ignition CHEVROLET ASTRO 1999 User Guide

yellowblue
2-25

Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
remove the key from your ignition, your vehicle is
in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. And, if you
leave the vehicle with the engine running, it could
overheat and even catch fire. You or others could
be injured. Don't leave your vehicle with the
engine running unless you have to.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is firmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever to PARK (P), hold the
regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the
shift lever away from PARK (P) without first pulling it
toward you. If you can, it means that the shift lever
wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).

yellowblue
2-26 Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the
transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever
out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque lock.º To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake and then shift into
PARK (P) properly before you leave the driver's seat. To find
out how, see ªShifting Into PARK (P)º in the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of PARK (P)
CAUTION:
Before shifting out of PARK (P) you must fully
apply your regular brakes, your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured. If you're pulling a trailer, see ªTowing a
Trailerº in the Index.
Your vehicle has a Brake-Transmission Shift Interlock
(BTSI). You have to fully apply your regular brake
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition is
in RUN. See ªAutomatic Transmissionº in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.

yellowblue
2-29
Locking Rear Axle
If your vehicle has this feature, your locking rear axle
can give you additional traction on snow, mud, ice, sand
or gravel. It works like a standard axle most of the time,
but when one of the rear wheels has no traction and the
other does, this feature will allow the wheel with
traction to move the vehicle.
All-Wheel Drive (Option)
If your vehicle has
all
-wheel drive, your
engine's driving power is
sent to all four wheels for
extra traction when needed.
This is like four
-wheel drive, but there is no separate lever
or switch to engage or disengage the front axle. It is fully
automatic, and adjusts itself as needed for road conditions.
You may experience a brief vehicle vibration upon
acceleration when driving in slippery conditions. This is
normal and is an indication that the all
-wheel drive
system is functioning properly.
Windows
Manual Windows
To open your manual windows, turn the hand crank on
each door to raise or lower your side door windows.
Power Windows (If Equipped)
If you have the optional power windows, the controls
are on each of the front side doors. The driver's door has
a switch for the front passenger window as well. Your
power windows will not move unless the ignition has
been turned to RUN or ACCESSORY.

yellowblue
2-36
Increasing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:

Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher speed.
Press the button at the end of the lever, then release
the button and the accelerator pedal. You'll now
cruise at the higher speed.

Move the cruise switch from ON to R/A. Hold it
there until you get up to the speed you want, and
then release the switch. (To increase your speed in
very small amounts, move the switch to R/A briefly.
Each time you do this, your vehicle will go about
1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.)
Reducing Speed While Using Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:

Press the button at the end of the lever until you
reach the lower speed you want, then release it.

To slow down in very small amounts, press the
button briefly. Each time you do this, you'll go
1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may want to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don't use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal.

Move the cruise switch to OFF.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.

yellowblue
2-37
Exterior Lamps
Your lamp switch is on the driver's side of the
instrument panel.
Turn the knob clockwise to the parking lamp symbol to
turn on the following:

Parking Lamps

Taillamps

License Plate Lamps

Instrument Panel LightsTurn the knob clockwise to the master lighting symbol
to turn on all the lamps listed as well as the headlamps.
Turn the knob counterclockwise to OFF to turn off
your lamps.
Turn the dial next to the knob up to adjust your
instrument panel lights. Turn the dial up to the first
notch for full intensity. If you turn the dial to the second
notch, your interior lamps will come on.
Turn the dial next to the lamp switch down to dim your
instrument panel lights.
Headlamps
You can switch your headlamps from high to low beam
by pulling the multifunction lever toward you.
A circuit breaker protects your headlamps. If you have
an electrical overload, your headlamps will flicker on
and off. Have your headlamp wiring checked right away
if this happens.
Headlamps On Reminder
A reminder tone will sound when your headlamps or
parking lamps are turned on and your ignition is in the
OFF, LOCK or ACCESSORY position. To turn the tone
off, turn the switch to OFF.

