Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583525) - 2021 - CRC - 1/4/21
2 Introduction
Canadian Vehicle Owners
A French language manual can be obtained
from your dealer, at www.helminc.com,
or from:
Propriétaires Canadiens
On peut obtenir un exemplaire de ce guide
en français auprès du concessionnaire ou à
l'adresse suivante:
Helm, Incorporated
Attention: Customer Service
47911 Halyard Drive
Plymouth, MI 48170
USA
Using this Manual
To quickly locate information about the
vehicle, use the Index in the back of the
manual. It is an alphabetical list of what is
in the manual and the page number where
it can be found.
Danger, Warning, and Caution
Warning messages found on vehicle labels
and in this manual describe hazards and
what to do to avoid or reduce them.
{Danger
Danger indicates a hazard with a high
level of risk which will result in serious
injury or death.
{Warning
Warning indicates a hazard that could
result in injury or death.
Caution
Caution indicates a hazard that could
result in property or vehicle damage.
A circle with a slash through it is a safety
symbol which means“Do not,” “Do not do
this,” or“Do not let this happen.”
Symbols
The vehicle has components and labels that
use symbols instead of text. Symbols are
shown along with the text describing the
operation or information relating to a
specific component, control, message, gauge,
or indicator.
M:Shown when the owner’s manual has
additional instructions or information.
*: Shown when the service manual has
additional instructions or information.
0: Shown when there is more information
on another page — “see page.”
Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may
be found on the vehicle and what they
mean. See the features in this manual for
information.
u: Air Conditioning System
G:Air Conditioning Refrigerant Oil
9:Airbag Readiness Light
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
$:Brake System Warning Light
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583525) - 2021 - CRC - 12/9/20
Keys, Doors, and Windows 19
Folding Mirrors
Manual Folding Mirrors
The mirrors can be folded inward toward
the vehicle to prevent damage when going
through an automatic car wash. Push the
mirror outward to return it to the original
position.
Side Blind Zone Alert
The vehicle may have Side Blind Zone Alert.
SeeSide Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) 0155.
Heated Mirrors
For vehicles with heated mirrors:
1:Press to heat the mirrors.
An indicator light in the button lights when
the outside heated mirrors are activated.
See “Rear Window Defogger” underClimate
Control Systems 0119.
Interior Mirrors
Interior Rearview Mirrors
Adjust the rearview mirror for a clear view
of the area behind the vehicle. Do not spray glass cleaner directly on the
mirror. Use a soft towel dampened with
water.
Manual Rearview Mirror
Push the tab forward for daytime use and
pull it rearward for nighttime use to avoid
glare of the headlamps from behind.
Backup Video Manual Mirror
If equipped, this manual dimming mirror
provides a camera view of the area behind
the vehicle. The video display feature comes
on when the vehicle is shifted in R (Reverse),
and turns off when the vehicle is shifted out
of R (Reverse).
Troubleshooting
If the vehicle is in R (Reverse) and a blue
screen is displayed in the mirror and then
the display shuts off, see your dealer for
service.
See
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) 0152.
Windows
{
Warning
Never leave a child, a helpless adult, or a
pet alone in a vehicle, especially with the
windows closed in warm or hot weather.
They can be overcome by the extreme
heat and suffer permanent injuries or
even death from heat stroke.
Manual Windows
Operate the manual windows by turning the
hand crank on each door to raise or lower
the side door windows.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583525) - 2021 - CRC - 12/9/20
Instruments and Controls 73
The oil pressure gauge shows the engine oil
pressure in psi (pounds per square inch)
or kPa (kilopascals) when the engine is
running.
Oil pressure may vary with engine speed,
outside temperature and oil viscosity, but
readings above the low pressure zone
indicate the normal operating range.
A reading in the low pressure zone may be
caused by a dangerously low oil level or
other problem causing low oil pressure.
Caution
Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
can damage the engine. Driving with the
engine oil low can also damage the
engine. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Check the oil
level as soon as possible. Add oil if
required, but if the oil level is within the
operating range and the oil pressure is
still low, have the vehicle serviced.
