oil level CHEVROLET EXPRESS 2008 User Guide

Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface when checking
the coolant level.
Check to see if coolant is visible in the coolant recovery
tank. If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
If coolant is visible but the coolant level is not at or above
the COLD FILL mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant
recovery tank, but be sure the cooling system is cool
before this is done.
When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
or above the COLD FILL mark. If it is not, there could
be a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant is low, add the coolant or take the vehicle
to a dealer/retailer for service.
How to Add Coolant to the Recovery
Tank for Gasoline Engines
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “How to
Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank” under
“Van Models” in the Cooling System section of the
DURAMAX
®Diesel Supplement for the proper coolant
fill procedure.
{WARNING:
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.
Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause the engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
If coolant is needed, add the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank.
6-31

Checking Brake Fluid
Check brake fluid by looking at the brake fluid reservoir.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-14.
The fluid level should be
above MIN. If it is not,
have the brake hydraulic
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.
What to Add
Use only new DOT 3 brake fluid from a sealed container.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 7-12.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the
area around the cap before removing it. This helps keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
{WARNING:
With the wrong kind of fluid in the brake hydraulic
system, the brakes might not work well. This could
cause a crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
Notice:
Using the wrong uid can badly damage brake
hydraulic system parts. For example, just a
few drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in the brake hydraulic system can damage
brake hydraulic system parts so badly that they
will have to be replaced. Do not let someone
put in the wrong kind of uid.
If brake uid is spilled on the vehicle’s painted
surfaces, the paint nish can be damaged.
Be careful not to spill brake uid on the vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately. SeeWashing
Your Vehicle on page 6-105.
6-41

At your General Motors dealer/retailer, you can be
certain that you will receive the highest level of service
available. Your dealer /retailer has specially trained
service technicians, uses genuine GM replacement
parts, as well as, up to date tools and equipment
to ensure fast and accurate diagnostics.
The proper replacement parts, fluids, and lubricants to
use are listed inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 7-12andMaintenance Replacement Parts
on page 7-14. We recommend the use of genuine parts
from your dealer/retailer.
Rotation of New Tires
To maintain ride, handling, and performance of the
vehicle, it is important that the first rotation service
for new tires be performed when they have 8 000 to
13 000 km (5,000 to 8,000 miles). SeeTire Inspection
and Rotation on page 6-75.
Scheduled Maintenance
When the Change Engine Oil Soon
Message Displays
Change engine oil and filter. SeeEngine Oil on
page 6-15.An Emission Control Service.
When the Change Engine Oil Soon message displays,
service is required for the vehicle as soon as possible,
within the next 1 000 km/600 miles. If driving under the
best conditions, the engine oil life system might not
indicate the need for vehicle service for more than a year.
The engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a
year and the oil life system must be reset. Your dealer/
retailer has trained service technicians who will perform
this work and reset the system. If the engine oil life
system is reset accidentally, service the vehicle within
5 000 km/3,000 miles since the last service. Reset the oil
life system whenever the oil is changed. SeeEngine Oil
Life System on page 6-18.
7-3

When the Change Engine Oil Soon message displays,
certain services, checks, and inspections are required.
The services described for MaintenanceIshould be
performed at every engine oil change. The services
described for MaintenanceIIshould be performed when:
•MaintenanceIwas performed the last time the
engine oil was changed.
•It has been 10 months or more since the Change
Engine Oil Soon message has displayed or since the
last service.
MaintenanceI
•Change engine oil and filter. SeeEngine Oil on
page 6-15.An Emission Control Service.
•Engine coolant level check. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 6-29.
•Windshield washer fluid level check. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 6-39.
•Tire inflation check. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on
page 6-68.
•Tire wear inspection. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6-75.
•Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 6-75.
•Fluids visual leak check (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first). A leak in any system must
be repaired and the fluid level checked.
•Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles driven
in dusty conditions only). SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6-20.
•Brake system inspection (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs first).
7-4

•Engine air cleaner filter inspection. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6-20.
•Vehicles with diesel engine or GVWR above
4 536 kg (10,000 lbs) only: Shields inspection
for damage or looseness. Adjust or replace as
required. This is a Noise Emission Control Service.
Applicable to vehicles sold in the United States
and recommended for vehicles sold in Canada.
Additional Required Services
At the First 160 km/100 Miles,
1 600 km/1,000 Miles, and 10 000 km/
6,000 Miles
•
For vehicles with dual wheels: Check dual wheel
nut torque. For proper torque, seeCapacities
and Specications on page 6-116.
At Each Fuel Stop
•
Engine oil level check. SeeEngine Oil on
page 6-15.
•Engine coolant level check. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 6-29.
•Windshield washer fluid level check. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 6-39.
Once a Month
•
Tire inflation check. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on
page 6-68.
•Tire wear inspection. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 6-75.
Once a Year
•
Starter switch check. SeeOwner Checks and
Services on page 7-10.
•Parking brake and automatic transmission P (Park)
mechanism check. SeeOwner Checks and
Services on page 7-10.
•Automatic transmission shiftlock control system
check. SeeOwner Checks and Services on
page 7-10.
•Ignition transmission lock check. SeeOwner
Checks and Services on page 7-10.
•Engine cooling system and pressure cap pressure
check. Radiator and air conditioning condenser
outside cleaning. SeeCooling System on
page 6-28.
7-6

Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and filter. Reset oil life system.••
Engine coolant level check.••
Windshield washer fluid level check.••
Tire inflation pressures check.••
Tire wear inspection.••
Rotate tires.••
Fluids visual leak check.••
Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles driven in dusty conditions only).••
Brake system inspection.••
Chassis components lubrication.•
Steering and suspension inspection.•
Engine cooling system inspection.•
Windshield wiper blades inspection.•
Body components lubrication.•
Restraint system components check.•
Automatic transmission fluid level check.•
All-wheel drive only: Transfer case fluid level check.•
Engine air cleaner filter inspection (vehicles not driven in dusty conditions).•
Shields inspection.•
7-9