oil level CHEVROLET EXPRESS CARGO VAN 2007 1.G Owners Manual

Brake System Warning Light..................... 175
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light...... 176
StabiliTrak
®Not Ready Light...................... 177
StabiliTrak®Indicator Light......................... 177
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage............ 178
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........................ 178
Oil Pressure Gage..................................... 182
Change Engine Oil Light........................... 183
Security Light............................................ 183
Cruise Control Light.................................. 184
Reduced Engine Power Light.................... 184
Highbeam On Light................................... 185
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
Indicator Light........................................ 185
Tow/Haul Mode Light................................ 185
Check Gages Warning Light...................... 185
Fuel Gage................................................. 186Audio System(s)......................................... 187
Setting the Time for Radios without
Radio Data Systems (RDS).................... 189
Setting the Time for Radios with
Radio Data Systems (RDS).................... 189
AM-FM Radio............................................ 190
Radio with CD........................................... 193
Radio with Cassette and CD..................... 198
Radio with Six-Disc CD............................. 211
Theft-Deterrent Feature
(Non-RDS Radios)................................. 223
Theft-Deterrent Feature (RDS Radios)....... 223
Radio Reception........................................ 224
Care of the Cassette Tape Player............. 224
Care of Your CDs..................................... 225
Care of the CD Player.............................. 226
Fixed Mast Antenna.................................. 226
Chime Level Adjustment............................ 226
Section 3 Instrument Panel
142

Oil Pressure Gage
The oil pressure gage shows the engine oil
pressure in psi (pounds per square inch) when the
engine is running. Canadian vehicles indicate
pressure in kPa (kilopascals).
Oil pressure may vary with engine speed, outside
temperature and oil viscosity, but readings
above the low pressure zone indicate the normal
operating range.A reading in the low pressure zone may be
caused by a dangerously low oil level or other
problem causing low oil pressure. Check your oil
as soon as possible.
{CAUTION:
Do not keep driving if the oil pressure is
low. If you do, your engine can become so
hot that it catches re. You or others could
be burned. Check your oil as soon as
possible and have your vehicle serviced.
Notice:Lack of proper engine oil maintenance
may damage the engine. The repairs would
not be covered by your warranty. Always follow
the maintenance schedule in this manual for
changing engine oil.
United StatesCanada
182

Change Engine Oil Light
This light is displayed
when your vehicle
needs to be serviced.
If your vehicle has a V8 engine and this light is
flashing, it indicates that the oil level is low.
When this light is on steady, your vehicle needs to
be serviced. SeeScheduled Maintenance
(Gasoline Engine) on page 405for more
information.
Once the engine oil has been changed, the
change engine oil light must be reset. Until it is
reset, the light will stay on for a while each time the
engine is started. For more information on
resetting the system, see “How to Reset the
Engine Oil Life System” underEngine Oil
Life System (Gasoline Engine) on page 306.
Security Light
The light will stay on until the engine starts. If the
light flashes, the Passlock®System has entered
a tamper mode. If the vehicle fails to start,
seePasslock
®on page 118.
If the light comes on continuously while driving
and stays on, there may be a problem with
the Passlock
®System. Your vehicle will not be
protected by Passlock®, and you should see your
GM dealer.
United StatesCanada
183

Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested.
If you must start when you are not fresh — such
as after a day’s work — do not plan to make
too many miles that first part of the journey.
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you can
easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep
it serviced and maintained, it is ready to go.
If it needs service, have it done before starting
out. Of course, you will find experienced and
able service experts in GM dealerships all across
North America. They will be ready and willing
to help if you need it.Here are some things you can check before a trip:•Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir
full? Are all windows clean inside and outside?
•Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
•Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you
checked all levels?
•Lamps:Are they all working? Are the
lenses clean?
•Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough
for long-distance driving? Are the tires
all inflated to the recommended pressure?
•Weather Forecasts:What is the weather
outlook along your route? Should you
delay your trip a short time to avoid a major
storm system?
•Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
252

