heating CHEVROLET ASTRO 1999 Owners Manual

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Hatch
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the rear
swing
-out windows, rear hatch or rear doors
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can't see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the rear swing-out windows,
rear hatch or rear doors open or if electrical wiring
or other cable connections must pass through the
seal between the body and the rear swing
-out
windows, rear hatch or rear doors:

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on anything but MAX A/C. That will force
outside air into your vehicle. See ªComfort
Controlsº in the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.
Hatch Release (Option)
You can use your key to unlock the hatch and all the
other doors from the outside. Insert the key into the
hatch release button and turn it counterclockwise. All
doors will unlock.
You may also use the Keyless Entry System
described earlier.
The hatch can be opened or closed without a key if the
door lock system is unlocked.
To open the hatch, unlock it, press the button and lift the
handle located in the center of the door.

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Express-Down Window
The driver's window switch also has an express
-down
feature that allows you to lower it without holding the
window switch. Press and hold the side of the driver's
window switch down marked AUTO for one second to
activate the express
-down feature. The express-down
feature can be interrupted at any time by pressing the up
arrow end of the switch. Lightly tap the switch to open
the window slightly.
Swing-Out Windows
To open your swing-out
windows, pull up on the
latch and push the
window out.
To close the window, pull the latch toward you and push
it down.
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the rear
swing
-out windows, rear hatch or rear doors
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can't see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the rear swing-out
windows, rear hatch or rear doors open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections
must pass through the seal between the body
and the rear swing
-out windows, rear hatch or
rear doors:

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on anything but MAX A/C. That will force
outside air into your vehicle. See ªComfort
Controlsº in the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.

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After moving the crossrails, be sure to tighten all the
slider screws.

For the purpose of wind noise reduction, locate the front
and rear crossrails in line with the two center supports.
NOTICE:
Loading cargo that weighs more than 200 lbs.
(91 kg) on the luggage carrier may damage your
vehicle. When you carry large things, never let
them hang over the rear or the sides of your
vehicle. Load your cargo so that it rests on the
slats and does not scratch or damage the vehicle.
Put the cargo against the side rails and fasten it
securely to the luggage carrier. Put the main
weight as far forward as you can.
Don't exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when
loading your vehicle. For more information on vehicle
capacity and loading, see ªLoading Your Vehicleº in
the Index.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you're driving,
check now and then to make sure the luggage carrier and
cargo are still securely fastened.
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
The cigarette lighter is on the left of the engine
cover console.
To use the lighter, press it in all the way and let go.
When it's done heating, it will pop back by itself.
NOTICE:
Don't hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating. If you do, it won't be able to
back away from the heating element when it's
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.

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2-63 Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
United States Canada
With the anti
-lock brake system, this light will come on
when you start your engine and may stay on for several
seconds. That's normal.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you're driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning light isn't on, you still have brakes, but you
don't have anti
-lock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, you don't have anti
-lock brakes
and there's a problem with your regular brakes. See
ªBrake System Warning Lightº earlier in this section.
The anti
-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly 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.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer moves to the
red area, your engine is
too hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you
have been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
The ªProblems on the Roadº section of this manual
shows you what to do. See ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.

3-
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Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you'll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle. Be
sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3
-2 Comfort Controls
3
-2 Heating/Air Conditioning System
3
-3 Heating System
3
-4 Rear Heating System (Option)
3
-5 Rear Air Conditioning System (Option)
3
-5 Air Conditioning
3
-6 Heating
3
-6 Defrosting
3
-6 Ventilation System
3
-8 Rear Window Defogger (Option)
3
-9 Audio Systems
3
-9 Setting the Clock for Systems with SET
Button
3
-9 Setting the Clock for Systems with HR and
MN Buttons
3
-9AM-FM Stereo3
-11 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player
(If Equipped)
3
-13 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and
Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)
3
-18 AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and
Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)
3
-22 Rear Seat Audio (If Equipped)
3
-23 Remote Compact Disc Player (If Equipped)
3
-26 Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped)
3
-28 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-28 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-29 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
3
-31 Care of Your Compact Discs
3
-31 Care of Your Compact Disc Player
3
-31 Fixed Mast Antenna

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Comfort Controls
This section tells you how to make your air system
work for you. Your comfort control system uses
ozone
-friendly R-134a refrigerant.
With these systems, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle. Your vehicle also has a
flow
-through ventilation system described later in
this section.
Heating/Air Conditioning System
If your vehicle has air conditioning, your heating/air
conditioning controls will look like this.Fan Knob
This control has four positions. To increase airflow, turn
the knob toward HI. To decrease airflow, move it
toward LO.
Temperature Knob
This knob is next to the fan knob. It controls the
temperature of the air flowing into your vehicle. Turn
the knob clockwise for warmer air. Turn the knob
counterclockwise for cooler air.
Function Knob
This knob is next to the temperature knob.
OFF: This setting turns the system off.
MAX A/C: This cools the air the fastest, by
recirculating the inside air. Turn the temperature knob
all the way to MAX A/C.
A/C: This setting brings in outside air and cools it.

