Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16547501) - 2023 - CRC - 6/10/22
Introduction 3
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
9:Dispose of Used Components Properly
P:Do Not Apply High Pressure Water
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
_:Flame/Fire Prohibited
H: Flammable
[:Forward Collision Alert
R:Fuse Block Cover Lock Location
+:Fuses
j:ISOFIX/LATCH System Child Restraints
Q:Keep Fuse Block Covers Properly
Installed
|: Lane Change Alert
@:Lane Departure Warning
A:Lane Keep Assist
*: Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
X:Park Assist
~:Pedestrian Ahead Indicator
O:Power
7:Rear Cross Traffic Alert
I:Registered Technician
/:Remote Vehicle Start
h:Risk of Electrical Fire
>:Seat Belt Reminders
I:Side Blind Zone Alert
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
d:Traction Control/StabiliTrak/Electronic
Stability Control (ESC)
a: Under Pressure
k: Vehicle Ahead Indicator
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16547501) - 2023 - CRC - 6/10/22
22 Seats and Restraints
Seats and Restraints
Head Restraints
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Power Seat Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Reclining Seatbacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Rear Seats
Rear Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Seat Belts
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly . . . . . . 29
Lap-Shoulder Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Seat Belt Use During Pregnancy . . . . . . . . 33
Seat Belt Extender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Safety System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Seat Belt Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Replacing Seat Belt System Parts after aCrash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Airbag System
Airbag System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Where Are the Airbags? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
When Should an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . 39
What Makes an Airbag Inflate? . . . . . . . . . 39
How Does an Airbag Restrain? . . . . . . . . . 39 What Will You See after an Airbag
Inflates? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Airbag On-Off Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Servicing the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Adding Equipment to the Airbag-Equipped Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Airbag System Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Replacing Airbag System Parts after a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Child Restraints
Older Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Infants and Young Children . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Child Restraint Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Where to Put the Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children(LATCH System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Securing Child Restraints (With the Seat Belt in the Rear Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Securing Child Restraints (With the Seat Belt in the Front Seat) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Head Restraints
On vehicles with factory installed seats, the
front seats have built-in head restraints that
are not adjustable in the outboard seating
positions.
Front Seats
Seat Adjustment
{Warning
You can lose control of the vehicle if you
try to adjust a driver seat while the
vehicle is moving. Adjust the driver seat
only when the vehicle is not moving.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16547501) - 2023 - CRC - 6/10/22
Seats and Restraints 23
To adjust the seat:1. Lift the bar under the front edge of the seat cushion to unlock the seat.
2. Slide the seat to the desired position and release the bar.
3. Try to move the seat back and forth to be sure the seat is locked in place.
Power Seat Adjustment
{Warning
The power seats will work with the
ignition off. Children could operate the
power seats and be injured. Never leave
children alone in the vehicle.
To adjust a power seat, if available, use the
controls on the front of the seat:
.Move the center knob to the right or left
to move the seat forward or rearward.
.Move the center knob up or down to
raise or lower the seat.
.Move the right or left lever up or down
to raise or lower the front or rear of the
seat cushion.
Reclining Seatbacks
{Warning
If either seatback is not locked, it could
move forward in a sudden stop or crash.
That could cause injury to the person
sitting there. Always push and pull on
the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.
To recline the seatback:
1. Lift the lever on the inboard side of the seat.
2. Move the seatback to the desired position, and then release the lever to
lock the seatback in place.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16547501) - 2023 - CRC - 6/10/22
Seats and Restraints 29
Also, in nearly all states and in all
Canadian provinces, the law requires
wearing seat belts.
How to Wear Seat Belts Properly
Follow these rules for everyone's protection.
There are additional things to know about
seat belts and children, including smaller
children and infants. If a child will be riding
in the vehicle, seeOlder Children045 or
Infants and Young Children 046. Review
and follow the rules for children in addition
to the following rules.
