Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9967827) - 2017 - crc - 5/2/16
116 Instruments and Controls
SERVICE PARK ASSIST
This message displays if there is aproblem with the Rear ParkingAssist (RPA) system. Do not usethis system to help you park. SeeParking Assist0197.Seeyourdealer for service.
Ride Control System
Messages
SERVICE STABILITRAK
If the vehicle has StabiliTrak®andthis message displays, it meansthere may be a problem with theStabiliTrak system. If you see thismessage, try to reset the system.Stop; turn off the engine for at least15 seconds; then start the engineagain. If this message still comeson, it means there is a problem. Youshould see your dealer for service.The vehicle is safe to drive,however, you do not have thebenefit of StabiliTrak, so reduceyour speed and drive accordingly.
SERVICE TRACTION
CONTROL
If the vehicle has StabiliTrak, thismessage displays when there is aproblem with the Traction ControlSystem (TCS). When this messagedisplays, the system will not limitwheel spin. Adjust your drivingaccordingly. See your dealer forservice. SeeTr a c t i o n C o n t r o l /Electronic Stability Control0190.
STABILITRAK INITIALIZING
If the vehicle has StabiliTrak, thismessage may display until firstdriving the vehicle and exceeding40 km/h (25 mph) for two minutes.The StabiliTrak system is notfunctional until this message hasturned off. SeeTr a c t i o n C o n t r o l /Electronic Stability Control0190.
TRACTION XX
STABILITRAK XX
If the vehicle has StabiliTrak, thismessage displays when the tractioncontrol and/or StabiliTrak systemshave been turned on or off. Adjustyour driving accordingly. To limitwheel spin and realize the full
benefits of the stabilityenhancement system, you shouldnormally leave StabiliTrak on.However, you should turnStabiliTrak off if the vehicle getsstuck in sand, mud, ice, or snowand you want to rock the vehicle toattempt to free it, or if you aredriving in extreme off-roadconditions and require more wheelspin. SeeIf the Vehicle Is Stuck0171.ToturntheStabiliTraksystem on or off, seeTr a c t i o nControl/Electronic StabilityControl0190.
STABILITRAK OFF may alsodisplay when the stability controlhas been automatically disabled.There are several conditions thatcan cause this message to appear.
.One condition is overheating,which could occur if StabiliTrakactivates continuously for anextended period of time.
.The message also displays if thebrake system warning light is on.SeeBrake System WarningLight0104.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9967827) - 2017 - crc - 5/2/16
Instruments and Controls 117
.The message could display if thestability system takes longerthan usual to complete itsdiagnostic checks due to drivingconditions.
.The message displays if anengine or vehicle relatedproblem has been detected andthe vehicle needs service. Seeyour dealer.
The message turns off as soon asthe conditions that caused themessage to be displayed are nolonger present.
Airbag System Messages
SERVICE AIRBAG
This message displays if there is aproblem with the airbag system.Ta k e t h e v e h i c l e t o y o u r d e a l e r f o rservice.
Security Messages
SERVICE THEFT DETERRENT
SYSTEM
This message displays when thereis a problem with the theft-deterrentsystem. The vehicle may or may notrestart so you may want to take thevehicle to your dealer before turningoff the engine. SeeImmobilizerOperation033for more information.
WAIT TO START
This message displays briefly whenthe theft-deterrent system hasinitially found incorrect conditionswithin the vehicle and is making adouble check. If your vehicle doesnot start soon after, try to start itagain. If it still does not start, haveyour vehicle serviced by yourdealer.
Service Vehicle Messages
SERVICE A/C SYSTEM
This message displays when theelectronic sensors that control theair conditioning and heatingsystems are no longer working.
Have the climate control systemserviced by your dealer if you noticeadropinheatingandairconditioning efficiency.
SERVICE VEHICLE SOON
This message displays when anon-emissions related malfunctionoccurs. Have the vehicle servicedby your dealer as soon as possible.
STARTING DISABLED
SERVICE THROTTLE
This message displays if the startingof the engine is disabled due to theelectronic throttle control system.Have the vehicle serviced by yourdealer immediately.
This message only appears whilethe ignition is in ON/RUN, and willnot disappear until the problem isresolved.
This message cannot beacknowledged.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9967827) - 2017 - crc - 5/2/16
Instruments and Controls 119
GRADE BRAKING ON
This message displays when thegrade braking has been activatedwhile driving on downhill grades.This message will only appear thefirst time the feature is activated inan ignition cycle. SeeTo w / H a u lMode0187,AutomaticTr a n s m i s s i o n0183,andCruiseControl0192.
