Page 356 of 430
Black plate (92,1)Chevrolet Express Owner Manual - 2012
10-92 Vehicle Care
Dolly Towing
Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off
the Ground)–Two‐Wheel‐Drive
Vehicles
Use the following procedure to
tow the vehicle from the rear:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow
vehicle following the dolly
manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly.
3. Firmly set the parking brake. See Parking Brake on page 9‑34
for more information.
4. Put the transmission in P (Park).
5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's
instructions. 6. Use an adequate clamping
device designed for towing to
ensure that the front wheels are
locked into the straight position.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF. If the tow vehicle will not be
started or driven for six weeks or
more, remove the battery cable
from the negative terminal (post)
of the battery to prevent the
battery from draining while
towing.
Page 368 of 430

Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Express Owner Manual - 2012
11-4 Service and Maintenance
Tire Rotation and Required
Services Every 12 000 km/
7,500 mi
Rotate the tires, if recommended for
the vehicle, and perform the
following services. SeeTire
Rotation on page 10‑62.
.Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed,
change engine oil and filter, and
reset oil life system. See Engine
Oil on page 10‑7 andEngine Oil
Life System on page 10‑10.
.Check engine coolant level. See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑18.
.Check windshield washer fluid
level. See Washer Fluid on
page 10‑25.
.Visually inspect windshield wiper
blades for wear, cracking,
or contamination. See Exterior
Care on page 10‑93. Replace
worn or damaged wiper blades.
See Wiper Blade Replacement
on page 10‑34.
.Check tire inflation pressures.
See Tire Pressure on
page 10‑56.
.Inspect tire wear. See Tire
Inspection on page 10‑62.
.Visually check for fluid leaks.
.Inspect engine air cleaner filter.
See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter on
page 10‑16.
.Inspect brake system.
.Visually inspect steering,
suspension, and chassis
components for damaged, loose,
or missing parts or signs of
wear. See Exterior Care on
page 10‑93.
.Check restraint system
components. See Safety System
Check on page 3‑16.
.Visually inspect fuel system for
damage or leaks.
.Visually inspect exhaust system
and nearby heat shields for
loose or damaged parts.
.Lubricate body components.
See Exterior Care on
page 10‑93.
.Check starter switch. See Starter
Switch Check on page 10‑33.
.Check automatic transmission
shift lock control function. See
Automatic Transmission Shift
Lock Control Function Check on
page 10‑33.
.Check ignition transmission lock.
See Ignition Transmission Lock
Check on page 10‑33.
.Check parking brake and
automatic transmission park
mechanism. See Park Brake and
P (Park) Mechanism Check on
page 10‑34.
.Check accelerator pedal for
damage, high effort, or binding.
Replace if needed.
.Visually inspect gas strut for
signs of wear, cracks, or other
damage. Check the hold open
ability of the strut. See your
dealer if service is required.
Page 376 of 430

Black plate (12,1)Chevrolet Express Owner Manual - 2012
11-12 Service and Maintenance
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
This maintenance section applies to vehicles with a gasoline engine. If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the
maintenance schedule section in the Duramax Diesel Supplement.
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number, or specification can be obtained from your dealer.Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil Use only engine oil licensed to the dexos1 specfication, or equivalent, of
the proper SAE viscosity grade. ACDelco dexos1 Synthetic Blend is
recommended. See
Engine Oil on page 10‑7.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL Coolant.
See
Engine Coolant on page 10‑18.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 12377967, in
Canada 89021320).
Windshield Washer Optikleen
®Washer Solvent.
Parking Brake Cable Guides Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or
lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Power Steering System GM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part No. 89021184, in Canada 89021186).
Automatic Transmission DEXRON
®‐VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock Cylinders Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Page 377 of 430

