Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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212 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
safe speed. Check the trailer and
vehicle to help correct possible
causes. These could include an
improperly or overloaded trailer,
unrestrained cargo, improper
trailer hitch configuration,
excessive vehicle-trailer speed,
or improperly inflated or incorrect
vehicle or trailer tires. SeeTowing
Equipment 0209 for trailer ratings
and hitch setup
recommendations.
Adding non-dealer accessories can
affect the vehicle performance. See
Accessories and Modifications
0 215.
Conversions and
Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical
Equipment
{Warning
The Data Link Connector (DLC) is
used for vehicle service and
Emission Inspection/Maintenance
testing. See Malfunction
Indicator Lamp (Check Engine
Light) 0105. A device connected
to the DLC —such as an
aftermarket fleet or
driver-behavior tracking device —
may interfere with vehicle
systems. This could affect vehicle
operation and cause a crash.
Such devices may also access
information stored in the vehicle’s
systems.
Caution
Some electrical equipment can
damage the vehicle or cause
components to not work and
would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty. Always check
with your dealer before adding
electrical equipment.
Add-on equipment can drain the
vehicle's 12-volt battery, even if the
vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system.
Before attempting to add anything
electrical to the vehicle, see
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle 066 and Adding Equipment
to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
0 67.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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224 Vehicle Care
suspected, use the following
procedures to check the fluid level.
However, if there is a large leak, it
may be necessary to have the
vehicle towed to a dealer and have
it repaired before driving the vehicle
further.
Change the fluid and filter at the
intervals listed inMaintenance
Schedule 0303, and be sure to use
the transmission fluid listed in
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0310.
How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Because this operation can be
difficult, it is recommended to have
this check done at your dealer,
which can monitor the transmission
temperature. The transmission fluid
level increases with temperature. To
obtain a highly accurate fluid level
check, the transmission temperature
must be measured.
If it is decided to check the fluid
level, be sure to follow all the
instructions here, or a false reading
on the dipstick may occur.
Caution
Too much or too little fluid can
damage the transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the
fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust
system parts, starting a fire. Too
little fluid could cause the
transmission to overheat. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if
checking the transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes with the
engine off, before checking the
transmission fluid level if the vehicle
has been driven:
. In hot weather, when outside
temperatures are above 32 °C
(90 °F).
. The vehicle is heavily loaded.
. At high speed for quite a while in
hot weather.
. In heavy traffic and hot weather.
. While pulling a trailer. After driving under these conditions,
a hot check can be performed. The
fluid should be hot, which is 71 °C to
93 °C (160 °F to 200 °F).
A cold fluid level check can be
performed after the vehicle has
been sitting for eight hours or more
with the engine off, but this is used
only as a reference. Let the engine
run at idle for five minutes if the
outside temperature is between
15 °C to 32 °C (60 °F to 90 °F).
Should the fluid level be low during
this cold check, the fluid must be
checked warm or hot before adding
fluid. If the outside temperature is
colder than 15 °C (60 °F) or hotter
than
32 °C (90 °F), a cold check cannot
be performed.
A warm fluid level check can be
performed by driving the vehicle
under lightly loaded conditions and
outside temperatures between 10 °C
to 27 °C (50 °F to 80 °F). The
vehicle should be driven for at least
24 km (15 mi) before performing a
warm check. Checking the fluid
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 225
warm or hot will give a more
accurate reading of the fluid level
than a cold check.
Because the vehicle is equipped
with a high-efficiency air-to-oil
cooler, the transmission fluid
temperature may not reach the
required hot fluid level checking
temperature under normal lightly
loaded driving vehicle conditions.
Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle:1. Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in P (Park).
3. With a foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through
each gear range, pausing for
about three seconds in each
range. When M is reached,
move the selector from M1
through M3. Then, position the
shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for two minutes or more. Then, without shutting off the
engine, use the steps that follow.
The transmission dipstick is near
the center of the engine
compartment and will be labeled
with the graphic shown.
See
Engine Compartment Overview
0 217 for more information on
location.
1. COLD Range
2. WARM Range
3. HOT Range
1. Flip the handle up, pull out the dipstick, and wipe it with a
clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds, and pull it back
out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in
the COLD (1) range for a cold
check, transmission
temperature 27 °C to 32 °C
(80 °F to 90 °F); between the
COLD (1) and HOT (3) range
for a WARM (2) check, 50 °C to
60 °C (122 °F to 140 °F); or in
the HOT (3) cross-hatched
range for a hot check, 71 °C to
93 °C (160 °F to 200 °F). Be
sure to keep the dipstick
pointed down to get an
accurate reading.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way;
then flip the handle down to
lock the dipstick in place.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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238 Vehicle Care
When the brake fluid falls to a low
level, the brake warning light comes
on. SeeBrake System Warning
Light 0107.
Brake fluid absorbs water over time.
Replace brake fluid at the specified
intervals to prevent increased
stopping distance. See Maintenance
Schedule 0303.
Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the
brake fluid reservoir. See Engine
Compartment Overview 0217.
The fluid level should be above
MIN. If it is not, have the brake
hydraulic system checked to see if
there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake
hydraulic system, make sure the
level is above MIN but not over the
MAX mark.
What to Add
Use only GM approved DOT 3
brake fluid from a clean, sealed
container. See Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants 0310.
{Warning
The wrong or contaminated brake
fluid could result in damage to the
brake system. This could result in
the loss of braking leading to a
possible injury. Always use the
proper GM approved brake fluid.
