Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374212) - 2018 - crc - 2/2/18
26 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Interference from radio-frequency
identification (RFID) tags may
prevent the key from starting the
vehicle. Keep RFID tags away from
the key when starting the vehicle.
The key is used for the ignition and
all door locks.
The key has a bar-coded key tag
that the dealer or qualified locksmith
can use to make new keys. Store
this information in a safe place, not
in the vehicle.
See your dealer if a replacement
key or additional key is needed.If it becomes difficult to turn a key,
inspect the key blade for debris.
Periodically clean with a brush
or pick.
If locked out of the vehicle, see
Roadside Assistance Program
0
322.
With an active OnStar service plan,
an OnStar Advisor may remotely
unlock the vehicle. See OnStar
Overview 0332.Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System
See Radio Frequency Statement
0 328.
If there is a decrease in the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) operating
range:
. Check the distance. The
transmitter may be too far from
the vehicle.
. Check the location. Other
vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal. .
Check the transmitter's battery.
See “Battery Replacement” later
in this section.
. If the transmitter is still not
working correctly, see your
dealer or a qualified technician
for service.
Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) System Operation
If equipped, the RKE transmitter
functions work up to 60 m (197 ft)
away from the vehicle.
Other conditions can affect the
performance of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System 026.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374212) - 2018 - crc - 2/2/18
Keys, Doors, and Windows 27
RKE Transmitter with RemoteStart Shown
Q:Press once to lock all doors.
If enabled through the Driver
Information Center (DIC), the
parking lamps flash once to indicate
locking has occurred.
The horn may chirp when
Qis
pressed again within five seconds.
See Vehicle Personalization 0116.
K:Press to unlock the driver door.
If
Kis pressed again within
five seconds, all remaining doors
unlock. The interior lamps come on and
stay on for 20 seconds or until the
ignition is turned on. If enabled
through the DIC, the parking lamps
flash twice to indicate unlocking has
occurred. See
Vehicle
Personalization 0116.
j:Press to unlock only the cargo
doors.
/: If equipped, pressQand then
press and hold
/for at least
four seconds or until the turn signal
lamps flash to start the engine from
outside the vehicle using the RKE
transmitter. See Remote Vehicle
Start 028.
L:Press and release to locate
the vehicle. The turn signal lamps
flash and the horn sounds
three times.
Press and hold
Lfor more than
two seconds to sound the panic
alarm. The turn signal lamps flash
and the horn sounds repeatedly for
30 seconds. The alarm turns off when the ignition is turned on or
L
is pressed again. The ignition must
be off for the panic alarm to work.
Programming Transmitters to
the Vehicle
Only RKE transmitters programmed
to the vehicle will work. If a
transmitter is lost or stolen, a
replacement can be purchased and
programmed through your dealer.
When the replacement transmitter is
programmed to the vehicle, all
remaining transmitters must also be
programmed. Any lost or stolen
transmitters no longer work once the
new transmitter is programmed.
Each vehicle can have up to
four transmitters programmed to it.
Battery Replacement
Replace the battery if the REPLACE
BATTERY IN REMOTE KEY
message displays in the DIC.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374212) - 2018 - crc - 2/2/18
28 Keys, Doors, and Windows
Caution
When replacing the battery, do
not touch any of the circuitry on
the transmitter. Static from your
body could damage the
transmitter.
To replace the battery:1. Separate the transmitter with a flat, thin object, such as a flat
head screwdriver.
.Carefully insert the tool into
the notch located along the
parting line of the transmitter. Do not insert
the tool too far. Stop as
soon as resistance is felt.
. Twist the tool until the
transmitter is separated.
2. Remove the old battery. Do not use a metal object.
3. Insert the new battery, positive side facing down. Replace with
a CR2032 or equivalent
battery.
4. Snap the transmitter back together.
Remote Vehicle Start
This vehicle may have a remote
start feature. This feature allows you
to start the engine from outside the
vehicle. It may also start the
vehicle's heating or air conditioning
systems. See Climate Control
Systems 0156.