Black plate (13,1)Chevrolet Express Owner Manual - 2012
Service and Maintenance 11-13
UsageFluid/Lubricant
Chassis Lubrication Chassis Lubricant (GM Part No. 12377985, in Canada 88901242) or
lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Front Wheel Bearings Wheel bearing lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category GC or
GC-LB (GM Part No. 1051344, in Canada 993037).
Front and Rear Axle SAE 75W-90 Synthetic Axle Lubricant (GM Part No. 89021677, in
Canada 89021678).
Transfer Case DEXRON
®‐VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
One-Piece Propshaft Slip Yoke Spline, Two-Piece Propshaft
Slip-in-Tube Spline Spline Lubricant, Special Lubricant (GM Part No. 12345879, in
Canada 10953511).
Hood Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube (GM Part No. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Weatherstrip Conditioning Weatherstrip Lubricant (GM Part No. 3634770, in Canada 10953518) or
Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM Part No. 12345579, in Canada 992887).
Weatherstrip Squeaks Synthetic Grease with Teflon, Superlube (GM Part No. 12371287, in
Canada 10953437).
Page 385 of 430
Black plate (3,1)Chevrolet Express Owner Manual - 2012
Technical Data 12-3
ApplicationCapacities
Metric English
Engine Oil with Filter
4.3L V6 4.3 L 4.5 qt
4.8L V8, 5.3L V8, 6.0L V8 5.7 L 6.0 qt
Fuel Tank
Cutaway (Optional Tank)* 215.7 L 57.0 gal
Cutaway (Standard Tank) 124.9 L 33.0 gal
Passenger and Cargo 117.3 L 31.0 gal
* 4 039 mm (159 inch) wheelbase or 4 496 mm (177 inch) wheelbase only
Transmission Fluid (Pan Removal and Filter Replacement)
4-SPD 4L60-E 4.7 L 5.0 qt
6-SPD 6L90 6.0 L 6.3 qt
Transfer Case Fluid 1.4 L 1.5 qt
Wheel Nut Torque 190 Y140 ft lb
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this
manual. Recheck fluid level after filling.
Page 386 of 430
Black plate (4,1)Chevrolet Express Owner Manual - 2012
12-4 Technical Data
Engine Specifications
EngineVIN CodeTransmission Spark Plug Gap
4.3L V6 XAutomatic 1.52 mm (0.060 in)
4.8L V8 AAutomatic 1.02 mm (0.040 in)
5.3L V8 4Automatic 1.02 mm (0.040 in)
6.0L V8 GAutomatic 1.02 mm (0.040 in)
Page 399 of 430

Black plate (11,1)Chevrolet Express Owner Manual - 2012
Customer Information 13-11
.Emergency Fuel Delivery:
Delivery of enough fuel for the
vehicle to get to the nearest
service station.
.Lock-Out Service: Service to
unlock the vehicle if you are
locked out.
.Battery Jump Start: Service to
jump start a dead battery.
.*Emergency Messages:
Transmission of urgent phone
messages.
.*Emergency Calls: Call for
emergency services.
.*Dealership Location
Assistance: Information
regarding addresses and
telephone numbers for
Chevrolet dealers.
.Emergency Towing: Tow to the
nearest dealer for warranty
service if the vehicle cannot
be driven.
If the vehicle is involved in an
accident during the commission
of a crime, administrativeviolation, or breach of traffic
regulations, Roadside
Assistance will not provide
service. When the vehicle is not
accessible to be towed, all
maneuvers required to access it
will be at the owner's expense.
If the vehicle is in another city
outside of your residence,
Roadside Assistance is limited
to moving the vehicle to the
nearest dealer. If you would like
the vehicle moved to a different
dealer, you will be asked to
cover the difference in cost at
the time of the move.
If the vehicle cannot be received
by the nearest Chevrolet dealer
due to scheduling conflicts, the
vehicle will be taken to a safe
place where it will remain for up
to 48 hours until it can be taken
to the dealer. If the storage costs
exceed the amount authorized,
the owner is responsible to pay
the difference at the time of
service. Contact Roadside
Assistance for more information
on authorized amounts.
.*Trip Interruption: This service
is provided if you are prevented
from further usage of your
vehicle while traveling and it is
not possible for the nearest
Chevrolet dealership to repair
the vehicle the same day,
requiring the vehicle to stay at
the dealership for a night or
more. If this happens, in addition
to the previously listed services
and prior to confirmation by the
dealership, you are entitled to
choose one of the following
alternatives, within the limits of
existing Roadside Assistance
program guidelines. If the costs
exceed the amount authorized
for these services, you must pay
the difference at the time of
service.
Roadside Assistance will
coordinate hotel
accommodations for all vehicle
travelers for up to two nights.
Page 406 of 430

Black plate (18,1)Chevrolet Express Owner Manual - 2012
13-18 Customer Information
Service Publications
Ordering Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis
and repair information on the
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 the 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 handling and
shipping fees.
Without Portfolio: Owner
Manual only.
RETAIL SELL PRICE:
$25.00 (U.S.) plus handling and
shipping fees.
Current and Past Models
Technical Service Bulletins and
Manuals are available for current
and past model GM vehicles.
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. at:
www.helminc.com.
Or 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.
All listed prices are quoted in
U.S. funds. Make checks payable
in U.S. funds.