
Chevrolet City Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
11683523) - 2018 - CRC - 7/10/17
Driving and Operating 137
Defensive drivers avoid most skids
by taking reasonable care suited to
existing conditions, and by not
overdriving those conditions. But
skids are always possible.
If the vehicle starts to slide, follow
these suggestions:
.Ease your foot off the
accelerator pedal and steer the
way you want the vehicle to go.
The vehicle may straighten out.
Be ready for a second skid if it
occurs.
. Slow down and adjust your
driving according to weather
conditions. Stopping distance
can be longer and vehicle
control can be affected when
traction is reduced by water,
snow, ice, gravel, or other
material on the road. Learn to
recognize warning clues —such
as enough water, ice, or packed
snow on the road to make a
mirrored surface —and slow
down when you have any doubt. .
Try to avoid sudden steering,
acceleration, or braking,
including reducing vehicle speed
by shifting to a lower gear. Any
sudden changes could cause
the tires to slide.
Remember: Antilock brakes help
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving on Wet Roads
Rain and wet roads can reduce
vehicle traction and affect your
ability to stop and accelerate.
Always drive slower in these types
of driving conditions and avoid
driving through large puddles and
deep-standing or flowing water.
{Warning
Wet brakes can cause crashes.
They might not work as well in a
quick stop and could cause
pulling to one side. You could
lose control of the vehicle. (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
After driving through a large
puddle of water or a car/vehicle
wash, lightly apply the brake
pedal until the brakes work
normally.
Flowing or rushing water creates
strong forces. Driving through
flowing water could cause the
vehicle to be carried away. If this
happens, you and other vehicle
occupants could drown. Do not
ignore police warnings and be
very cautious about trying to drive
through flowing water.
Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Water
can build up under the vehicle's
tires so they actually ride on the
water. This can happen if the road is
wet enough and you are going fast
enough. When the vehicle is
hydroplaning, it has little or no
contact with the road.

Chevrolet City Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
11683523) - 2018 - CRC - 7/10/17
140 Driving and Operating
To save fuel, run the engine for
short periods to warm the vehicle
and then shut the engine off and
partially close the window. Moving
about to keep warm also helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive,
when running the engine, push the
accelerator pedal slightly so the
engine runs faster than the idle
speed. This keeps the battery
charged to restart the vehicle and to
signal for help with the headlamps.
Do this as little as possible, to
save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the
wheels to free the vehicle when
stuck in sand, mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction
system to free the vehicle, turn the
traction system off and use the
rocking method. SeeTraction
Control/Electronic Stability Control
0 158.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you
or others could be injured. The
vehicle can overheat, causing an
engine compartment fire or other
damage. Spin the wheels as little
as possible and avoid going
above 56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get
it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and
right to clear the area around the
front wheels. Turn off any traction
system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a low
forward gear, spinning the wheels
as little as possible. To prevent
transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting
gears. Release the accelerator
pedal while shifting, and press
lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transmission is in gear.
Slowly spinning the wheels in the
forward and reverse directions
causes a rocking motion that could
free the vehicle. If that does not get
the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the
vehicle does need to be towed out,
see
Towing the Vehicle 0231.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how
much weight the vehicle can
carry. This weight is called the
vehicle capacity weight and
includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory-installed options.
Two labels on the vehicle may
show how much weight it may
properly carry, the Tire and
Loading Information label and
the Certification label.

Chevrolet City Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
11683523) - 2018 - CRC - 7/10/17
144 Driving and Operating
Using heavier suspension
components to get added
durability might not change the
weight ratings. Ask your dealer
to help load the vehicle properly.
{Warning
Things inside the vehicle can
strike and injure people in a
sudden stop or turn, or in a
crash.
.Put things in the cargo
area of the vehicle. In the
cargo area, put them as
far forward as possible.
Try to spread the weight
evenly.
.Never stack heavier
things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that
some of them are above
the tops of the seats.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
.Do not leave an
unsecured child restraint
in the vehicle.
.Secure loose items in the
vehicle.
.Do not leave a seat
folded down unless
needed.
Also, check the tires for proper
inflation pressure. Refer to the Tire
and Loading Information label.
Starting and
Operating
New Vehicle Break-In
Caution
The vehicle does not need an
elaborate break-in. But it will
perform better in the long run if
you follow these guidelines for the
first 2 000 km (1,200 mi): . Do not drive at any one
constant speed, fast or slow.
. Avoid quick starts. Avoid
accelerating at full-throttle in
any gear. Do not exceed
4000 rpm.
. Avoid downshifting to brake
or slow the vehicle.
. Avoid making hard stops.
During this time the new
brake linings are not yet
broken in. Hard stops with
new linings can mean
(Continued)

