2010 CHEVROLET EXPRESS service indicator

In Brief........................................................... 1-1
Instrument Panel
........................................ 1-2
Initial Drive Information
............................... 1-4
Vehicle Features
......................................1-14
Performance and Maintenance
...................1-16
Seats and Restraint System............................. 2-1
Head Restraints
......................................... 2-2
Front Seats
............................................... 2-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 2-6
Safety Belts
.............................................2-10
Child Restraints
.......................................2-30
Airbag System
.........................................2-60
Restraint System Check
............................2-80
Features and Controls..................................... 3-1
Keys
........................................................ 3-3
Doors and Locks
....................................... 3-9
Windows
.................................................3-16
Theft-Deterrent Systems
............................3-19
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
...........3-22
Mirrors
....................................................3-42
Storage Areas
.........................................3-44Instrument Panel............................................. 4-1
Instrument Panel Overview
.......................... 4-3
Climate Controls
......................................4-15
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators
........4-20
Driver Information Center (DIC)
..................4-36
Audio System(s)
.......................................4-59
Driving Your Vehicle....................................... 5-1
Your Driving, the Road, and the Vehicle
....... 5-2
Towing
...................................................5-26
Service and Appearance Care.......................... 6-1
Service
..................................................... 6-3
Fuel
......................................................... 6-5
Checking Things Under the Hood
...............6-12
All-Wheel Drive
........................................6-49
Rear Axle
...............................................6-50
Front Axle
...............................................6-50
Noise Control System
...............................6-51
Bulb Replacement
....................................6-53
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
.........6-59
Tires
......................................................6-60
2010 Chevrolet Express Owner ManualM

Safety Warnings and Symbols
Warning Messages found on vehicle labels and in this
manual describe hazards and what to do to avoid
or reduce them.
Dangerindicates a hazard with a high level of risk
which will result in serious injury or death.
WarningorCautionindicates a hazard that could result
in injury or death.
{WARNING:
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
Notice:This means there is something that could
result in property or vehicle damage. This would not
be covered by the vehicle’s warranty.A circle with a slash
through it is a safety
symbol which means
“Do Not,” “Do not do this,”
or “Do not let this happen.”
Vehicle Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that use
symbols instead of text. Symbols are shown along with
the text describing the operation or information
relating to a specific component, control, message,
gage, or indicator.
M:This symbol is shown when you need to see your
owner manual for additional instructions or information.
*:This symbol is shown when you need to see a
service manual for additional instructions or information.
iv

{WARNING:
If the airbag readiness light ever comes on and
stays on, it means that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. For example, the right
front passenger airbag could inflate even though
the airbag on-off switch is turned off.
To help avoid injury to yourself or others, have the
vehicle serviced right away. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 4-23for more information, including
important safety information.
If the vehicle does not have a rear seat that will
accommodate a rear-facing child restraint, a rear-facing
child restraint should not be installed in the vehicle,
even if the airbag is off.
If the child restraint has the LATCH system, seeLower
Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on
page 2-42for how and where to install the child restraint
using LATCH. If a child restraint is secured using a
safety belt and it uses a top tether, seeLower Anchors
and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 2-42for
top tether anchor locations.Do not secure a child seat in a position without a top
tether anchor if a national or local law requires that the
top tether be anchored, or if the instructions that
come with the child restraint say that the top strap must
be anchored.
In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child
restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be
attached.
You will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the
child restraint in this position. Follow the instructions that
came with the child restraint.
1. Move the seat as far back as it will go before
securing the forward-facing child restraint.
If you have no other choice but to install a rear-facing
child restraint in this seat, make sure the airbag is off
once the child restraint has been installed.
When the airbag off switch has turned off the right
front passenger frontal airbag, the off indicator
in the airbag off light should light and stay lit when
the vehicle is started. SeeAirbag Off Light on
page 4-24.
2. Put the child restraint on the seat.
3. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder
portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or
around the restraint. The child restraint instructions
will show you how.
2-57

The passenger sensing system is designed to turn off
the right front passenger frontal airbag if:
•The right front passenger seat is unoccupied.
•The system determines that an infant is present in
a rear-facing infant seat.
•The system determines that a small child is present
in a child restraint.
•The system determines that a small child is present
in a booster seat.
•A right front passenger takes his/her weight off of
the seat for a period of time.
•The right front passenger seat is occupied by a
smaller person, such as a child who has outgrown
child restraints.
•Or, if there is a critical problem with the airbag
system or the passenger sensing system.
When the passenger sensing system has turned off the
right front passenger frontal airbag, the off indicator
will light and stay lit to remind you that the airbag is off.
SeePassenger Airbag Status Indicator on page 4-25.
The passenger sensing system is designed to turn
on (may inflate) the right front passenger frontal airbag
anytime the system senses that a person of adult
size is sitting properly in the right front passenger seat.When the passenger sensing system has allowed the
airbag to be enabled, the on indicator will light and stay
lit to remind you that the airbag is active.
For some children, including those in child restraints,
and for very small adults, the passenger sensing system
may or may not turn off the right front passenger
frontal airbag, depending upon the person’s seating
posture and body build. Everyone in your vehicle who
has outgrown child restraints should wear a safety
belt properly — whether or not there is an airbag for that
person.
{WARNING:
If the airbag readiness light in the instrument panel
cluster ever comes on and stays on, it means that
something may be wrong with the airbag system.
If this ever happens, have the vehicle serviced
promptly, because an adult-size person sitting in
the right front passenger’s seat may not have the
protection of the airbag(s). SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 4-23for more on this, including
important safety information.
2-75

