tow CHEVROLET EXPRESS 2003 Owner's Manual

The main components of your instrument panel are the following:
A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-20.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-7.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-23.
D. Shift Lever. SeeStarting Your Engine on page 2-20.
E. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-18.
F. Audio System(s). SeeAudio System(s) on
page 3-39.
G. Exterior Lamp Controls. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-13.
H. Tow/Haul Mode Button. See “Tow/Haul Mode” under
Towing a Trailer on page 4-34.I. Rear Heating System (If Equipped). SeeRear
Heating System on page 3-20.
J. Accessory Power Outlets/Cigarette Lighter. See
Accessory Power Outlets on page 3-16andAshtrays
and Cigarette Lighter on page 3-17.
K. Airbag Off Switch. SeeAirbag Off Switch on
page 1-66.
L. Storage Compartment. SeeStorage Areas on
page 2-32.
M. Stabilitrak
®Button. SeeStabiliTrak®System on
page 4-8.
3-5

Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and
two downward (for left) positions. These positions
allow you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up
or down. When the turn is nished, the lever will
return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will ash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to ash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by itself
when you release it.
If you move the lever all the way up or down, and the
arrow ashes at twice the normal rate, a signal bulb may
be burned out and other drivers may not see your
turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows don’t go on at all when you signal
a turn, check for burned-out bulbs or a blown fuse.
SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-92.
Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each ash of the
turn signal. To turn off the chime, move the turn signal
lever to the off position.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
23(Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer):To
change the headlamps from low to high beam, pull the
multifunction lever all the way toward you. Then
release it.
When the high beams are
on, this light on the
instrument panel cluster
also will be on.
3-8

Flash-to-Pass
This feature allows you to use your high-beam
headlamps to signal a driver in front of you that you
want to pass. It works even if your headlamps are off.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, but not so
far that you hear it click.
If your headlamps are off or on low-beam, your
high-beam headlamps will turn on and stay on as long
as you hold the lever toward you and the high-beam
indicator on the instrument panel will come on. Release
the lever to turn the high-beam headlamps off.
Windshield Wipers
You control the windshield wipers by turning the band
with the wiper symbol on it.
8(Mist):For a single wiping cycle, turn the band to
mist. Hold it there until the wipers start, then let go. The
wipers will stop after one wipe. If you want more
wipes, hold the band on mist longer.Delay:You can set the wiper speed for a long or short
delay between wipes. This can be very useful in light
rain or snow. Turn the band to choose the delay
time. The closer to the top of the lever, the shorter
the delay.
d(Low Speed):For steady wiping at low speed,
turn the band away from you to the rst solid band past
the delay settings. position. For high-speed wiping,
turn the band further, to the second solid band past the
delay settings. To stop the wipers, move the band to
off position.
a(High Speed):For high-speed wiping, turn the
band further, to the second solid band past the
delay settings.
9(Off):To stop the wipers, move the band to off.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they’re frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them. If your blades do become
worn or damaged, get new blades or blade inserts.
3-9

;(Parking Lamps):Turn the control to this
position to turn on the parking lamps, together with
the following:
Instrument Panel Lights
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) (Canada)
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
If the DRL are active when the control is turned to this
position, the DRL will turn off.
For vehicles rst sold in Canada, the DRL will remain
active along with the lamps mentioned above.
5(Headlamps):Turn the control to this position to
turn on the headlamps together with the parking
lamps and turn off the daytime running lamps.
You can switch your headlamps from high to low-beam
by pulling the turn signal/high-beam lever toward you.
A circuit breaker protects your headlamps. If you have
an electrical overload, your headlamps will icker on
and off. Have your headlamp wiring checked right away
if this happens.
Headlamps on Reminder
A reminder chime will sound when your control is turned
to the headlamps or parking lamps position, your key
is out of the ignition, and your driver’s door is open. To
disable the chime, turn the control to the Daytime
Running Lamp (DRL) position and then back to the
parking lamps or headlamps position.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
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
rst sold in Canada.
The DRL system will come on when the following
conditions are met:
the ignition is on,
the exterior lamps control is in DRL mode and not
in the defeat position.
When the DRL are on, only your headlamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won’t be
on. The instrument panel will be lit.
3-14

Climate Controls
Climate Control System
With this system you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation for your vehicle.
Turn the right knob clockwise or counterclockwise to
direct the airow inside of your vehicle.
To change the current mode, select one of the following:
H(Vent):This mode directs air to the instrument
panel outlets.
)(Bi-Level):This mode directs about half of the air
to the instrument panel outlets, then directs most of
the remaining air to the oor outlets. Some air may be
directed toward the windshield.
6(Floor):This mode directs most of the air to the
oor outlets with some air directed to the outboard
outlets (for the side windows) and some air directed to
the windshield.The right knob can also be used to select the defrost
and defog modes. Information on defogging and
defrosting can be found later in this section.
9(Fan):Turn the left knob clockwise or
counterclockwise to increase or decrease the fan speed.
Temperature Control:Turn the center knob clockwise
or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the
temperature inside your vehicle.
If your vehicle has air conditioning, your heating/air
conditioning controls will look like this:
On hot days, open the windows to let hot inside air
escape; then close them. This helps to reduce the time
it takes for your vehicle to cool down. It also helps
the system to operate more efficiently.
A/C (Air Conditioning):This setting will begin to cool
and dehumidify the air inside of your vehicle.
MAX A/C (Maximum Air Conditioning):Turn the right
knob to MAX A/C for maximum cooling. This setting
cools the air the fastest, by recirculating the inside air.
3-18