Chevrolet City Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
11683523) - 2018 - CRC - 7/10/17
146 Driving and Operating
Caution (Continued)
key. Use the correct key, make
sure it is all the way in, and turn it
only with your hand. If the key
cannot be turned by hand, see
your dealer.
Ignition Switch Positions
LOCK (0) : Normal parking position.
OFF (1) : The engine can be turned
off without locking the steering
wheel.
ACC (2) : Accessories. This position
activates electrical accessories such
as the radio when the engine is not
running.
ON (3) : Normal operating position.
This position turns on the ignition
system and the electrical
accessories.
START (4) : This position starts the
engine. As soon as the engine has
started, release the key.
It automatically returns to the ON
position.
Starting the Engine
To place the transmission in the
proper gear:
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start
in any other position. To restart the
engine when the vehicle is already
moving, use N (Neutral) only.
Caution
If you add electrical parts or
accessories, you could change
the way the engine operates. Any
resulting damage would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Add-On Electrical Equipment
0 174.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you
could damage the transmission.
Shift to P (Park) only when the
vehicle is stopped. Starting Procedure
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neutral). P (Park) is
recommended.
The shift lever cannot be
moved out of P (Park) and into
any of the other gear positions
if the ignition switch is turned to
the OFF position or if the key is
removed from the ignition
switch.
The starter is designed not to
operate if the shift lever is in
any of the driving positions.
3. Crank the engine with your foot off the accelerator pedalby
placing the ignition switch in
the START position. Release
the key when the engine starts.
If the engine starts, but fails to
run, repeat the above
procedure.
.If the engine is very hard to
start in extremely cold
weather or when restarting,
press the accelerator pedal

Chevrolet City Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
11683523) - 2018 - CRC - 7/10/17
Driving and Operating 147
a little (approximately 1/3 to
the floor) and hold it and
then crank the engine.
Release the key and the
accelerator pedal when the
engine starts.
. If the engine is very hard to
start because it is flooded,
press the accelerator pedal
all the way to the floor and
hold it. Crank the engine for
five to six seconds.
After cranking the engine,
release the accelerator
pedal. Crank the engine
with your foot off the
accelerator pedal by turning
the ignition key to START.
Release the key when the
engine starts. If the engine
starts, but fails to run,
repeat the above
procedure.Caution
Do not operate the starter for
more than 15 seconds at a time.
If the engine does not start, turn
the key off and wait 10 seconds
before cranking again, otherwise
the starter could be damaged.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least 30 seconds after starting.
Do not race the engine while
warming it up. Drive at
moderate speed for a short
distance first, especially in cold
weather.
In cold weather, keep the
engine running for a minimum
of two to three minutes before
shutting it off. Starting and
stopping the engine over a
short period of time may make
the vehicle more difficult to
start.
Avoid situations that can lead to
potential battery discharge and
potential no-start conditions
such as: .
Installation or extended use of
electronic accessories that
consume battery power when
the engine is not running (phone
chargers, GPS, DVD
players, etc.).
. Vehicle is not driven regularly
and/or only driven short
distances. In these cases, the
battery may need to be charged
to maintain battery life.
Engine Heater
If equipped, the engine coolant
heater can provide easier starting in
cold weather conditions at or below
−7 °C (20 °F). The engine coolant
heater should be plugged in at least
two hours before starting.
To Use the Engine Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the
electrical cord. The cord is in
the engine compartment, on
the passenger side.

