transmission CHEVROLET EXPRESS 2021 Owners Manual

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
15555951) - 2022 - CRC - 1/27/22
Introduction 5
1.Air Vents 0118.
2. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons (Out of View). See Driver Information
Center (DIC) 082.
3. Turn Signal Lever. See Turn and
Lane-Change Signals 093.
Windshield Wiper/Washer 068.
4. Horn 068.
5. Hazard Warning Flashers 093.
6. Instrument Cluster 072.
7. Shift Lever. See Automatic Transmission
0 137.
Manual Mode 0139 (If Equipped).
8. Climate Control Systems 0114.
9. Infotainment. See Overview098.
10. Power Outlets 070.
11. USB Port (If Equipped). See Auxiliary
Devices 0103.
12. Power Outlet 110/120 Volt Alternating Current. See Power Outlets 070.
13. Rear Heating System 0116 (If Equipped).
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) 0152 (If
Equipped).
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System
0 149 (If Equipped). 14. Passenger Airbag On-Off Switch (If
Equipped). See Airbag On-Off Switch
0 42.
15. Traction Control/Electronic Stability
Control 0142.
16. Tow/Haul Mode Button (If Equipped). See Tow/Haul Mode 0140.
17. Steering Wheel Controls 067 (If
Equipped).
18. Steering Wheel Adjustment 066 (Out of
View), (If Equipped).
19. Parking Brake Release. See Parking Brake
0 141.
20. Cruise Control 0144 (If Equipped).
Fast Idle System 0133 (If Equipped).
21. Parking Brake 0141.
22. Data Link Connector (DLC) (Out of View). SeeMalfunction Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light) 077.
23. Instrument Panel Illumination Control
094.
Dome Lamp Override. See Dome Lamps
0 94.
24. Exterior Lamp Controls 091.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Instruments and Controls 77
Charging System Light
The charging system light comes on briefly
when the ignition is turned on, but the
engine is not running, as a check to show
the light is working. It should go out when
the engine is started.
If the light stays on, or comes on while
driving, there may be a problem with the
electrical charging system. Have it checked
by your dealer. Driving while this light is on
could drain the battery.
When this light comes on, or is flashing, the
Driver Information Center (DIC) also displays
a message.
If a short distance must be driven with the
light on, be sure to turn off all accessories,
such as the radio and air conditioner. Find a
safe place to stop the vehicle.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
This light is part of the vehicle’s emission
control on-board diagnostic system. If this
light is on while the engine is running, a
malfunction has been detected and the
vehicle may require service. The light should
come on to show that it is working when
the ignition is on and the engine is not
running. SeeIgnition Positions 0130.
Malfunctions are often indicated by the
system before any problem is noticeable.
Being aware of the light and seeking service
promptly when it comes on may prevent
damage.
Caution
If the vehicle is driven continually with
this light on, the emission control system
may not work as well, the fuel economy
may be lower, and the vehicle may not
(Continued)
Caution (Continued)
run smoothly. This could lead to costly
repairs that might not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Caution
Modifications to the engine, transmission,
exhaust, intake, or fuel system, or the
use of replacement tires that do not
meet the original tire specifications, can
cause this light to come on. This could
lead to costly repairs not covered by the
vehicle warranty. This could also affect
the vehicle’s ability to pass an Emissions
Inspection/Maintenance test. See
Accessories and Modifications 0173.
If the light is flashing : A malfunction has
been detected that could damage the
emission control system and increase vehicle
emissions. Diagnosis and service may be
required.
To help prevent damage, reduce vehicle
speed and avoid hard accelerations and
uphill grades. If towing a trailer, reduce the
amount of cargo being hauled as soon as
possible.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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86 Instruments and Controls
Relearn Tire Positions
The vehicle may have this display. To access
this display, the vehicle must be in P (Park).
If the vehicle has the Tire Pressure Monitor
System (TPMS), after rotating the tires or
after replacing a tire or sensor, the system
must re-learn the tire positions. To re-learn
the tire positions, seeTire Pressure Monitor
System 0211. See Tire Inspection 0214 and
Tire Rotation 0214.
Change Compass Zone
The vehicle may have this feature. To
change the compass zone through the DIC,
see Compass 068.
Calibrate Compass
The vehicle may have this feature. The
compass can be manually calibrated. To
calibrate the compass through the DIC, see
Compass 068.
Blank Display
This display shows no information.Vehicle Messages
Messages displayed on the DIC indicate the
status of the vehicle or some action that
may be needed to correct a condition.
Multiple messages may appear one after
another.
The messages that do not require
immediate action can be acknowledged and
cleared by pressing
V. The messages that
require immediate action cannot be cleared
until that action is performed.
