2021 CHEVROLET EXPRESS CARGO spare wheel

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Vehicle Care 177
Vehicle Care
General Information
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
California Proposition 65 Warning . . . . . 178
California Perchlorate MaterialsRequirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Accessories and Modifications . . . . . . . . . 178
Vehicle Checks
Doing Your Own Service Work . . . . . . . . . 179
Hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Engine Compartment Overview . . . . . . . . 181
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Automatic Transmission Fluid (6-Speed Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Automatic Transmission Fluid (8-Speed Transmission) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Engine Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Engine Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Power Steering Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Battery - North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 Starter Switch Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control Function Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Ignition Transmission Lock Check . . . . . . 201
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Windshield Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Headlamp Aiming
Front Headlamp Aiming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Bulb Replacement
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker, and Parking Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
License Plate Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Electrical System
Electrical System Overload . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . 206
Floor Console Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Wheels and Tires
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
All-Season Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Tire Sidewall Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Tire Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Tire Terminology and Definitions . . . . . . 215
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Tire Pressure Monitor System . . . . . . . . . 218
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation . . . . . . . 218
Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Tire Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
When It Is Time for New Tires . . . . . . . . 223
Buying New Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Different Size Tires and Wheels . . . . . . . . 225
Uniform Tire Quality Grading . . . . . . . . . . 225
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance . . . . 226
Wheel Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Tire Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
If a Tire Goes Flat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Jump Starting
Jump Starting - North America . . . . . . . . 237
Towing the Vehicle
Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Recreational Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Appearance Care
Exterior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Interior Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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218 Vehicle Care
is necessary. If the inflation pressure is
low, add air until the recommended
pressure is reached. If the inflation
pressure is high, press on the metal
stem in the center of the tire valve to
release air.
Re-check the tire pressure with the tire
gauge.
Put the valve caps back on the valve
stems to keep out dirt and moisture.
Use only valve caps designed for the
vehicle by GM. TPMS sensors could be
damaged and would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.
Tire Pressure Monitor System
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
uses radio and sensor technology to check
tire pressure levels. The TPMS sensors
monitor the air pressure in your tires and
transmit tire pressure readings to a receiver
located in the vehicle.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the vehicle placard or tire inflationpressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a
different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label, you should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a
low tire pressure telltale when one or more
of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire
failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire maintenance, and
it is the driver's responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation
has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure
telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when
the system is not operating properly. TheTPMS malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale
will flash for approximately one minute and
then remain continuously illuminated. This
sequence will continue upon subsequent
vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction
exists.
When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be able to
detect or signal low tire pressure as
intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for
a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS malfunction telltale after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement
or alternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function properly.
See
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation 0218.
See Radio Frequency Statement 0273.
Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire Pressure
Monitor System (TPMS). The TPMS is
designed to warn the driver when a low tire
pressure condition exists. TPMS sensors are