Chevrolet City Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
11683523) - 2018 - CRC - 7/10/17
Driving and Operating 151
The Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) in your vehicle
is electronically controlled to
produce maximum power and
smooth operation.
The recommended operating
procedures for this transmission are
shown on the following pages.
Follow these procedures for
maximum vehicle performance and
driving enjoyment.
Engine power may be automatically
reduced to protect the CVT if the
engine speed increases quickly
when driving on slippery roads or
while being tested on some
dynamometers.
Starting the Vehicle1. After starting the engine, fully press the brake pedal before
moving the shift lever out of the
P (Park) position.
2. Keep the brake pedal pressed and move the shift lever into a
driving gear. 3. Release the brake, then
gradually start the vehicle in
motion.
4. Stop the vehicle completely before moving the shift lever
into the P (Park) position.
The CVT is designed so the brake
pedal MUST be pressed before
shifting from P (Park) to any drive
position while the ignition switch is
in the ON position.
The shift lever cannot be moved out
of P (Park) and into any of the other
gear positions if the ignition switch
is placed in the LOCK, OFF or ACC
position or if the key is removed.
Shifting
After starting the engine, fully press
the brake pedal and move the shift
lever from P (Park) to any of the
desired shift positions.
{Warning
Apply the parking brake if the shift
lever is in any position while the
engine is not running. Failure to
do so could cause the vehicle to
move unexpectedly or roll away
and result in serious personal
injury or property damage.

Chevrolet City Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
11683523) - 2018 - CRC - 7/10/17
152 Driving and Operating
If the ignition switch is placed in the
OFF or ACC position for any reason
while the vehicle is in N (Neutral),
or any drive position, the key cannot
be turned to the LOCK position and
be removed from the ignition switch.
If this occurs:1. Apply the parking brake when the vehicle is stopped.
2. Move the shift lever to P (Park) to park the vehicle and place
the ignition switch in the LOCK
position to remove the key.
Caution
To prevent transmission damage,
use the P (Park) or R (Reverse)
position only when the vehicle is
completely stopped.
P (Park) : Use the P (Park) shift
lever position when the vehicle is
parked or when starting the engine.
Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped. The brake pedal must be
pressed and the shift lever button
pushed in to move the shift lever from N (Neutral) or any drive
position to P (Park). Apply the
parking brake. When parking on a
hill, apply the parking brake first,
then place the shift lever into the
P (Park) position.
Caution
To prevent transmission damage,
use the P (Park) or R (Reverse)
position only when the vehicle is
completely stopped.
R (Reverse) : Use the R (Reverse)
position to back up. Make sure the
vehicle is completely stopped before
selecting the R (Reverse) position.
R (Reverse) speed is limited to 30
MPH (48 km/h). Do not exceed 30
MPH (48 km/h) in the R (Reverse)
position. The brake pedal must be
pressed and the shift lever button
pushed in to move the shift lever
from P (Park), N (Neutral), or any
drive position to R (Reverse). N (Neutral) :
Neither forward nor
reverse gear is engaged. The
engine can be started in this
position. You may shift to
N (Neutral) and restart a stalled
engine while the vehicle is moving.
D (Drive) : Use this position for all
normal forward driving.
L (Low) : Use this position for
engine braking on steep downhill
gradients/climbing steep slopes and
whenever approaching sharp bends.
Do not use the L (Low) position in
any other circumstances.
Engine power may be automatically
reduced to protect the CVT if the
engine speed increases quickly
when driving on slippery roads or
while being tested on some
dynamometers.

Chevrolet City Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada-
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Driving and Operating 157
Warning (Continued)
the assistance of others,
or pets unattended in your
vehicle. Additionally, the
temperature inside a closed
vehicle on a warm day can
quickly become high
enough to cause a
significant risk of injury or
death to people and pets.
To release the parking brake: 1. Shift the transmission to P (Park). Hold the brake
pedal down.
2. Pull the parking brake handle up until you can press the
release button.
3. Hold the release button in as you move the brake handle all
the way down.
Caution
Driving with the parking brake on
can overheat the brake system
and cause premature wear or
damage to brake system parts.
Make sure that the parking brake
is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
Parking Brake Break-in
Break-in the brake shoes whenever
the effect of the parking brake is
weakened or whenever the brake
shoes and/or drums are replaced, in
order to assure the best brake
performance. This procedure can be
performed at the dealer.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
{Warning
. Never rely solely on the hill
start assist system to
prevent the vehicle from
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
moving backward on a hill.
Always drive carefully and
attentively. Depress the
brake pedal when the
vehicle is stopped on a
steep hill. Be especially
careful when stopped on a
hill on frozen or muddy
roads. Failure to prevent the
vehicle from rolling
backwards may result in a
loss of control of the vehicle
and possible serious injury
or death.
. The hill start assist system
is not designed to hold the
vehicle at a standstill on a
hill. Depress the brake
pedal when the vehicle is
stopped on a steep hill.
Failure to do so may cause
the vehicle to roll backwards
and may result in a collision
or serious personal injury.
(Continued)