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BI-LEVEL: This setting brings in outside air and
blows it out through the heater floor vents and the instrument
panel vents. If you move the temperature knob between hot
and cold, cooler air will come out of the upper vents while
warmer air comes out of the floor vent. The air conditioning
compressor may operate in this setting to cool the air.
VENT: The air comes out at the vents on your
instrument panel. The air conditioning compressor will
not run in this position. Adjust the temperature knob for
warmer or cooler air.
HEATER: Most of the air comes out near the
floor. The rest comes out from the defroster vents under
the windshield and at the front side windows.
BLEND: With this setting, the heated outside air
comes out of both the heater vents and defroster vents.
Adjust the temperature knob for warmer or cooler air.
The air conditioning compressor may operate in this
setting to dehumidify the air.
DEFROST: This setting operates the defroster.
Most of the air comes out near the windshield, with
some going to the floor vents and front side windows.
The air conditioning compressor may operate in this
setting to dehumidify the air.
Heating System
If your vehicle does not have air conditioning, your
heater controls will look like this.
Fan Knob
This control has four positions. To increase airflow,
turn the knob toward HI. To decrease airflow, move it
toward LO.
Temperature Knob
This knob is next to the fan knob. It controls the
temperature of the air flowing into your vehicle. Turn
the knob clockwise for warmer air. Turn the knob
counterclockwise for cooler air.

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Function Knob
This knob is next to the temperature knob. The function
knob allows you to choose the direction of air delivery.
OFF: This setting turns the system off.
VENT: The air comes out at the vents on your
instrument panel.
BI-LEVEL: With this setting, the heated outside
air comes out both the instrument panel vents and heater
vents. Adjust the temperature knob for warmer or cooler
air.
HEATER: Most of the air comes out near the
floor. The rest comes out from the defroster vents under
the windshield and at the front side windows.
BLEND: With this setting, the heated outside air
comes out both the heater vents and defroster vents.
Adjust the temperature knob for warmer or cooler air.
DEFROST: This setting operates the defroster.
Most of the air comes out near the windshield, with
some going to the floor vents and front side windows.
Rear Heating System (Option)
You may have the optional rear heater. The three-speed
fan switch is to the right of the radio. Turn the switch
toward HIGH for higher airflow in the rear area. Turn
the switch to the OFF position to turn the system off.

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If your vehicle has rear air conditioning, setting it on
LOW may enhance the front A/C performance by
allowing trapped refrigerant in the rear lines to circulate.
The rear air conditioning system will only send cooled
air if the front system is on. It can still be used to
circulate air, even if the front system is off.
When the air conditioning, DEFROST or BLEND is on,
you may notice a slight increase or decrease in engine
speed, due to compressor operation. This is normal
because the system is designed to cycle the compressor
on and off to keep the desired temperature.
Heating
On cold days, use HEATER with the temperature knob
in the red area. Outside air will be brought in through
the floor outlets. The heater works best if you keep your
windows closed while using it.
If you use the optional engine coolant heater before
starting your engine, your heating system will produce
warmer air faster to heat the passenger compartment in
cold weather. See ªEngine Coolant Heaterº in the Index.
Defrosting
Use DEFROST to remove fog or ice from the
windshield quickly in extremely cold conditions. The
temperature knob should be in the red area and the fan
control toward high. The air conditioning compressor
may operate in this setting to dehumidify the air.
The BLEND setting is useful for cold weather with a
large number of passengers or very humid conditions to
help keep the windshield clear.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use VENT to direct outside air
through your vehicle. Air will flow through the
instrument panel vents.
Your vehicle's flow
-through ventilation system supplies
outside air to the inside of your vehicle when it is
moving. With the side windows closed, air will flow into
the front air inlet grilles at the base of the windshield,
through the vehicle and out the rear air exhaust valve.
Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the heater or
the air conditioning fan is running.

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Your vehicle has air vents near the center and on the
sides of the instrument panel that allow you to adjust the
direction and the amount of airflow inside the vehicle.
Move the dial on the vent up or down to direct airflow
to your preference. Increase or reduce the amount of
airflow by opening and closing the louvers. The vents
rotate to direct the airflow from side to side.
When you close a vent, it will increase the flow of air
coming out of any vents that are open.If you have rear heating or rear air conditioning, you
will have adjustable vents in the rear of the vehicle to
help direct the airflow. The rear air conditioning vents
are located in the headliner at the rear of the vehicle.
The rear heating vents are located next to the second
and third seat on the driver's side of the vehicle, near the
floor. You can move the vents to direct the flow of air, or
close the vents altogether. When you close a vent, it will
increase the flow of air coming out of any vents that
are open.
Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.

When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the
blower fan to HIGH for a few moments before
driving off. This helps clear the intake ducts of snow
and moisture, and reduces the chance of fogging the
inside of your windows.

Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.