Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9967827) - 2017 - crc - 5/6/16
186 Driving and Operating
brakes off and on. See“RangeSelection Mode”underManualMode0186.
If you manually select 2 (Second) inan automatic transmission, thetransmission will start insecond gear. You can use thisfeature for reducing the speed of therear wheels when trying to start thevehicle from a stop on slippery roadsurfaces.
1:This position reduces vehiclespeed without using the brakes.Yo u c a n u s e i t f o r m a j o r / s e v e r edowngrades where the vehiclewould otherwise accelerate due tosteepness of grade. When you shiftto 1 (First) it provides the lowestgear appropriate to current roadspeed and continues to downshiftas the vehicle slows, eventuallydownshifting to 1 (First) gear. Thetransmission can be held in 1 (First)gear using Range Selection Modeor the shift lever. See“RangeSelection Mode”underManualMode0186.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill
using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission.
The repair will not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes
to hold the vehicle in place.
Normal Mode Grade Braking
This mode is enabled when thevehicle is started, but is not enabledin Range Selection Mode. It assistsin maintaining desired vehiclespeeds when driving on downhillgrades by using the engine andtransmission to slow the vehicle.The first time the system activatesfor each ignition key cycle, a DICmessage will be displayed. SeeTr a n s m i s s i o n M e s s a g e s011 8.
To d i s a b l e o r e n a b l e N o r m a l M o d eGrade Braking within the currentignition key cycle, press and holdthe Tow/Haul button for
three seconds. A DIC messagedisplays. SeeTr a n s m i s s i o nMessages011 8.
For other forms of grade braking,seeTo w / H a u l M o d e0187andCruise Control0192.
Manual Mode
Range Selection Mode
If equipped, Range Selection Modehelps control the vehicle'stransmission and vehicle speedwhile driving downhill or towing atrailer by letting you select a desiredrange of gears.
To u s e t h i s f e a t u r e :
1. Move the shift lever toM(ManualMode).
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9967827) - 2017 - crc - 5/6/16
Driving and Operating 187
2. Press the +/✓buttons on theshift lever, to select the desiredrange of gears for currentdriving conditions.
When M (Manual Mode) is selectedanumberdisplaysintheDICnexttothe M indicating the current gear.
This number is the highest gear thatcan be used. However, the vehiclecan automatically shift to lowergears as it adjusts to drivingconditions. This means that allgears below that number areavailable. When 5 (Fifth) is selected,1(First) through 5(Fifth) gears areautomatically shifted by the vehicle,but 6 (Sixth) cannot be used untilthe +/✓button on the steeringcolumn lever is used to change tothe gear.
Grade Braking is not available whenRange Selection Mode is active.SeeTo w / H a u l M o d e0187.
While using Range Selection Mode,cruise control and the Tow/HaulMode can be used.
Caution
Spinning the tires or holding the
vehicle in one place on a hill
using only the accelerator pedal
may damage the transmission.
The repair will not be covered by
the vehicle warranty. If you are
stuck, do not spin the tires. When
stopping on a hill, use the brakes
to hold the vehicle in place.
Low Traction Mode
Low Traction Mode can assist invehicle acceleration when roadconditions are slippery. While thevehicle is at a stop, select thesecond gear range using RangeSelection Mode. This will limittorque to the wheels after it detectswheel slip, preventing the tires fromspinning.
Tow/Haul Mode
If equipped, Tow/Haul Mode adjuststhe transmission shift pattern toreduce shift cycling, providingincreased performance, vehiclecontrol, and transmission coolingwhen towing or hauling heavy loads.
Turn the Tow/Haul Mode on and offby pressing the button on theinstrument panel. When Tow/Haul ison, a light on the instrument clusterwill come on.
SeeTo w / H a u l M o d e L i g h t0105.
Also see“To w / H a u l M o d e”underTo w i n g E q u i p m e n t0210.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9967827) - 2017 - crc - 5/6/16
188 Driving and Operating
Tow/Haul Mode Grade Braking
To w / H a u l M o d e G r a d e B r a k i n g i sonly enabled while the Tow/HaulMode is selected and the vehicle isnot in the Range Selection Mode.See“To w / H a u l M o d e”listedpreviously andManual Mode0186.To w / H a u l M o d e G r a d e B r a k i n gassists in maintaining desiredvehicle speeds when driving ondownhill grades by using the engineand transmission to slow thevehicle.
To d i s a b l e o r e n a b l e To w / H a u l M o d eGrade Braking within the currentignition key cycle, press and holdthe Tow/Haul button forthree seconds. A DIC message willbe displayed. SeeTr a n s m i s s i o nMessages011 8.
SeeTo w i n g E q u i p m e n t0210.
For other forms of grade braking,seeAutomatic Transmission0183andCruise Control0192.
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has an Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS), an advancedelectronic braking system that helpsprevent a braking skid.
When the vehicle begins to driveaway, ABS checks itself.Amomentarymotororclickingnoisemay be heard while this test is goingon, and it may even be noticed thatthe brake pedal moves a little. Thisis normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, thiswarning light stays on. SeeAntilockBrake System (ABS) WarningLight0104.