It is very important for all occupants to
buckle up. Statistics show that unbelted
people are hurt more often in crashes than
those who are wearing seat belts.
There are important things to know about
wearing a seat belt properly.
.Sit up straight and always keep your feet
on the floor in front of you (if possible).
.Wear the lap part of the belt low and
snug on the hips, just touching the
thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the
strong pelvic bones and you would be
less likely to slide under the lap belt.
If you slid under it, the belt would apply
force on your abdomen. This could cause
serious or even fatal injuries.
.Wear the shoulder belt over the shoulder
and across the chest. These parts of the
body are best able to take belt
restraining forces. The shoulder belt locks
if there is a sudden stop or crash.
{Warning
You can be seriously injured, or even
killed, by not wearing your seat belt
properly.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16547501) - 2023 - CRC - 6/10/22
Seats and Restraints 31
{Warning
You can be seriously injured or killed if
the shoulder belt is worn behind your
back, under your legs, or wrapped around
your neck. The shoulder belt can tighten
but cannot be loosened if it is locked. The
shoulder belt locks when it is pulled all
the way out of the retractor. It unlocks
when the shoulder belt is allowed to go
all the way back into the retractor, but it
cannot do this if it is wrapped around
you. You may have to cut the seat belt if
it is locked and tightened around you.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
All seating positions in the vehicle have a
lap-shoulder belt. If you are using a rear
seating position with a detachable seat belt
and the seat belt is not attached, see
“Reinstalling the Rear Seats”underRear
Seats 024 for instructions on reconnecting
the seat belt to the mini-buckle.
The following instructions explain how to
wear a lap-shoulder belt properly.
1. Adjust the seat, if the seat is adjustable, so you can sit up straight. To see how,
see “Seats” in the Index. 2. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt
across you. Do not let it get twisted.
The lap-shoulder belt may lock if you
pull the belt across you very quickly.
If this happens, let the belt go back
slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt
across you more slowly.
If the shoulder portion of a passenger
belt is pulled out all the way, the child
restraint locking feature may be
engaged. See Child Restraint Systems
0 48. If this occurs, let the belt go back
all the way and start again. If the
locking feature stays engaged after
letting the belt go back to stowed
position on the seat, move the seat
rearward or recline the seat until the
shoulder belt retractor lock releases.
3. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure
it is secure. If the belt is not long
enough, see Seat Belt Extender 034.
Position the release button on the buckle
so that the seat belt could be quickly
unbuckled if necessary.
4. If equipped with a shoulder belt height adjuster, move it to the height that is
right for you. See “Seat Belt Height
Adjuster” later in this section for
instructions on use and important safety
information.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16547501) - 2023 - CRC - 6/10/22
Seats and Restraints 33
Squeeze both sides of the release button
and pull outward. Then move the height
adjuster up or down to the desired position
and release the button.
After the adjuster is set to the desired
position, try to move it up or down without
squeezing the release button to make sure it
has locked into position.
Seat Belt Pretensioners
If the vehicle has seat-mounted side impact
airbags and roof-rail airbags, it also has seat
belt pretensioners for the front outboard
occupants.
Although the seat belt pretensioners cannot
be seen, they are part of the seat belt
assembly. They can help tighten the seat
belts during the early stages of a moderate
to severe frontal, near frontal, or rear crash
if the threshold conditions for pretensioner
activation are met. And, if the vehicle has
roof-rail airbags, seat belt pretensioners can
help tighten the seat belts in a side crash or
a rollover event.Pretensioners work only once. If the
pretensioners activate in a crash, the
pretensioners and probably other parts of
the vehicle’s seat belt system will need to
be replaced. See
Replacing Seat Belt System
Parts after a Crash 035.
Do not sit on the outboard seat belt while
entering or exiting the vehicle or at any
time while sitting in the seat. Sitting on the
seat belt can damage the webbing and
hardware.
