CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1999 Owners Manual
Page 111 of 411
2-40
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
Press in the button at the end of the lever until you
reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, press the
button at the end of the lever briefly. Each time you
do this, you'll go about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don't use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal; or
move the cruise switch to off.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Page 112 of 411
2-41
Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamp control is located on the driver's side
of the instrument panel.The exterior lamp control has three positions:
OFF: Turning the control to this position turns off all
lamps except the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
(Parking Lamps): Turning the control to
this position turns on the parking lamps, together with
the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Ashtray Lamp
(Headlamps): Turning the control to this position
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
You can change your headlamps from high to low beam
by pulling on the turn signal/high beam lever.
A circuit breaker protects your headlamps. If you have
an electrical overload, your headlamps will flicker on
and off. Have your headlamp wiring checked right away
if this happens.
Page 113 of 411
2-42
Headlamps On Reminder
A tone will sound when your headlamps are turned on
and your ignition is in OFF, LOCK or ACCESSORY.
If you need to use your headlamps when the ignition
switch is in OFF, LOCK or ACCESSORY, the tone
can be turned off by moving the instrument panel
brightness thumbwheel next to the exterior lamp control
all the way down.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset. Fully
functional daytime running lamps are required on
all vehicles first sold in Canada.The DRL system will make your headlamps come on
at a reduced brightness when the following conditions
are met:
The ignition is on,
The exterior lamp control is off, and
The parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, only your headlamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won't be on.
Your instrument panel won't be lit up either.
When it begins to get dark, your DRL indicator light is a
reminder to turn the headlamps on. The other lamps that
come on with your headlamps will also come on.
When you turn off the headlamps, the regular lamps will
go off, and your headlamps will change to the reduced
brightness of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the engine on and the DRL off,
set the parking brake. The DRL will stay off until you
release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Page 114 of 411
2-43 Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
Your vehicle's center high-mounted stoplamp is located
above the rear doors at the center of the vehicle.
If items are loaded on the roof of the vehicle, as in a
luggage carrier, care should be taken not to block or
damage the center high
-mounted stoplamp unit.
Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
This feature controls the brightness of the instrument
panel lights.
The thumbwheel for this feature is located to the right
of the exterior lamps control.
Turn the thumbwheel up to brighten the lights. When the
thumbwheel is moved to the first position, the radio
display and transmission selection display will go to full
intensity. The instrument panel cluster will be dimly lit.
Moving the thumbwheel up to the next position will
activate the interior dome lamps
Page 115 of 411
2-44 Dome Lamps
The dome lamps will come on when you open a door.
You can also turn the dome lamps on by moving the
instrument panel brightness thumbwheel, located next
to the exterior lamp control, all the way up to the second
position. In this position, the dome lamps will remain on
whether a door is open or closed.
You can use the DOME OVERRIDE button, located
below the exterior lamp control, to set the dome lamps
to automatically come on when a door is open, or to
remain off.
If the DOME OVERRIDE button is pushed in, the dome
lamps will not come on.
If the DOME OVERRIDE button is out, the interior
lamps will work as usual.
If the button is pressed in, the interior lamps will not
come on when any of the vehicle's doors are opened.
This feature is helpful when you want to leave your
door(s) open for an extended period of time and do not
want to run the battery down. The button is located next
to the exterior lamp control.
Illuminated Entry
The delayed illumination feature will allow you to
enter or exit your vehicle with the lights on for about
20 seconds, after the door is closed or the ignition
is cycled.
Page 116 of 411
2-45 Reading Lamps (Option)
If your vehicle has reading lamps, press the button next
to the lamp to turn the lamp on or off.
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
Pull the tab under the mirror toward you to reduce
glare from headlamps behind you after dark. Push the
tab away from you to restore the mirror to the
original position.
Outside Mirrors
Adjust your outside mirrors so you can see a little of
the side of your vehicle, and have a clear view of objects
behind you. Some mirrors can be folded in to enter
narrow passageways.
Page 117 of 411
2-46
Power Remote Control Mirrors (Option)
If you have power mirrors, they can be adjusted from
inside the vehicle.
Select the mirror you
want to move by turning
the knob clockwise to
adjust the passenger's
side mirror and
counterclockwise to
adjust the driver's side
mirror. The center
position is neutral.
Then, adjust the mirror angle by pressing the outer
arrows on the knob until the mirror is adjusted to where
you want it.Heated Outside Mirrors (If Equipped)
Your outside mirrors can
be defrosted by pressing
the button located near
the fan control.
An indicator light in the button will light anytime the
heated outside mirrors are activated.
Your rear window defogger comes on whenever the
heated mirrors are on. If your vehicle has a rear window
defogger, see ªRear Window Defoggerº in the Index.
Page 118 of 411
2-47 Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror may be convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver's seat.
CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before
changing lanes.
Camper-Type Mirrors (If Equipped)
If your vehicle is equipped
with the camper
-type
mirrors, they can be
adjusted so you can
have a clear view of
any objects behind you.
Page 119 of 411
2-48
1. To adjust the mirrors
when towing a trailer,
turn the mirror by
pushing the mirror
head toward the
front of the vehicle.2. Turn the mirror
head so that it swings
further outboard and
adjust the mirror
surface as needed.
Page 120 of 411
2-49
Storage Compartments
Your front storage compartment is at the center of the
instrument panel extension, by the floor. To open the
compartment, press down on inside portion of the
handle and the compartment will open automatically.
Storage compartments may also be included on the
inside of each front door.
Cigarette Lighter/Ashtray
The front ashtray is located on the instrument panel
extension, at the center of the instrument panel.
Lift up on the ashtray door to open it.
NOTICE:
If you store paper and other things that burn in
your ashtrays, they could be set on fire by
cigarettes or other smoking materials. That could
cause a fire and possibly damage your vehicle.
Do not store papers and other things that burn in
your ashtrays.
To use the cigarette lighter, push it in all the way and let
go. When it's ready, it will pop back out by itself.