maintenance CHEVROLET EXPRESS CARGO VAN 2007 1.G Owner's Manual

Radial tires may look properly inflated even when
they’re underinflated. Check the tire’s inflation
pressure when the tires are cold. Cold means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours
or driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem.
Press the tire gage firmly onto the valve to
get a pressure measurement. If the cold tire
inflation pressure matches the recommended
pressure on the tire and loading information label,
no further adjustment is necessary. If the
pressure is low, add air until you reach the
recommended amount.
If you overfill the tire, release air by pushing on
the metal stem in the center of the tire valve.
Recheck the tire pressure with the tire gage.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve
stems. They help prevent leaks by keeping out
dirt and moisture.
Dual Tire Operation
When the vehicle is new, or whenever a wheel,
wheel bolt or wheel nut is replaced, check
the wheel nut torque after 100, 1,000 and
6,000 miles (160, 1 600 and 10 000 km) of driving.For proper wheel nut tightening information, see
“Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the Spare
Tire” later in this section, underChanging a Flat
Tire on page 366. Also see “Wheel Nut Torque”
underCapacities and Specications on page 398.
The outer tire on a dual wheel setup generally
wears faster than the inner tire. Your tires will wear
more evenly and last longer if you rotate the
tires periodically. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 356. Also seeScheduled Maintenance
(Gasoline Engine) on page 405.
{CAUTION:
If you operate your vehicle with a tire
that is badly underinated, the tire can
overheat. An overheated tire can lose
air suddenly or catch re. You or
others could be injured. Be sure all tires
(including the spare) are properly inated.
SeeTires on page 346andInation - Tire
Pressure on page 354for more information on
proper tire inflation.
355

Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles
(8 000 to 13 000 km).
Any time you notice unusual wear, rotate your
tires as soon as possible and check wheel
alignment. Also check for damaged tires or wheels.
SeeWhen It Is Time for New Tires on page 358
andWheel Replacement on page 362for
more information.
Make sure the spare tire is stored securely. Push,
pull, and then try to rotate or turn the tire. If it
moves, use the ratchet/wheel wrench to tighten the
cable. SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 366.
If your vehicle has dual rear wheels, also see
Dual Tire Operation on page 355.
The purpose of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. The
first rotation is the most important. SeeScheduled
Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on page 405.If your vehicle has single rear wheels, always use
the correct rotation patterns shown here when
rotating your vehicle’s tires. Do not include
the spare tire in the tire rotation, if the spare
tire/wheel assembly does not match your vehicle’s
road tires and wheels in size and type.
Single Rear Wheels
356

If a Tire Goes Flat
It is unusual for a tire to blowout while you are
driving, especially if you maintain your vehicle’s
tires properly. If air goes out of a tire, it is
much more likely to leak out slowly. But if you
should ever have a blowout, here are a few tips
about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag
that pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take
your foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer to maintain lane
position, and then gently brake to a stop well
out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much
like a skid and may require the same correction
you would use in a skid. In any rear blowout
remove your foot from the accelerator pedal.
Get the vehicle under control by steering the
way you want the vehicle to go. It may be very
bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.{CAUTION:
Lifting a vehicle and getting under it to
do maintenance or repairs is dangerous
without the appropriate safety equipment
and training. The jack provided with your
vehicle is designed only for changing a
at tire. If it is used for anything else, you
or others could be badly injured or killed
if the vehicle slips off the jack. Use the
jack provided with your vehicle only for
changing a at tire.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use
the jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
365

Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal
and dust control can collect on the underbody.
If these are not removed, corrosion and rust
can develop on the underbody parts such as
fuel lines, frame, floor pan, fuel operated
heater (FOH) and exhaust system even
though they have corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials
from the underbody with plain water. Clean
any areas where mud and debris can collect.
Dirt packed in close areas of the frame should
be loosened before being flushed. Your dealer
or an underbody car washing system can do
this for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can
create a chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can
fall upon and attack painted surfaces on the
vehicle. This damage can take two forms: blotchy,
ring-shaped discolorations, and small, irregular
dark spots etched into the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this,
we will repair, at no charge to the owner, the
surfaces of new vehicles damaged by this fallout
condition within 12 months or 12,000 miles
(20 000 km) of purchase, whichever occurs first.
390

