brake fluid CHEVROLET EXPRESS 2010 Owner's Manual

Vehicle Symbol Chart
Here are some additional symbols that may be found on
the vehicle and what they mean. For more information
on the symbol, refer to the index.
9:Airbag Readiness Light
#:Air Conditioning
!:Antilock Brake System (ABS)
g:Audio Steering Wheel Controls or OnStar®
$:Brake System Warning Light
":Charging System
I:Cruise Control
B:Engine Coolant Temperature
O:Exterior Lamps
#:Fog Lamps
.:Fuel Gage
+:Fuses
i:Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
j:LATCH System Child Restraints
*:Malfunction Indicator Lamp
::Oil Pressure
}:Power
/:Remote Vehicle Start
>:Safety Belt Reminders
7:Tire Pressure Monitor
_:Tow/Haul Mode
F:Traction Control
M:Windshield Washer Fluid
v

Windshield Washer
The windshield wiper paddle is located on top of the
multifunction lever.
L(Washer Fluid):Push the paddle to spray washer
fluid on the windshield. The wipers will clear the window
and then either stop or return to the preset speed.
{WARNING:
In freezing weather, do not use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice on the windshield, blocking your
vision.
Cruise Control
{WARNING:
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
cannot drive safely at a steady speed. So, do not
use the cruise control on winding roads or in
heavy traffic.
Cruise control can be dangerous on slippery
roads. On such roads, fast changes in tire traction
can cause excessive wheel slip, and you could
lose control. Do not use cruise control on slippery
roads.
With cruise control, a speed of about 25 mph (40 km/h)
or more can be maintained without keeping your foot
on the accelerator. Cruise control does not work
at speeds below about 25 mph (40 km/h).
When the brakes are applied, cruise control is
turned off.
If the vehicle has StabiliTrak
®, and the system begins to
limit wheel spin, cruise control will automatically
disengage. SeeStabiliTrak
®System on page 5-5. When
road conditions allow the cruise control to be safely
used again, it can be turned back on.
4-6

Service............................................................6-3
Accessories and Modifications..........................6-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................6-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....6-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................6-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
the Vehicle.................................................6-5
Fuel................................................................6-5
Gasoline Octane............................................6-6
Gasoline Specifications....................................6-6
California Fuel...............................................6-6
Additives.......................................................6-7
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................6-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................6-9
Filling the Tank............................................6-10
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................6-12
Checking Things Under the Hood....................6-12
Hood Release..............................................6-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................6-14
Engine Oil...................................................6-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................6-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................6-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(4-Speed Transmission)..............................6-21
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission)..............................6-24Cooling System............................................6-28
Engine Coolant.............................................6-29
Engine Overheating.......................................6-35
Engine Fan Noise.........................................6-37
Power Steering Fluid.....................................6-38
Windshield Washer Fluid................................6-39
Brakes........................................................6-40
Battery........................................................6-43
Jump Starting...............................................6-44
All-Wheel Drive.............................................
.6-49
Rear Axle.......................................................6-50
Front Axle......................................................6-50
Noise Control System.....................................6-51
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................6-51
Bulb Replacement..........................................6-53
Halogen Bulbs..............................................6-53
Headlamps..................................................6-53
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps..........................................6-55
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........6-56
Taillamps.....................................................6-56
License Plate Lamp......................................6-58
Replacement Bulbs.......................................6-58
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............6-59
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
6-1

A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 6-43.
B. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeCooling System on
page 6-28.
C. Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System on
page 6-28.
D. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid (4-Speed Transmission)
on page 6-21orAutomatic Transmission Fluid
(6-Speed Transmission) on page 6-24.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-15.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil on page 6-15.
G. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 6-20.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower Steering
Fluid on page 6-38.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake Fluid”
underBrakes on page 6-40.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See “Adding
Washer Fluid” underWindshield Washer Fluid
on page 6-39.Engine Oil
For diesel engine vehicles, see “Engine Oil” in the
DURAMAX®Diesel manual.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at each
fuel fill. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-14
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If this is not done, the
oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it
again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.
6-15

Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in P (Park).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position
the shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these
steps:
The transmission dipstick
is located near the center
of the engine compartment
and will be labeled with
the graphic shown.SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-14for
more information on location.
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick
and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the COLD area for a
cold check or in the HOT or cross-hatched area for a
hot check. Be sure to keep the dipstick pointed down
to get an accurate reading.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
6-23

Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare the vehicle as follows:
1. Park the vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine
running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in P (Park).
3. With foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. When M is reached,
move the selector from M1 through M3. Then,
position the shift lever in P (Park).
4. Let the engine run at idle for two minutes or more.
Then, without shutting Off the engine:
The transmission dipstick
is located near the center
of the engine compartment
and will be labeled with
the graphic shown.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 6-14for
more information on location.
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick
and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.A. COLD Range
B. WARM Range
C. HOT Range
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the COLD (A) range
for a cold check, transmission temperature 27°C to
32°C (80°F to 90°F), between the COLD (A) and
HOT (C) range for a WARM (B) check, 50°C to 60°C
(122°F to 140°F) or in the HOT (C) cross-hatched
range for a hot check, 71°C to 93°C (160°F to
200°F). Be sure to keep the dipstick pointed down
to get an accurate reading.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
6-26

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 6-14for
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.
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 7-12.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
6-38

Brakes
Brake Fluid
The brake master cylinder
reservoir is filled with
DOT 3 brake fluid. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 6-14for
the location of the reservoir.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down:
•The brake fluid level goes down because of normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are installed,
the fluid level goes back up.
•A fluid leak in the brake hydraulic system can also
cause a low fluid level. Have the brake hydraulic
system fixed, since a leak means that sooner
or later the brakes will not work well.Do not top off the brake fluid. Adding fluid does not
correct a leak. If fluid is added when the linings are worn,
there will be too much fluid when new brake linings are
installed. Add or remove brake fluid, as necessary, only
when work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
{WARNING:
If too much brake fluid is added, it can spill on
the engine and/or fuel operated heater parts, if
equipped. If the vehicle has a diesel engine and a
fuel operated heater, see “Fuel Operated Heater
(FOH)” in the diesel engine supplement. The fluid
will burn if the engine is hot enough. You or others
could be burned, and the vehicle could be
damaged. Add brake fluid 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
on page 7-3.
6-40

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

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