2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS engine

Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
This maintenance section applies to vehicles with a
gasoline engine. If the vehicle has a diesel engine
and/or an Allison Transmission, see the maintenance
schedule section in the DURAMAX
®Diesel manual.
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number, or specification can be obtained from your
dealer/retailer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil which meets
GM Standard GM6094M and
displays the American Petroleum
Institute Certified for Gasoline
Engines starburst symbol.
To determine the proper viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
Engine Oil on page 6-15.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
®
Coolant. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 6-29.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377967,
in Canada 89021320).
Windshield
WasherOptikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Parking Brake
Cable GuidesChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in
Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 89021184,
in Canada 89021186).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
®-VI Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474).
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in
Canada 88901242) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGI #2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
7-12

Maintenance Replacement Parts
If the vehicle has the DURAMAX Diesel engine, see the DURAMAX Diesel manual for more information.
Replacement parts identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained by your dealer/retailer.
Part GM Part Number ACDelco Part Number
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 15950115 A3097C
Engine Oil Filter
4.3L V6 25010792 PF47
4.8L V8, 5.3L V8, 6.0L V8 89017524 PF48
Spark Plugs
4.3L V6 12607234 41-993
4.8L V8, 5.3L V8, 6.0L V8 12621258 41-110
Wiper Blades — 22 in (56.0 cm) 25949887 —
7-14

Engine Drive Belt Routing
If your vehicle has the DURAMAX®Diesel engine, see
the DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more information. V6 Engines
V8 Engines
7-15

Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
Service Bulletins
Service Bulletins give additional technical service
information needed to knowledgeably service
General Motors cars and trucks. Each bulletin
contains instructions to assist in the diagnosis
and service of your vehicle.
Owner Information
Owner publications are written specifically for owners
and intended to provide basic operational information
about the vehicle. The owner manual includes the
Maintenance Schedule for all models.
In-Portfolio: Includes a Portfolio, Owner Manual, and
Warranty Booklet.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $35.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Without Portfolio: Owner Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $25.00 (U.S.) plus processing fee
Current and Past Model Order Forms
Technical Service Bulletins and Manuals are available
for current and past model GM vehicles. To request
an order form, specify year and model name of
the vehicle.
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: 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.
8-17

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.
Event Data Recorders
This vehicle has an Event Data Recorder (EDR).
The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain
crash or near crash-like situations, such as an airbag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist
in understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed.
The EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short period of time,
typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is
designed to record such data as:
•How various systems in your vehicle were operating
•Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts
were buckled/fastened
•How far, if at all, the driver was pressing the
accelerator and/or brake pedal
•How fast the vehicle was traveling
This data can help provide a better understanding of the
circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.
8-18

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

Child Restraints
Infants and Young Children...........................2-33
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children..........2-42
Older Children.............................................2-30
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Seat
Position..................................................2-49
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...........................2-52, 2-56
Systems.....................................................2-37
Where to Put the Restraint...........................2-40
Cigarette Lighter.............................................4-15
Circuit Breakers............................................6-110
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels......................................6-107
Exterior Lamps/Lenses................................6-105
Fabric/Carpet............................................6-103
Finish Care...............................................6-106
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces...............................................6-104
Interior.....................................................6-102
Tires........................................................6-107
Underbody Maintenance.............................6-108
Washing Your Vehicle.................................6-105
Weatherstrips............................................6-105
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................6-106
Climate Control System...................................4-15
Outlet Adjustment........................................4-17
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System......4-18
Rear Heating System...................................4-18
Climate Controls.............................................1-13Clock, Setting.................................................4-60
Collision Damage Repair..................................8-13
Compass.......................................................4-42
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 5-3
Coolant
Engine.......................................................6-29
Engine Temperature Gage............................4-29
Cooling System..............................................6-28
Courtesy Transportation Program......................8-11
Cruise Control.................................................. 4-6
Light..........................................................4-35
Customer Assistance......................................... 8-6
Offices......................................................... 8-6
Text Telephone (TTY) Users........................... 8-6
Customer Information
Service Publications Ordering Information........8-17
Customer Satisfaction Procedure........................ 8-2
D
Damage Repair, Collision.................................8-13
Data Recorders, Event....................................8-18
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).........................4-10
Defensive Driving............................................. 5-2
Delayed Locking.............................................3-10
DIC Compass.................................................4-42
Disc, MP3......................................................4-72
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 6-4
Dome Lamp Override......................................4-12
3