If driving safely on a wet road and itbecomes necessary to slam on thebrakes and continue braking toavoid a sudden obstacle, acomputer senses the wheels areslowing down. If one of the wheelsis about to stop rolling, the computerwill separately work the brakes ateach wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressureto each wheel, as required, fasterthan any driver could. This can helpyou steer around the obstacle whilebraking hard.
As the brakes are applied, thecomputer keeps receiving updateson wheel speed and controlsbraking pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not changethe time needed to get a foot up tothe brake pedal or always decreasestopping distance. If you get tooclose to the vehicle in front of you,there will not be enough time toapply the brakes if that vehiclesuddenly slows or stops. Alwaysleave enough room up ahead tostop, even with ABS.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9967827) - 2017 - crc - 5/6/16
Driving and Operating 191
appropriate messages will bedisplayed in the DIC. SeeRideControl System Messages011 6.
To t u r n S t a b i l i T r a k a n d T C S b a c k
on, pressgagain. StabiliTrak will
automatically turn back on when thevehicle speed exceeds 40 km/h(25 mph).
When the StabiliTrak system hasbeen turned off, system noises maystill be heard as a result of thebrake-traction control coming on.
It is recommended to leave thesystem on for normal drivingconditions, but it may be necessaryto turn the system off if the vehicleis stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow,and you want to“rock”the vehicle toattempt to free it. SeeIf the VehicleIs Stuck0171.
StabiliTrak System Operation
The StabiliTrak system is normallyon, except when the system isinitializing or has been disabled withthe StabiliTrak button. TheStabiliTrak system will automaticallyactivate to assist the driver inmaintaining vehicle directional
control in most driving conditions.When activated, the StabiliTraksystem may reduce engine power tothe wheels and apply braking toindividual wheels as necessary toassist the driver with vehicledirectional control. If cruise controlis being used when StabiliTrakactivates, the cruise controlautomatically disengages. Thecruise control can be re-engagedwhen road conditions allow. SeeCruise Control0192.
The StabiliTrak system may alsoturn off automatically if it determinesthat a problem exists with thesystem. If the problem does notclear itself after restarting thevehicle, see your dealer for service.
Traction Control Operation
TCS is part of the StabiliTraksystem. TCS limits wheel spin byreducing engine power to thewheels and by applying brakes toeach individual wheel as necessary.
If the brake-traction control systemactivates constantly or if the brakeshave heated up due to high speedbraking, the brake-traction control
will be automatically disabled. Thesystem will come back on after thebrakes have cooled. This can takeup to two minutes or longerdepending on brake usage.
TCS may activate on dry or roughroads or under conditions such asheavy acceleration while turning orabrupt upshifts/downshifts of thetransmission. When this reduction inacceleration occurs, it may benoticed, or a noise or vibration maybe heard. This is normal.
Adding non-dealer accessories canaffect the vehicle's performance.SeeAccessories andModifications0216.
Locking Rear Axle
Vehicles with a locking rear axle cangive more traction on snow, mud,ice, sand, or gravel. It works like astandard axle most of the time, butwhen traction is low, this feature willallow the rear wheel with the mosttraction to move the vehicle.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9967827) - 2017 - crc - 5/6/16
192 Driving and Operating
Cruise Control
{Warning
Cruise control can be dangerous
where you cannot drive safely at
asteadyspeed.Donotuse
cruise control on winding roads or
in heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous
on slippery roads. On such roads,
fast changes in tire traction can
cause excessive wheel slip, and
you could lose control. Do not use
cruise control on slippery roads.
If equipped with cruise control, aspeed of about 40 km/h (25 mph) ormore can be maintained withoutkeeping your foot on theaccelerator. Cruise control does notwork at speeds below about 40 km/h(25 mph).
If the vehicle has StabiliTrak and thesystem begins to limit wheel spin,cruise control will automaticallydisengage. SeeTr a c t i o n C o n t r o l /Electronic Stability Control0190.
When road conditions allow cruisecontrol to be safely used again,cruise control can be turnedback on.
If the brakes are applied, cruisecontrol disengages.
I:Press to turn cruise control onor off. The white indicator comes onin the instrument cluster whencruise control is turned on.
+RES :If there is a set speed inmemory, press briefly to resume to apreviously set speed, or press and
hold to accelerate. If cruise controlis already active, use to increasevehicle speed.
SET✓:Press briefly to set thespeed and activate cruise control,or press and hold to decelerate.If cruise control is already active,use to decrease vehicle speed.
[:Press to disengage cruisecontrol without erasing the setspeed from memory.
Setting Cruise Control
IfIis on when not in use, the
SET✓or +RES button could getpressed and go into cruise when not
desired. KeepIoff when cruise is
not being used.
1. PressIto turn the cruise
system on.
