CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1996 1.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix ut the
coolant recovery tank.
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Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow
steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a
little 0- when the engine and radiator are hot.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill it.
A CAUTION: - -
- , .'.
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on
a hot engine.
Radiator Pressure Cap
The radiator pressure cap must be tightly installed with
the arrows
on the cap lined up with the overflow tube on
the radiator filler neck.
I NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a pressure-type cap and
must be tightly installed to prevent coolant loss
and possible engine damage from overheating. Be
sure the arrows on the cap line up with the
overflow tube on the radiator filler neck.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine cooling system. The thermostat stops the
flow
of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an
AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
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.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, unscrew the cap
and ,wipe
the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap
and completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again
and look at the fluid level
on the dipstick.
The level should be at the
FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the
level up to
the mark.
To prevent brake fluid contamination, never check or fill
the power steering reservoir with the master cylinder
cover off.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of fluid
to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants’’ in the Index. Always use the proper fluid.
Failure
to use the proper fluid can cause leaks and
damage hoses and seals.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, b, IP S‘ ure to re
:ad
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
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Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID. Add washer
fluid until the tank is full.
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NOTICE:
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When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to fre,eze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean as well
as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion, which could damage
the tank
if it is completely full.
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your
windshield washer.
It can damage your
washer system and paint.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brakes
Brake Fluid
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Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
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 norrnal 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 your brake
system fixed, since
a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct
a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then you’ll
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.
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If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on the
engine. The fluid
will burn if the engine is hot
enough. You or others could be burned, and your vehicle could
be damaged. Add brake fluid only
when work
is done on the brake hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections”
in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the windows
on the brake fluid reservoir.
The fluid levels should be above
MIN. If they aren’t,
have your brake system checked
to see if there is a leak.
After work
is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the levels are above
MIN and below the top
of each window.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean
the brake fluid
reservoir cap before removing it.
1 A CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
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Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil,
in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum 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 may come and
go or
be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except when
you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
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The brake wear warning sound means that
sooner or later your brakes won’t work well.
That could lead
to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning
sound, have your
vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied
or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Free movement
or Drake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts
are necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers
for movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque
wheel nuts in the proper sequence
to GM specifications.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but if
you ever hear
a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected. Also, the rear brake drums should
be removed and inspected each time the tires are removed
for rotation or changing. When
you have the front brakes
replaced, have the rear brakes inspected,
too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer 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 of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your
rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by
backing up and firmly applying the brakes
a few times.
6-29

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern 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.
Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake
parts in them, as your vehicle does when
it is new. When
you replace parts of your braking system -- for example,
when your brake linings wear down and you have
to
have new ones put in -- be sure you get new genuine
GM replacement parts. If you don’t, your brakes may
no longer work properly. For example, if someone
puts in brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle,
the balance between your front and rear brakes can
change
-- for the worse. The braking performance
you’ve come to expect can change
in many other ways if
someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Every new vehicle has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for a new battery,
we recommend a Delco Freedom
battery. Get one that has
the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, take off the black, negative (-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine i
A CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you ana gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature”
in the Index.
Bulb Replacement
Before you replace any bulbs, be sure that all the lamps
are
off and the engine isn’t running. See “Replacement
Bulbs”
in the index for the proper types of bulbs to use.
Halogen Bulbs
’ A CAUTION: I I
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop
or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
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Headlamps
You have either a sealed beam headlamp system or a
composite system.
6-3 1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Sealed Beam Headlamps
1. Remove the four screws from the headlamp retainer.
Pull the retainer out and set it aside.
.. .
2. Unplug the lamp assembly from the connector.
3. Install a new headlamp.
4. Reverse Steps 2 through 3 to reinstall the headlamp.
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