CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1997 1.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid
level goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is
leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake system
fixed, since a leak means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t work
at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct
a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings.
You should add
(or remove) brake fluid,
as necessary, only when work is
done on
the brake hydraulic system.
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid will burn
if the engine
is hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections”
in the Index.
6-28

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Brake Fluid What
to Add
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just
look at the windows on the brake fluid reservoir.
The fluid levels should be above
MIN. If they aren't,
have your brake system checked to see if there
is a leak.
After work is done
on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the levels are above
MIN and below the top
of each window. When
you do
need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing
it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
, A CAUTION:
H
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may
not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
a
a
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops
of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind
of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that
make a high-pitched warning sound when
the brake
pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound may
come
and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is
moving (except when
you are pushing on the brake
pedal firmly).
A CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
6-30

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does
not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Properly torqued wheel
nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence to
GM specifications.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but
if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the
rear brake linings inspected. Also, the rear brake drums
should be removed and inspected each time the tires
are removed for rotation or changing. When you have
the front brake pads replaced, have the rear brakes
inspected,
too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection” in Section
7 of this
manual under Part
C “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections”.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be
a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your
rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by
backing up and firmly applying the brakes a few times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be
of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake parts. When you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have
to have new ones put in -- be sure
you get new approved
GM replacement parts. If you
don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example,
if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle, the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you’ve come to expect can change in many
other ways
if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Battery
Every new vehicle has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have
to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom
battery. Get one that
has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If’ you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or more,
take
off the black, negative (-) cable from the battery. This
will help keep your battery from running down.
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt
if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around
a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature’’ in the Index.
Bulb Replacement
Before you replace any bulbs, be sure that all the lamps
are
off and the engine isn’t running. See “Replacement
Bulbs”
in the index for the proper types of bulbs to use.
Halogen Bulbs
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop
or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure
to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Headlamps
You have either a sealed beam headlamp system or a
composite system.
Sealed Beam Headlamps
2. Unplug the lamp assembly from the connector.
3. Install a new headlamp.
4. Reverse Steps 1 through 3 to reinstall the headlamp.
1. Remove the four screws from the headlamp retainer.
Pull the retainer
out and set it aside.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Composite Headlamps
1. Open the hood.
2. Locate the rear side of each of the headlamps.
4. On the passenger side, turn the bulb clockwise one
quarter turn. Also, to remove the bulb on the
passenger side,
you will need to move the battery.
3. Without removing the headlamp assembly itself,
remove the bulb assembly from the back
of the
headlamp
on the driver’s side by turning the bulb
counterclockwise
one quarter turn.
5. Install a new bulb. Do not handle the glass part of
the bulb.
6. Reverse Steps 3 through 4 to reinstall the headlamp.
6-34

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Front ParkinglTurn Signal Lamps
To replace the front parkinghurn signal lamps:
I
2. Remove the lamp from the grille.
1. Remove the outer screws from the parking/turn
signal lamp lens assembly. (There are either two
or
four screws, depending on your vehicle’s trim level.)

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I P I
Sidemarker Lamps
3. Remove the bulb assembly from the back of the lens
and replace the bulb.
Reverse Steps
1 through 3 to replace the bulb. Turn
the socket clockwise to replace it in the lens assembly. 1. Remove the screw from the top of the lens.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2. Un-clip the bottom of the lamp from the grille.
3. Remove the bulb by twisting it out of the socket.
Turn the bulb to remove it. Install the new bulb.
4. Reverse these steps to reinstall the lamp.
Taillamps
1. Open the rear door.
2. Push the socket protector until you can see
the fasteners.
6-37