Always follow the maintenance schedule
for changing engine oil.
Engine Coolant Temperature
Gauge
Metric
EnglishThis gauge shows the engine coolant
temperature.
It also provides an indicator of how hard the
vehicle is working. During a majority of the
operation, the gauge will read 100 °C (210 °F)
or less. If the vehicle is pulling a load or
going up hills, it is normal for the
temperature to fluctuate and approach the
122 °C (250 °F) mark. If the gauge reaches
the 125 °C (260 °F) mark, it indicates that the
cooling system is working beyond its
capacity.
See
Engine Overheating 0194.
Voltmeter Gauge
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583525) - 2021 - CRC - 12/9/20
Instruments and Controls 75
Airbag On-Off Light
When the front outboard passenger airbag
is manually turned off using the airbag
on-off switch on the instrument panel,
if equipped, the indicator light OFF or the
off symbol will come on and stay on as a
reminder that the airbag has been turned
off. This light will go off when the airbag
has been turned on. SeeAirbag On-Off
Switch 042 for more information, including
important safety information.
United States
Canada and Mexico
{Warning
If the front outboard passenger frontal
airbag is turned off for a person who is
not in a risk group identified by the
national government, that person will not
have the extra protection of an airbag. In
a crash, the airbag will not be able to
inflate and help protect the person sitting
there. Do not turn off the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag unless the
person sitting there is in a risk group
identified by the national government.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
SeeAirbag On-Off Switch 042 for more
information, including important safety
information.
{Warning
If the airbag readiness light ever comes
on and stays on, it means that
something may be wrong with the airbag
system. For example, the front outboard
passenger frontal airbag could inflate
even though the airbag on-off switch is
turned off.
To help avoid injury to yourself or others,
have the vehicle serviced right away. See
Airbag Readiness Light 074 for more
information, including important safety
information.
If the word ON or the on symbol is lit, it
means that the front outboard passenger
frontal airbag is enabled, and may inflate.
See Airbag On-Off Switch 042 for more
information, including important safety
information.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583525) - 2021 - CRC - 12/9/20
76 Instruments and Controls
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on briefly
when the ignition is turned on, but the
engine is not running, as a check to show
the light is working. It should go out when
the engine is started.
If the light stays on, or comes on while
driving, there may be a problem with the
electrical charging system. Have it checked
by your dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the battery.
When this light comes on, or is flashing, the
Driver Information Center (DIC) also displays
a message.
If a short distance must be driven with the
light on, be sure to turn off all accessories,
such as the radio and air conditioner. Find a
safe place to stop the vehicle.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
This light is part of the vehicle’s emission
control on-board diagnostic system. If this
light is on while the engine is running, a
malfunction has been detected and the
vehicle may require service. The light should
come on to show that it is working when
the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. SeeIgnition Positions 0135.
Malfunctions are often indicated by the
system before any problem is noticeable.
Being aware of the light and seeking service
promptly when it comes on may prevent
damage.
Caution
If the vehicle is driven continually with
this light on, the emission control system
may not work as well, the fuel economy
may be lower, and the vehicle may not
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
run smoothly. This could lead to costly
repairs that might not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Caution
Modifications to the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake, or fuel system, or the
use of replacement tires that do not
meet the original tire specifications, can
cause this light to come on. This could
lead to costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. This could also affect
the vehicle’s ability to pass an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications 0178.
If the light is flashing : A malfunction has
been detected that could damage the
emission control system and increase vehicle
emissions. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
To help prevent damage, reduce vehicle
speed and avoid hard accelerations and
uphill grades. If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as soon as
possible.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583525) - 2021 - CRC - 12/9/20
Instruments and Controls 79
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Light
This light is green if LDW is on and ready to
operate.
This light changes to amber and flashes to
indicate that the lane marking has been
crossed without using a turn signal in that
direction.
SeeLane Departure Warning (LDW) 0157.
Vehicle Ahead Indicator
If equipped, this indicator will display green
when a vehicle is detected ahead and amber
when you are following a vehicle ahead
much too closely. See
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System
0 154.
