
GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem, and the
name CHEVY EXPRESS are registered trademarks of
General Motors Corporation.
This manual includes the latest information at the time it
was printed. GM reserves the right to make changes after
that time without further notice. For vehicles first sold in
Canada, substitute the name “General Motors of Canada
Limited” for Chevrolet Motor Division wherever it appears
in this manual.
This manual describes features that may or may not be
on your specific vehicle.
If the vehicle has the DURAMAX
®Diesel engine, refer
to the DURAMAX®Diesel supplement for additional
and specific information on this engine.Read this manual from beginning to end to learn about
the vehicle’s features and controls. Pictures, symbols,
and words work together to explain vehicle operation.
Keep this manual in the vehicle for quick reference.
Canadian Owners
A French language copy of this manual can be obtained
from your dealer/retailer or from:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
helminc.com
Propriétaires Canadiens
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide en français
auprès de concessionnaire ou à l’adresse suivante:
Helm Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-551-4123
helminc.com
Litho in U.S.A.
Part No. 25780708 A First Printing
©2008 General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
ii

Infants and Young Children
Everyone in a vehicle needs protection! This includes
infants and all other children. Neither the distance
traveled nor the age and size of the traveler changes
the need, for everyone, to use safety restraints. In fact,
the law in every state in the United States and in
every Canadian province says children up to some age
must be restrained while in a vehicle.
{CAUTION:
Children can be seriously injured or strangled if a
shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck and
the safety belt continues to tighten. Never leave
children unattended in a vehicle and never allow
children to play with the safety belts.
Airbags plus lap-shoulder belts offer protection for
adults and older children, but not for young children and
infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety belt system nor
its airbag system is designed for them. Every time
infants and young children ride in vehicles, they should
have the protection provided by appropriate child
restraints.
Children who are not restrained properly can strike
other people, or can be thrown out of the vehicle.
1-33

Starting Procedure
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the oil to warm up
and lubricate all moving parts.
The vehicle has a Computer-Controlled Cranking
System. This feature assists in starting the engine
and protects components. If the ignition key is turned
to the START position, and then released when the
engine begins cranking, the engine will continue
cranking for a few seconds or until the vehicle starts.
If the engine does not start and the key is held in
START for many seconds, cranking will be stopped
after 15 seconds to prevent cranking motor damage.
To prevent gear damage, this system also prevents
cranking if the engine is already running. Engine
cranking can be stopped by turning the ignition
switch to the ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF
position.
Notice:Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by returning the key to the START position
immediately after cranking has ended, can overheat
and damage the cranking motor, and drain the
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds between each try,
to let the cranking motor cool down.2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds,
especially in very cold weather (below 0°F or−18°C),
it could be flooded with too much gasoline. Try
pushing the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor
and holding it there as you hold the key in START for
up to 15 seconds. Wait at least 15 seconds between
each try, to allow the cranking motor to cool down.
When the engine starts, let go of the key and
accelerator. If the vehicle starts briefly but then
stops again, do the same thing. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate the engine
and transmission gently until the oil warms up and
lubricates all moving parts.
Notice:The engine is designed to work with the
electronics in the vehicle. If you add electrical parts
or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer/retailer. If you do not, the
engine might not perform properly. Any resulting
damage would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
2-21

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Horn .............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-7
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-8
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-8
Windshield Washer.........................................3-9
Cruise Control................................................3-9
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-12
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-14
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-14
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-15
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-15
Dome Lamps ...............................................3-16
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-16
Entry/Exit Lighting.........................................3-16
Reading Lamps............................................3-16
Electric Power Management...........................3-17
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-17
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-18
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-18Climate Controls............................................3-19
Climate Control System.................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-21
Rear Heating System....................................3-21
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System.......3-22
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-23
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-24
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-25
Trip Odometer..............................................3-25
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-26
Airbag Readiness Light
..................................3-27
Airbag Off Light............................................3-28
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-29
Charging System Light..................................3-30
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-31
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-31
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Warning Light.....3-32
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light.............................3-33
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-33
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-34
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-34
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-37
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-38
Security Light...............................................3-39
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
G:Turn and Lane Change Signals.
53:Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.
N:Windshield Wipers.
L:Windshield Washer.
Flash-to-Pass Feature.
Information for these features is on the pages following.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
G:An arrow on the instrument panel cluster flashes
in the direction of the turn or lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
To signal a lane change, raise or lower the lever until
the arrow starts to flash. The turn signal automatically
flashes three times and if the tow-haul mode is active
it flashes six times. Holding the turn signal lever for
more than one second causes the turn signals to
flash continually until the lever is released.
The lever returns to its starting position when released.
If after signaling a turn or lane change the arrow
flashes rapidly or does not come on, a signal bulb
may be burned out.
Have the bulbs replaced. If the bulb is not burned out,
check the fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-105.
Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime sounds at each flash of the turn signal
and the message TURN SIGNAL ON also appears in
the Driver Information Center (DIC). SeeDIC Warnings
and Messages on page 3-48. To turn off the chime
and message, move the turn signal lever to the
off position.
3-7

Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
23(Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer):Pull the
turn signal lever all the way toward you to change the
headlamps from low to high beam. Then release it.
This instrument panel cluster light comes on when the
high beam headlamps are on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature is used to signal to the vehicle ahead that
you want to pass.
If the headlamps are off or in the low-beam position,
pull the turn signal lever toward you to momentarily
switch to high-beams.
Release the lever to turn the high-beam headlamps off.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper control is located on the
multifunction lever on the left side of the steering wheel.
Turn the band with
Non it to the following positions:
8(Mist):For a single wiping cycle, hold the band
on mist until the wipers start, then let go. The wipers
will stop after one wipe. If more wipes are needed,
hold the band on mist longer.
6Delay:Turn the band to adjust the delay time between
wipes. The closer to the top of the lever, the shorter
the delay.
d(Low Speed):For steady wiping at low speed.
a(High Speed):For steady wiping at high speed.
9(Off):Turns the wipers off.
When driving during the day and the wipers are
activated, the head lamps automatically turn on after
completing eight wipe cycles.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they are frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them. If the blades become
damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
3-8

The exterior lamps control has four positions:
O(Off):Briefly turn the control to this position to
turn the automatic headlamps and daytime running
lamps (DRL) off or back on.
For vehicles first sold in Canada, the off position only
works for vehicles that are shifted into the P (Park)
position.
AUTO (Automatic):Turns on the headlamps
automatically at normal brightness, together with
the following:
•Parking Lamps
•Instrument Panel Lights
•Taillamps
•License Plate Lamps
;(Parking Lamps):Turns on the parking lamps
together with the following:
•Instrument Panel Lights
•Taillamps
•License Plate Lamps
2(Headlamps):Turns on the headlamps together
with the following lamps listed below.
•Parking Lamps
•Instrument Panel Lights
•Taillamps
•License Plate Lamps
If the headlamps are turned on while the vehicle is on,
the headlamps turn off automatically 10 minutes after the
ignition is turned off. If the headlamps are turned on while
the vehicle is off, the headlamps will continue to stay on.
To prevent the battery from being drained, turn the
control to the
Oposition.
A warning chime sounds if the driver door is opened
while the ignition switch is off and the headlamps are on.
To change the headlamps from low beam to high
beam, push the turn signal/multifunction lever toward
the instrument panel.
3-13

Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside and the headlamp
switch is in AUTO, the automatic headlamp system turns
on the headlamps, along with the taillamps, sidemarker,
parking lamps, roof marker lamps, and the instrument
panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
To turn off the automatic headlamp system, turn the
exterior lamps switch to the off position and then release.
For vehicles first sold in Canada, the transmission must
be in the P (Park) position, before the automatic
headlamp system can be turned off.
The vehicle has a light sensor located on the top of
the instrument panel. Do not cover the sensor or
the system will come on whenever the ignition is on.
The system may also turn on the headlamps when
driving through a parking garage or tunnel.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) and the automatic headlamp systems so that
driving under bridges or bright overhead street lights does
not affect the system. The DRL and automatic headlamp
system is only affected when the light sensor sees a
change in lighting lasting longer than the delay.If the vehicle is started in a dark garage, the automatic
headlamp system comes on immediately. Once the
vehicle leaves the garage, it takes approximately
30 seconds for the automatic headlamp system to
change to DRL if it is light outside. During that delay,
the instrument panel cluster may not be as bright
as usual. Make sure the instrument panel brightness
control is in the full bright position. SeeInstrument
Panel Brightness on page 3-15.
Instrument Panel Brightness
The knob for this feature is located next to the exterior
lamps control.
D(Instrument Panel Lights):Push knob to extend
and then turn clockwise or counterclockwise to brighten
or dim the instrument panel lights and the radio display.
This only works if the headlamps or parking lamps are on.
To turn on the dome lamps, with the vehicle doors
closed, turn the knob all the way clockwise.
3-15