Laws in some local communities
may restrict the use of remote
starters. For example, some laws
may require a person using remote
start to have the vehicle in view when doing so. Check local
regulations for any requirements on
remote starting of vehicles.
Do not use the remote start feature
if the vehicle is low on fuel. The
vehicle may run out of fuel.
The RKE transmitter range may be
less while the vehicle is running.
Other conditions can affect the
performance of the transmitter. See
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
System
026.
/:This button will be on the RKE
transmitter if the vehicle has remote
start.
To start the engine using the remote
start feature:
1. Press and release
Qon the
transmitter.
2. Immediately press and hold
/
until the turn signal lamps
flash. If you cannot see the
lamps, press and hold
/for at
least four seconds.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374212) - 2018 - crc - 2/2/18
66 Seats and Restraints
United StatesCanada and Mexico
To turn the front outboard passenger
airbag on again, insert the ignition
key into the switch, push in, and
move the switch to the on position.
The front outboard passenger
frontal airbag is now enabled, and
may inflate. See Airbag On-Off Light
0 103.
Servicing the
Airbag-Equipped Vehicle
Airbags affect how the vehicle
should be serviced. There are parts
of the airbag system in several
places around the vehicle. Your dealer and the service manual have
information about servicing the
vehicle and the airbag system. To
purchase a service manual, see
Service Publications Ordering
Information
0327.
{Warning
For up to 10 seconds after the
vehicle is turned off and the
battery is disconnected, an airbag
can still inflate during improper
service. You can be injured if you
are close to an airbag when it
inflates. Avoid yellow connectors.
They are probably part of the
airbag system. Be sure to follow
proper service procedures, and
make sure the person performing
work for you is qualified to do so.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374212) - 2018 - crc - 2/2/18
Lighting 127
Lighting Features
Entry/Exit Lighting
The vehicle has an illuminated
entry/exit feature.
The dome lamps come on if the
E
DOME OFF button is in the
extended position, when a door is
opened, or the key is removed from
the ignition.
Battery Load
Management
The vehicle may have Electric
Power Management (EPM) that
estimates the battery's temperature
and state of charge. It then adjusts
the voltage for best performance
and extended life of the battery.
When the battery's state of charge
is low, the voltage is raised slightly
to quickly bring the charge back up.
When the state of charge is high,
the voltage is lowered slightly to
prevent overcharging. If the vehicle
has a voltmeter gauge or a voltage
display on the Driver InformationCenter (DIC), you may see the
voltage move up or down. This is
normal. If there is a problem, an
alert will be displayed.
The battery can be discharged at
idle if the electrical loads are very
high. This is true for all vehicles.
This is because the generator
(alternator) may not be spinning fast
enough at idle to produce all the
power that is needed for very high
electrical loads.
A high electrical load occurs when
several of the following are on, such
as: headlamps, high beams, fog
lamps, rear window defogger,
climate control fan at high speed,
heated seats, engine cooling fans,
trailer loads, and loads plugged into
accessory power outlets.
EPM works to prevent excessive
discharge of the battery. It does this
by balancing the generator's output
and the vehicle's electrical needs.
It can increase engine idle speed to
generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce
the power demands of some
accessories.Normally, these actions occur in
steps or levels, without being
noticeable. In rare cases at the
highest levels of corrective action,
this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message might be
displayed, such as SERVICE
BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM.
If this messages displays, it is
recommended that the driver reduce
the electrical loads as much as
possible.
Battery Power Protection
This feature shuts off the dome
lamps if they are left on for more
than 10 minutes when the ignition is
off. This helps to prevent the battery
from running down.