StabiliTrak OFF Light
This light comes on briefly while starting
the engine. If it does not, have the vehicle
serviced by your dealer.
This light comes on when the StabiliTrak/
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system is
turned off. If StabiliTrak/ESC is off, the
Traction Control System (TCS) is also off.
If the StabiliTrak/ESC and TCS are off, the
system does not assist in controlling the
vehicle. Turn on the TCS and the StabiliTrak/
ESC systems and the warning light turns off.
See Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0147.
Traction Control System (TCS)/
StabiliTrak Light
This light comes on briefly when the vehicle
is turned on.
If the light does not come on, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer. If the
system is working normally, the indicator
light turns off.
If the light is on and not flashing, the TCS
and potentially the StabiliTrak/ESC system
are not fully operational and may not assist
in maintaining control. Adjust driving
accordingly. If the condition persists, see
your dealer as soon as possible. A Driver
Information Center (DIC) message may
display.
The light flashes when the TCS and/or the
StabiliTrak/ESC system is actively working.
See Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0147.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583525) - 2021 - CRC - 12/9/20
80 Instruments and Controls
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS), this light comes on briefly
when the engine is started. It provides
information about tire pressures and
the TPMS.
When the Light Is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of the tires
are significantly underinflated.
A Driver Information Center (DIC) tire
pressure message may also display. Stop as
soon as possible, and inflate the tires to the
pressure value shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. SeeTire Pressure
0 217.
When the Light Flashes First and Then Is On
Steady
If the light flashes for about a minute and
then stays on, there may be a problem with
the TPMS. If the problem is not corrected, the light will come on at every ignition
cycle. See
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
0 218.
Engine Oil Pressure Light
Caution
Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
can damage the engine. Driving with the
engine oil low can also damage the
engine. The repairs would not be covered
by the vehicle warranty. Check the oil
level as soon as possible. Add oil if
required, but if the oil level is within the
operating range and the oil pressure is
still low, have the vehicle serviced.
Always follow the maintenance schedule
for changing engine oil.
This light should come on briefly as the
engine is started. If it does not come on,
have the vehicle serviced by your dealer. If the light comes on and stays on, it means
that oil is not flowing through the engine
properly. The vehicle could be low on oil
and might have some other system
problem. See your dealer.
Low Fuel Warning Light
English Shown, Metric Similar
A Low Fuel Warning Light near the fuel
gauge comes on briefly when the ignition is
turned on as a check to show it is working.
It also comes on, and a chime sounds when
the fuel gauge indicator nears empty. The
light turns off when fuel is added. If it does
not, have the vehicle serviced.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
14583525) - 2021 - CRC - 12/9/20
Instruments and Controls 81
Security Light
The security light should come on briefly as
the engine is started. If it does not come on,
have the vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the system is working normally, the
indicator light turns off.
If the light stays on and the engine does
not start, there could be a problem with the
theft-deterrent system. SeeImmobilizer
Operation 017.
High-Beam On Light
This light comes on when the high-beam
headlamps are in use. See
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
0 91.
Cruise Control Light
This light comes on when the cruise control
is set.
This light goes out when the cruise control
is canceled. See Cruise Control0149.
Information Displays
Driver Information Center (DIC)
This vehicle has a DIC.
All messages will appear in the DIC display
at the bottom of the instrument cluster.
The DIC comes on when the ignition is on.
After a short delay, the DIC will display the
information that was last displayed before
the engine was turned off. The DIC displays trip, fuel, and vehicle
system information, and warning messages
if a system problem is detected.
If the vehicle has these features, the DIC
also displays the compass direction and the
outside air temperature when viewing the
trip and fuel information. The compass
direction appears on the top right corner of
the DIC display. The outside air temperature
automatically appears in the bottom right
corner of the DIC display. If there is a
problem with the system that controls the
temperature display, the numbers will be
replaced with dashes. If this occurs, have the
vehicle serviced by your dealer.
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.
DIC Operation and Displays
The DIC has different displays which can be
accessed by pressing the DIC buttons on the
instrument panel, next to the instrument
cluster.