the
DURAMAX Diesel manual for more information.
The engine coolant heater can provide easier starting
and better fuel economy during engine warm-up in cold
weather conditions at or below 0°F (−18°C). Vehicles with
an engine coolant heater should be plugged in at least
four hours before starting. An internal thermostat in
the plug-end of the cord may exist which will prevent
engine coolant heater operation at temperatures above
0°F (−18°C).
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The cord for the engine coolant heater is located on
the driver side of the engine compartment and is
attached to the hose for the power steering reservoir.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could
cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of
extension cord could overheat and cause a fire.
You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into
a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC
outlet. If the cord will not reach, use a heavy-duty
three-prong extension cord rated for at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts and prevent damage.
The length of time the heater should remain plugged in
depends on several factors. Ask a dealer/retailer in
the area where you will be parking the vehicle for the
best advice on this.
2-22

Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
P (Park):This position locks your rear wheels. It is
the best position to use when you start the engine
because the vehicle cannot move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the shift
lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure the
vehicle will not move, even when you are on fairly
level ground, always set the parking brake and
move the shift lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park on page 2-27. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-27.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in P (Park) before
starting the engine. The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must first
press the brake pedal before you can shift from P (Park)
with the ignition in ON/RUN.
If you cannot shift out of P (Park), ease pressure
on the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way
into P (Park) as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into another gear.
SeeShifting Out of Park on page 2-29.
2-23

R (Reverse):Use this gear to back up.
Notice:Shifting to R (Reverse) while the vehicle is
moving forward could damage the transmission.
The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only after the vehicle
is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging the transmission, see
If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow on
page 4-18.
N (Neutral):In this position, the engine does not
connect with the wheels. To restart the engine when the
vehicle is already moving, use N (Neutral) only. Also,
use N (Neutral) when the vehicle is being towed.
{CAUTION:
Shifting into a drive gear while the engine is
running at high speed is dangerous. Unless your
foot is firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
move very rapidly. You could lose control and hit
people or objects. Do not shift into a drive gear
while the engine is running at high speed.Notice:Shifting out of P (Park) or N (Neutral) with
the engine running at high speed may damage
the transmission. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Be sure the engine is
not running at high speed when shifting the vehicle.
D (Drive):This position is for normal driving.
It provides the best fuel economy. If you need
more power for passing, and you are:
•Going less than about 35 mph (55 km/h), push the
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
•Going about 35 mph (55 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator all the way down.
You will shift down to the next gear and have more
power.
Downshifting the transmission in slippery road conditions
could result in skidding, see “Skidding” underLoss of
Control on page 4-11.
3 (Third):This position is also used for normal driving.
However it reduces vehicle speed more than D (Drive)
without using the brakes. You might choose 3 (Third)
instead of D (Drive) when driving on hilly, winding roads,
when towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between
gears and when going down a steep hill.
You should use 3 (Third) (or a lower gear as needed)
when towing a trailer to minimize heat build-up and
extend the life of the transmission.
2-24

While activated, the
indicator light on the
instrument panel will
be on.
Tow/haul mode will turn off automatically when the
ignition is turned off. SeeTow/Haul Mode Light
on page 3-40.
Tow/haul is 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 this section.
Driving with tow/haul activated without a heavy load will
cause reduced fuel economy and unpleasant engine
and transmission driving characteristics, but will
not cause damage.Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal,
then push down the parking brake pedal.
If the ignition is on, the brake system warning light will
come on.
2-26

To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the handle, located just above
the parking brake pedal, with the parking brake symbol,
to release the parking brake.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light will go off.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-27.Shifting Into Park
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the parking
brake firmly set. The vehicle can roll. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, use the steps that follow.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 4-27.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking
brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-26
2. Move the shift lever into P (Park) by pulling the shift
lever toward you and moving it up as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave the vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, the vehicle is in P (Park).
2-27

Leaving the Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave the vehicle with the
engine running. The vehicle could move suddenly
if the shift lever is not fully in P (Park) with the
parking brake firmly set. And, if you leave the
vehicle with the engine running, it could overheat
and even catch fire. You or others could be
injured. Do not leave the vehicle with the engine
running.
If you have to leave the vehicle with the engine running,
be sure the vehicle is in P (Park) and the parking brake is
firmly set before you leave it. After you move the shift
lever into P (Park), hold the regular brake pedal down.
Then, see if you can move the shift lever away from
P (Park) without first pulling it toward you. If you can, it
means that the shift lever was not fully locked into
P (Park).
Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you do not shift the vehicle
into P (Park) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put
too much force on the parking pawl in the transmission.
You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever out of
P (Park). This is called torque lock. To prevent torque
lock, set the parking brake and then shift into P (Park)
properly before you leave the driver seat. To find out how,
seeShifting Into Park on page 2-27.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
P (Park) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of P (Park).
2-28

Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust and fuel operated heater exhaust
can kill. It contains the gas carbon monoxide (CO),
which you cannot see or smell. It can cause
unconsciousness and death. If your vehicle
has a diesel engine and a fuel operated heater,
see “Fuel Operated Heater (FOH)” in the diesel
engine supplement.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
•The exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
•Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
•
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
•Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.
•Repairs were not done correctly.
•Your vehicle or the exhaust system has been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into your
vehicle:
•Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO.
•Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
2-30

Running the Vehicle While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed area with poor
ventilation is dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Never run the engine in an enclosed area that has
no fresh air ventilation. For more information, see
Engine ExhaustEngine Exhaust on page 2-30.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of the vehicle if the
automatic transmission shift lever is not fully in
P (Park) with the parking brake firmly set. The
vehicle can roll. Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you have to. If you have
left the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To be
sure the vehicle will not move, even when you are
on fairly level ground, always set the parking
brake and move the shift lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be sure the vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into Park on page 2-27.
If parking on a hill and pulling a trailer, seeTowing a
Trailer on page 4-27.
2-31