2023 CHEVROLET EXPRESS tow

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16547501) - 2023 - CRC - 6/10/22
Instruments and Controls 77
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 0130.
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 0173.
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-
16547501) - 2023 - CRC - 6/10/22
Instruments and Controls 79
the parking brake does not fully release. If it
stays on after the parking brake is fully
released, there is a brake problem. Have the
brake system inspected right away. This
light may come on if the brake fluid is low.
SeeBrake Fluid 0190.
If the light comes on while driving, pull off
the road and stop carefully. The brake pedal
might be harder to push, or the brake pedal
may go closer to the floor. It could take
longer to stop. If the light is still on, have
the vehicle towed for service. See
Transporting a Disabled Vehicle 0231.
{Warning
The brake system might not be working
properly if the brake system warning
light is on. Driving with the brake system
warning light on can lead to a crash.
If the light is still on after the vehicle has
been pulled off the road and carefully
stopped, have the vehicle towed for
service.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
This light comes on briefly when the vehicle
is turned on to show that the light is
working. If it does not come on then, have
it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if
there is a problem.
If the ABS warning light stays on, or comes
on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. A chime may also sound when the
light stays on.
If the ABS warning light is the only light on,
the vehicle has regular brakes, but ABS is
not functioning.
If both the ABS warning light and the brake
system warning light are on, ABS is not
functioning and there is a problem with the
regular brakes. See your dealer for service.
See Brake System Warning Light 078.
Tow/Haul Mode Light
For vehicles with the Tow/Haul Mode
feature, this light comes on when the Tow/
Haul Mode has been activated.
See Tow/Haul Mode 0140.
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.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16547501) - 2023 - CRC - 6/10/22
Lighting 91
Lighting
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer . . . . 92
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) . . . . . . . . . 92
Automatic Headlamp System . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Turn and Lane-Change Signals . . . . . . . . . . 93
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel IlluminationControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Dome Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Reading Lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Lighting Features
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Battery Load Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Battery Power Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . 96
Exterior Lighting
Exterior Lamp Controls
The exterior lamp control is on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering
wheel.
There are four positions:
O: Briefly turn the control to this position
to turn the automatic headlamps and
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) off or
back on.
For vehicles first sold in Canada, the off
position only works for vehicles that are
shifted into the P (Park) position.
AUTO : Automatically turns the exterior
lamps on and off, depending on outside
lighting.
;: Turns on the parking lamps including
all lamps, except the headlamps.
2: Turns on the headlamps together with
the parking lamps and instrument panel
lights.
If the headlamps are turned on while the
vehicle is on, the headlamps turn off
automatically 10 minutes after the ignition
is turned off. If the headlamps are turned on
while the vehicle is off, the headlamps will
continue to stay on. To prevent the battery
from being drained, turn the control to the
Oposition.
A warning chime sounds if the driver door is
opened while the ignition switch is off and
the headlamps are on.
To change the headlamps from low beam to
high beam, pull the turn signal lever all the
way toward you. Then release it.
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder
If a door is open, a reminder chime sounds
when the headlamps or parking lamps are
manually turned on and the key is out of
the ignition. To turn off the chime, turn the
headlamp switch to
Oor AUTO and then
back on, or close and re-open the door. In