SERVICE TRANSMISSION
This message displays when thereis a problem with the transmission.See your dealer for service.
TRANSMISSION HOT IDLE
ENGINE
Caution
Do not drive the vehicle while the
transmission fluid is overheating,
or the transmission can be
damaged. This could lead to
costly repairs that would not be
covered by the warranty.
This message displays along with achime if the transmission fluid in thevehicle gets hot. Driving with thetransmission fluid temperature highcan cause damage to the vehicle.Stop the vehicle and let it idle toallow the transmission to cool. Thismessage clears and the chimestops when the fluid temperaturereaches a safe level.
Vehicle Reminder
Messages
ICE POSSIBLE DRIVE
WITH CARE
This message displays when theoutside air temperature is coldenough to create icy roadconditions. Adjust your drivingaccordingly.
Vehicle
Personalization
This vehicle may havecustomization capabilities that allowyou to program certain features toone preferred setting. Customizationfeatures can only be programmed toone setting on the vehicle andcannot be programmed to apreferred setting for two differentdrivers.
All of the customization options maynot be available on your vehicle.Only the options available will bedisplayed on the DIC.
The default settings for thecustomization features were setwhen the vehicle left the factory, butmay have been changed from theirdefault state since then.
The customization preferences areautomatically recalled.
To c h a n g e c u s t o m i z a t i o npreferences, use the followingprocedure.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9967827) - 2017 - crc - 5/2/16
Lighting 127
Automatic Headlamp
System
When it is dark enough outside andthe headlamp switch is in AUTO,the automatic headlamp systemturns on the headlamps, along withthe taillamps, sidemarker lamps,parking lamps, and the instrumentpanel lights. The radio lights willalso be dim.
To t u r n o f f t h e a u t o m a t i c h e a d l a m psystem, turn the exterior lampcontrol to the off position and thenrelease. For vehicles first sold inCanada, the transmission must bein the P (Park) position, before theautomatic headlamp system can beturned off.
The vehicle has a light sensor onthe top of the instrument panel. Donot cover the sensor; otherwise thesystem will come on whenever theignition is on.
The system may also turn on theheadlamps when driving through aparking garage or tunnel.
There is a delay in the transitionbetween the daytime and nighttimeoperation of the Daytime RunningLamps (DRL) and the automaticheadlamp system so that drivingunder bridges or bright overheadstreet lights does not affect thesystem. The DRL and automaticheadlamp system are only affectedwhen the light sensor sees achange in lighting lasting longerthan the delay.
If the vehicle is started in a darkgarage, the automatic headlampsystem comes on immediately.Once the vehicle leaves the garage,it takes approximately 30 secondsfor the automatic headlamp systemto change to DRL if it is lightoutside. During that delay, theinstrument cluster may not be as
bright as usual. Make sure theinstrument panel brightness controlis in the full bright position. SeeInstrument Panel IlluminationControl0129.
Lights On with Wipers
If the windshield wipers areactivated in daylight with the engineon, and the exterior lamp control isin AUTO, the headlamps, parkinglamps, and other exterior lampscome on. The transition time for thelamps coming on varies based onwiper speed. When the wipers arenot operating, these lamps turn off.
Move the exterior lamp control toP
or;to disable this feature.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9967827) - 2017 - crc - 5/2/16
130 Lighting
Reading Lamps
If equipped with reading lamps,press the button next to each lampto turn it on or off.
The vehicle may also have readinglamps in other locations. The lampscannot be adjusted.
Lighting Features
Entry/Exit Lighting
The vehicle has an illuminatedentry/exit feature.
The dome lamps come on if theE
DOME OFF button is in theextended position, when a door isopened, or the key is removed fromthe ignition.
Battery Load
Management
The vehicle may have ElectricPower Management (EPM) thatestimates the battery's temperatureand state of charge. It then adjuststhe voltage for best performanceand extended life of the battery.
When the battery's state of chargeis low, the voltage is raised slightlyto quickly bring the charge back up.When the state of charge is high,the voltage is lowered slightly toprevent overcharging. If the vehiclehas a voltmeter gauge or a voltagedisplay on the Driver Information
Center (DIC), you may see thevoltage move up or down. This isnormal. If there is a problem, analert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged atidle if the electrical loads are veryhigh. This is true for all vehicles.This is because the generator(alternator) may not be spinning fastenough at idle to produce all thepower that is needed for very highelectrical loads.
