heating CHEVROLET EXPRESS 2004 Owners Manual

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-6
Other Warning Devices...................................3-6
Horn.............................................................3-6
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-7
Turn and Lane-Change Signals........................3-8
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer..................3-8
Flash-to-Pass.................................................3-9
Windshield Wipers..........................................3-9
Windshield Washer.......................................3-10
Cruise Control..............................................3-10
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-13
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-14
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-14
Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-15
Dome Lamps...............................................3-15
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-15
Entry Lighting...............................................3-16
Exit Lighting.................................................3-16
Reading Lamps............................................3-16
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-16
Accessory Power Outlets...............................3-16
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter........................3-17Climate Controls............................................3-18
Climate Control System.................................3-18
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-20
Rear Heating System....................................3-20
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System.......3-21
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-22
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-23
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-24
Trip Odometer..............................................3-24
Engine Speed Limiter....................................3-24
Safety Belt Reminder Light.............................3-25
Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-25
Airbag Off Light............................................3-26
Charging System Light..................................3-28
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-28
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-29
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light.............3-30
StabiliTrak Not Ready Light............................3-30
StabiliTrak Indicator Light...............................3-31
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-31
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-32
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-34
Change Engine Oil Light................................3-35
Security Light...............................................3-36
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

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

To use the outlet, lift the cover. When not using it,
always close the cover.
Certain power accessory plugs may not be compatible
to the accessory power outlet and could result in
blown vehicle or adapter fuses. If you experience a
problem, see your dealer for additional information on
the accessory power plugs.
Notice:Adding any electrical equipment to your
vehicle may damage it or keep other components
from working as they should. The repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Check with your
dealer before adding electrical equipment.
When adding electrical equipment, be sure to
follow the proper installation instructions included with
the equipment.
Notice:Improper use of the power outlet can cause
damage not covered by your warranty. Do not
hang any type of accessory or accessory bracket
from the plug because the power outlets are
designed for accessory power plugs only.Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
Your vehicle may have this feature. The front ashtray
can be placed in the instrument panel extension at
the center of the instrument panel. Lift up on the ashtray
door to open it.
Notice:If you put papers or other ammable items
in the ashtray, hot cigarettes or other smoking
materials could ignite them and possibly damage
your vehicle. Never put ammable items in the
ashtray.
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.
Notice:Holding a cigarette lighter in while it is
heating will not allow the lighter to back away from
the heating element when it is hot. Damage from
overheating may occur to the lighter or heating
element, or a fuse could be blown. Do not hold a
cigarette lighter in while it is heating. Do not
use anything other than the cigarette lighter in the
heating element.
3-17

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

Outlet Adjustment
Use the outlets located near the center and on the
sides of the instrument panel to change the direction
of airow.
Operation Tips
Clear away any ice, snow or leaves from the air
inlets at the base of the windshield that may
block the ow of air into your vehicle.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors may
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of your vehicle more
effectively.
Rear Heating System
Your vehicle may have a rear heating system that
allows you to adjust the amount of air owing into the
rear of the vehicle, from the front-seating area. This
feature works with the main climate-control system in
your vehicle.REAR HEAT:The thumbwheel for this system is
located to the right of the audio system.
9(Fan):Turn the thumbwheel up or down to increase
or decrease the amount of heated air sent to the
rear-seating area.
HI:Turn the thumbwheel to this position to supply the
most amount of heat to the rear-seating area.
LO:Turn the thumbwheel to this position to supply the
least amount of heat to the rear-seating area.
OFF:Turn the thumbwheel to this position to turn the
rear heating system off.
3-20

Rear Air Conditioning and
Heating System
Your vehicle may have a rear heating and
air-conditioning system. This system regulates the
temperature, the fan speed and the air delivery for the
rear-seat passengers only. It also works with the
main climate-control system in your vehicle.
Use this control panel when you would like to maintain
a separate temperature setting. Adjust the direction
of the airow or adjust the fan speed for the rear-seat
passenger(s).If your vehicle has a 135 inch (343 cm) wheelbase, a
rear control panel for this system is located in the
second row behind the driver in the rear of your vehicle.
A rear-seat passenger can use this control panel to
personally adjust the temperature, the direction of the
airow and the fan speed for the rear-seating area.
The fan knob located on the front climate control panel
must be turned to REAR CNTL to allow a rear-seat
passenger to use the control panel in the rear-seating
area. Performing this action disables the front control
panel. To return control to this panel, move the fan knob
out of REAR CNTL.
Turn the center knob clockwise or counterclockwise
to change the direction of the airow in the
rear-seating area. Front Climate-Control Panel
Rear Climate-Control Panel
3-21

StabiliTrak Indicator Light
If you have the StabiliTrak
system, this light will be on
or ashing, according to
the description table for the
StabiliTrak
®system.
For more information, seeStabiliTrak
®System on
page 4-8.
You will hear three chimes if the light turns on and
one chime if the light turns off.
If this light remains on steady, your vehicle needs to be
taken in for service.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves into the red area your engine is
too hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If
you have been operating your vehicle under normal
operating conditions, you should pull off the road,
stop your vehicle, and turn off the engine as soon
as possible.
SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-24.
United StatesCanada
3-31

Driving with a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon
monoxide (CO) could come into your vehicle.
You can not see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness or death. SeeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-27. To maximize your safety
when towing a trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle. Do not use
the climate control setting for maximum air
because it only recirculates the air inside
your vehicle. See Climate Control System
in the Index.Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check all trailer hitch parts and
attachments, safety chains, electrical connector, lamps,
tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
4-43

Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or a lower gear under heavy
loads and/or hilly conditions.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn your
engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) for a
few minutes before turning the engine off. If you do get
the overheat warning, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-24.
Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK (P) yet. Then turn your wheels into the curb if
facing downhill or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the
trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and then shift to PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
4-45

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling Your Tank............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-17
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-19
Engine Coolant.............................................5-22
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-24
Engine Overheating.......................................5-24
Cooling System............................................5-26
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-32
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-32
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-33Brakes........................................................5-34
Battery........................................................5-37
Jump Starting...............................................5-38
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-43
Rear Axle.......................................................5-44
Front Axle......................................................5-44
Noise Control System.....................................5-45
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-45
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-46
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-47
Headlamps..................................................5-47
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-48
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-49
Taillamps.....................................................5-49
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-50
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-51
Tires..............................................................5-52
Tire Sidewall Labelling...................................5-53
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-56
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-58
Dual Tire Operation.......................................5-59
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-60
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-62
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1