All messages should be taken seriously;
clearing the message does not correct the
problem.
If a SERVICE message appears, see your
dealer.
Follow the instructions given in the
messages. The system displays messages
regarding the following topics:
.Service Messages
.Fluid Levels
.Vehicle Security
.Brakes
.Steering
.Ride Control Systems
.Driver Assistance Systems
.Cruise Control
.Lighting and Bulb Replacement
.Wiper/Washer Systems
.Doors and Windows
.Seat Belts
.Airbag Systems
.Engine and Transmission
.Tire Pressure
.Battery
Engine Power Messages
ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED
This message displays when the vehicle's
propulsion power is reduced. A reduction in
propulsion power can affect the vehicle's
ability to accelerate. If this message is on,
but there is no observed reduction in
performance, proceed to your destination.
Under certain conditions the performance
may be reduced the next time the vehicle is
driven. The vehicle may be driven while this
message is on, but maximum acceleration
and speed may be reduced. Anytime this
message stays on, or displays repeatedly,
the vehicle should be taken to your dealer
for service as soon as possible.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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92 Lighting
the auto mode, the headlamps turn off once
the ignition is off or may remain on until
the headlamp delay ends, if enabled in the
Driver Information Center (DIC). See“Exit
Lighting” underVehicle Personalization 087.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam
Changer
2 3:Push the turn signal lever all the
way away from you to change the
headlamps from low to high beam. Then
release it.
Push the turn signal lever all the way from
you again or pull the turn signal lever all
the way toward you and release it to
change the headlamps back to low beam.
This instrument cluster light comes on when
the high-beam headlamps are on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature is used to signal to the vehicle
ahead that you want to pass. If the headlamps are off or in the low‐beam
position, pull the turn signal lever toward
you to momentarily switch to high beams.
Release the lever to turn the high-beam
headlamps off.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
DRL can make it easier for others to see the
front of the vehicle during the day. Fully
functional DRL are required on all vehicles
first sold in Canada.
The DRL system comes on in daylight when
the following conditions are met:
.The ignition is on.
.The exterior lamp control is in the AUTO
position.
.The shift lever is not in P (Park).
.The light sensor determines it is daytime.
When the DRL are on, the taillamps,
sidemarker, instrument panel lights, and
other lamps will not be on.
The automatic headlamp system
automatically switches from DRL to the
headlamps depending on the darkness of
the surroundings. To turn off the DRL, turn the exterior lamp
control to
Oand then release it. For
vehicles first sold in Canada, the DRL can
only be turned off when the vehicle is
parked.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside and the
headlamp switch is in AUTO, the automatic
headlamp system turns on the headlamps,
along with the taillamps, sidemarker lamps,
parking lamps, and the instrument panel
lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
To turn off the automatic headlamp system,
turn the exterior lamp control to the off
position and then release. For vehicles first
sold in Canada, the transmission must be in
the P (Park) position, before the automatic
headlamp system can be turned off.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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120 Driving and Operating
Driving and Operating
Driving Information
Driving for Better Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 121
Distracted Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Defensive Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Impaired Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Off-Road Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Loss of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Driving on Wet Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
If the Vehicle Is Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Vehicle Load Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Starting and Operating
New Vehicle Break-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Ignition Positions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Fast Idle System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Retained Accessory Power (RAP) . . . . . . . 133
Engine Coolant Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Shifting Into Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Shifting out of Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Parking over Things That Burn . . . . . . . . . 136
Engine Exhaust
Engine Exhaust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Running the Vehicle While Parked . . . . . 137
Automatic Transmission
Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Manual Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Tow/Haul Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Brakes
Antilock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Brake Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Hill Start Assist (HSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Ride Control Systems
Traction Control/Electronic StabilityControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Locking Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Cruise Control
Cruise Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Driver Assistance Systems
Driver Assistance Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Rear Vision Camera (RVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Park Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Forward Collision Alert (FCA) System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) . . . . . . . . 152
Fuel
Top Tier Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Recommended Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Prohibited Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Fuels in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Fuel Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Filling the Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Filling a Portable Fuel Container . . . . . . . 155
Trailer Towing
General Towing Information . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Towing Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Conversions and Add-Ons
Add-On Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 171

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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Driving and Operating 125
{Warning
Using the brakes to slow the vehicle on a
long downhill slope can cause brake
overheating, can reduce brake
performance, and could result in a loss of
braking. Shift the transmission to a lower
gear to let the engine assist the brakes
on a steep downhill slope.
{Warning
Coasting downhill in N (Neutral) or with
the ignition off is dangerous. This can
cause overheating of the brakes and loss
of steering assist. Always have the engine
running and the vehicle in gear.
.Drive at speeds that keep the vehicle in
its own lane. Do not swing wide or cross
the center line.