We recommend that you not use seat covers or other
aftermarket equipment except when approved by GM for
your specific vehicle. SeeAdding Equipment to Your
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 2-79for more
information about modifications that can affect how the
system operates.
The on indicator may be lit if an object, such as a
briefcase, handbag, grocery bag, laptop or other
electronic device, is put on an unoccupied seat. If this is
not desired remove the object from the seat.
{WARNING:
Stowing of articles under the passenger seat or
between the passenger seat cushion and seatback
may interfere with the proper operation of the
passenger sensing system.
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts of the airbag system in several places
around the vehicle. Your dealer/retailer and the
service manual have information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To purchase a service
manual, seeService Publications Ordering Information
on page 8-17.
{WARNING:
For up to 10 seconds after the ignition is turned off
and the battery is disconnected, an airbag can still
inflate during improper service. You can be injured
if you are close to an airbag when it inflates. Avoid
yellow connectors. They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow proper service
procedures, and make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
2-78

{WARNING:
If the airbag readiness light ever comes on and
stays on, it means that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. For example, the right
front passenger airbag could inflate even though
the airbag on-off switch is turned off.
To help avoid injury to yourself or others, have the
vehicle serviced right away. SeeAirbag Readiness
Light on page 4-23for more information, including
important safety information.
If the word ON or the on symbol is lit, it means that the
right front passenger frontal airbag is enabled (may
inflate). SeeAirbag Off Switch on page 2-70for more
information, including important safety information.
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator
If the vehicle has a passenger sensing system, the
instrument panel will have a passenger airbag status
indicator. SeePassenger Sensing System on page 2-73
for important safety information. The instrument panel
has a passenger airbag status indicator.
When the vehicle is started, the passenger airbag status
indicator will light ON and OFF, or the symbol for on
and off, for several seconds as a system check. Then,
after several more seconds, the status indicator will
light either ON or OFF, or either the on or off symbol to
let you know the status of the right front passenger
frontal airbag.
If the word ON or the on symbol is lit on the passenger
airbag status indicator, it means that the right front
passenger frontal airbag is enabled (may inflate).United States
Canada
4-25

If the word OFF or the off symbol is lit on the airbag
status indicator, it means that the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right front passenger
frontal airbag.
If, after several seconds, both status indicator lights
remain on, or if there are no lights at all, there may be a
problem with the lights or the passenger sensing
system. See your dealer/retailer for service.
{WARNING:
If the airbag readiness light ever comes on and
stays on, it means that something may be wrong
with the airbag system. To help avoid injury to
yourself or others, have the vehicle serviced right
away. SeeAirbag Readiness Light on page 4-23
for more information, including important safety
information.
Charging System Light
This light comes on briefly
when the ignition key is
turned to START, but
the engine is not running,
as a check to show it
is working.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer.
The light should go out once the engine starts. If it stays
on, or comes on while driving, there could be a
problem with the charging system. A charging system
message in the Driver Information Center (DIC) can also
appear. SeeDIC Warnings and Messages on page 4-44
for more information. This light could indicate that
there are problems with a generator drive belt, or that
there is an electrical problem. Have it checked right
away. If the vehicle must be driven a short distance with
the light on, turn off accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
4-26

When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
also comes on when the parking brake is set. See
Parking Brake on page 3-36for more information. The
light stays on if the parking brake does not fully release.
If it stays on after the parking brake is fully released,
it means the vehicle has a brake problem.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and
stop carefully. The pedal might be harder to push, or
the pedal might go closer to the floor. It could take
longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle
towed for service. SeeTowing Your Vehicle on
page 5-26.
{WARNING:
The brake system might not be working properly if
the brake system warning light is on. Driving with
the brake system warning light on can lead to a
crash. If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully stopped,
have the vehicle towed for service.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Antilock Brake System
(ABS), this light comes on
briefly when the engine
is started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off.
If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light is not
on, the vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock
brakes. If the regular brake system warning light is also
on, the vehicle does not have antilock brakes and
there is a problem with the regular brakes. SeeBrake
System Warning Light on page 4-27.
4-28