fuel additives CHEVROLET EXPRESS CARGO VAN 2009 1.G Owners Manual

Service............................................................5-3
Accessories and Modifications..........................5-3
California Proposition 65 Warning.....................5-4
California Perchlorate Materials Requirements.....5-4
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside of the
Vehicle......................................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-6
Gasoline Specifications....................................5-6
California Fuel...............................................5-6
Additives.......................................................5-7
Fuel E85 (85% Ethanol)..................................5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-9
Filling the Tank............................................5-10
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.....................5-12
Checking Things Under the Hood....................5-12
Hood Release..............................................5-13
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-14
Engine Oil...................................................5-15
Engine Oil Life System..................................5-18
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-20
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-21
Cooling System............................................5-24
Engine Coolant.............................................5-25Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-31
Engine Overheating.......................................5-31
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-33
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-34
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-35
Brakes........................................................5-36
Battery........................................................5-39
Jump Starting...............................................5-40
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-44
Rear Axle
.......................................................5-45
Front Axle......................................................5-46
Noise Control System.....................................5-47
Tampering with Noise Control System
Prohibited.................................................5-47
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-48
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-48
Headlamps..................................................5-48
Front Turn Signal, Sidemarker and
Parking Lamps..........................................5-50
Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL).........5-51
Taillamps.....................................................5-51
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-52
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-53
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane
rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating is less than 87,
you might 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, the engine needs
service.
Gasoline Specications
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specification D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 or 3.511 in Canada. Some gasolines
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
We recommend against the use of gasolines containing
MMT. SeeAdditives on page 5-7for additional
information.
California Fuel
If the vehicle is certified to meet California Emissions
Standards, it is designed to operate on fuels that meet
California specifications. See the underhood emission
control label. If this fuel is not available in states adopting
California emissions standards, the vehicle will operate
satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal specifications, but
emission control system performance might be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp could turn on and the
vehicle might fail a smog-check test. SeeMalfunction
Indicator Lamp on page 3-34. If this occurs, return to your
authorized dealer/retailer for diagnosis. If it is determined
that the condition is caused by the type of fuel used,
repairs might not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
5-6

Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United States
are now required to contain additives that help prevent
engine and fuel system deposits from forming, allowing
the emission control system to work properly. In most
cases, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the minimum
amount of additive required to meet U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regulations. To help keep fuel injectors
and intake valves clean, or if the vehicle experiences
problems due to dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline
that is advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Also,
your dealer/retailer has additives that will help correct and
prevent most deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers and
ethanol, and reformulated gasolines might be available in
your area. We recommend that you use these gasolines,
if they comply with the specifications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels containing
more than 10% ethanol must not be used in vehicles that
were not designed for those fuels.Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions can contain an octane-enhancing additive
called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT); ask the attendant where you buy gasoline
whether the fuel contains MMT. We recommend against
the use of such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can
reduce the life of spark plugs and the performance
of the emission control system could be affected.
The malfunction indicator lamp might turn on. If this
occurs, return to your dealer/retailer for service.
5-7

E85 has less energy per gallon than gasoline, so
you will need to refill the fuel tank more often when
using E85 than when you are using gasoline.
SeeFilling the Tank on page 5-10.
Notice:Some additives are not compatible with
E85 fuel and can harm the vehicle’s fuel system.
Do not add anything to E85. Damage caused
by additives would not be covered by the vehicle
warranty.
Notice:This vehicle was not designed for fuel
that contains methanol. Do not use fuel containing
methanol. It can corrode metal parts in the fuel
system and also damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage would not be covered under the
vehicle warranty.Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel might 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 the vehicle 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.
5-9

A
Accessories and Modifications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-18
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-76
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-7
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-105
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-20
Air Conditioning..............................................3-19
Airbag
Off Light.....................................................3-28
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-29
Readiness Light..........................................3-27
Airbag System................................................1-58
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-76
Airbag Off Switch........................................1-67
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-65
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-70
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-76
What Makes an Airbag Inflate?......................1-64
What Will You See After an Airbag Inflates?........1-65
When Should an Airbag Inflate?....................1-63
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-60
All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) System...................4-8, 5-44
Antenna, Fixed Mast.......................................3-84
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-4
Antilock Brake, System Warning Light................3-32Appearance Care
Aluminum Wheels......................................5-102
Care of Safety Belts...................................5-100
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-103
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses..................5-101
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-98
Finish Care...............................................5-101
Finish Damage..........................................5-103
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-99
Interior Cleaning..........................................5-97
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-103
Tires........................................................5-103
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-103
Washing Your Vehicle.................................5-100
Weatherstrips............................................5-100
Windshield and Wiper Blades......................5-102
Appointments, Scheduling Service.....................7-10
Ashtray.........................................................3-18
Audio System.................................................3-63
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-83
Fixed Mast Antenna.....................................3-84
Radio Reception..........................................3-84
Setting the Clock.........................................3-64
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-82
Audio System(s).............................................3-67
Automatic Door Lock......................................... 2-8
Automatic Door Unlock...................................... 2-8
1

Entry/Exit Lighting...........................................3-16
Event Data Recorders.....................................7-18
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-30
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finish Damage.............................................5-103
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-84
Flashers, Hazard Warning.................................. 3-6
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-79
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-80
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-95
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-21
Power Steering...........................................5-34
Windshield Washer......................................5-35
Front Axle......................................................5-46
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
E85 (85% Ethanol)........................................ 5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-12Fuel (cont.)
Filling the Tank...........................................5-10
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-9
Gage .........................................................3-40
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-6
Gasoline Specifications.................................. 5-6
Fuses
Engine Compartment Fuse Block.................5-107
Floor Console Fuse Block...........................5-105
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-105
Windshield Wiper.......................................5-105
G
Gage
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-33
Fuel..........................................................3-40
Oil Pressure...............................................3-37
Speedometer..............................................3-25
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-31
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-6
Specifications............................................... 5-6
Glass, Enhanced Technology............................2-16
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-7
5