Rear Seat Belt Comfort Guides
Rear seat belt comfort guides may provide
added seat belt comfort for older children
who have outgrown booster seats and for
some adults. When installed on a shoulder
belt, the comfort guide positions the
shoulder belt away from the neck and head.
Comfort guides are available through your
dealer for the rear outboard seating
positions. Instructions are included with the
comfort guides.
Seat Belt Use During Pregnancy
Seat belts work for everyone, including
pregnant women. Like all occupants, they
are more likely to be seriously injured if
they do not wear seat belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a
lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion should
be worn as low as possible, below the
rounding, throughout the pregnancy.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16547501) - 2023 - CRC - 6/10/22
34 Seats and Restraints
The best way to protect the fetus is to
protect the mother. When a seat belt is
worn properly, it is more likely that the
fetus will not be hurt in a crash. For
pregnant women, as for anyone, the key to
making seat belts effective is wearing them
properly.
Seat Belt Extender
If the vehicle's seat belt will fasten around
you, you should use it.
But if a seat belt is not long enough, your
dealer will order you an extender. Only a
GM dealer issued extender should be used.
When you go in to order it, take the
heaviest coat you will wear, so the extender
will be long enough for you. To help avoid
personal injury, do not let someone else use
it, and use it only for the seat it is made to
fit. The extender has been designed for
adults. Never use it for securing child
restraints. For more information on the
proper use and fit of seat belt extenders see
the instruction sheet that comes with the
extender.
Safety System Check
Periodically check the seat belt reminder,
seat belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors,
shoulder belt height adjusters (if equipped),
and seat belt anchorages to make sure they
are all in working order. Look for any other
loose or damaged seat belt system parts
that might keep a seat belt system from
performing properly. See your dealer to
have it repaired. Torn, frayed, or twisted
seat belts may not protect you in a crash.
Torn or frayed seat belts can rip apart under
impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed,
have it replaced immediately. If a belt is
twisted, it may be possible to untwist by
reversing the latch plate on the webbing.
If the twist cannot be corrected, ask your
dealer to fix it.
Make sure the seat belt reminder light is
working. SeeSeat Belt Reminders 075.
Keep seat belts clean and dry. See Seat Belt
Care 034.
Seat Belt Care
Keep belts clean and dry.
Seat belts should be properly cared for and
maintained.
Seat belt hardware should be kept dry and
free of dust or debris. As necessary, exterior
hard surfaces and seat belt webbing may be
lightly cleaned with mild soap and water.
Ensure there is not excessive dust or debris
in the mechanism. If dust or debris exists in
the system please see the dealer. Parts may
need to be replaced to ensure proper
functionality of the system.
{Warning
Do not bleach or dye seat belt webbing.
It may severely weaken the webbing. In
a crash, they might not be able to
provide adequate protection. Clean and
rinse seat belt webbing only with mild
soap and lukewarm water. Allow the
webbing to dry.
Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
16547501) - 2023 - CRC - 6/10/22
Seats and Restraints 37
Warning (Continued)
most effective when you are sitting well
back and upright in the seat with both
feet on the floor.
Occupants should not lean on or sleep
against the door or side windows in
seating positions with seat-mounted side
impact airbags and/or roof-rail airbags.
{Warning
Children who are up against, or very
close to, any airbag when it inflates can
be seriously injured or killed. Always
secure children properly in the vehicle. To
read how, seeOlder Children 045 or
Infants and Young Children 046.
There is an airbag readiness light on the
instrument panel, which shows the airbag
symbol. The system checks the airbag electrical
system for malfunctions. The light tells you
if there is an electrical problem. See
Airbag
Readiness Light 075.
Where Are the Airbags?
The driver frontal airbag is in the center of
the steering wheel.
If the vehicle has a front outboard passenger
frontal airbag, it is in the passenger side
instrument panel.
Driver Side Shown, Passenger Side Similar