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have
extra wiring and a heavy-duty turn signal
flasher (included in the optional trailering package).
The arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change.
Properly hooked up, the trailer lamps will also
flash, telling other drivers you’re about to
turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your
instrument panel will flash 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 gearbefore
you 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.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift
the transmission to THIRD (3) or a lower gear
under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
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, seeEngine Overheating
on page 315.
284

A. Battery. SeeBattery on page 329.
B. Radiator Pressure Cap. SeeRadiator Pressure
Cap on page 315.
C. Coolant Recovery Tank. SeeCooling System
on page 317.
D. Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick. See
“Checking the Fluid Level” underAutomatic
Transmission Fluid on page 309.
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap. See “When to Add Engine
Oil” underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 303.
F. Engine Oil Dipstick. See “Checking Engine Oil”
underEngine Oil (Gasoline Engine) on
page 303.
G. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter. SeeEngine
Air Cleaner/Filter on page 308.
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir. SeePower
Steering Fluid on page 323.
I. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir. See “Brake
Fluid” underBrakes on page 325.
J. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir. See
“Adding Washer Fluid” underWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 324.Engine Oil (Gasoline Engine)
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Engine
Oil” in the DURAMAX®Diesel Engine Supplement.
Checking Engine Oil
It is a good idea to check the 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 handle is a yellow loop.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 302
for the location of the engine oil dipstick.
1. Turn off the engine and give the oil several
minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you
do not do this, the oil dipstick might not
show the actual level.
2. 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.
303

When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is below the cross-hatched area at the
tip of the dipstick, you need to add at least
one quart/liter of oil. But you must use the right
kind. This section explains what kind of oil to use.
For engine oil crankcase capacity, seeCapacities
and Specications on page 398.
Notice:Do not add too much oil. If the
engine has so much oil that the oil level gets
above the cross-hatched area that shows
the proper operating range, the engine
could be damaged.SeeEngine
Compartment Overview
on page 302for
the location of the
engine oil fill cap.
Be sure to add enough oil to put the level
somewhere in the proper operating range.
Push the dipstick all the way back in when
you are through.
304

If you are in an area of extreme cold, where the
temperature falls below−20°F (−29°C), it is
recommended that you use either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W-30 oil. Both provide
easier cold starting and better protection for
the engine at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Do not add anything to the oil. The recommended
oils with the starburst symbol that meet GM
Standard GM6094M are all you need for good
performance and engine protection.
Engine Oil Life System
(Gasoline Engine)
When to Change Engine Oil
Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you
know when to change the engine oil and filter.
This is based on engine revolutions and engine
temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving
conditions, the mileage at which an oil change
will be indicated can vary considerably. For the oil
life system to work properly, you must reset the
system every time the oil is changed.When the system has calculated that oil life has
been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is
necessary. A change engine oil light will come on.
SeeChange Engine Oil Light on page 183. Change
the oil 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 oil life system might
not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over
a year. However, the 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 people who will perform this work
using genuine parts and reset the system. It is also
important to check the oil regularly and keep it at
the proper level.
If the system is ever reset accidentally, you must
change the oil at 3,000 miles (5 000 km) since
your last oil change. Remember to reset the oil life
system whenever the oil is changed.
306

3. Clean the engine air cleaner/filter housing.
4. Inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter.
Make sure that the filter fits properly into the
housing.
5. Reinstall the cover and fasten the
retaining clips.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/
lter off can cause you or others to be
burned. The air cleaner not only cleans the
air; it helps to stop ames if the engine
backres. If it is not there and the engine
backres, you could be burned. Do not
drive with it off, and be careful working on
the engine with the air cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine, which will
damage it. Always have the air cleaner/lter
in place when you are driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
If your vehicle has the DURAMAX®Diesel engine,
see the DURAMAX®Diesel manual for more
information.
When to Check and Change
Automatic Transmission Fluid
A good time to check your automatic transmission
fluid level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change the fluid and filter at the intervals listed in
Additional Required Services (Gasoline Engine)
on page 408, and be sure to use the transmission
fluid listed inRecommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 415.
309

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