Maintenance Schedule................................ 402
Introduction............................................... 402
Maintenance Requirements........................ 402
Your Vehicle and the Environment............ 402
Using the Maintenance Schedule............... 403
Scheduled Maintenance
(Gasoline Engine).................................. 405
Additional Required Services
(Gasoline Engine).................................. 408
Maintenance Footnotes
(Gasoline Engine).................................. 409Owner Checks and Services..................... 411
At the First 100, 1,000 and 6,000 Miles
(160, 1 600 and 10 000 km).................. 411
At Each Fuel Fill....................................... 412
At Least Once a Month............................. 412
At Least Once a Year............................... 413
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants........ 415
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts................................. 417
Engine Drive Belt Routing......................... 418
Maintenance Record.................................. 419
Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
401

Maintenance Schedule
Introduction
This maintenance section applies to vehicles with
a gasoline engine. If your vehicle has a diesel
engine, see the maintenance schedule section in
the DURAMAX
®Diesel Engine Supplement.
Important: Keep engine oil at the proper level
and change as recommended.
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The
Plan supplements your new vehicle warranties.
See your Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet
or your dealer for details.
Maintenance Requirements
Notice:Maintenance intervals, checks,
inspections, replacement parts, and
recommended uids and lubricants as
prescribed in this manual are necessary to
keep your vehicle in good working condition.
Any damage caused by failure to follow
scheduled maintenance might not be covered
by warranty.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to
keep your vehicle in good working condition, but
also helps the environment. All recommended
maintenance is important. Improper vehicle
maintenance can even affect the quality of the
air we breathe. Improper fluid levels or the wrong
tire inflation can increase the level of emissions
from your vehicle. To help protect our environment,
and to keep your vehicle in good condition, be
sure to maintain your vehicle properly.
402

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 261.
•are driven on reasonable road surfaces within
legal driving limits.
•use the recommended fuel. SeeGasoline
Octane on page 293.
403

The services inScheduled Maintenance (Gasoline
Engine) on page 405should be performed
when indicated. SeeAdditional Required Services
(Gasoline Engine) on page 408andMaintenance
Footnotes (Gasoline Engine) on page 409for
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 291.
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.
If you want to purchase service information, see
Service Publications Ordering Information on
page 440.
Owner Checks and Services on page 411tells you
what should be checked, when to check it, and
what you can easily do to help keep your vehicle in
good condition.
The proper replacement parts, fluids, and
lubricants to use are listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 415andNormal
Maintenance Replacement Parts on page 417.
When your vehicle is serviced, make sure these
are used. All parts should be replaced and all
necessary repairs done before you or anyone else
drives the vehicle. We recommend the use of
genuine GM parts.
404

Scheduled Maintenance
(Gasoline Engine)
This maintenance section applies to vehicles with
a gasoline engine. If your vehicle has a diesel
engine, see the maintenance schedule section in
the DURAMAX
®Diesel Engine Supplement.
When the change engine oil light comes on, it
means that service is required for your vehicle.
Have your vehicle serviced as soon as possible
within the next 600 miles (1 000 km). It is possible
that, if you are driving under the best conditions, the
engine oil life system may not indicate that vehicle
service is necessary for over a year. However, your
engine oil and filter must be changed at least once
a year and at this time the system must be reset.
Your dealer/retailer has trained service technicians
who will perform this work using genuine parts and
reset the system.If the engine oil life system is ever reset
accidentally, you must service your vehicle within
3,000 miles (5 000 km) since your last service.
Remember to reset the oil life system whenever
the oil is changed. SeeEngine Oil Life System
(Gasoline Engine) on page 306for information
on the Engine Oil Life System and resetting the
system.
When the change engine oil light appears, certain
services, checks, and inspections are required.
Required services are described in the following
for “MaintenanceI” and “MaintenanceII.”
Generally, it is recommended that your first
service be MaintenanceI, your second service
be MaintenanceII, and that you alternate
MaintenanceIand MaintenanceIIthereafter.
However, in some cases, MaintenanceIImay
be required more often.
405

MaintenanceI— Use MaintenanceIif the
change engine oil light comes on within 10 months
since the vehicle was purchased or MaintenanceII
was performed.MaintenanceII— Use MaintenanceIIif the
previous service performed was MaintenanceI.
Always use MaintenanceIIwhenever the message
comes on 10 months or more since the last
service or if the message has not come on at
all for one year.
Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and filter. SeeEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on page 303.
Reset oil life system. SeeEngine Oil Life System (Gasoline Engine) on
page 306.An Emission Control Service.••
Lubricate chassis components.See footnote #.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (j).••
Inspect engine air cleaner filter. If necessary, replace filter. SeeEngine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 308.See footnote (l).•
Rotate tires and check inflation pressures and wear. SeeTire Inspection and
Rotation on page 356and “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once a Month
on page 412.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (a).••
406