Caution
If brake fluid is spilled on the
vehicle's painted surfaces, the
paint finish can be damaged.
Immediately wash off any painted
surface.
Battery - North America
The original equipment battery is
maintenance free. Do not remove
the cap and do not add fluid.
Refer to the replacement number
shown on the original battery label
when a new battery is needed. See
Engine Compartment Overview
0217 for battery location.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts,
terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to
the State of California to cause
(Continued)
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Vehicle Care 287
ground connection you do not
want. You would not be able to
start your vehicle, and the bad
grounding could damage the
electrical systems.
To avoid the possibility of the
vehicles rolling, set the parking
brake firmly on both vehicles
involved in the jump start
procedure. Put an automatic
transmission in P (Park) or a
manual transmission in Neutral
before setting the parking
brake.
Caution
If any accessories are left on or
plugged in during the jump
starting procedure, they could be
damaged. The repairs would not
be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Whenever possible, turn
off or unplug all accessories on
either vehicle when jump starting.
3. Turn the ignition off on both vehicles. Unplug unnecessary
accessories plugged into the cigarette lighter or the
accessory power outlet. Turn
off the radio and all lamps that
are not needed. This will avoid
sparks and help save both
batteries. And it could save the
radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the positive (+) and negative (−)
terminal locations of the other
vehicle.
On your van, use the unpainted
radio antenna bracket as a
remote negative (−) terminal.
{Warning
Using a match near a battery can
cause battery gas to explode.
People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded.
Use a flashlight if you need more
light.
Battery fluid contains acid that
can burn you. Do not get it on
you. If you accidentally get it in
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
your eyes or on your skin, flush
the place with water and get
medical help immediately.
{Warning
Fans or other moving engine
parts can injure you badly. Keep
your hands away from moving
parts once the engine is running.
5. Check that the jumper cables do not have loose or missing
insulation. If they do, you could
get a shock. The vehicles
could be damaged too.
Before you connect the cables,
here are some basic things you
should know. Positive (+) will
go to positive (+) or to a remote
positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one. Negative (−)
will go to an unpainted metal
part or to a remote negative (−)
terminal if the vehicle has one.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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308 Service and Maintenance
.Trained dealer technicians have
access to tools and equipment
to inspect the brakes and
recommend quality parts
engineered for the vehicle.
Fluids
Proper fluid levels and approved
fluids protect the vehicle’s systems
and components. See
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants 0310 for GM approved
fluids.
. Engine oil and windshield
washer fluid levels should be
checked at every fuel fill.
. Instrument cluster lights may
come on to indicate that fluids
may be low and need to be
filled.
Hoses
Hoses transport fluids and should
be regularly inspected to ensure
that there are no cracks or leaks.
With a multi-point inspection, your
dealer can inspect the hoses and
advise if replacement is needed. Lamps
Properly working headlamps,
taillamps, and brake lamps are
important to see and be seen on
the road.
.
Signs that the headlamps need
attention include dimming, failure
to light, cracking, or damage.
The brake lamps need to be
checked periodically to ensure
that they light when braking.
. With a multi-point inspection,
your dealer can check the lamps
and note any concerns.
Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts help aid in control
for a smoother ride.
. Signs of wear may include
steering wheel vibration, bounce/
sway while braking, longer
stopping distance, or uneven
tire wear.
. As part of the multi-point
inspection, trained dealer
technicians can visually inspect
the shocks and struts for signs of leaking, blown seals,
or damage, and can advise
when service is needed.
Tires
Tires need to be properly inflated,
rotated, and balanced. Maintaining
the tires can save money and fuel,
and can reduce the risk of tire
failure.
. Signs that the tires need to be
replaced include three or more
visible treadwear indicators; cord
or fabric showing through the
rubber; cracks or cuts in the
tread or sidewall; or a bulge or
split in the tire.
. Trained dealer technicians can
inspect and recommend the right
tires. Your dealer can also
provide tire/wheel balancing
services to ensure smooth
vehicle operation at all speeds.
Your dealer sells and services
name brand tires.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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344 Index
IndexA
Accessories andModifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . 212
Additional Information OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . 227
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . 156, 158
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
How Does an Airbag
Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
What Will You See after an
Airbag Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . 58
Airbags
Adding Equipment to theVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Light On-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
On-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Airbags (cont'd)
On-Off Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Servicing Airbag-Equipped
Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Alert Side Blind Zone (SBZA) . . . . . . 195
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
All-Terrain Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Antenna
Multi-band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . 186
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Audio Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . 130
Audio Players CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Automatic Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
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Index 345
Automatic (cont'd)Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . 223, 226
Automatic Transmission
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Shift Lock Control FunctionCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Auxiliary Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Avoiding Untrusted Media Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Axle, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
B
Battery Exterior Lighting BatterySaver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Battery - North America . . . . 238, 286
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . 242
Bluetooth Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Brake
System Warning Light . . . . . . . . 107
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 Brakes (cont'd)
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . 173
Bulb Replacement
Center High-MountedStoplamp (CHMSL) . . . . . . . . . 246
Front Turn Signal,
Sidemarker, and Parking
Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . 247
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
California Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
California Proposition
65 Warning . . . . . . . . . .214, 238, 286, Back CoverCamera
Rear Vision (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . 2
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 315
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Cargo Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Cargo Door Relocking . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . 2
CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Center High-Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL) . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . 104
Check
Engine Light (MalfunctionIndicator) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Ignition Transmission Lock . . . 242
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . 70
Lower Anchors and Tethersfor Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82, 84
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72