Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583525) - 2021 - CRC - 12/9/20
250 Service and Maintenance
Service and Maintenance
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Special Application Services
Special Application Services . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Additional Maintenance and Care
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . 255
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and
Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . 257
Maintenance Replacement Parts . . . . . . . 258
Maintenance Records
Maintenance Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
General Information
This maintenance section applies to vehicles
with a gasoline engine. For diesel engine
vehicles, see "Maintenance Schedule" in the
Duramax diesel supplement.
Your vehicle is an important investment.
This section describes the required
maintenance for the vehicle. Follow this
schedule to help protect against major repair
expenses resulting from neglect or
inadequate maintenance. It may also help to
maintain the value of the vehicle if it is
sold. It is the responsibility of the owner to
have all required maintenance performed.
Your dealer has trained technicians who can
perform required maintenance using genuine
replacement parts. They have up-to-date
tools and equipment for fast and accurate
diagnostics. Many dealers have extended
evening and Saturday hours, courtesy
transportation, and online scheduling to
assist with service needs.
Your dealer recognizes the importance of
providing competitively priced maintenance
and repair services. With trained technicians,
the dealer is the place for routinemaintenance such as oil changes and tire
rotations and additional maintenance items
like tires, brakes, batteries, and wiper blades.
Caution
Damage caused by improper maintenance
can lead to costly repairs and may not be
covered by the vehicle warranty.
Maintenance intervals, checks,
inspections, recommended fluids, and
lubricants are important to keep the
vehicle in good working condition.
Do not have chemical flushes that are not
approved by GM performed on the
vehicle. The use of flushes, solvents,
cleaners, or lubricants that are not
approved by GM could damage the
vehicle, requiring expensive repairs that
are not covered by the vehicle warranty.
The Tire Rotation and Required Services are
the responsibility of the vehicle owner. It is
recommended to have your dealer perform
these services every 12 000 km/7,500 mi.
Proper vehicle maintenance helps to keep
the vehicle in good working condition,
improves fuel economy, and reduces vehicle
emissions.
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252 Service and Maintenance
help the longevity and efficient operation of
the air conditioning system. This service can
be complex. See your dealer.
Tire Rotation and Required Services
Every 12 000 km (7,500 mi)
Rotate the tires, if recommended for the
vehicle, and perform the following services.
SeeTire Rotation 0221.
.Check engine oil level and oil
life percentage. If needed, change engine
oil and filter, and reset oil life system.
See Engine Oil 0184 and
Engine Oil Life System 0186.
.Check engine coolant level. See Cooling
System 0191.
.Check windshield washer fluid level. See
Washer Fluid 0196.
.Check tire inflation pressures, including
the spare. See Tire Pressure0217.
.Inspect tire wear. See Tire Inspection
0 221.
.Visually check for fluid leaks.
.Inspect engine air cleaner filter. See
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter 0189.
.Inspect brake system. See Exterior Care
0 242.
.Visually inspect steering, suspension, and
chassis components for damage, including
cracks or tears in the rubber boots, loose
or missing parts, or signs of wear at least
once a year. See Exterior Care0242.
.Inspect power steering for proper
attachment, connections, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc.
.Visually inspect halfshafts and drive
shafts for excessive wear, lubricant leaks,
and/or damage including: tube dents or
cracks, constant velocity joint or universal
joint looseness, cracked or missing boots,
loose or missing boot clamps, center
bearing excessive looseness, loose or
missing fasteners, and axle seal leaks.
.Check restraint system components. See
Safety System Check 035.
.Visually inspect fuel system for damage
or leaks.
.Visually inspect exhaust system and
nearby heat shields for loose or damaged
parts.
.Lubricate body components. See Exterior
Care 0242.
.Check starter switch. See Starter Switch
Check 0200.
.Check automatic transmission shift lock
control function. See Automatic
Transmission Shift Lock Control Function
Check 0201.
.Check ignition transmission lock. See
Ignition Transmission Lock Check 0201.
.Check parking brake and automatic
transmission park mechanism. See Park
Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check
0 201.
.Check accelerator pedal for damage, high
effort, or binding. Replace if needed.
.Lubricate the steering linkage (greasable
joints). See Normal and Severe
Maintenance Schedules. For severe
commercial use vehicles, see Special
Application Services 0255.