Exterior Lighting Battery
Saver
The exterior lamps turn off about
10 minutes after the ignition is
turned off, if the parking lamps or
headlamps have been manually left
on. This protects against draining
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374212) - 2018 - crc - 2/2/18
Driving and Operating 175
1 (ACC/ACCESSORY) :This is the
position in which you can operate
things like the radio and the
windshield wipers when the engine
is off.
2 (ON/RUN) : This position can be
used to operate the electrical
accessories and to display some
instrument cluster warning and
indicator lights. This position can
also be used for service and
diagnostics, and to verify the proper
operation of the malfunction
indicator lamp as may be required
for emission inspection purposes.
The switch stays in this position
when the engine is running.
If you leave the key in the ACC/
ACCESSORY or ON/RUN position
with the engine off, the battery could
be drained. You may not be able to
start the vehicle if the battery is
allowed to drain for an extended
period of time.
3 (START) : This is the position that
starts the engine. When the engine
starts, release the key. The ignition
switch returns to ON/RUN for
driving. A warning tone will sound when the
driver door is opened, the ignition is
in ACC/ACCESSORY or LOCK/OFF
and the key is in the ignition.
Starting the Engine
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see the Duramax diesel
supplement.
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
0 212.
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.
Caution
If the steering wheel is turned
until it reaches the end of its
travel, and is held in that position
while starting the vehicle, damage
may occur to the hydraulic power
steering system and there may be
loss of power steering assist.
Starting Procedure 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When
the engine starts, let go of the
key. The idle speed will go
down as your engine gets
warm. Do not race the engine
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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176 Driving and Operating
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and
transmission gently to allow the
oil to warm up and lubricate all
moving parts.
When the Low Fuel warning
lamp is on and the FUEL
LEVEL LOW message is
displayed in the Driver
Information Center (DIC), the
Computer-Controlled Cranking
System is disabled to prevent
possible vehicle component
damage. When this happens,
hold the ignition switch in the
START position to continue
engine cranking.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long
periods of time, by returning the
ignition to the START position
immediately after cranking has
ended, can overheat and damage
the cranking motor, and drain the(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the
cranking motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after 5-10 seconds, especially
in very cold weather (below
−18 °C or 0 °F), it could be
flooded with too much
gasoline. Try pushing the
accelerator pedal all the way to
the floor and holding it there as
you hold the key in START for
up to 15 seconds. Wait at least
15 seconds between each try,
to allow the cranking motor to
cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and
accelerator. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do
the same thing. This clears the
extra gasoline from the engine.
Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it.
Operate the engine and transmission gently until the oil
warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Fast Idle System
If equipped, this feature is available
only with cruise control. The manual
fast idle switch is operated using the
cruise control buttons on the left
side of the steering wheel.
This system can be used to
increase engine idle speed
whenever the following conditions
are met:
.
The parking brake is set.
. The brake pedal is not pressed.
. The vehicle must not be moving
and the accelerator must not be
pressed.
To control the fast idle:
. To enable the Fast Idle System,
press and release the cruise
control on/off button and ensure
that the switch indicator light
is lit.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
11374212) - 2018 - crc - 2/2/18
180 Driving and Operating
Shifting out of Park
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. You have to fully apply the
brakes before you can shift from
P (Park) when the ignition is on or in
ACC/ACCESSORY. SeeAutomatic
Transmission 0182.
The shift lock control system is
designed to:
. Prevent the ignition key from
being removed unless the shift
lever is in P (Park).
. Prevent movement of the shift
lever out of P (Park), unless the
ignition is on or in ACC/
ACCESSORY and the regular
brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock control system is
always functional except in the case
of a dead battery or low voltage
(less than 9 V) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. See Jump Starting - North
America 0286. To shift out of P (Park):
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition on or to ACC/ ACCESSORY.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of
P (Park): 1. Ease the pressure on the shift lever.
2. While holding down the brake pedal, push the shift lever all
the way into P (Park).
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you are still having a problem
shifting, have the vehicle serviced.
Parking over Things
That Burn
{Warning
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.