coolant CHEVROLET EXPRESS CARGO VAN 2003 1.G Owner's Manual

When the engine is cold,
the coolant level should be
at or above the COLD
FILL mark. If it isn't, you
may have a leak at
the pressure cap or in the
radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water
pump or somewhere else
in the cooling system.
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don't touch them. If you
do, you can be burned.
Don't run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine ®re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak ®xed before you drive the
vehicle.If there seems to be no leak, start the engine again.
See if the engine cooling fan speed increases when idle
speed is doubled by pushing the accelerator pedal
down. If it doesn't, your vehicle needs service. Turn off
the engine.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn't covered by your warranty.
See ªOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Modeº in the Index for information on driving to a
safe place in an emergency.
Notice:When adding coolant, it is important that
you use only DEX-COOLž(silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOLžis added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner Ð at 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months, whichever occurs ®rst.
Damage caused by the use of coolant other
than DEX-COOL
žis not covered by your new vehicle
warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, start the engine again.
See if the engine cooling fan speed increases when idle
speed is doubled by pushing the accelerator pedal
down. If it doesn't, your vehicle needs service. Turn off
the engine.
5-27

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven't found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn't at the COLD FILL mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable waterand DEX-COOLžengine coolant
at the coolant recovery tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-21for more information.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle's coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you wouldn't get the overheat warning.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Your engine could catch ®re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
žcoolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
5-28

{CAUTION:
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. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at the
COLD FILL mark, start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there's one more
thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant
mixture directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling
system is cool before you do it.
5-29

How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
1. You can 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 ®rst stops. (Don't press down while turning the
pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss
means there is still some pressure left.2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
5-31

3. Fill the radiator with the proper DEX-COOLž
coolant mixture, up to the base of the ®ller
neck. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-21for more
information about the proper coolant mixture.4. Then ®ll the coolant recovery tank to the COLD
FILL mark.
5. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the radiator pressure cap off.
5-32

6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
7. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
®ller neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
žcoolant mixture
through the ®ller neck until the level reaches
the base of the ®ller neck.8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to ¯ow out of the
®ller neck, reinstall the pressure cap.
5-33

Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it. Add
washer ¯uid until the
tank is full.
Notice:
·When using concentrated washer ¯uid,
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
adding water.
·Don't mix water with ready-to-use washer ¯uid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer ¯uid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water doesn't
clean as well as washer ¯uid.
·Fill your washer ¯uid tank only three-quarters
full when it's very cold. This allows for
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
·Don't use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
5-36

Care of.........................................................5-83
Safety Belts................................................5-83
Your Cassette Tape Player............................3-74
Your CD Player...........................................3-75
Your CDs ...................................................3-75
Cargo Door Relocking....................................... 2-8
Cargo Vans and Cab and Chassis Models with
an Air Bag Off Switch..................................1-48
Cargo Vans and Cab and Chassis Models
without an Air Bag Off Switch........................1-47
Cargo Vans with a Passenger Air Bag and an
Air Bag Off Switch, Passenger Vans and Cab
and Chassis Models....................................1-37
Cargo Vans with a Passenger Air Bag and
without an Air Bag Off Switch........................1-40
Cassette Tape Messages.................................3-56
Cassette Tape Player Service...........................6-12
CD Adapter Kits.............................................3-56
Center High Mounted
Stoplamp (CHMSL)......................................5-54
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp.........................3-15
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.....1-25, 1-26
Chains, Tires..................................................5-63
Charging System Light....................................3-29
Check Engine Light.........................................3-33
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-38
Checking Coolant............................................5-23
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-13
Checking Things Under the Hood....................... 5-9
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-74Check...........................................................3-33
Engine Light...............................................3-33
Gages Warning Light...................................3-38
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-87
Child Restraints..............................................1-42
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-42
Infants and Young Children...........................1-36
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-51
Older Children.............................................1-34
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-53
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center
Seat Position...........................................1-56
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position...........................................1-53
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-58
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-50
Top Strap...................................................1-48
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-45
Chime Level Adjustment..................................3-75
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-18
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-85
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-84
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-80
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-82
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-82
Cleaning Leather............................................5-82
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-82
3

Cleaning the Windshield and Wiper Blades.........5-85
Cleaning Tires................................................5-86
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-82
Cleaning........................................................5-80
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-80
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-83
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-87
Weatherstrips..............................................5-83
Climate Control System...................................3-19
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating System......3-21
Rear Heating System...................................3-20
Compact Disc Messages.................3-48, 3-59, 3-70
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Coolant.........................................................3-32
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-32
Heater, Engine............................................2-23
Low Warning Light.......................................3-33
Cooling System..............................................5-26
Cruise Control Light........................................3-38
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-10
Customer Assistance Information........................ 7-7
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-7
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors...... 7-9Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government.............................................. 7-9
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States
Government.............................................. 7-8
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-5
Service Publications Ordering Information......... 7-9
D
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light.............3-38
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-15
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting.................................3-22
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-3
Dome Lamp Override......................................3-16
Dome Lamps.................................................3-17
Door.............................................................2-13
60/40 Swing-Out Side Door...........................2-13
Cargo Door Relocking.................................... 2-8
Locks.......................................................... 2-7
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-8
Rear Door Security Locks............................... 2-8
Rear Doors.................................................2-14
Sliding Side Door........................................2-11
Driver............................................................1-16
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-16
Driving On Grades..........................................4-42
Driving on Snow or Ice....................................4-24
4

Driving Through Deep Standing Water...............4-17
Driving Through Flowing Water.........................4-17
Driving with a Trailer.......................................4-41
Driving..........................................................4-13
At Night.....................................................4-13
City...........................................................4-18
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-2
Freeway.....................................................4-19
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-22
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-15
Winter........................................................4-24
Dual Stage Air Bags........................................1-67
Dual Tire Operation.........................................5-57
E
Electrical System............................................5-91
Add-On Equipment......................................5-91
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-92
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-91
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-91
Electronic Road-Speed Governor.......................3-26
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-35Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-94
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-11
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-15
Engine Oil and Chassis Lubrication Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-5
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-11
Engine..........................................................5-17
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-17
Battery.......................................................5-40
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-37
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-33
Compartment Overview................................5-12
Coolant Heater............................................2-23
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-32
Coolant......................................................5-21
Cooling System Inspection............................6-16
Exhaust.....................................................2-30
Fan Noise..................................................5-34
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-24
Starting......................................................2-22
Entry Lighting.................................................3-17
Exit Lighting...................................................3-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-33
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
5