Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583525) - 2021 - CRC - 12/9/20
74 Instruments and Controls
When the engine is not running, but the
ignition is on, this gauge shows the
battery's state of charge in DC volts.
When the engine is running, the gauge
shows the condition of the charging system.
Readings between the low and high warning
zones indicate the normal operating range.
Readings in the low warning zone may occur
when a large number of electrical
accessories are operating in the vehicle and
the engine is left at an idle for an extended
period. This condition is normal since the
charging system is not able to provide full
power at engine idle. As engine speeds are
increased, this condition should correct itself
as higher engine speeds allow the charging
system to create maximum power.
The vehicle can be only driven for a short
time with the reading in either warning
zone. If it must be driven, turn off all
unnecessary accessories.
Readings in either warning zone indicate a
possible problem in the electrical system.
Have the vehicle serviced as soon as
possible.Seat Belt Reminders
Driver Seat Belt Reminder Light
There is a seat belt reminder light on the
instrument cluster.
When the vehicle is started, this light
flashes and a chime may come on to remind
the driver to fasten their seat belt. Then the
light stays on solid until the belt is buckled.
This cycle may continue several times if the
driver remains or becomes unbuckled while
the vehicle is moving.
If the driver seat belt is buckled, neither the
light nor the chime comes on.
Airbag Readiness Light
This light shows if there is an electrical
problem with the airbag system. The system
check includes the airbag sensor(s), the
pretensioners (if equipped), the airbag
modules, the wiring, and the crash sensingand diagnostic module. For more
information on the airbag system, see
Airbag System
036.
The airbag readiness light comes on for
several seconds when the vehicle is started.
If the light does not come on then, have it
fixed immediately.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light stays on
after the vehicle is started or comes on
while driving, it means the airbag system
might not be working properly. The
airbags in the vehicle might not inflate in
a crash, or they could even inflate
without a crash. To help avoid injury,
have the vehicle serviced right away.
If there is a problem with the airbag
system, a Driver Information Center (DIC)
message may also display.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583525) - 2021 - CRC - 12/9/20
130 Driving and Operating
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or through mountains
is different than driving on flat or rolling
terrain. Tips include:
.Keep the vehicle serviced and in good
shape.
.Check all fluid levels and brakes, tires,
cooling system, and transmission.
.Shift to a lower gear when going down
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. 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 assist. Always have the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep the vehicle in
its own lane. Do not swing wide or cross
the center line.
.Be alert on top of hills; something could
be in your lane (e.g., stalled car, crash).
.Pay attention to special road signs (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 and the road
creates less traction or grip, so drive
carefully. Wet ice can occur at about 0 °C
(32 °F) when freezing rain begins to fall.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For slippery road driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the
surface under the tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control. SeeTraction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0147.
.Antilock Brake System (ABS) improves
vehicle stability during hard stops, but
the brakes should be applied sooner than
when on dry pavement. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) 0146.
.Allow greater following distance and
watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in shaded
areas. The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden
steering maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
.Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and signal
for help. Stay with the vehicle unless there
is help nearby. If possible, use Roadside
Assistance. See Roadside Assistance Program
0 268. To get help and keep everyone in
the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583525) - 2021 - CRC - 12/9/20
Vehicle Care 237
After installing the spare tire on the vehicle,
stop as soon as possible and check that the
spare is correctly inflated. The spare tire is
made to perform well at speeds up to
112 km/h (70 mph) at the recommended
inflation pressure, so you can finish
your trip.
Have the damaged or flat road tire repaired
or replaced back onto the vehicle, as soon as
possible, so the spare tire will be available
in case it is needed again.
Do not mix tires and wheels of different
sizes, because they will not fit. Keep the
spare tire and its wheel together.
If this vehicle has a spare tire that does not
match the original road tires and wheels in
size and type, do not include the spare in
the tire rotation.
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America
For more information about the vehicle
battery, seeBattery - North America 0199.
If the vehicle battery has run down, you
may want to use another vehicle and some
jumper cables to start your vehicle. Be sure
to use the following steps to do it safely.
{Warning
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals, and
related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Batteries also contain other chemicals
known to the State of California to cause
cancer. WASH HANDS AFTER HANDLING.
For more information go to
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/
passenger-vehicle.
See California Proposition 65 Warning 0178
and the back cover.
{Warning
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
.They contain acid that can burn you.
.They contain gas that can explode or
ignite.
.They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly,
some or all of these things can hurt you.
Caution
Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to the vehicle that would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Trying
to start the vehicle by pushing or pulling
it will not work, and it could damage the
vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery with a negative ground
system.
Caution
If the other vehicle does not have a
12-volt system with a negative ground,
both vehicles can be damaged. Only use
a vehicle that has a 12-volt system with a
negative ground for jump starting.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can reach, but be sure the
vehicles are not touching each other.
If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you do not want. You would
not be able to start your vehicle, and the
bad grounding could damage the
electrical systems.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583525) - 2021 - CRC - 12/9/20
288 Index
Engine (cont'd)Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Drive Belt Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Enhanced Technology Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . 95
F
Fan Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138 Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Fixed Mast Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . 186, 189
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . .154
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Front Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Front Turn Signal Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Economy, Driving for Better . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 160 Fuel (cont'd)
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Fuses Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 206
Floor Console Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
G
GaugesEngine Coolant Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . 70
General Information Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160