.Be alert on top of hills; something could
be in your lane (e.g., stalled car, crash).
.Pay attention to special road signs (e.g.,
falling rocks area, winding roads, long
grades, passing or no-passing zones) and
take appropriate action.
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or IceCaution
To avoid damage to the wheels and
brake components, always clear snow and
ice from inside the wheels and
underneath the vehicle before driving.
Snow or ice between the tires and the road
creates less traction or grip, so drive
carefully. Wet ice can occur at about 0 °C
(32 °F) when freezing rain begins to fall.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain
until roads can be treated.
For Slippery Road Driving:
.Accelerate gently. Accelerating too quickly
causes the wheels to spin and makes the
surface under the tires slick.
.Turn on Traction Control. See Traction
Control/Electronic Stability Control 0142.
.The Antilock Brake System (ABS) improves
vehicle stability during hard stops, but
the brakes should be applied sooner than
when on dry pavement. See Antilock
Brake System (ABS) 0141.
.Allow greater following distance and
watch for slippery spots. Icy patches can
occur on otherwise clear roads in shaded
areas. The surface of a curve or an
overpass can remain icy when the
surrounding roads are clear. Avoid sudden
steering maneuvers and braking while
on ice.
.Turn off cruise control.
Blizzard Conditions
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and signal
for help. Stay with the vehicle unless there
is help nearby. To get help and keep
everyone in the vehicle safe:
.Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
.Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
{Warning
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the
vehicle. This may cause exhaust gases to
get inside. Engine exhaust contains
carbon monoxide (CO), which cannot be
seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
(Continued)

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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126 Driving and Operating
Warning (Continued)
If the vehicle is stuck in snow:
.Clear snow from the base of the
vehicle, especially any blocking the
exhaust pipe.
.Open a window about 5 cm (2 in) on
the vehicle side that is away from the
wind, to bring in fresh air.
.Fully open the air outlets on or under
the instrument panel.
.Adjust the climate control system to
circulate the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest
setting. See“Climate Control Systems.”
For more information about CO, see
Engine Exhaust 0136.
To save fuel, run the engine for short
periods to warm the vehicle and then shut
the engine off and partially close the
window. Moving about to keep warm also
helps.
If it takes time for help to arrive, when
running the engine, push the accelerator
pedal slightly so the engine runs faster than
the idle speed. This keeps the battery charged to restart the vehicle and to signal
for help with the headlamps. Do this as
little as possible, to save fuel.
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to
free the vehicle when stuck in sand, mud,
ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction system
to free the vehicle, turn the traction system
off and use the rocking method. See
Traction Control/Electronic Stability Control
0
142.
{Warning
If the vehicle's tires spin at high speed,
they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. The vehicle can
overheat, causing an engine compartment
fire or other damage. Spin the wheels as
little as possible and avoid going above
56 km/h (35 mph).
Rocking the Vehicle to Get it Out
Turn the steering wheel left and right to
clear the area around the front wheels. Turn
off any traction system. Shift back and forth
between R (Reverse) and a low forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible. To
prevent transmission wear, wait until the
wheels stop spinning before shifting gears.
Release the accelerator pedal while shifting,
and press lightly on the accelerator pedal
when the transmission is in gear. Slowly
spinning the wheels in the forward and
reverse directions causes a rocking motion
that could free the vehicle. If that does not
get the vehicle out after a few tries, it
might need to be towed out. If the vehicle
does need to be towed out, see
Towing the
Vehicle 0233.
Vehicle Load Limits
It is very important to know how much
weight the vehicle can carry. This
weight is called the vehicle capacity
weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options. Two labels
on the vehicle may show how much
weight it was designed to carry, the
Tire and Loading Information label and
the Certification/Tire label.

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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130 Driving and Operating
Caution (Continued)
replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new
brake linings.
.Do not tow a trailer during break-in.
SeeTrailer Towing 0159 for the trailer
towing capabilities of the vehicle and
more information.
Following break-in, engine speed and load
can be gradually increased.
On new vehicles, the various mechanical and
electrical systems experience a “break-in”
period during the first 6,400 km
(4,000 miles) of routine driving. As the
vehicle is driven, the mechanical systems
adjust to provide optimal fuel economy and
transmission shift performance.
Electrical systems will adapt and calibrate
during the break-in period. A one-time
occurrence of clicks and similar vehicle
noises is normal during this process.
Normal driving charges the vehicle’s battery
to achieve the best operation of the vehicle,
including fuel economy.
Ignition Positions
0. Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF
1. ACC/ACCESSORY
2. ON/RUN
3. START
The ignition switch has four positions.
