coolant temperature CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1997 1.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
In very cold weather, 0°F (- 18 "C) or colder, the engine
coolant heater can help. You'll get easier starting and
better fuel economy during engine warm-up. Usually,
the coolant heater should be plugged
in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
To Use the Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
A I
I /! CAUTION:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong
kind
of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won't reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated
for
at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store
the cord as
it was before to keep it away from moving
engine
parts. If you don't, it could be damaged.
How long should
you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of
oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that
you contact
your
GM dealer in the area where you'll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Check Gages Light
The CHECK GAGES light
will come on briefly when
you are starting the engine.
CHECK
GAGES
Fuel Gage
UNLEADED
FUEL ONLY
The fuel gage, when the
ignition
is on, tells you
about how much fuel you
have
left in your tank.
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. The gage
will first.indicate EMPTY
(E) before you
are out of fuel, and you should get more fuel as soon
as possible.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Listed are four situations you may experience with your
fuel gage:
0
0
0
0
At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off before the
gage reads
FULL (F).
It takes a little more or less fuel to fill up than the
fuel gage indicated. For example, the gage may have
indicated the tank was half full, but it actually took a
little more or less than half the tank’s capacity to
fill
the tank.
The gage moves a little when you turn
a corner or
speed up.
The gage doesn’t
go back to EMPTY (E) when you
turn off the ignition.
None
of these indicate a problem with the fuel gage.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine
gage pointer moves into
the red area your engine is
coolant
temperature.
If the
’% 260
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.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Conditioning Heating
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. On
cold days, use HEATER 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 “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.
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
blower 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 yow windows.
3-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Making ’hrns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns
than normal.
Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
’hrn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring and a heavy-duty turn signal flasher (included in
the optional trailering package).
The arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you’re about to
turn, change lanes or stop. When
towing a trailer, the arrows
on your instrument
panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs
on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you
are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s important
to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are
still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you
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.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed
to around 45 mph (70 kmh) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transmission overheating.
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, see “Engine Overheating”
in
the Index.
4-36

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Overheating (Gasoline Engine)
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your vehicle’s
instrument panel.
If you have a diesel engine, you will also
find a low coolant light on your instrument panel.
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Engine
Overheating’’ in the Diesel Engine Supplement.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming
from it.
Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in
it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the
engine
is cool.
I NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving
with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered
by your warranty.
5-12

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Rear Axle Engine Coolant
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
What to
Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index. The cooling
s stem
in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL
8 engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for
5 years or 150,000 miles
(240
000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL’ extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system
and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating,
see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL@ coolant will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should .

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, wipe the cap and
top
of the reservoir clean, then 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
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.
6-26

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Electrical Equipment. Adding
Electrical System
............
Electronic Road Speed Governor
Engine
....................
Coolant ..................
Coolant Level Check .......
Coolant Temperature Gage . .
Exhaust ..................
Fuse Block ...............
Identification .............
Oil Level Check ...........
Overheating ..............
Running While Parked ......
Starting Your .............
Engine Oil .................
Adding ..................
Additives ................
Checking ................
Pressure Gage .............
Used ....................
Cooling System ...........
................... 6-59
................... 6-59
(Gasoline Engines)
... 2-60
.................... 6-9
................... 6-22
................... 7-45
................... 2-59
................... 6-65
................... 2-28
................... 6-63
.............. 6.58. 6..65
................... 7-45
................... 5-12
................... 2-28
................... 2-17
................... 6-12
................... 6-12
................... 6-16
................... 6-13
................... 2-57
................... 6-16
Whentochange
.............................. 6-16
Exhaust. Engine
................................ 2-28
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-50
Fan Control. Climate Control System
................ 3-2
Filling Your Tank
................................ 6-5
Filter. Air
..................................... 6-17
Finish Care
.................................... 6-54 Finish Damage
................................. 6-56
First Gear. Automatic Transmission
................ 2-22
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-2
Flat Tire. Changing
............................. 5-23
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-51
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-5
French Language Manual
11
Front ParkingKurn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement .... 6-35
Front Storage Area .............................. 2-44
FrontTowing
.................................. 5-10
Fuel .......................................... 6-3
Canada
...................................... 6-5
FillingYourTank
.............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-58
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-5
Tankcapacity
............................... 6-66
Fuses
and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-60
.. ...........................
Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature
.................... 2-59
Engine Oil Pressure
........................... 2-57
Fuel
....................................... 2-58
Speedometer
................................. 2-49
Voltmeter
................................... 2-60
Gear Positions. Automatic Transmission
............. 2-20
Gross Axle Weight Rating ........................ 4-28
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-27
Guide en Frangais
11
GVWR ....................................... 4-27
GAWR
....................................... 4-28
.. .................................
9-4
.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-56
Park Automatic Transmission
....................... 2-24
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-27
AtNight
.................................... 2-15
Brake
...................................... 2-23
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-48
Lots
....................................... 2-15
OverThingsThatBurn
........................ 2-27
With a Trailer
................................ 4-37
Passenger Position
.............................. 1-25
Passenger Temperature Control
..................... 3-5
Passing
....................................... 4-12
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-49
Power
Antenna Mast Care
............................ 3-28
DoorLocks
................................... 2-5
Option Fuses
................................ 6-60
Remote Control Mirror
........................ 2-43
Seat
......................................... 1-3
Steering ..................................... 4-9
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-26
Windows
................................... 2-29
Power Seat
Pregnancy. Use of Safety Belts
.................... 1-24
Problems on the Road
............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner ................... 8-1 1
Shifting Into ................................. 2-24
Parking Radiator
..................................... 5-19
Radiator Pressure Cap
............................ 6-25
Radio Reception
................................ 3-26
Radios
......................... 3.9.3.11.3.13. 3.18
Rain. Driving In
................................ 4-16
Reading Lamps
................................ 2-41
Rear Axle
....................................... 6-22
Door Security Locks
........................... 2-5
Outside Seat Position
.......................... 1-32
Seatpassengers
.............................. 1-32
Towing
..................................... 5-11
Rearview Mirror
................................ 2-43
Reclining Front Seatbacks
......................... 1-3
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............... 7-51
Recovery Tank. Coolant
.......................... 5-16
Refrigerants. Air Conditioning
.................... 6-67
Remote Compact Disc Player
..................... 3-22
Replacement Bulbs
...................................... 6-68
Parts
....................................... 6-67
Wheel
...................................... 6-47
Replacing Safety Belts
........................... 1-52
Reporting Safety Defects
......................... 8-10
Restraints
Checking
................................... 1-52
Child
....................................... 1-40
Head
........................................ 1-5
System Check
................................ 7-46
Reverse. Automatic Transmission
.................. 2-21
Replacing Parts After
a Crash
................... 1-52
9-7