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16547501) - 2023 - CRC - 6/10/22
92 Lighting
the auto mode, the headlamps turn off once
the ignition is off or may remain on until
the headlamp delay ends, if enabled in the
Driver Information Center (DIC). See“Exit
Lighting” underVehicle Personalization 087.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
2 3:Push the turn signal lever all the
way away from you to change the
headlamps from low to high beam. Then
release it.
Push the turn signal lever all the way from
you again or pull the turn signal lever all
the way toward you and release it to
change the headlamps back to low beam.
This instrument cluster light comes on when
the high-beam headlamps are on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature is used to signal to the vehicle
ahead that you want to pass. If the headlamps are off or in the low‐beam
position, pull the turn signal lever toward
you to momentarily switch to high beams.
Release the lever to turn the high-beam
headlamps off.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
DRL can make it easier for others to see the
front of the vehicle during the day. Fully
functional DRL are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.
The DRL system comes on in daylight when
the following conditions are met:
.The ignition is on.
.The exterior lamp control is in the AUTO
position.
.The shift lever is not in P (Park).
.The light sensor determines it is daytime.
When the DRL are on, the taillamps,
sidemarker, instrument panel lights, and
other lamps will not be on.
The automatic headlamp system
automatically switches from DRL to the
headlamps depending on the darkness of
the surroundings. To turn off the DRL, turn the exterior lamp
control to
Oand then release it. For
vehicles first sold in Canada, the DRL can
only be turned off when the vehicle is
parked.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside and the
headlamp switch is in AUTO, the automatic
headlamp system turns on the headlamps,
along with the taillamps, sidemarker lamps,
parking lamps, and the instrument panel
lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
To turn off the automatic headlamp system,
turn the exterior lamp control to the off
position and then release. For vehicles first
sold in Canada, the transmission must be in
the P (Park) position, before the automatic
headlamp system can be turned off.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16547501) - 2023 - CRC - 6/10/22
94 Lighting
G:An arrow on the instrument cluster
flashes in the direction of the turn or lane
change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way
up or down.
To signal a lane change, raise or lower the
lever until the arrow starts to flash. The
turn signal automatically flashes three times
and if the Tow/Haul Mode is active it
flashes six times. Holding the turn signal
lever for more than one second causes the
turn signals to flash continually until the
lever is released.
The lever returns to its starting position
when released.
If after signaling a turn or lane change the
arrow flashes rapidly or does not come on, a
signal bulb may be burned out.
Have any burned out bulbs replaced. If a
bulb is not burned out, check the fuse. See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers 0198.
Turn Signal On Chime
If the turn signal is left on for more than
1.2 km (0.75 mi), a chime sounds at each
flash of the turn signal and the message
TURN SIGNAL ON also appears in the Driver Information Center (DIC). To turn off the
chime and message, move the turn signal
lever to the off position.
Interior Lighting
Instrument Panel Illumination
Control
This feature adjusts the brightness of all
illuminated controls. The instrument panel
illumination control is next to the exterior
lamp control.
D:
Push the knob in all the way until it
extends out and then turn the knob
clockwise or counterclockwise to brighten or
dim the lights. Push the knob back in when
finished.
The knob is functional at night, or when the
headlamps or parking lamps are ON.
Dome Lamps
The dome lamps will come on when any
door is opened, the remote unlock is
pressed, or when the ignition is switched
off. They will turn off after a delay, when all
doors are closed, or when the ignition is
switched on.
The instrument panel brightness
knob extends when
Dis pressed. To
manually turn on the dome lamps, press
D
then turn the knob clockwise to the farthest
position. In this position, the dome lamps
remain on whether a door is opened or
closed.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16547501) - 2023 - CRC - 6/10/22
Climate Controls 115
):Air is divided between the instrument
panel and floor outlets, with some air
directed toward the windshield.
6: Air is directed to the floor outlets with
some air directed to the windshield and side
windows.
-: This mode clears the windows of fog or
moisture. Outside air is directed to the floor
and defroster outlets. Adjust the
temperature knob for warmer or cooler air.
The air conditioning compressor might turn
on in this setting to dehumidify the air.
1: This mode clears the windshield of fog
or frost more quickly. Air is directed to the
windshield, with some to the floor outlets
and front side windows. The air conditioning
compressor might turn on in this setting to
dehumidify the air.
Do not drive the vehicle until all the
windows are clear.
Vehicles with Air Conditioning
1. Fan Control
2. Temperature Control
3. Air Delivery Mode Control
4. Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped)
On hot days, open the windows to let hot
inside air escape; then close them. This
helps to reduce the time needed for the
vehicle to cool down and the system
operates more efficiently.
#: Cools and dehumidifies the air inside
of the vehicle.
V: Cools the air inside the vehicle faster,
by recirculating the inside air.
Rear Window Defogger
If equipped with a rear window defogger, a
warming grid is used to remove fog or frost
from the rear window.
1: Press to turn the rear window
defogger on or off. An indicator light on the
button comes on to show that the rear
window defogger is on.
The defogger only works when the ignition
is on. The defogger turns off if the ignition
is turned off or to ACC/ACCESSORY.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16547501) - 2023 - CRC - 6/10/22
120 Driving and Operating
Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 121
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . 133
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . 136
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . 136
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . 140
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic StabilityControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . 151
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 154
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 171

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16547501) - 2023 - CRC - 6/10/22
126 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
.Clear snow from the base of the
vehicle, especially any blocking the
exhaust pipe.
.Open a window about 5 cm (2 in) on
the vehicle side that is away from the
wind, to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets on or under
the instrument panel.
.Adjust the climate control system to
circulate the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0136.
To save fuel, run the engine for short
periods to warm the vehicle and then shut
the engine off and partially close the
window. Moving about to keep warm also
helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive, when
running the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs faster than
the idle speed. This keeps the battery charged to restart the vehicle and to signal
for help with the headlamps. Do this as
little as possible, to save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to
free the vehicle when stuck in sand, mud,
ice, or snow.
The Traction Control System (TCS) can often
help to free a stuck vehicle. See
Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0142.
If TCS cannot free the vehicle, turn TCS off
and use the rocking method. See “Rocking
the Vehicle to Get it Out” following.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high speed,
they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. The vehicle can
overheat, causing an engine compartment
fire or other damage. Spin the wheels as
little as possible and avoid going above
56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to
clear the area around the front wheels. Turn
off any traction system. Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and a low forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. To
prevent transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting gears.
Release the accelerator pedal while shifting,
and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear. Slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward and
reverse directions causes a rocking motion
that could free the vehicle. If that does not
get the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the vehicle
does need to be towed out, see
Transporting
a Disabled Vehicle 0231.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how much
weight the vehicle can carry. This
weight is called the vehicle capacity
weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options. Two labels
on the vehicle may show how much
weight it was designed to carry, the
Tire and Loading Information label and
the Certification/Tire label.