Defogging and Defrosting
Fog on the inside of windows is a result of high humidity
(moisture) condensing on the cool window glass. This
can be minimized if the climate control is used properly.
There are two modes to clear fog or frost from your
windshield and side windows.
Use the defog mode to clear the windows of fog or
moisture and warm the passengers. Use the defrost
mode to remove fog or frost from the windshield more
quickly. For best results, clear all snow and ice from the
windshield before defrosting.
Turn the knob on the right of the climate control panel
to select the defog or defrost mode.
-(Defog):With this setting, the outside air comes out
of both the oor and defroster outlets. Adjust the
temperature knob for warmer or cooler air. The air
conditioning compressor may operate in this setting to
dehumidify the air.
1(Defrost):This setting operates the defroster. Most
of the air comes out near the windshield, with some
going to the oor outlets and front side windows. The air
conditioning compressor may operate in this setting to
dehumidify the air.The defog setting is useful for cold weather with a large
number of passengers or very humid conditions to
help keep the windshield clear. 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 control toward high. Do not
drive the vehicle until all the windows are clear.
Rear Window Defogger
Some vehicles may have a rear window defogger.
<R. DEF (Rear Defrost):Press this button to turn
the rear window defogger on or off. Be sure to clear
as much snow from the window as possible.
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to
remove fog or frost from the rear window and will only
work when the ignition is RUN.
The rear window defogger will turn off several minutes
after the button is pressed. If turned on again, the
defogger will run for several more minutes before turning
off. The defogger can also be turned off by pressing
the button again or by turning off the engine.
Notice:Using a razor blade or sharp object to clear
the inside rear window may damage the rear
window defogger. Repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Do not clear the inside of the rear
window with sharp objects.
3-19

You can only drive for a short time with the reading in
either warning zone. If you must drive, turn off all
unnecessary accessories.
Readings in either warning zone indicate a possible
problem in the electrical system. Have the vehicle
serviced as soon as possible.
Brake System Warning Light
With the ignition on, the brake system warning light will
come on when you set your parking brake. The light
will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release fully. If
it stays on after your parking brake is fully released,
it means you have a brake problem.
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still
work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have your brake system inspected right away.This light should come on briey when you turn the
ignition key to RUN. If it doesn’t come on then, have it
xed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the
oor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on,
have the vehicle towed for service. SeeTowing
Your Vehicle on page 4-34.
{CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the brake system warning light is on.
Driving with the brake system warning light on
can lead to an accident. If the light is still on
after you have pulled off the road and stopped
carefully, have the vehicle towed for service.
United States
Canada
3-29

If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
Reducing vehicle speed
Avoiding hard accelerations
Avoiding steep uphill grades
If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible
If the light stops ashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to ash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart
the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still
ashing, follow the previous steps, and see your dealer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. SeeFilling Your Tank on page 5-8. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap hasbeen left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing
fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality will
cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling
when you put the vehicle into gear, misring, hesitation
on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the
light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
your dealer can check the vehicle. Your dealer has
the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to x
any mechanical or electrical problems that may
have developed.
3-33

Tow/Haul Mode Light
This message is displayed
when the tow/haul mode
has been activated.
For more information, see “Tow/Haul Mode” inTowing a
Trailer on page 4-34.
Check Gages Warning Light
This light will come on briey when you are starting
the engine.
If the light comes on and stays on while you are driving,
check your coolant temperature and engine oil
pressure gages to see if they are in the warning zones.
Fuel Gage
The fuel gage, when the ignition is on, tells you about
how much fuel you have left in your tank.
The gage will rst indicate empty before you are out of
fuel, and you should get more fuel as soon as possible.
United StatesCanada
United StatesCanada
3-38

To adjust both tone controls and both speaker controls
to the middle position, rst end out of audio mode
by pressing another button, causing the radio to perform
that function, or by waiting ve seconds for the display
to return to time of day. Then press and hold AUDIO for
more than two seconds until you hear a beep. CEN
will appear on the display.
Adjusting the Speakers (Balance/Fade)
AUDIO:To adjust the balance between the right
and the left speakers, press and release the AUDIO
button until BAL appears on the display. Then press and
hold the up or the down arrow to move the sound
toward the right or the left speakers.
To adjust the fade between the front and the rear
speakers, press and release AUDIO until FAD appears
on the display. Then press and hold the up or the
down arrow to move the sound toward the front or the
rear speakers.
To adjust balance or fade to the middle position, select
BAL or FAD. Then press and hold AUDIO for more
than two seconds until you hear a beep. L and a zero
or F and a zero will appear on the display.To adjust both tone controls and both speaker controls
to the middle position, rst end out of audio mode
by pressing another button, causing the radio to perform
that function, or by waiting ve seconds for the display
to return to time of day. Then press and hold AUDIO for
more than two seconds until you hear a beep. CEN
will appear on the display.
Radio Messages
CAL (Calibration):The audio system has been
calibrated for your vehicle from the factory. If CAL
appears on the display it means that the radio has not
been congured properly for your vehicle and must
be returned to the dealer for service.
LOC (Locked):This message is displayed when the
THEFTLOCK
®system has locked up. Take the vehicle
to the dealer for service.
If any error occurs repeatedly or if an error cannot be
corrected, contact your dealer.
3-42