CHEVROLET EXPRESS PASSANGER 2007 1.G Owners Manual

1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap
when the cooling system, including the radiator
pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise until it first stops. Do not
press down while turning the pressure cap.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but
now push down as you turn it. Remove
the pressure cap.3. Fill the radiator with the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture, up to the base of the filler
neck. SeeEngine Coolant on page 312
for more information about the proper
coolant mixture.
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4. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the
COLD FILL mark.
5. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank,
but leave the radiator pressure cap off.6. Start the engine and let it run until you can
feel the upper radiator hose getting hot.
Watch out for the engine cooling fan.
7. By this time, the coolant level inside the
radiator filler neck may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture through the filler neck until the
level reaches the base of the filler neck.
8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time
during this procedure if coolant begins to flow
out of the filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap.
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Engine Fan Noise
Your vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan.
When the clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster
to provide more air to cool the engine. In most
everyday driving conditions, the fan is spinning
slower and the clutch is not fully engaged.
This improves fuel economy and reduces fan
noise. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing,
and/or high outside temperatures, the fan speed
increases as the clutch more fully engages,
so you may hear an increase in fan noise.
This is normal and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making extra shifts. It
is merely the cooling system functioning properly.
The fan will slow down when additional cooling
is not required and the clutch partially disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you
start the engine. It will go away as the fan
clutch partially disengages.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid
reservoir is located in
the engine compartment
on the driver’s side of
the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 302for
reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power
steering fluid unless you suspect there is a leak
in the system or you hear an unusual noise.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
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How to Check Power Steering Fluid
To check the power steering fluid, do the following:
1. Turn the key off and let the engine
compartment cool down.
2. Wipe the cap and the top of the
reservoir clean.
3. Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick
with a clean rag.
4. Replace the cap and completely tighten it.
5. Then remove the cap again and look at
the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the COLD FILL mark.
If necessary, add only enough fluid to bring
the level up to the mark.
To prevent contamination of brake fluid, never
check or fill the power steering reservoir with
the brake master cylinder cover off.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 415.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the
proper fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses
and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure
to read the manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If you will be operating your vehicle in an area
where the temperature may fall below freezing,
use a fluid that has sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer fluid
until the tank is full. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 302
for reservoir location.
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Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer
uid. Water can cause the solution to
freeze and damage your washer uid tank
and other parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as well
as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very cold.
This allows for uid expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
the vehicle’s windshield washer system
and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master
cylinder reservoir is
filled with DOT-3 brake
fluid. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 302for the
location of the reservoir.
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 the
brake system fixed, since a leak means that
sooner or later the brakes will not work well.
So, it is not a good idea to top off the brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid will not correct a leak.
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If you add fluid when the linings are worn, then
you will 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.
{CAUTION:
If you have too much brake uid, it can
spill on the engine and/or fuel operated
heater parts, if equipped. If your vehicle
has a diesel engine and a fuel operated
heater, see “Fuel Operated Heater (FOH)”
in the diesel engine supplement. The uid
will burn if the engine is hot enough.
You or others could be burned, and your
vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
uid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system. See “Checking Brake
Fluid” in this section.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
when to check the brake fluid. SeeScheduled
Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on page 405.
Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake fluid without taking
off the cap.
Look at the brake fluid
reservoir. The fluid level
should be above MIN.
If it is not, have the brake
system checked to see
if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level is above the MIN but not
over the MAX mark.
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What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3
brake fluid. Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only. SeeRecommended Fluids
and Lubricants on page 415.
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.
{CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of uid in the brake
system, the brakes may not work well.
This could cause a crash. Always use
the proper brake uid.Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a
few drops of mineral-based oil, such
as engine oil, in the brake system can
damage brake system parts so badly that
they will have to be replaced. Do not
let someone put in the wrong kind of uid.
If you spill brake uid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint nish can
be damaged. Be careful not to spill brake
uid on your vehicle. If you do, wash it
off immediately. SeeWashing Your Vehicle
on page 386.
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Brake Wear
Your vehicle has four-wheel disc 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 can come and go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving, except when you
are pushing on the brake pedal firmly.
{CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
soon the brakes will not 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.Some driving conditions or climates can cause a
brake squeal when the brakes are first applied
or lightly applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with the brakes.
Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated,
inspect brake pads for wear and evenly tighten
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to torque
specifications inCapacities and Specications
on page 398.
Brake linings should always be replaced as
complete axle sets.Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer/retailer 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 that brake service might be required.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, the disc
brakes adjust for wear.
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Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a 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 brake parts. When
you replace parts of the braking system — for
example, when the brake linings wear down and
you need new ones put in — be sure you get new
approved replacement parts. If you do not, the
brakes might not work properly. For example, if
someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for
your vehicle, the balance between the front and
rear brakes can change — for the worse. The
braking performance you have come to expect
can change in many other ways if someone
puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Your vehicle has a maintenance free battery.
When it is time for a new battery, get one that has
the replacement number shown on the original
battery’s label. We recommend an ACDelco
®
replacement battery. SeeEngine Compartment
Overview on page 302for battery location.
Warning:Battery posts, terminals, and related
accessories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.
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Vehicle Storage
If you are not going to drive your vehicle for
25 days or more, remove the black, negative (−)
cable from the battery. This will help keep the
battery from running down.
{CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and
gas that can explode. You can be badly
hurt if you are not careful. SeeJump
Starting on page 330for tips on working
around a battery without getting hurt.
Jump Starting
If your vehicle’s battery has run down, you may
want to use another vehicle and some jumper
cables to start your vehicle. Be sure to use
the following steps to do it safely.
{CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode
or ignite.
They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you do not follow these steps exactly,
some or all of these things can hurt you.
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