engine overheat CHEVROLET EXPRESS 2017 User Guide

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15555951) - 2022 - CRC - 1/27/22
184 Vehicle Care
6.6L V8 Engine
1. Radiator Pressure Cap
2. Coolant Recovery Tank
3. Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
{Warning
An underhood electric fan can start up
even when the engine is not running and
can cause injury. Keep hands, clothing,
and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
{Warning
Do not touch heater or radiator hoses,
or other engine parts. They can be very
hot and can burn you. Do not run the
engine if there is a leak; all coolant could
leak out. That could cause an engine fire
and can burn you. Fix any leak before
driving the vehicle.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in the vehicle is filled
with DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant
is designed to remain in the vehicle for
5 years or 240 000 km (150,000 mi),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains the cooling system
and how to check and add coolant when it
is low. If there is a problem with engine
overheating, seeEngine Overheating 0187.
What to Use
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but there would not be an
overheat warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned.
Use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and DEX-COOL coolant. If using this
mixture, nothing else needs to be added.
This mixture:
.Gives freezing protection down to −37 °C
(−34 °F), outside temperature.
.Gives boiling protection up to 129 °C
(265 °F), engine temperature.
.Protects against rust and corrosion.
.Will not damage aluminum parts.
.Helps keep the proper engine
temperature.
Caution
Do not use anything other than a mix of
DEX-COOL coolant that meets GM
Standard GMW3420 and clean, drinkable
water. Anything else can cause damage
to the engine cooling system and the
vehicle, which would not be covered by
the vehicle warranty.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15555951) - 2022 - CRC - 1/27/22
Vehicle Care 185
Never dispose of engine coolant by putting
it in the trash, pouring it on the ground,
or into sewers, streams, or bodies of water.
Have the coolant changed by an authorized
service center, familiar with legal
requirements regarding used coolant
disposal. This will help protect the
environment and your health.
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 indicated 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.
The coolant recovery tank cap has this
symbol on it.
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 for service.
How to Add Coolant to the Recovery
Tank for Gasoline Engines
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine parts can
burn you. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough.
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such as
alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. With plain water or
the wrong mixture, the engine could get
too hot but there would not be an
overheat warning. The engine could catch
fire and you or others could be burned.
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system are under pressure.
Turning the pressure cap, even a little,
can cause them to come out at high
speed and you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the cooling system,(Continued)

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15555951) - 2022 - CRC - 1/27/22
186 Vehicle Care
Warning (Continued)
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.
Caution
Failure to follow the specific coolant fill
procedure could cause the engine to
overheat and could cause system
damage. If coolant is not visible in the
surge tank, contact your dealer.
If coolant is needed, add the proper
DEX-COOL coolant mixture at the coolant
recovery tank.
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system are under pressure.
Turning the pressure cap, even a little,
can cause them to come out at high
speed and you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the cooling system, (Continued)
Warning (Continued)
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.
If coolant is needed, add the proper mixture
directly to the radiator, but be sure the
cooling system is cool before this is done.
1. 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 a hiss is heard, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means there is still some
pressure left.
2. Keep turning the pressure cap, but now push down as you turn it. Remove the
pressure cap. 3. Fill the radiator with the proper mixture,
up to the base of the filler neck. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
0251 for more information about the
proper coolant mixture.
4. Remove the coolant recovery tank cap
and fill to the COLD FILL mark.
5. Reinstall the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but leave the radiator
pressure cap off.
6. Start the engine and let it run until the upper radiator hose can be felt getting
hot. Watch out for the engine
cooling fan.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15555951) - 2022 - CRC - 1/27/22
Vehicle Care 187
7. By this time, the coolant level inside theradiator filler neck may be lower. If the
level is lower, add more of the proper
mixture through the filler neck until the
level reaches the base of the filler neck.
8. Replace the pressure cap. At any time during this procedure if coolant begins to
flow out of the filler neck, reinstall the
pressure cap.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and
tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.
Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a leak
in the engine cooling system. This can
cause a loss of all coolant and can
damage the system and vehicle. Have
any leaks fixed right away. The vehicle has an indicator to warn of
engine overheating.
There is an engine coolant temperature
gauge on the vehicle's instrument cluster.
See
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
0 74.
If the decision is made not to lift the hood
when this warning appears, but instead get
service help right away, see Roadside
Assistance Program 0262.
