check engine light CHEVROLET ASTRO 2005 User Guide

Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain
you allow a reasonable following distance. Expect
to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit,
do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up.
Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are
going slower than you actually are.
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 rst 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 nd 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 inated 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?
4-20

Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you.
If you have no blankets or extra clothing, make
body insulators from newspapers, burlap bags, rags,
oor mats — anything you can wrap around
yourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm.
You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You cannot see it
or smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking your exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.
Run your engine only as long as you must. This
saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a
little faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get
and it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
4-26

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals specied to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant
to perform these underhood checks at each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-13for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-26for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer uid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper uid if necessary.
SeeWindshield Washer Fluid on page 5-37for further
details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Visually inspect your tires and make sure tires are
inated to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check
your spare tire. SeeTires on page 5-58for further
details.
At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced.
6-24

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Setting the Time for Radios with
HR and MN Buttons.................................3-40
Setting the Time for Radios with the
Set Button..............................................3-40
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-48
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-50
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-16
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-23
Operation...................................................2-20
B
Battery..........................................................5-42
Run-Down Protection...................................3-17
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-20
Bench Seat....................................................1-11
Brake
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........................ 4-7
Emergencies................................................ 4-8
Parking......................................................2-23
System Inspection.......................................6-29
System Warning Light..................................3-28
Brakes..........................................................5-38
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-8
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-16
Bucket Seats, Rear.........................................1-17Bulb Replacement...........................................5-50
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-54
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-50
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-56
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps........................................5-55
Buying New Tires...........................................5-67
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Capacities and Specications..........................5-101
Carbon Monoxide...........................2-26, 4-23, 4-34
Care of
Safety Belts................................................5-87
Your CD Player...........................................3-50
Your CDs ...................................................3-50
Center Rear Passenger Position, Safety Belts.....1-34
Chains, Tire...................................................5-71
Charging System Light....................................3-27
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-30
Gages Warning Light...................................3-35
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-10
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-91
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-46
Infants and Young Children...........................1-40
2

Customer Assistance Information (cont.)
Roadside Assistance Program......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information........7-12
D
Daytime Running Lamps..................................3-15
Defensive Driving............................................. 4-2
Doing Your Own Service Work........................... 5-4
Dome Lamps.................................................3-16
Door
Locks.......................................................... 2-6
Power Door Locks......................................... 2-7
Programmable Automatic Door Locks............... 2-7
Rear Doors.................................................2-11
Sliding Side Door.......................................... 2-8
Driver
Position, Safety Belt.....................................1-23
Driver Information Center (DIC).........................3-37
Driving
At Night.....................................................4-14
City...........................................................4-18
Defensive..................................................... 4-2
Drunken....................................................... 4-3
Freeway.....................................................4-19
Hill and Mountain Roads..............................4-21
In Rain and on Wet Roads...........................4-15Driving (cont.)
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out.................4-28
Winter........................................................4-23
E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-94
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-95
Headlamp Wiring.........................................5-94
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-96
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-94
Underhood Fuse Block.................................5-98
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-94
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-21
Battery.......................................................5-42
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-30
Coolant......................................................5-26
Coolant Heater............................................2-19
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-29
Cooling System Inspection............................6-28
Cover........................................................5-17
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-26
Fan Noise..................................................5-35
Fuel Regulator............................................2-19
4

Engine (cont.)
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-28
Starting......................................................2-18
Entry Lighting.................................................3-17
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................7-10
Exit Lighting...................................................3-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-37
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-21
Finish Damage...............................................5-91
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-50
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-71
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-72
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-82
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-23
Power Steering...........................................5-36
Windshield Washer......................................5-37
Front Axle......................................................5-49
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10Fuel (cont.)
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-36
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-36
Regulator...................................................2-19
System Inspection.......................................6-28
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-95
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-96
Underhood Fuse Block.................................5-98
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-94
GGage
Check Gages Warning Light..........................3-35
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-29
Fuel..........................................................3-36
Oil Pressure...............................................3-33
Speedometer..............................................3-25
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-27
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-29
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-5
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-6
5

H
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-6
Head Restraints............................................... 1-6
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-94
Headlamps
Automatic Headlamp System.........................3-16
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-50
Daytime Running Lamps...............................3-15
Flash-to-Pass............................................... 3-8
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps.............5-54
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-50
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps................5-50
High/Low Beam Changer................................ 3-8
On Reminder..............................................3-14
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps...................5-50
Heater...........................................................3-19
Highbeam On Light.........................................3-34
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-21
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-21
HomeLink
®Transmitter....................................2-29
HomeLink®Transmitter, Programming................2-30
Hood
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-6
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-23
I
Ignition Positions.............................................2-17
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-40
Ination -- Tire Pressure..................................5-64
Inspection
Brake System.............................................6-29
Engine Cooling System................................6-28
Exhaust System..........................................6-28
Fuel System...............................................6-28
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-28
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive
Axle Boot and Seal..................................6-28
Throttle System...........................................6-29
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive)......................................6-29
Instrument Panel
Brightness..................................................3-16
Cluster.......................................................3-24
Overview..................................................... 3-4
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-42
6

M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts..........5-102
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-24
At Least Once a Month................................6-24
At Least Once a Year..................................6-25
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-24
Brake System Inspection..............................6-29
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-28
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-28
Fuel System Inspection................................6-28
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance.....6-16
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-24
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections......6-28
Part D - Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants...............................................6-29Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Part E - Maintenance Record........................6-31
Selecting the Right Schedule.......................... 6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance............. 6-7
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive
Axle Boot and Seal Inspection...................6-28
Throttle System Inspection............................6-29
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive) Inspection.......................6-29
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-30
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-4
Manual Seats................................................... 1-3
Manual Windows............................................2-14
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-28
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-29
Outside Manual Mirror..................................2-28
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-28
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
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