2. Get up to the desired speed.
3. Press and release SET✓.Thedesired set speed brieflyappears in the instrumentcluster.
4. Remove your foot from theaccelerator.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9967827) - 2017 - crc - 5/6/16
Driving and Operating 193
The cruise control indicator on theinstrument cluster turns green aftercruise control has been set to thedesired speed. SeeInstrumentCluster095.
Resuming a Set Speed
If the cruise control is set at adesired speed and then the brakesare applied, the cruise control isdisengaged without erasing the setspeed from memory.
Once the vehicle speed reachesabout 40 km/h (25 mph) or more,briefly press +RES. The vehiclereturns to the previous set speed.
Increasing Speed While UsingCruise Control
If the cruise control system isalready activated:
.Press and hold +RES until thedesired speed is reached, thenrelease it.
.To i n c r e a s e v e h i c l e s p e e d i nsmall increments, briefly press+RES. For each press, thevehicle goes about 1.6 km/h(1 mph) faster.
The speedometer reading can bedisplayed in either English or metricunits. SeeDriver Information Center(DIC)0108.Theincrementvalueused depends on the unitsdisplayed.
Reducing Speed While UsingCruise Control
If the cruise control system isalready activated:
.Press and hold SET–until thedesired lower speed is reached,then release it.
.To d e c r e a s e t h e v e h i c l e s p e e d i nsmall increments, briefly pressSET–.Foreachpress,thevehicle goes about 1.6 km/h(1 mph) slower.
The speedometer reading can bedisplayed in either English or metricunits. SeeDriver Information Center(DIC)0108.Theincrementvalueused depends on the unitsdisplayed.
Passing Another Vehicle WhileUsing Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal toincrease the vehicle speed. Whenyou take your foot off the pedal, thevehicle will slow down to theprevious set cruise speed. Whilepressing the accelerator pedal orshortly following the release tooverride cruise control, brieflypressing SET–will result in cruiseset to the current vehicle speed.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well cruise control works onhills depends on the vehicle speed,load, and the steepness of the hills.When going up steep hills, youmight have to step on theaccelerator pedal to maintain yourspeed.
While going downhill:
.Vehicles with a 4-speedautomatic transmission mayneed to have the brakes appliedor the transmission shifted to alower gear to help maintaindriver selected speed.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9967827) - 2017 - crc - 5/6/16
194 Driving and Operating
.Vehicles with a 6-speedautomatic transmission haveCruise Grade Braking to helpmaintain driver selected speed.
Cruise Grade Braking is enabledwhen the vehicle is started andcruise control is active. It is notenabled in Range Selection Mode.It assists in maintaining driverselected speed when driving ondownhill grades by using the engineand transmission to slow thevehicle.
To d i s a b l e a n d e n a b l e C r u i s e G r a d eBraking for the current ignition keycycle, press and hold the Tow/Haulbutton for three seconds. A DICmessage displays. SeeTr a n s m i s s i o n M e s s a g e s011 8.
When the brakes are applied thecruise control is disengaged.
Ending Cruise Control
There are four ways to end cruisecontrol:
.Step lightly on the brake pedal.
.Press[.
.Shift the transmission toN(Neutral).
.To t u r n o f f c r u i s e c o n t r o l ,
pressI.
Erasing Speed Memory
The cruise control set speed is
erased from memory ifIis
pressed or if the vehicle isturned off.
Driver Assistance
Systems
Rear Vision
Camera (RVC)
If equipped, the RVC system isdesigned to help the driver whenbacking up by displaying a view ofthe area behind the vehicle.
{Warning
The camera(s) do not display
children, pedestrians, bicyclists,
crossing traffic, animals, or any
other object outside of the
cameras’field of view, below the
bumper, or under the vehicle.
Shown distances may be different
from actual distances. Do not
drive or park the vehicle using
only these camera(s). Always
check behind and around the
vehicle before driving. Failure to
use proper care may result in
injury, death, or vehicle damage.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9967827) - 2017 - crc - 5/2/16
338 Index
Climate Control Systems (cont'd)
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Rear Heating System . . . . . . . . . 160
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . 319
Compartments
Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Connections
OnStar®...................... 328
Control
Traction and Electronic
Stability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Convex Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Coolant
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Engine Temperature Gauge . . . . 98
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Engine Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Courtesy Transportation
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
Te x t Te l e p h o n e ( T T Y )
Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Customer Information
Service Publications
Ordering Information . . . . . . . . 321
Customer Satisfaction
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 312
D
Damage Repair, Collision . . . . . . . 319
Danger, Warning, and Caution . . . . 3
Data Collection
Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . 325
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Data Recorders, Event . . . . . . . . . 324
Daytime Running
Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Devices
Auxiliary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Diagnostics
OnStar®...................... 330
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Door
Ajar Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Door (cont'd)
Cargo Door Relocking . . . . . . . . . . 29
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Power Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Rear Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Sliding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Drive Belt Routing, Engine . . . . . . 311
Driver Information
Center (DIC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Driving
Characteristics and
To w i n g T i p s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 2
Defensive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Drunk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
For Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 22
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . 169
If the Vehicle is Stuck . . . . . . . . . 171
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Dual Tire
Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266