2009 CHEVROLET EXPRESS mirror

Outside Heated Mirrors
For vehicles with heated mirrors:
<(Rear Defogger):Press to heat the mirrors.
An indicator light in the button lights when the outside
heated mirrors are activated.
See “Rear Window Defogger” underClimate Control
System on page 4-15for more information.
Storage Areas
Your vehicle may have a front storage compartment.
It is located at the center of the instrument panel
extension, by the floor. To open the compartment,
pull up on the latch. The compartment will open
automatically.
Storage compartments may also be included on the
inside of each front door.
3-44

Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle.
Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable
care suited to existing conditions, and by not overdriving
those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to the vehicle’s three
control systems. In the braking skid, the wheels are not
rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed
or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid, too much
throttle causes the driving wheels to spin.
If the vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want
the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough,
the vehicle could straighten out. Always be ready
for a second skid if it occurs.Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice,
gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, slow
down and adjust your driving to these conditions. It is
important to slow down on slippery surfaces because
stopping distance is longer and vehicle control
more limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your
best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed by shifting to a lower
gear. Any sudden changes could cause the tires to
slide. You might not realize the surface is slippery until
the vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning
clues — such as enough water, ice, or packed snow on
the road to make a mirrored surface — and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any Antilock Brake System (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
5-11

Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving because
some drivers are likely to be impaired — by alcohol or
drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.
Night driving tips include:
•Drive defensively.
•Do not drink and drive.
•Reduce headlamp glare by adjusting the inside
rearview mirror.
•Slow down and keep more space between you and
other vehicles because headlamps can only light up
so much road ahead.
•Watch for animals.
•When tired, pull off the road.
•Do not wear sunglasses.
•Avoid staring directly into approaching headlamps.
•Keep the windshield and all glass on your vehicle
clean — inside and out.
•Keep your eyes moving, especially during turns or
curves.
No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But, as
we get older, these differences increase. A 50-year-old
driver might need at least twice as much light to see the
same thing at night as a 20-year-old.
5-12

Before Leaving on a Long Trip
To prepare your vehicle for a long trip, consider having
it serviced by your dealer/retailer before departing.
Things to check on your own include:
•Windshield Washer Fluid:Reservoir full? Windows
clean — inside and outside?
•Wiper Blades:In good shape?
•Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:All levels checked?
•Lamps:Do they all work and are lenses clean?
•Tires:Are treads good? Are tires inflated to
recommended pressure?
•Weather and Maps:Safe to travel? Have
up-to-date maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Always be alert and pay attention to your surroundings
while driving. If you become tired or sleepy, find a
safe place to park your vehicle and rest.
Other driving tips include:
•Keep the vehicle well ventilated.
•Keep interior temperature cool.
•Keep your eyes moving — scan the road ahead
and to the sides.
•Check the rearview mirror and vehicle instruments
often.
5-14

Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a serious situation. Stay
with the vehicle unless there is help nearby. If possible,
use theRoadside Assistance Program on page 8-8.To
get help and keep everyone in the vehicle safe:
•Turn on theHazard Warning Flashers on page 4-3.
•Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
{WARNING:
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the vehicle.
This may cause exhaust gases to get inside.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
•Clear away snow from around the base of your
vehicle, especially any that is blocking the
exhaust pipe and/or the fuel operated heater
exhaust system, if equipped. If the vehicle has
a diesel engine and a fuel operated heater, see
“Fuel Operated Heater (FOH)” in the diesel
engine supplement.
WARNING: (Continued)
WARNING: (Continued)
•
Check again from time to time to be sure
snow does not collect there.
•Open a window about 5 cm (two inches) on
the side of the vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
•Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel.
•Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that circulates the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest setting. See
Climate Control System in the Index.
For more information about carbon monoxide, see
Engine Exhaust on page 3-40.
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill you.
You cannot see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking the exhaust.
Run the engine for short periods only as needed to
keep warm, but be careful.
5-17

Driving with a Trailer
{WARNING:
When towing a trailer, exhaust gases may collect
at the rear of the vehicle and enter if the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most window is open.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
To maximize safety when towing a trailer:
•Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks
and make necessary repairs before starting
a trip.
•Never drive with the liftgate, trunk/hatch, or
rear-most window open.
•Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel.
•Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that brings in only outside air and set the fan
speed to the highest setting. See Climate
Control System in the Index.
For more information about carbon monoxide, see
Engine Exhaust on page 3-40Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Get to know the rig before setting out for the open
road. Get acquainted with the feel of handling and
braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always
keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now
longer and not as responsive as the vehicle is by itself.
Before starting, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connectors, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustments. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start the vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This checks the electrical
connection at the same time.
During the trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving the vehicle without a trailer. This
can help to avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when towing a trailer.
Because the rig is longer, it is necessary to go much
farther beyond the passed vehicle before returning to
the lane.
5-39

Floor Console Fuse Block
The floor console fuse block is located under the
driver seat.
Mini-Fuse Usage
F1 Empty
F2 Steering Wheel Sensor
F3 Auxiliary Parking Lamps (Cut-Away)
F4 Front Park Lamps
F5 Trailer Park Lamps
F6 Upfitter Park Lamps
F7 Right Rear Park Lamp
F8 Left Rear Park Lamp
F9 Outside Rear View Mirror Switch
F10 Airbag/AOS
F11 Empty
F12 Empty
F13Heating, Ventilation and
Air Conditioning 2
F14Heating, Ventilation and
Air Conditioning 1
F15 Empty
F17 Outside Rear View Mirror Heater
F18 Rear Window Defogger
F19 Compass
F20 Radio/Chime
F21Remote Function Actuator/
Tire Pressure Monitor
6-111

Locks (cont.)
Lockout Protection.......................................3-12
Power Door ................................................3-10
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.............3-10
Rear Door Security Locks.............................3-11
Loss of Control...............................................5-10
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children.............2-42
M
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Record....................................7-16
Maintenance Replacement Parts....................7-14
Owner Checks and Services.........................7-10
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.............7-12
Scheduled Maintenance................................. 7-3
Malfunction Indicator Lamp...............................4-30
Manual Seats................................................... 2-2
Manual Windows............................................3-16
Message
DIC Warnings and Messages........................4-44
Mirrors
Manual Rearview.........................................3-42
Outside Convex Mirror.................................3-43
Outside Heated Mirrors................................3-44Mirrors (cont.)
Outside Manual Mirrors................................3-42
Outside Power Mirrors..................................3-43
Outside Towing Mirrors.................................3-42
MP3 .............................................................4-72
N
Navigation System, Privacy..............................8-20
New Vehicle Break-In......................................3-22
Noise Control System, Tampering......................6-51
O
Odometer......................................................4-22
Trip ...........................................................4-22
Off-Road
Recovery....................................................5-10
Oil
Engine.......................................................6-15
Engine Oil Life System.................................6-18
Pressure Gage............................................4-33
Pressure Light.............................................4-34
Older Children, Restraints................................2-30
Online Owner Center........................................ 8-5
8