Ahighelectricalloadoccurswhenseveral of the following are on, suchas: headlamps, high beams, foglamps, rear window defogger,climate control fan at high speed,heated seats, engine cooling fans,trailer loads, and loads plugged intoaccessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessivedischarge of the battery. It does thisby balancing the generator's outputand the vehicle's electrical needs.It can increase engine idle speed togenerate more power, wheneverneeded. It can temporarily reducethe power demands of someaccessories.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9967827) - 2017 - crc - 5/6/16
164 Driving and Operating
Driving and
Operating
Driving Information
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . 165Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165Drunk Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . 166Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . 167Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . 168Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . 169Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . 171Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . 175Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . 177Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178Engine Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179Retained AccessoryPower (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Parking over ThingsThat Burn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182Running the Vehicle WhileParked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . 183Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186To w / H a u l M o d e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 7
Brakes
Antilock BrakeSystem (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/ElectronicStability Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Driver Assistance Systems
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . 194Parking Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Fuel
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
California FuelRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . 199Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199E85 or FlexFuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200Filling a Portable FuelContainer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Trailer Towing
General TowingInformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202Driving Characteristics andTo w i n g T i p s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0 2Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205To w i n g E q u i p m e n t . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 0
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On ElectricalEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9967827) - 2017 - crc - 5/6/16
166 Driving and Operating
Drunk Driving
Death and injury associated withdrinking and driving is a globaltragedy.
{Warning
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Your reflexes,
perceptions, attentiveness, and
judgment can be affected by even
asmallamountofalcohol.You
can have a serious—or even
fatal—collision if you drive after
drinking.
Do not drink and drive or ride with
adriverwhohasbeendrinking.
Ride home in a cab; or if you are
with a group, designate a driver
who will not drink.
Control of a Vehicle
Braking, steering, and acceleratingare important factors in helping tocontrol a vehicle while driving.
Braking
Braking action involves perceptiontime and reaction time. Deciding topush the brake pedal is perceptiontime. Actually doing it isreaction time.
Average driver reaction time isabout three-quarters of a second. Inthat time, a vehicle moving at100 km/h (60 mph) travels 20 m(66 ft), which could be a lot ofdistance in an emergency.
Helpful braking tips to keep in mindinclude:
.Keep enough distance betweenyou and the vehicle in frontof you.
.Avoid needless heavy braking.
.Keep pace with traffic.
If the engine ever stops while thevehicle is being driven, brakenormally but do not pump thebrakes. Doing so could make thepedal harder to push down. If theengine stops, there will be somepower brake assist but it will beused when the brake is applied.
Once the power assist is used up, itcan take longer to stop and thebrake pedal will be harder to push.
Steering
Hydraulic Power Steering
Yo u r v e h i c l e h a s h y d r a u l i c p o w e rsteering. It may requiremaintenance. SeePower SteeringFluid0232.
If power steering assist is lostbecause the engine stops orbecause of a system malfunction,the vehicle can be steered but mayrequired increased effort. See yourdealer if there is a problem.
Caution
If the steering wheel is turned
until it reaches the end of its
travel, and is held in that position
for more than 15 seconds,
damage may occur to the power
steering system and there may be
loss of power steering assist.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-9967827) - 2017 - crc - 5/6/16
Driving and Operating 169
.Keep the windshield washer fluidreservoir filled.
.Have good tires with propertread depth. SeeTires0252.
.Turn off cruise control.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or throughmountains is different than drivingon flat or rolling terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and ingood shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes,tires, cooling system, andtransmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when goingdown steep or long hills.
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the
vehicle on a long downhill slope
can cause brake overheating, can
reduce brake performance, and
could result in a loss of braking.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the
brakes on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral)
or with the ignition off is
dangerous. This can cause
overheating of the brakes and
loss of steering. Always have the
engine running and the vehicle
in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep thevehicle in its own lane. Do notswing wide or cross thecenter line.
.Be alert on top of hills;something could be in your lane(e.g., stalled car, accident).
.Pay attention to special roadsigns (e.g., falling rocks area,winding roads, long grades,passing or no-passing zones)and take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Snow or ice between the tires andthe road creates less traction orgrip, so drive carefully. Wet ice canoccur at about 0 °C (32 °F) whenfreezing rain begins to fall. Avoiddriving on wet ice or in freezing rainuntil roads can be treated.
For slippery road driving:
.Accelerate gently. Acceleratingtoo quickly causes the wheels tospin and makes the surfaceunder the tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control. SeeTr a c t i o n C o n t r o l / E l e c t r o n i cStability Control0190.
.Antilock Brake System (ABS)improves vehicle stability duringhard stops, but the brakesshould be applied sooner than