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Vehicle Care 219
mounted onto each tire and wheel
assembly, excluding the spare tire and
wheel assembly. The TPMS sensors monitor
the air pressure in the tires and transmit the
tire pressure readings to a receiver located
in the vehicle.
When a low tire pressure condition is
detected, the TPMS illuminates the low tire
pressure warning light located on the
instrument cluster. If the warning light
comes on, stop as soon as possible and
inflate the tires to the recommended
pressure shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label. SeeVehicle Load Limits
0 132.
A message to check the pressure in a
specific tire displays in the Driver
Information Center (DIC). The low tire
pressure warning light and the DIC warning
message come on at each ignition cycle
until the tires are inflated to the correct
inflation pressure. If the vehicle has DIC
buttons, tire pressure levels can be viewed. For additional information and details about
the DIC operation and displays, see
Driver
Information Center (DIC) 081.
The low tire pressure warning light may
come on in cool weather when the vehicle is
first started, and then turn off as the vehicle
is driven. This could be an early indicator
that the air pressure is getting low and
needs to be inflated to the proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information label shows
the size of the original equipment tires and
the correct inflation pressure for the tires
when they are cold. See Vehicle Load Limits
0 132, for an example of the Tire and
Loading Information label and its location.
Also see Tire Pressure 0217.
The TPMS can warn about a low tire
pressure condition but it does not replace
normal tire maintenance. See Tire Inspection
0 221, Tire Rotation 0221 and
Tires 0212.
Caution
Tire sealant materials are not all the
same. A non-approved tire sealant could
damage the TPMS sensors. TPMS sensor
damage caused by using an incorrect tire
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
sealant is not covered by the vehicle
warranty. Always use only the GM
approved tire sealant available through
your dealer or included in the vehicle.
TPMS Malfunction Light and Message
The TPMS will not function properly if one
or more of the TPMS sensors are missing or
inoperable. When the system detects a
malfunction, the low tire pressure warning
light flashes for about one minute and then
stays on for the remainder of the ignition
cycle. A DIC warning message also displays.
The malfunction light and DIC warning
message come on at each ignition cycle
until the problem is corrected. Some of the
conditions that can cause these to come
on are:
.One of the road tires has been replaced
with the spare tire. The spare tire does
not have a TPMS sensor. The malfunction
light and the DIC message should go off
after the road tire is replaced and the
sensor matching process is performed
successfully. See "TPMS Sensor Matching
Process" later in this section.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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220 Vehicle Care
.The TPMS sensor matching process was
not done or not completed successfully
after rotating the tires. The malfunction
light and the DIC message should go off
after successfully completing the sensor
matching process. See "TPMS Sensor
Matching Process" later in this section.
.One or more TPMS sensors are missing or
damaged. The malfunction light and the
DIC message should go off when the
TPMS sensors are installed and the sensor
matching process is performed
successfully. See your dealer for service.
.Replacement tires or wheels do not match
the original equipment tires or wheels.
Tires and wheels other than those
recommended could prevent the TPMS
from functioning properly. SeeBuying
New Tires 0223.
.Operating electronic devices or being near
facilities using radio wave frequencies
similar to the TPMS could cause the TPMS
sensors to malfunction.
If the TPMS is not functioning properly, it
cannot detect or signal a low tire pressure
condition. See your dealer for service if the
TPMS malfunction light and DIC message
come on and stay on.
TPMS Sensor Matching Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique
identification code. The identification code
needs to be matched to a new tire/wheel
position after rotating the vehicle’s tires or
replacing one or more of the TPMS sensors.
Also, the TPMS sensor matching process
should be performed after replacing a spare
tire with a road tire containing the TPMS
sensor. The malfunction light and the DIC
message should go off at the next ignition
cycle. The sensors are matched to the tire/
wheel positions, using a TPMS relearn tool,
in the following order: driver side front tire,
passenger side front tire, passenger side rear
tire, and driver side rear. See your dealer for
service or to purchase a relearn tool.
A TPMS relearn tool can also be purchased.
See Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor Activation
Tool at www.gmtoolsandequipment.com or
call 1-800-GM TOOLS (1-800-468-6657).
There are two minutes to match the first
tire/wheel position, and five minutes overall
to match all four tire/wheel positions. If it
takes longer, the matching process stops
and must be restarted.
The TPMS sensor matching process is: 1. Set the parking brake. 2. Turn the ignition on without starting the
vehicle. See Ignition Positions 0135.
3. Press the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter's
QandKbuttons at the
same time for approximately
five seconds. The horn sounds twice to
signal the receiver is in relearn mode
and TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message
displays on the DIC screen.
If the vehicle does not have RKE, press
the Driver Information Center (DIC)
vehicle information button until the
PRESS VTO RELEARN TIRE POSITIONS
message displays. The horn sounds twice
to signal the receiver is in relearn mode
and TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message
displays on the DIC screen.
4. Start with the driver side front tire.
5. Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve stem. Then press
the button to activate the TPMS sensor.
A horn chirp confirms that the sensor
identification code has been matched to
this tire and wheel position.
6. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 5.
7. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 5.

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Vehicle Care 221
8. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, andrepeat the procedure in Step 5. The horn
sounds two times to indicate the sensor
identification code has been matched to
the driver side rear tire, and the TPMS
sensor matching process is no longer
active. The TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE
message on the DIC display screen
goes off.
9. Turn the vehicle off.
10. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure level as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
Tire Inspection
We recommend that the tires, including
the spare tire, if the vehicle has one, be
inspected for signs of wear or damage
at least once a month.
Replace the tire if:
.The indicators at three or more
places around the tire can be seen.
.There is cord or fabric showing
through the tire's rubber.
.The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut,
or snagged deep enough to show
cord or fabric.
.The tire has a bump, bulge, or split.
.The tire has a puncture, cut, or other
damage that cannot be repaired well
because of the size or location of the
damage.
Tire Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 12 000 km
(7,500 mi). See Maintenance Schedule
0 251.
Tires are rotated to achieve a more
uniform wear for all tires. The first
rotation is the most important.
Anytime unusual wear is noticed, rotate
the tires as soon as possible, check for
proper tire inflation pressure, and check
for damaged tires or wheels. If the
unusual wear continues after the
rotation, check the wheel alignment.
See When It Is Time for New Tires 0223
and
Wheel Replacement 0226.
Use this rotation pattern when rotating
the tires if the vehicle has single rear
wheels.
Dual Tire Rotation
When the vehicle is new, or whenever a
wheel, wheel bolt, or wheel nut is
replaced or serviced, check the wheel
nut torque after 160, 1 600, and
10 000 km (100, 1,000, and 6,000 mi) of
driving. For proper torque and wheel
nut tightening information, see