To shift out of P (Park), the ignition must be
in ON/RUN and the brake pedal must be
applied. 0 (Stopping the Engine/LOCK/OFF) :
This
position turns off the vehicle. It also locks
the ignition, the transmission, and the
steering column, if equipped with a locking
steering column.
To turn off the vehicle:
1. Make sure that the vehicle is stopped.
2. Shift to P (Park).
3. Continue to hold the brake pedal, then set the parking brake. See Parking Brake
0 141.
4. Push the key all the way in toward the steering column (1), then turn the key to
LOCK/OFF (2).

Chevrolet Express Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/Mexico-
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132 Driving and Operating
be used for service and diagnostics, and to
verify the proper operation of the
malfunction indicator lamp as may be
required for emission inspection purposes.
The switch stays in this position when the
engine is running. The transmission is also
unlocked in this position.
If the key is left in ON/RUN with the engine
off, the battery could drain and the vehicle
may not start.
3 (START) :This is the position that starts
the engine. When the engine starts, release
the key. The ignition returns to ON/RUN for
driving.
Starting the Engine
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.
To place the transmission in the
proper gear:
Move the shift lever to P (Park) or
N (Neutral). The engine will not start in any
other position. To restart the engine when
the vehicle is already moving, use
N (Neutral) only.
Caution
If you add electrical parts or accessories,
you could change the way the engine
operates. Any resulting damage would
not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
See Add-On Electrical Equipment 0171.
Caution
Do not try to shift to P (Park) if the
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could
damage the transmission. Shift to P (Park)
only when the vehicle is stopped.
Caution
If the steering wheel is turned until it
reaches the end of its travel, and is held
in that position while starting the vehicle,
damage may occur to the hydraulic
power steering system and there may be
loss of power steering assist.
Starting Procedure 1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to START. When
the engine starts, let go of the key. The
idle speed will go down as your engine gets warm. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate
the engine and transmission gently to
allow the oil to warm up and lubricate
all moving parts.
When the low fuel warning light is on
and the FUEL LEVEL LOW message is
displayed in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), the Computer-Controlled
Cranking System is disabled to prevent
possible vehicle component damage.
When this happens, hold the ignition
switch in the START position to continue
engine cranking.
Caution
Cranking the engine for long periods of
time, by returning the ignition to the
START position immediately after
cranking has ended, can overheat and
damage the cranking motor, and drain
the battery. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to let the cranking
motor cool down.
2. If the engine does not start after five to 10 seconds, especially in very cold
weather (below −18 °C or 0 °F), it could
be flooded with too much gasoline. Try

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Driving and Operating 133
pushing the accelerator pedal all the way
to the floor and holding it there as you
hold the key in START for up to
15 seconds. Wait at least 15 seconds
between each try, to allow the cranking
motor to cool down. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator.
If the vehicle starts briefly but then
stops again, do the same thing. This
clears the extra gasoline from the
engine. Do not race the engine
immediately after starting it. Operate
the engine and transmission gently until
the oil warms up and lubricates all
moving parts.
Fast Idle System
If equipped, this feature is available only
with cruise control. The manual fast idle
switch is operated using the cruise control
buttons on the left side of the steering
wheel.
This system can be used to increase engine
idle speed whenever the following
conditions are met:
.The parking brake is set.
.The brake pedal is not pressed.
.The vehicle must not be moving and the
accelerator must not be pressed.To control the fast idle:
.To enable the Fast Idle System, press and
release the cruise control on/off button
and ensure that the switch indicator light
is lit.
.Press and release the cruise control SET-
button. Engine speed will be held at
approximately 1200 rpm.
When the fast idle is active, the Driver
Information Center (DIC) will display FAST
IDLE ON.
One of the following actions will turn off
the fast idle:
.Pressing the brake.
.Selecting the cruise control cancel button.
.Releasing the parking brake.
.Moving the transmission shift lever out of
P (Park) or N (Neutral).
.Selecting the cruise control on/off button
when it was previously on.
.Pressing the cruise control SET- button a
second time.
.Pressing the accelerator more than
one-quarter of the way down.
.Turning the ignition off.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
When the ignition is turned from on to off,
the following features (if equipped) will
continue to function for up to 10 minutes,
or until the driver door is opened. These
features will also work when the ignition is
in RUN or ACC/ACCESSORY:
.Infotainment System
.Power Windows (during RAP this
functionality will be lost when any door
is opened)
.Sunroof (during RAP this functionality will
be lost when any door is opened)
.Auxiliary Power Outlet
.Audio System
.OnStar System
Engine Coolant Heater
If the vehicle has a diesel engine, see the
Duramax diesel supplement.
{Warning
Do not plug in the engine block heater
while the vehicle is parked in a garage or
under a carport. Property damage or (Continued)