octane CHEVROLET EXPRESS CARGO VAN 2006 1.G Owners Manual

If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-8. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing
fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel.
SeeGasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality will
cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling
when you put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation
on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the
light to turn on.If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
your dealer can check the vehicle. Your dealer has
the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to fix
any mechanical or electrical problems that may
have developed.
Emissions Inspection and
Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or
may begin programs to inspect the emission control
equipment on your vehicle. Failure to pass this
inspection could prevent you from getting a vehicle
registration.
Here are some things you need to know to help your
vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
Check Engine light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
OBD (on-board diagnostic) system determines that
critical emission control systems have not been
completely diagnosed by the system. The vehicle
would be considered not ready for inspection.
3-38

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modifications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-7
Filling the Tank..............................................5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)..........................5-13
Engine Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine)........5-16
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-18
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-19
Engine Coolant.............................................5-22
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-25
Engine Overheating.......................................5-25Cooling System............................................5-26
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-32
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-32
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-33
Brakes........................................................5-34
Battery........................................................5-38
Jump Starting...............................................5-39
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-43
Rear Axle.......................................................5-44
Front Axle......................................................5-44
Noise Control System.....................................5-45
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-45
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-46
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-47
Headlamps..................................................5-47
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-49
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-50
Taillamps.....................................................5-50
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-51
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-52
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle
Things you might add to the outside of your vehicle can
affect the airflow around it. This may cause wind noise
and affect windshield washer performance. Check with
your dealer before adding equipment to the outside of
your vehicle.
Fuel
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Diesel Fuel
Requirements and Fuel System” in the DURAMAX®
Diesel Supplement.
For vehicles with gasoline engines, please read this.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87,
you may notice an audible knocking noise when you
drive, commonly referred to as spark knock. If this
occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as
soon as possible. If you are using gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher and you hear heavy knocking, your
engine needs service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specification D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada. Some gasolines may
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
General Motors recommends against the use of
gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives on page 5-6
for additional information.
5-5

Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel
system and also damage the plastic and rubber
parts. That damage would not be covered under
your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for
low emissions may contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you
buy gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT.
General Motors recommends against the use of
such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can reduce
the life of spark plugs and the performance of the
emission control system may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp may turn on. If this occurs,
return to your authorized GM dealer for service.Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel
not recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly
repairs caused by use of improper fuel would not
be covered by your warranty.
To check the fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you will be driving.
5-7

Using the Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your
vehicle in good working condition. But we do not know
exactly how you will drive it. You may drive very
short distances only a few times a week. Or you may
drive long distances all the time in very hot, dusty
weather. You may use your vehicle in making deliveries.
Or you may drive it to work, to do errands, or in many
other ways.
Because of all the different ways people use their
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may need more
frequent checks and replacements. So please read
the following and note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good condition,
see your GM Goodwrench
®dealer.
This schedule is for vehicles that:
•carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will find these limits on the Tire and
Loading Information label. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-30.
•are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
•use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline Octane
on page 5-5.The services inScheduled Maintenance (Gasoline
Engine) on page 6-4should be performed when
indicated. SeeAdditional Required Services (Gasoline
Engine) on page 6-6andMaintenance Footnotes
(Gasoline Engine) on page 6-7for further information.
{CAUTION:
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle
can be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs,
you can be seriously injured. Do your own
maintenance work only if you have the
required know-how and the proper tools and
equipment for the job. If you have any doubt,
see your GM Goodwrench
®dealer to have a
qualied technician do the work. SeeDoing
Your Own Service Work on page 5-4.
Some maintenance services can be complex.
So, unless you are technically qualified and have
the necessary equipment, you should have your
GM Goodwrench
®dealer do these jobs.
When you go to your GM Goodwrench
®dealer for your
service needs, you will know that GM-trained and
supported service technicians will perform the work
using genuine GM parts.
6-3

Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-18
Battery.......................................................5-38
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-40
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-36
Coolant......................................................5-22
Coolant Heater............................................2-20
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-36
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-27
Fan Noise..................................................5-32
Fuel Regulator............................................2-20
Oil .............................................................5-13
Oil Life System...........................................5-16
Overheating................................................5-25
Reduced Power Light...................................3-41
Starting......................................................2-19
Entry Lighting.................................................3-16
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................7-10
Exit Lighting...................................................3-16
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-31
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-18
Finish Damage...............................................5-91
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-79
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-9
Flat Tire........................................................5-70
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-71
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-82
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-19
Power Steering...........................................5-32
Windshield Washer......................................5-33
Front Axle......................................................5-44
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage .........................................................3-43
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-5
Regulator...................................................2-20
5

Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-96
Floor Console Fuse Block.............................5-95
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-94
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-94
G
Gage
Check Gages Warning Light..........................3-42
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-36
Fuel..........................................................3-43
Oil Pressure...............................................3-39
Speedometer..............................................3-25
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-32
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specifications............................................... 5-5
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-6
H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-94
Headlamps....................................................5-47
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-46
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-14
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-9
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps.........................................5-49
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-47
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-14
Heater...........................................................3-18
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-42
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-24
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn ............................................................... 3-6
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-16
6