CHEVROLET EXPRESS CARGO VAN 2007 1.G Owners Manual

Checking the Fluid Level
Prepare your vehicle as follows:
1. Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
2. With the parking brake applied, place the shift
lever in PARK (P).
3. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the
shift lever through each gear range, pausing
for about three seconds in each range.
Then, position the shift lever in PARK (P).
4. Let the engine run at idle for three minutes
or more.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow
these steps:
The transmission
dipstick is located near
the center of the
engine compartment
and will be labeled with
the graphic shown.SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 302
for more information on location.
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the
dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds
and then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the
lower level. The fluid level must be in the
COLD area for a cold check or in the HOT
or cross-hatched area for a hot check. Be sure
to keep the dipstick pointed down to get an
accurate reading.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range,
push the dipstick back in all the way; then
flip the handle down to lock the dipstick
in place.
311

How to Add Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
what kind of transmission fluid to use. See
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 415.
Using a funnel, add fluid down the transmission
dipstick tube only after checking the transmission
fluid while it is hot. A cold check is used only
as a reference. If the fluid level is low, add only
enough of the proper fluid to bring the level up to
the HOT area for a hot check. It does not take
much fluid, generally less than one pint (0.5 L).
Do not overfill.
Notice:Use of the incorrect automatic
transmission uid may damage your vehicle,
and the damages may not be covered by
your warranty. Always use the automatic
transmission uid listed inRecommended
Fluids and Lubricants on page 415.
•After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check Automatic
Transmission Fluid,” earlier in this section.
•When the correct fluid level is obtained, push
the dipstick back in all the way; then flip the
handle down to lock the dipstick in place.
Engine Coolant
If your vehicle has the DURAMAX®Diesel engine,
see the DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more
information.
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL
®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for five years
or 150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever
occurs first, if you add only DEX-COOL
®
extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 315.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
•Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
•Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
•Protect against rust and corrosion.
•Help keep the proper engine temperature.
•Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
312

Notice:Using coolant other than
DEX-COOL®may cause premature engine,
heater core, radiator and fuel operated heater
(FOH) corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant
may require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or 24 months, whichever occurs
rst. Any repairs would not be covered by your
warranty. Always use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free)
coolant in your vehicle.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water
and one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will
not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant
mixture, you do not need to add anything else.
{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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
With plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and the proper coolant.
Notice:If you use an improper coolant
mixture, your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost would not be
covered by your warranty. Too much water
in the mixture can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times
a year, have your dealer/retailer check your
cooling system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system,
you could damage your vehicle. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine coolant listed
in this manual for the cooling system.
SeeRecommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 415for more information.
313

Checking Coolant for Gasoline Engines
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see
“Checking Coolant” under “Van Models” in the
DURAMAX
®Diesel Supplement for information
on checking your vehicle’s coolant.
The coolant recovery
tank is located near the
center of the engine
compartment. See
Engine Compartment
Overview on page 302
for more information
on location.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When
your engine is cold, the coolant level should be
at the COLD FILL mark, or a little higher.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture at the coolant
recovery tank, but be careful not to spill it.
{CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when
the engine and radiator are hot can allow
steam and scalding liquids to blow out
and burn you badly. With the coolant
recovery tank, you will almost never have
to add coolant at the radiator. Never turn
the radiator pressure cap — even a
little — when the engine and radiator
are hot.
314

{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. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the
radiator. For information on how to add coolant to
the radiator, seeCooling System on page 317.
Radiator Pressure Cap
The radiator pressure cap is located near the
center of the engine compartment. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 302for more
information on location.
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and possible engine
damage may occur. Be sure the cap is
properly and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
If your vehicle has the DURAMAX®Diesel engine,
see the DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more
information.
You will find an engine coolant temperature gage
on your vehicle’s instrument panel. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Gage on page 178for more
information.
315

If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can
burn you badly, even if you just open the
hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it. Just
turn it off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant
before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re.
You or others could be badly burned.
Stop your engine if it overheats, and get
out of the vehicle until the engine is cool.
Notice:If your engine catches re because
you keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle
can be badly damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
If you get an engine overheat warning but see
or hear no steam, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a
little too hot when you:
•Climb a long hill on a hot day.
•Stop after high-speed driving.
•Idle for long periods in traffic.
•Tow a trailer. See “Driving on Grades”
underTowing a Trailer on page 269.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in
NEUTRAL (N) while stopped. If it is safe to
do so, pull off the road, shift to PARK (P)
or NEUTRAL (N) and let the engine idle.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest
fan speed and open the windows as
necessary.
316

If you no longer have the overheat warning,
you can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for
about 10 minutes. If the warning does not
come back on, you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, and you have not
stopped, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle
right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, push down the
accelerator until the engine speed is about
twice as fast as normal idle speed for at least
three minutes while you are parked. If you
still have the warning, turn off the engine and get
everyone out of the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to
get service help right away.
Cooling System
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see
“Van Models” under “Cooling System” in
the DURAMAX
®Diesel Supplement.When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is
what you will see:
A. Radiator Pressure Cap
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Engine Cooling Fan(s)
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
317

When the engine is cold, the coolant level should
be at or above the COLD FILL mark. If it is
not, 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, fuel operated heater (FOH),
radiator hoses, and other engine parts,
can be very hot. Do not touch them.
If you do, you can be burned.
Do not 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 does not, your
vehicle needs service. Turn off the engine.Notice:Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant is not covered by
your warranty.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core, or
radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing sooner, at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always
use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in
your vehicle.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank for Gasoline Engines
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see
“How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery
Tank” under “Van Models” in the Cooling System
section of the DURAMAX
®Diesel Supplement
for the proper coolant fill procedure.
318

If you have not found a problem yet, but the
coolant level is not at the COLD FILL mark,
add a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water
and DEX-COOL
®engine coolant at the coolant
recovery tank. SeeEngine Coolant on page 312
for 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 would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not 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 does not clean as well
as washer uid.
Fill the washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very cold.
This allows for uid expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
the vehicle’s windshield washer system
and paint.
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.
319

{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant
on hot components in the engine
compartment. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol, and it will burn if the engine parts
are hot enough. Do not spill coolant on a
hot engine or components in the engine
compartment.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank
is at the COLD FILL mark, start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there is
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.
{CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot
cooling system can blow out and burn
you badly. They are under pressure,
and if you turn the radiator pressure
cap — even a little — they can come out
at high speed. Never turn the cap when
the cooling system, including the radiator
pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling
system and radiator pressure cap to cool
if you ever have to turn the pressure cap.
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
for Gasoline Engines
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see
“How to Add Coolant to the Radiator” under
“Van Models” in the Cooling System section
of the DURAMAX
®Diesel Supplement for the
proper radiator fill procedure.
320