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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222 Vehicle Care
“Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire”underTire Changing
0 229 and “Wheel Nut Torque” under
Capacities and Specifications 0261 and
“Removing the Flat Tire and Installing
the Spare Tire” underTire Changing
0 229.
The outer tire on a dual wheel setup
generally wears faster than the inner
tire. Tires last longer and wear more
evenly if they are rotated. See Tire
Inspection 0221 and
Tire Rotation 0221. Also see
Maintenance Schedule 0251.
If the full-size spare tire is part of the
tire rotation, make sure the tire rotated
into the spare position is stored
securely. Push, pull, and then try to
rotate or turn the tire. If it moves, use
the wheel wrench/hoist shaft to tighten
the cable. See Tire Changing0229.
Use this rotation pattern when rotating
the tires if the vehicle has dual rear
wheels.
When installing dual wheels, check that
the vent holes in the inner and outer
wheels on each side are lined up.
Adjust the front and rear tires to the
recommended inflation pressure on the
Tire and Loading Information label after
the tires have been rotated. See Tire
Pressure 0217 and
Vehicle Load Limits 0132.
Reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System.
See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
0 218. Check that all wheel nuts are properly
tightened. See
“Wheel Nut Torque”
under Capacities and Specifications
0 261, and “Removing the Flat Tire and
Installing the Spare Tire” underTire
Changing 0229.
{Warning
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the
parts to which it is fastened, can
cause wheel nuts to become loose
over time. The wheel could come off
and cause a crash. When changing a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt from
places where the wheel attaches to
the vehicle. In an emergency, a cloth
or paper towel can be used; however,
use a scraper or wire brush later to
remove all rust or dirt.
Lightly coat the inner diameter of the
wheel hub opening with wheel bearing
grease after a wheel change or tire
rotation to prevent corrosion or rust
build-up.

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{Warning
Do not apply grease to the wheel
mounting surface, wheel conical
seats, or the wheel nuts or bolts.
Grease applied to these areas could
cause a wheel to become loose or
come off, resulting in a crash.
When It Is Time for New Tires
Factors, such as maintenance, temperatures,
driving speeds, vehicle loading, and road
conditions affect the wear rate of the tires.
Treadwear indicators are one way to tell
when it is time for new tires. Treadwear
indicators appear when the tires have only 1.6 mm (1/16 in) or less of tread remaining.
See
Tire Inspection 0221 and
Tire Rotation 0221 for additional
information.
The rubber in tires ages over time. This also
applies to the spare tire, if the vehicle has
one, even if it is never used. Multiple factors
including temperatures, loading conditions,
and inflation pressure maintenance affect
how fast aging takes place. GM recommends
that tires, including the spare if equipped,
be replaced after six years, regardless of
tread wear. To identify the age of a tire, use
the tire manufacture date, which is the last
four digits of the DOT Tire Identification
Number (TIN) molded into one side of the
tire sidewall. The last four digits of the TIN
indicate the tire manufactured date. The
first two digits represent the week and the
last two digits, the year. For example, the
third week of the year 2020 would have a
4-digit DOT date of 0320. Week 01 is the
first full week (Sunday through Saturday) of
each year.
Vehicle Storage
Tires age when stored normally mounted on
a parked vehicle. Park a vehicle that will be
stored for at least a month in a cool, dry,
clean area away from direct sunlight to slow aging. This area should be free of grease,
gasoline, or other substances that can
deteriorate rubber.
Parking for an extended period can cause
flat spots on the tires that may result in
vibrations while driving. When storing a
vehicle for at least a month, remove the
tires or raise the vehicle to reduce the
weight from the tires.
Buying New Tires
GM has developed and matched specific
tires for the vehicle. The original
equipment tires installed were designed
to meet General Motors Tire
Performance Criteria Specification (TPC
Spec) system rating. When replacement
tires are needed, GM strongly
recommends buying tires with the same
TPC Spec rating.
GM's exclusive TPC Spec system
considers over a dozen critical
specifications that impact the overall
performance of the vehicle, including
brake system performance, ride and
handling, traction control, and tire
pressure monitoring performance. GM's

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Vehicle Care 225
Different Size Tires and Wheels
If wheels or tires are installed that are a
different size than the original equipment
wheels and tires, vehicle performance,
including its braking, ride and handling
characteristics, stability, and resistance to
rollover may be affected. If the vehicle has
electronic systems such as antilock brakes,
rollover airbags, traction control, electronic
stability control, or All-Wheel Drive, the
performance of these systems can also be
affected.
{Warning
If different sized wheels are used, there
may not be an acceptable level of
performance and safety if tires not
recommended for those wheels are
selected. This increases the chance of a
crash and serious injury. Only use GM
specific wheel and tire systems developed
for the vehicle, and have them properly
installed by a GM certified technician.
See Buying New Tires 0223 and
Accessories and Modifications 0178.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the
system developed by the United States
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA), which grades
tires by treadwear, traction, and
temperature performance. This applies
only to vehicles sold in the United
States. The grades are molded on the
sidewalls of most passenger car tires.
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) system does not apply to deep
tread, winter tires, compact spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of
10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm), or to some
limited-production tires.
While the tires available on General
Motors passenger cars and light trucks
may vary with respect to these grades,
they must also conform to federal
safety requirements and additional
General Motors Tire Performance
Criteria (TPC) standards. Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to
Federal Safety Requirements In Addition
To These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the
tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1½)
times as well on the government course
as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.