If the decision is made to lift the hood,
make sure the vehicle is parked on a level
surface.
Then check to see if the engine cooling fans
are running. If the engine is overheating, the
fan should be running. If it is not, do not
continue to run the engine and have the
vehicle serviced.
See if the engine cooling fan speed increases
when idle speed is doubled by pushing the
accelerator pedal down. If it does not, the
vehicle needs service. Turn off the engine.
If Steam is Coming from the Engine
Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system are under pressure.
Turning the pressure cap, even a little,
can cause them to come out at high
speed and you could be burned. Never
turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling system and pressure cap
to cool.
If No Steam is Coming from the Engine
Compartment
If an engine overheat warning is displayed
but no steam can be seen or heard, the
problem may not be too serious. Sometimes
the engine can get a little too hot when the
vehicle:
.Climbs a long hill on a hot day.
.Stops after high-speed driving.
.Idles for long periods in traffic.
.Tows a trailer. See “Driving on Grades”
under Trailer Towing 0159.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15555951) - 2022 - CRC - 1/27/22
188 Vehicle Care
If the overheat warning is displayed with no
sign of steam:1. Turn the air conditioning off.
2. Turn the heater on to the highest temperature and to the highest fan
speed. Open the windows as necessary.
3. When it is safe to do so, pull off the road, shift to P (Park) or N (Neutral) and
let the engine idle.
If the engine coolant temperature gauge is
no longer in the overheat zone or an
overheat warning no longer displays, the
vehicle can be driven. Continue to drive the
vehicle slowly for about 10 minutes. Keep a
safe vehicle distance from the vehicle in
front. If the warning does not come back on,
continue to drive normally and have the
cooling system checked for proper fill and
function.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and
park the vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, push down
the accelerator until the engine speed is
about twice as fast as normal idle speed for
at least three minutes while parked. If the
warning is still on, turn off the engine until
it cools down. If the decision is made not to lift the hood,
get service help right away.
Engine Fan
The 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 an increase in fan noise may be heard.
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.
This fan noise may be heard when starting
the engine. It will go away as the fan clutch
partially disengages.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering fluid reservoir is in the
engine compartment on the driver side of
the vehicle. See
Engine Compartment
Overview 0176 for reservoir location.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power
steering fluid unless there is a leak
suspected in the system or an unusual noise
is heard. 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:
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.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15555951) - 2022 - CRC - 1/27/22
Index 281
Engine (cont'd)Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Oil Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Power Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Running While Parked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Enhanced Technology Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Entry Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Equipment, Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Event Data Recorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Exit Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Extender, Seat Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Exterior Lamp Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
Exterior Lamps Off Reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
Exterior Lighting Battery Saver . . . . . . . . . . . 96
F
Fan Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Filter,
Engine Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Fixed Mast Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Flash-to-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Flashers, Hazard Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 Flat Tire (cont'd)
Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Floor Mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Fluid Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . 149
Frequency Statement Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Front Seats Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Front Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Front Turn Signal Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Economy, Driving for Better . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 155
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Recommended . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Top Tier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Full-Size Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block . . . . . . . 199
Floor Console Fuse Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Fuses and Circuit Breakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
G
GaugesEngine Coolant Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Engine Oil Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Trip Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Voltmeter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Warning Lights and Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . 71
General Information
Service and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Vehicle Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Glass, Enhanced Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
GM Mobility Reimbursement
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
H
Halogen Bulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Hazard Warning Flashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Head Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15555951) - 2022 - CRC - 1/27/22
Index 283
Lights (cont'd)Lane Departure Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Low Fuel Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Seat Belt Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
StabiliTrak OFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Traction Control System
(TCS)/StabiliTrak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Locks Automatic Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Cargo Door Relocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Delayed Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Lockout Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Power Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Low Fuel Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
M
MaintenanceRecords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 Maintenance and Care
Additional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 Recommended Fluids andLubricants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Manual Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Manual Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Media Avoiding Untrusted Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Messages Engine Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Vehicle Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Mirrors
Convex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Folding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Heated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Manual Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Trailer Tow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Mirrors, Interior Rearview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Monitor System, Tire Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Multi-band Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
N
Navigation Connected Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Noise Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
O
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Oil Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Engine Oil Life System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Engine Oil Pressure Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Pressure Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Older Children, Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Online Owner Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
OnStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
OnStar Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . 272
OnStar Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
OnStar Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
OnStar Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Operation Infotainment System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Outlets Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Overheating, Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187