.Visually inspect the spare tire to ensure
that it is tightly stowed under the vehicle.
Push, pull, and try to turn the tire. If the
spare tire moves, tighten as necessary.
See Tire Changing 0229.
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Service and Maintenance 253
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Normal12 000 km/7,500 mi
24 000 km/15,000 mi
36 000 km/22,500 mi
48 000 km/30,000 mi 60 000 km/37,500 mi
72 000 km/45,000 mi84 000 km/52,500 mi
96 000 km/60,000 mi
108 000 km/67,500 mi 120 000 km/75,000 mi 132 000 km/82,500 mi
144 000 km/90,000 mi 156 000 km/97,500 mi
168 000 km/105,000 mi 180 000 km/112,500 mi
192 000 km/120,000 mi 204 000 km/127,500 mi 216 000 km/135,000 mi
228 000 km/142,500 mi
240 000 km/150,000 mi
Rotate tires and perform Required Services. Check engine oil
level and oil life percentage. Change engine oil and filter,
if needed.
Lubricate the steering linkage.@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Inspect evaporative control system. (1)@ @@
Replace engine air cleaner filter. (2)@@@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires and/or boots.@
Drain and fill engine cooling system. (3)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (4)@
Replace brake fluid. (5)
Replace windshield wiper blades. (6)
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace air conditioning desiccant. (7)
Footnotes—Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services - Normal
(1) Visually check all fuel and vapor lines
and hoses for proper attachment,
connection, routing, and condition. (2)
Or every four years, whichever comes
first. If driving in dusty conditions, inspect
the filter at each oil change or more often
as needed. See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0 189.
(3) Or every five years, whichever comes
first. See Cooling System 0191. (4)
Or every 10 years, whichever comes first.
Inspect for fraying, excessive cracking,
or damage; replace, if needed.
(5) Replace brake fluid every five years. See
Brake Fluid 0197.
(6) Or every 12 months, whichever comes
first. See Wiper Blade Replacement 0201.
(7) Replace air conditioning desiccant every
seven years.
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254 Service and Maintenance
Maintenance Schedule Additional
Required Services - Severe12 000 km/7,500 mi
24 000 km/15,000 mi
36 000 km/22,500 mi
48 000 km/30,000 mi 60 000 km/37,500 mi
72 000 km/45,000 mi84 000 km/52,500 mi
96 000 km/60,000 mi
108 000 km/67,500 mi 120 000 km/75,000 mi 132 000 km/82,500 mi
144 000 km/90,000 mi 156 000 km/97,500 mi
168 000 km/105,000 mi 180 000 km/112,500 mi
192 000 km/120,000 mi 204 000 km/127,500 mi 216 000 km/135,000 mi
228 000 km/142,500 mi
240 000 km/150,000 mi
Rotate tires and perform Required Services. Check engine oil
level and oil life percentage. Change engine oil and filter,
if needed.
Lubricate the steering linkage.@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Inspect evaporative control system. (1)@ @@
Replace engine air cleaner filter. (2)@@@
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter.@@@
Replace spark plugs. Inspect spark plug wires and/or boots.@
Drain and fill engine cooling system. (3)@
Visually inspect accessory drive belts. (4)@
Replace brake fluid. (5)
Replace windshield wiper blades. (6)
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Replace air conditioning desiccant. (7)
Footnotes—Maintenance Schedule
Additional Required Services - Severe
(1) Visually check all fuel and vapor lines
and hoses for proper attachment,
connection, routing, and condition. (2)
Or every four years, whichever comes
first. If driving in dusty conditions, inspect
the filter at each oil change or more often
as needed. See Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
0 189.
(3) Or every five years, whichever comes
first. See Cooling System 0191. (4)
Or every 10 years, whichever comes first.
Inspect for fraying, excessive cracking,
or damage; replace, if needed.
(5) Replace brake fluid every five years. See
Brake Fluid 0197.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Service and Maintenance 255
(6)Or every 12 months, whichever comes
first. See Wiper Blade Replacement 0201.
(7) Replace air conditioning desiccant every
seven years.
Special Application Services
.Vehicles with Dual Wheels: Check dual
wheel nut torque at 160, 1 600, and
10 000 km (100, 1,000, and 6,000 mi) of
driving. Repeat this service whenever a
tire/wheel is serviced or removed.
