2010 CHEVROLET EXPRESS fuel additives

Service............................................................6-3
Accessories and Modifications..........................6-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................6-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....6-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................6-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
the Vehicle.................................................6-5
Fuel................................................................6-5
Gasoline Octane............................................6-6
Gasoline Specifications....................................6-6
California Fuel...............................................6-6
Additives.......................................................6-7
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................6-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................6-9
Filling the Tank............................................6-10
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................6-12
Checking Things Under the Hood....................6-12
Hood Release..............................................6-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................6-14
Engine Oil...................................................6-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................6-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................6-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(4-Speed Transmission)..............................6-21
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission)..............................6-24Cooling System............................................6-28
Engine Coolant.............................................6-29
Engine Overheating.......................................6-35
Engine Fan Noise.........................................6-37
Power Steering Fluid.....................................6-38
Windshield Washer Fluid................................6-39
Brakes........................................................6-40
Battery........................................................6-43
Jump Starting...............................................6-44
All-Wheel Drive.............................................
.6-49
Rear Axle.......................................................6-50
Front Axle......................................................6-50
Noise Control System.....................................6-51
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................6-51
Bulb Replacement..........................................6-53
Halogen Bulbs..............................................6-53
Headlamps..................................................6-53
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps..........................................6-55
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........6-56
Taillamps.....................................................6-56
License Plate Lamp......................................6-58
Replacement Bulbs.......................................6-58
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............6-59
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-1

If the vehicle has the 4.8L V8 engine (VIN Code A),
the 5.3L V8 engine (VIN Code 4), or the 6.0L V8 engine
(VIN Code G) and the N15 flexible fuel option, you can
use either regular unleaded gasoline or ethanol fuel
containing up to 85% ethanol (E85). SeeFuel E85
(85% Ethanol) on page 6-8. For all other gasoline
engines, use only regular unleaded gasoline.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87,
an audible knocking noise, commonly referred to as spark
knock, might be heard when driving. If this occurs, use a
gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
If heavy knocking is heard when using gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher, the engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM specification
D 4814 in the United States or CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in
Canada. Some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT). We recommend against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 6-7
for additional information.
California Fuel
If the vehicle is certified to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specifications. See the underhood emission
control label. If this fuel is not available in states adopting
California emissions standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specifications, but
emission control system performance might be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle might fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 4-30. If this occurs, return to your
authorized dealer/retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined
that the condition is caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
6-6

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, nothing should have to be added to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectors
and intake valves clean, or if the vehicle experiences
problems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline.
For customers who do not use TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline regularly, one bottle of GM Fuel System
Treatment PLUS, added to the fuel tank at every engine
oil change, can help clean deposits from fuel injectors
and intake valves. GM Fuel System Treatment PLUS
is the only gasoline additive recommended by
General Motors.
Also, your dealer/retailer has additives that will help
correct and prevent most deposit-related problems.Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available in
your area. We recommend that you use these gasolines,
if they comply with the specifications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing
more than 10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles that
were not designed for those fuels.
Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend against
the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can
reduce the life of spark plugs and the performance
of the emission control system could be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp might turn on. If this
occurs, return to your dealer/retailer for service.
6-7

If you do switch fuels, it is recommended that you add
as much fuel as possible — do not add less than 11 L
(three gallons) when refueling. You should drive the
vehicle immediately after refueling for at least 11 km
(seven miles) to allow the vehicle to adapt to the change
in ethanol concentration.
E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so you will
need to refill the fuel tank more often when using E85
than when you are using gasoline. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 6-10.
Notice:Some additives are not compatible with
E85 fuel and can harm the vehicle’s fuel system.
Do not add anything to E85. Damage caused
by additives would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might be hard
to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by the vehicle warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
6-9

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

Engine (cont.)
Coolant Heater............................................3-25
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................4-29
Cooling System...........................................6-28
Drive Belt Routing.......................................7-15
Exhaust.....................................................3-40
Fan Noise..................................................6-37
Fast Idle System.........................................3-25
Oil .............................................................6-15
Overheating................................................6-35
Starting......................................................3-23
Engine Oil
Life System................................................6-18
Enhanced Technology Glass.............................3-19
Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................4-13
Event Data Recorders.....................................8-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................2-29
Exterior Lamps................................................. 4-9
F
Fast Idle System............................................3-25
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................6-20
Finish Damage.............................................6-108
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................4-78
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 4-3Flash-to-Pass................................................... 4-5
Flat Tire........................................................6-85
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................6-86
Flat Tire, Storing...........................................6-100
Fluid
Automatic Transmission........................6-21, 6-24
Power Steering...........................................6-38
Windshield Washer......................................6-39
Front Axle......................................................6-50
Fuel............................................................... 6-5
Additives...................................................... 6-7
California Fuel.............................................. 6-6
E85 (85% Ethanol)........................................ 6-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................6-12
Filling the Tank...........................................6-10
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 6-9
Gage .........................................................4-35
Gasoline Octane........................................... 6-6
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 6-6
Fuel Economy
Driving for Better.........................................1-18
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................6-112
Floor Console Fuse Block...........................6-111
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................6-110
Windshield Wiper.......................................6-110
5