CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1999 Owners Manual

3-2
Comfort Controls
This section tells you how to make your air system work
for you.
With these systems, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle.
System Controls
If your vehicle does not have air conditioning, your
controls will look like this.Fan Knob
The knob on the left side of the system control panel
regulates the fan speed. The knob has four speed
positions. To increase airflow, turn the knob toward HI.
To decrease airflow, turn it toward LO. To turn the fan
off, turn the mode knob on the far right to OFF.
Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel regulates the
temperature of the air flowing into the passenger area of
your vehicle. This knob will allow you to adjust the
relative air temperature independently of the function
knob setting. Turn the knob toward the red area for
warmer air. Turn the knob toward the blue area for
cooler air.

3-3
Mode Knob
The right knob changes the airflow setting.
(Vent): This setting directs air through the
instrument panel vents.
(Bi-Level): This setting divides airflow between
the heater floor vents and instrument panel vents.
(Floor): This setting directs air through the
floor vents.
(Floor/Defog):This setting divides airflow
between the heater floor vents and windshield.
DEF (Defrost): This setting directs air through the
windshield defroster vents. This setting is used to
remove fog or ice from the windshield.
Heater/Air Conditioning Controls
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has air conditioning, your heater/air
conditioning controls will look like this.
Before using your vehicle's air conditioning, open the
windows to clear the vehicle of hot air.

3-4
Fan Knob
The knob on the left side of the control panel regulates
the fan speed. The knob has four speed positions. To
increase airflow, turn the knob toward HI. To decrease
airflow, turn it toward LO. To turn the fan off, turn the
mode knob on the far right to OFF.
Temperature Knob
The middle knob on the control panel lets you select
the temperature of the air flowing into the passenger
compartment of your vehicle. This knob will allow you
to adjust the air temperature independently of the
function knob setting. Turn the knob toward the red
area for warmer air. Turn the knob toward the blue
area for cooler air.
Mode Knob
The right knob on the control panel changes the
heater/air conditioning setting.
MAX A/C (Maximum Air Conditioning): Turn the
right knob to MAX A/C for maximum cooling. This
setting puts the system in the recirculation mode and
helps to maximize your air conditioner's performance
and your vehicle's fuel economy. This setting also coolsthe air the fastest. After the vehicle's interior reaches a
comfortable temperature, turn the knob clockwise to
place the air conditioning system in the A/C mode.
A/C (Air Conditioning): This setting is used for normal
cooling on hot days. It cools outside air and directs it
through the instrument panel outlets.
(Bi-Level Air Conditioning): This setting divides
airflow between the floor vents and instrument panel
vents. The air conditioning compressor will cycle
continuously in this setting as long as the outside air
temperature is warm enough to activate the compressor.
(Vent): This setting directs air through the
instrument panel vents.
(Floor): This setting directs air through the
floor vents.
(Floor/Defrost): This setting divides airflow
between the floor vents and the windshield. In the
blended position, the air conditioning compressor is
automatically activated to dehumidify the air.
(Defrost): This setting directs air through the
windshield defroster vents. It is useful when you have
fog or ice on the windshield.

3-5 Rear Heater (Without Air Conditioning)
(If Equipped)
If you have a rear heater (without rear air conditioning),
the thumbwheel for this feature is located on the
instrument panel.
To increase and decrease the flow of heated air to the
rear floor vents, turn the thumbwheel marked HEAT to
the desired fan speed.
The thumbwheel has three positions. To increase the
flow of heated air, turn the thumbwheel toward HIGH.
To turn the fan off, turn the thumbwheel to OFF.
Rear Air Conditioning and Rear Heater
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has a rear air conditioning and rear
heater system combination, controls are provided
to regulate the temperature, location and speed of
the airflow.
Front Passenger Control
To adjust the air temperature, turn the temperature knob
on the right side of the control panel.

3-6
For warmer air, turn the knob toward the red area, and
for cooler air, turn the knob toward the blue area.
To regulate the location of the airflow, adjust the center
knob on the control panel. Turn the knob
counterclockwise for upper vent airflow or clockwise
for headliner vent air flow. Generally, the upper vents
are used for air conditioning and the floor vents for
heating. The knob can be set to any blend setting.
To adjust the airflow speed, turn the fan knob on the left
side of the control panel to the desired fan speed.
To activate the rear control, turn the fan knob on the
front control to REAR CNTL.
Rear Passenger Control
The rear control works just like the front control. It will
allow second seat passengers to adjust the controls if the
front control is switched to the rear position.