yellowblue
2-38 Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
The DRL system will make your headlamps come on at
a reduced brightness when:

the ignition is on,

the headlamp switch is off and

the parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, only your headlamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won't be on.
Your instrument panel won't be lit up either.
When it begins to get dark, your DRL indicator light is a
reminder to turn your headlamp switch on. The other
lamps that come on with your headlamps will also
come on.
When you turn the headlamp switch off, the regular
lamps will go off, and your headlamps will change to
the reduced brightness of DRL.To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking
brake. The DRL will stay off until you release the
parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.
Interior Lamps
Dome Lamps

yellowblue
2-39
The dome lamps will come on when you open any of the
doors. They will remain on for 20 seconds after the last
door closes. When the ignition switch is turned on, the
dome lamps will go off. You can also turn on the dome
lamps by turning the dimmer dial up to the second click.
If the DOME OVERRIDE button is pushed in, the dome
lamps will not come on.
Dome Override Button
If the DOME OVERRIDE button is out, your interior
lamps will work as usual.
If the button is pressed in, the interior lamps will not
come on when any of the vehicle's doors are open. This
feature is helpful when you want to leave your door(s)
open for an extended period of time and do not want to
run the battery down. The button is located next to the
lamp switch.
If you have the optional reading lamps, they will still
operate if the button is pressed in.
Reading Lamps (Option)
You may have the optional reading lamps next to the
dome lamps. Turn the lamps on and off by pressing the
switch next to the lamp.
You can adjust the lamps to any desired position by
rotating the lamp, and they will work when the ignition
is on or off. Be sure to turn the lamps off before you
leave the vehicle.

yellowblue
2-46
Driver Information System (If Equipped)
This system displays the outside air temperature,
compass direction and trip information in the
overhead console.
US/MET: The US/MET (United States/metric) button
allows you to switch the display between the English
and metric system.
MODE: The MODE button can be used to toggle
between three modes of operation: OFF, COMP/TEMP
and TRIP.
OFF: This button turns the system off.COMP/TEMP: The display provides the outside
temperature and one of eight compass readings to
indicate the direction the vehicle is facing.
Before you turn on the ignition and move the vehicle,
the temperature indicated will be the last outside
temperature recorded with the ignition on. If the outside
temperature is 37
F (3
C) or lower, the display will
toggle between the word ICE and the current
temperature every eight seconds. This is a warning to
the driver that road conditions may be icy, and that
appropriate precautions should be taken.
The compass is self
-calibrating, so it does not need to be
manually set. However, if C (Calibration) is displayed,
the compass will need to be calibrated. You may also
place the compass in a noncalibrated mode by pressing
and holding the MODE and US/MET buttons
simultaneously while in the COMP/TEMP mode. After
about 10 seconds, the compass will display C and you
can release the buttons. Drive the vehicle in a complete
360
circle three times at a speed of less than 5 mph
(8 km/h), and the compass will function normally. Once
the calibration is complete, the display will return to a
compass reading.

yellowblue
2-57
A. Lamp Switches
B. Instrument Panel Dimmer
C. Multifunction Lever
D. Hazard Lamp Switch
E. Transmission Shift Lever
F. Ignition Switch
G. Rear Defogger (Option)
H. Comfort Controls
I. Rear A/C Control (Option)
J. Rear Heater Control (Option)K. Rear Washer/Wiper (Option)
L. Front Ashtray
M. Accessory Power Outlets
N. Cupholders/Storage Tray
O. Front Storage Compartment
P. Audio System
Q. Cigarette Lighter
R. Hood Release
S. Dome Override Button

yellowblue
2-60
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a tone will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver's safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about 20 seconds, then
it will flash for about
55 seconds.
If the driver's belt is already buckled, neither the tone
nor the light will come on.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag's electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the air bag system, see ªAir
Bagº in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn't come on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.