transmission oil CHEVROLET EXPRESS CARGO VAN 2003 1.G Owners Manual

Passing
You'll need more passing distance up ahead when
you're towing a trailer. And, because you're a good deal
longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring and a heavy-duty turn signal ¯asher (included
in the optional trailering package).The arrows on your instrument panel will ¯ash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also ¯ash, telling other drivers
you're about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ¯ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It's
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don't shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn your
engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) for a
few minutes before turning the engine off. If you do get
the overheat warning, see
Engine Overheating on
page 5-24.
4-42

Parking on Hills
{CAUTION:
You really should not park your vehicle, with a
trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes
wrong, your rig could start to move. People
can be injured, and both your vehicle and the
trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here's
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don't shift into
PARK (P) yet. Then turn your wheels into the curb
if facing downhill or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer
wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your
parking brake and then shift to PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
·start your engine,
·shift into a gear, and
·release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the
chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you're
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission ¯uid (don't over®ll),
engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system and
brake system. Each of these is covered in this manual,
and the Index will help you ®nd them quickly. If
you're trailering, it's a good idea to review these sections
before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
4-43

50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
qChange automatic transmission ¯uid and ®lter if the
vehicle's GVWR is over 8,600 lbs or if the vehicle is
mainly driven under one or more of these conditions:
þ In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90ÉF (32ÉC) or
higher.
þ In hilly or mountainous terrain.
þ When doing frequent trailer towing.
þ Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the ¯uid and ®lter at 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
52,500 Miles (87 500 km)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle
seals for leaking.
qRotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
60,000 Miles (100 000 km)
qInspect engine air cleaner ®lter change indicator. If
necessary, replace the ®lter. If vehicle is driven in
dusty/dirty conditions, inspect ®lter change indicator
at every engine oil change. See
Engine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-17for more information.An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
qCheck rear/front axle ¯uid level and add ¯uid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle
seals for leaking.
qClean and repack the front wheel bearings
(or at each brake relining, whichever occurs ®rst).
qRotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
qReplace fuel ®lter.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote ².)
qVehicles With GVWR Above 10,000 lbs. Only:
Inspect shields for damage or looseness. Adjust or
replace as required.
This is a Noise Emission Control
Service. Applicable only to vehicles sold in the
United States.
qInspect Evaporative Control System. Check all fuel
and vapor lines and hoses for proper hook-up,
routing and condition. Check that the purge valve
works properly, if equipped. Replace as needed.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote ².)
6-8

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identi®ed below by name, part
number or speci®cation may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certi®ed for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity. To determine
the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle's engine, see
Engine Oil on
page 5-13.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
žCoolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-21.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake ¯uid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
žWasher Solvent or
equivalent.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Parking Brake
Cable GuidesChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in
Canada 88901242, or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements of
NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. U.S. 1052884, in
Canada 993294, or equivalent).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
ž-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant
(GM Part No. U.S. 12377985, in
Canada 88901242, or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements of
NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Front Wheel
BearingsWheel bearing lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2,
Category GC or GC-LB
(GM Part No. U.S. 1051344, in
Canada 993037, or equivalent).
6-18

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle......................................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Speci®cations....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under
the Hood......................................................5-9
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-17
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-19
Engine Coolant.............................................5-21
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-24
Engine Overheating.......................................5-24Cooling System............................................5-26
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-34
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-34
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-35
Brakes........................................................5-37
Battery........................................................5-40
Jump Starting...............................................5-41
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-46
Rear Axle.......................................................5-47
Front Axle......................................................5-48
Noise Control System.....................................5-49
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-49
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-50
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-50
Headlamps..................................................5-50
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking
Lamps.....................................................5-52
Taillamps.....................................................5-52
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-54
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

A. Battery
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Coolant Recovery Tank
D. Transmission Fluid Dipstick
E. Engine Oil Fill
F. Engine Oil Dipstick
G. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
H. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
I. Power Steering Reservoir
J. Brake Master Cylinder
K. Windshield Washer Fluid
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.The engine oil dipstick has
a yellow handle and is
located near the center of
the engine compartment.
See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 5-12
for more information
on location.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil
dipstick might not show the actual level.
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.
5-13

Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission ¯uid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the ¯uid and ®lter every 50,000 miles
(83,000 km) if the vehicle's GVWR is over 8,600 or if
the vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of these
conditions:
·In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90ÉF (32ÉC) or higher.
·In hilly or mountainous terrain.
·When doing frequent trailer towing.
·Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
If your vehicle's GVWR is not over 8,600 and you do
not use your vehicle under any of these conditions,
change the ¯uid and ®lter every 100,000 miles
(166 000 km).
See
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services on
page 6-4.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose to have this done at the dealership service
department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
Notice:Too much or too little ¯uid can damage
your transmission. Too much can mean that some
of the ¯uid could come out and fall on hot engine
part or exhaust system parts, starting a ®re.
Too little ¯uid could cause the transmission to
overheat. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you
check your transmission ¯uid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission ¯uid level if you have been driving:
·When outside temperatures are above 90ÉF (32ÉC).
·At high speed for quite a while.
·In heavy traffic ± especially in hot weather.
·While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the ¯uid should be at
normal operating temperature, which is 180ÉF to 200ÉF
(82ÉC to 93ÉC).
5-19

F
Filter.............................................................5-17
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-17
Finding a PTY Station.............................3-52, 3-63
Finding a Station....................3-42, 3-44, 3-49, 3-60
Finish Care....................................................5-84
Finish Damage...............................................5-86
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-75
Flash-To-Pass Feature....................................... 3-9
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-65
Flat Tire........................................................5-64
Floor Console Fuse Block................................5-92
Fluid.............................................................5-19
Automatic Transmission................................5-19
Power Steering...........................................5-34
Windshield Washer......................................5-35
FM ...............................................................3-73
Following Distance..........................................4-41
Footnotes........................................................ 6-5
Front Axle......................................................5-48
Fuel Regulator................................................2-22
Fuel............................................................... 5-4
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-5
Filling a Portable Fuel Container..................... 5-9Fuel (cont.)
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-7
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-6
Gage.........................................................3-39
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-4
Gasoline Speci®cations.................................. 5-5
System Inspection.......................................6-16
Fuses...........................................................5-92
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-92
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-91
G
Gage............................................................3-38
Check Gages Warning Light..........................3-38
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-32
Fuel..........................................................3-39
Oil Pressure...............................................3-36
Speedometer..............................................3-25
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-30
Gasoline......................................................... 5-4
Octane........................................................ 5-4
Speci®cations............................................... 5-5
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
6

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-5
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer.................... 3-8
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-91
Headlamps....................................................5-50
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-50
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and Parking
Lamps....................................................5-52
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-50
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-22
Hitches..........................................................4-39
Hood.............................................................. 5-9
Checking Things Under.................................. 5-9
Release.....................................................5-10
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-28
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-31
How to Add Fluid............................................5-21
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-47
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-35
How to Check........................................5-19, 5-57
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-18How to Reset the CHANGE ENGINE
OIL Light....................................................5-16
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-15
Hydroplaning..................................................4-16
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-25
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-24
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-34
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-35
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-28
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-32
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-26
Ignition Positions.............................................2-20
Ignition Transmission Lock Check......................6-14
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-36
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-56
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror......................2-31
Inspection......................................................6-17
Brake System.............................................6-17
Engine Cooling System................................6-16
Exhaust System..........................................6-16
Fuel System...............................................6-16
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-16
7

Mirrors (cont.)
Outside Manual Mirror..................................2-31
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-33
Outside Remote Control Mirror......................2-32
Model Reference................................................ vi
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-20
Noise Control System, Tampering......................5-49
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts...........5-100
O
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-10
Oil ................................................................3-37
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-37
Engine.......................................................5-13
Pressure Gage............................................3-36
Older Children, Restraints................................1-34
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
OnStar
žPersonal Calling.................................2-36
OnStaržServices............................................2-35
OnStaržSystem.............................................2-35
OnStaržVirtual Advisor....................................2-36
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-6Outside.........................................................2-32
Camper-Type Mirrors....................................2-32
Convex Mirror.............................................2-34
Heated Mirrors............................................2-34
Manual Mirror.............................................2-31
Power Mirrors.............................................2-33
Remote Control Mirror..................................2-32
Overseas ± Customer Assistance........................ 7-4
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner's Information........................................7-10
P
Park (P)........................................................2-26
Shifting Into................................................2-26
Shifting Out of............................................2-29
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission
Park (P) Mechanism Check...........................6-15
Parking on Hills..............................................4-43
Parking.........................................................2-26
Brake........................................................2-26
Over Things That Burn.................................2-29
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services............ 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services................6-11
Part C - Periodic MaintenanceInspections..........6-16
Part D - Recommended Fluids and Lubricants....6-18
Part E - Maintenance Record...........................6-20
10