3-7
Air Conditioning
Before using your vehicle's air conditioning, open the
windows to clear the vehicle of hot air. This reduces the
time it takes for your vehicle to cool down. Then keep
your windows closed for the air conditioner to work at
its best.
You can use MAX A/C with the temperature knob in the
blue area when it's really hot outside and you need to
cool the inside air quickly. MAX A/C lets in only a little
air from the outside.
If you first use MAX A/C, you can then use A/C with
the temperature knob in the blue area, as soon as the
vehicle has cooled down, so outside air will be going
through your vehicle.
If your vehicle has rear air conditioning, setting it on
LO may enhance front A/C performance by allowing
trapped refrigerant in rear lines to circulate.
When the air conditioning, defrost or blend is on, you
may notice a slight increase or decrease in engine speed,
due to compressor operation. This is normal because the
system is designed to cycle the compressor on and off to
keep the desired temperature.
Heating
On cold days, use the floor setting with the temperature
knob in the red area. Outside air will be brought in
through the floor outlets. The heater works best if you
keep your windows closed while using it.
If you use the optional engine coolant heater before
starting your engine, your heating system will produce
warmer air faster to heat the passenger compartment in
cold weather. See ªEngine Coolant Heaterº in the Index.
Defrosting
Use defrost to remove fog or ice from the windshield
quickly in extremely cold conditions. The temperature
knob should be in the red area and the fan knob toward
high. The air conditioning compressor may operate in
this setting to dehumidify the air.

3-8 Rear Window Defogger (If Equipped)
If you see lines running across the rear windows, your
vehicle has a rear window defogger. The lines warm
the glass.
For best results, clear the windows of as much snow or
ice as possible before using the rear window defogger.
To turn on the rear window
defogger, press this button
located near the fan control.
An indicator light in the
button will come on when
the rear window defogger
is working.
The rear window defogger will only work when the
ignition is in RUN.The rear window defogger will turn itself off after
several minutes. If you need additional warming time,
press the button again. Pressing the button when the
indicator light is illuminated will turn the defogger off.
If your vehicle is equipped with heated outside rearview
mirrors, the rear window defogger button will activate
both the rear window defogger and the heated outside
rearview mirrors. See ªHeated Outside Rearview
Mirrorsº in the Index.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license, tape or decals
across the defogger grid on the rear windows. Use care
not to damage the wiring bands that connect the rear
window defogger grid when operating the rear
swing
-out windows (if equipped).
NOTICE:
Don't use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn't be covered by your warranty.

3-9 Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or cooling
is needed, use vent to direct outside air through your vehicle.
Air will flow through the instrument panel vents.
Your vehicle's flow
-through ventilation system supplies
outside air to the inside of your vehicle when it is
moving. With the side windows closed, air will flow into
the front air inlet grilles at the base of the windshield,
through the vehicle and out of the rear air exhaust valve.
Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the heater or
the air conditioning is running.
Your vehicle has air vents near the center and on the
sides of the instrument panel that allow you to adjust the
direction and the amount of airflow inside the vehicle.
Move the thumbwheel on the vent up or down to direct
airflow to your preference. Increase or reduce the
amount of airflow by opening and closing the louvers.
The vents turn to direct the airflow from side to side.
When you close a vent, it will increase the flow of air
coming out of any vents that are open.
If you have rear heating or rear air conditioning, you
will have adjustable vents in the rear of the vehicle to
help direct the airflow. The rear air conditioning vents
are located in the headliner at the rear of the vehicle.
The rear heating vents are located next to the second
and third seat on the driver's side of the vehicle, near
the floor. You can move the vents to direct the flow of
air, or close the vents altogether. When you close a vent,
it will increase the flow of air coming out of any vents
that are open.

3-10 Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow, or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.

When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the
fan to HI for a few moments before driving off. This
helps clear the intake ducts of snow and moisture,
and reduces the chance of fogging the inside of
your windows.

Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.
Your vehicle has air vents in the center and on the sides
of your instrument panel.
You can move the vents from side to side or up and
down to direct the flow of air, or close the vents
altogether. When you close a vent, it will increase the
flow of air coming out of any vents that are open.
Audio Systems
Your audio system has been designed to operate easily
and give years of listening pleasure. You will get the
most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it
first. Find out what your audio system can do and how
to operate all of its controls to be sure you're getting the
most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.
Setting the Clock for Systems without Radio
Data System
Press and hold the HR or MIN arrow for two seconds.
Then press the HR (down) arrow until the correct hour
appears. Press and hold the MIN (up) arrow until the
correct minute appears. The clock may be set with the
ignition on or off.

3-11 Setting the Clock for Systems with Radio
Data System
Your radio may have a button marked with an H or
HR to represent hours and an M or MIN to
represent minutes.
Press and hold the hour button until the correct hour
appears. AM or PM will appear on the display for
morning or afternoon hours. Press and hold the minute
button until the correct minute appears. The clock may
be set with the ignition on or off.
To set the clock to the time of an FM station
broadcasting Radio Data System (RDS) information,
press and hold the hour and minute buttons at the same
time for two seconds until UPDATED and the clock
symbol appears on the display. If the time is not
available from the station, NO UPDAT will appear on
the display instead.
RDS clock time is broadcast once a minute. Once you
have tuned to an RDS broadcast station, it may take a
few minutes for your clock time to update.
AM-FM Stereo
Playing the Radio
PWR (Power): Press this knob to turn the system on
and off.
VOL (Volume): Turn the knob clockwise to increase
volume. Turn it counterclockwise to decrease volume.
RCL (Recall): Pressing this knob will display the
station being played or it will display the clock. Clock
display is available with the ignition turned off.