.Severe Commercial Use Vehicles Only:
Lubricate chassis components every oil
change.
.Have underbody flushing service
performed. See “Underbody Maintenance”
in Exterior Care 0242.
Additional Maintenance
and Care
Your vehicle is an important investment and
caring for it properly may help to avoid
future costly repairs. To maintain vehicle
performance, additional maintenance
services may be required. It is recommended that your dealer perform
these services
—their trained dealer
technicians know your vehicle best. Your
dealer can also perform a thorough
assessment with a multi-point inspection to
recommend when your vehicle may need
attention.
The following list is intended to explain the
services and conditions to look for that may
indicate services are required.
Battery
The 12-volt battery supplies power to start
the engine and operate any additional
electrical accessories.
.To avoid break-down or failure to start
the vehicle, maintain a battery with full
cranking power.
.Trained dealer technicians have the
diagnostic equipment to test the battery
and ensure that the connections and
cables are corrosion-free.
Belts
.Belts may need replacing if they squeak
or show signs of cracking or splitting.
.Trained dealer technicians have access to
tools and equipment to inspect the belts
and recommend adjustment or
replacement when necessary. Brakes
Brakes stop the vehicle and are crucial to
safe driving.
.Signs of brake wear may include chirping,
grinding, or squealing noises, or difficulty
stopping.
.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 0257 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.
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Service and Maintenance 257
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants, and Parts
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
This maintenance section applies to vehicles with a gasoline engine. If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the maintenance schedule section in
the Duramax diesel supplement.
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name or specification, including fluids or lubricants not listed here, can be obtained from your dealer.Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Automatic Transmission (6-Speed Transmission) DEXRON-VI Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Automatic Transmission (8-Speed Transmission) DEXRON-HP Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Chassis Lubrication, Parking Brake Cable Guides Chassis lubricant meeting requirements of NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Engine Coolant 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and use only DEX-COOL Coolant. See Cooling System
0 191.
Engine Oil Engine oil meeting the dexos1 specification of the proper SAE viscosity grade. ACDelco dexos1 full synthetic is recommended. See Engine Oil0184.
Hydraulic Brake System DOT 3 Hydraulic Brake Fluid.
Key Lock Cylinders, Hood Hinges Multi-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube. See your dealer. Power Steering System GM Power Steering Fluid. See your dealer. Rear Axle See your dealer.
Windshield Washer Automotive windshield washer fluid that meets regional freeze protection requirements.
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Index 285
IndexA
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . .178
Accessory Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Additional InformationOnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Additional Maintenance and Care . . . . . . . . 255
Agreements Trademarks and License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119, 122
Air Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . . 41
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . 40
What Will You See after an Airbag
Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . 40
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Airbags Adding Equipment to the Vehicle . . . . . . . 45
Light On-Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
On-Off Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
On-Off Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Readiness Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Servicing Airbag-Equipped Vehicles . . . . . . 44
System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Alarm
Vehicle Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Alert Side Blind Zone (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
AM-FM Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Antenna Fixed Mast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Multi-band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Appearance Care Exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Interior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Ashtrays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Assistance Program, Roadside . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Audio Theft-Deterrent Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Audio Players CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Automatic
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Transmission Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186, 189
Automatic Transmission Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Shift Lock Control Function Check . . . . . . 201
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286 Index
AuxiliaryDevices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Avoiding Untrusted Media Devices . . . . . . . 104
Axle, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
B
Battery Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . 95
Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . .199, 237
Blade Replacement, Wiper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Bluetooth Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Brake System Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Antilock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Break-In, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Bulb Replacement Center High-Mounted Stoplamp(CHMSL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202 Bulb Replacement (cont'd)
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Headlamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
License Plate Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
C
Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements . . . 178
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178, 199, 237, Back Cover
Camera Rear Vision (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Canadian Vehicle Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Capacities and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Carbon Monoxide Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Cargo Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Cargo Door Relocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Caution, Danger, and Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Chains, Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Charging System Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator) . . . . 76
Ignition Transmission Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Child Restraints Infants and Young Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Lower Anchors and Tethers forChildren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Securing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58, 60
Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Cigarette Lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Cleaning Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Climate Control Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Rear Heating System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Cluster, Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Collision Damage Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271