CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN 1995 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tire lnspection and Rotation
Tires should be inspected every 6,000 to 8,000 miles ( 10 000 to 13 000 km)
for any signs of unusual wear. If unusual wear
is present, rotate your tires as
soon
as possible and check wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires
or wheels. See “When It’s Time for New Tires” and “Wheel Replacement”
later
in this section for more information.
The purpose
of regular rotation is to achieve more uniform wear for all tires
on the vehicle. The first rotation is the most important. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services”
in the Index for scheduled rotation intervals.
When rotating your tires, always use
the
correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Don’t include the compact spare tire
in your tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and rear inflation pressures
as shown on
the Certification/Tire label. Make certain that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel
Nut Torque” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When It’s Time for New Tires
Tread Wear
Indicators
One way to tell when
it’s time for new tires
is
to check the
treadwear indicators,
which will appear
when your tires have
only
1/16 inch (1.6
mm) or less of tread
remaining.
You need a new tire if:
You can see the indicators at three or more places around the tire.
You can see cord or fabric showing through the tire’s rubber.
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut or snagged deep enough to show
cord or fabric.
The tire has a bump, bulge or split.
The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage that can’t be repaired well
because of the size or location of
the damage.
Buying New Tires
To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at the
CertificatiodTire label.
The tires installed on
your vehicle when it was new had a Tire Performance
Criteria Specification (TPC Spec) number on each tire’s sidewall. When
you
get new tires, get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way, your
vehicle will continue to have tires that are designed to give proper
endurance, handling, speed rating, traction, ride and other things during
normal service
on your vehicle. If your tires have an all-season tread
design, the TPC number will be followed by an
“MS” (for mud and snow).
If you ever replace your tires with those not having a TPC Spec number,
make sure they are the same size, load range, speed rating and construction
type (bias, bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system developed by the United
States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which grades tires
by treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This applies only to
vehicles sold in the United States.)
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the
tire when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test
course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and a half (1 112)
times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions
of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices and differences
in road characteristics and
climate.
Traction - A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are: A, B, and C. They represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A
tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on braking
(straight-ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering (turning)
traction.
Temperature - A, 9, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire’s
resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material
of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Warning:
The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
These grades are molded on the sidewalls of passenger car tires.
While the tires available as standard or optional equipment
on General
Motors vehicles may vary with respect to these grades, all such tires meet
General Motors performance standards and have been approved for use on
General Motors vehicles. All passenger type
(P Metric) tires must conform
to Federal safety requirements in addition
to these grades.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced carefully at the
factory
to give you the longest tire life and best overall performance.
In most cases, you will
not need to have your wheels aligned again.
However, if
you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling one way or
the other, the alignment may need to be reset.
If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels may need
to be
rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted or corroded. If
wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts
should be replaced. If the wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your GM dealer if any of
these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind
of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load carrying capacity, diameter,
width, offset, and
be mounted the same way as the one it replaces.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel nuts,
replace them
only with new GM original equipment parts. This way, you
will
be sure to have the right wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for your
GM model.
A CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel nuts
on your vehicle can be dangerous. It could affect the braking
and handling
of your vehicle, make your tires lose air and make
you lose control. You could have a collision in which you or
others could be injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts, and wheel nuts for replacement.
I NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with bearing life,
brake cooling, speedometer/odometer calibration, headlamp
aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clearance, and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
Used Replacement Wheels
A CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is dangerous. You can’t
know how
it’s been used or how many miles it’s been driven. It
could fail suddenly and cause an accident. If you have to replace
a wheel use a new GM original equipment wheel.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tire Chains
NOTICE:
If your vehicle has P235/65R15 size tires, don’t use tire chains;
they can damage your vehicle.
If you have other size tires, use tire chains only where legal and
only when you must. Use only
SAE Class “S” type chains that
are the proper size for your tires. Install them on the rear axle
tires and tighten them
as tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can hear the chains
contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten them. If the contact
continues, slow down until it stops. Driving too fast or spinning
the wheels with chains on will damage your vehicle.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some are toxic. Others can
burst into flame if
you strike a match or get them on a hot part of the
vehicle. Some are dangerous if
you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When
you use anything from a container to clean your vehicle, be sure to
follow the manufacturer’s warnings and instructions. And always open your
doors or windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
0 Benzene
0 Naphtha
Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
- some more than others - and they can all
damage your vehicle, too.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Don’t use any of these unless this manual says you can. In many uses, these
will damage your vehicle:
0 Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
0 Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose dirt. Wipe vinyl or
leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your GM dealer has two GM cleaners, a solvent-type spot lifter and a
foam-type powdered cleaner. They will clean normal spots and stains very
well. Do not use them on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
0 Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
Clean up stains as soon as you can - before they set.
0 Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a clean area often. A soft
Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area only. If you use
brush may be used
if stains are stubborn.
them, don’t saturate the stained area.
0 If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire area immediately or
it will set.
Using Foam-Type CIeaner on Fabric
0 Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
0 Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask surrounding trim
along stitch or welt lines.
0 Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following the directions on the
container label.
Use suds only and apply with a clean sponge.
0 Don’t saturate the material.
Don’t rub it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use a sponge to remove the
suds.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Rinse the section with a clean, wet sponge.
Wipe off what’s left with a slightly damp paper towel or cloth.
Then dry it immediately with a blow dryer or a heat lamp.
NOTICE:
Be careful. A blow dryer may scorch the fabric.
Wipe with a clean cloth.
Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all. Some spots and
stains will clean off better
with just water and mild soap.
If you need to
use a solvent:
Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with a clean, dull knife or
scraper. Use
very little cleaner, light pressure and clean cloths (preferably
cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at the outside
of the stain, “feathering”
toward the center. Keep changing
to a clean section of the cloth.
blow dryer to help prevent a cleaning ring. (See the previous NOTICE.)
0 When you clean a stain from fabric, immediately dry the area with a
Fabric Protection
Your vehicle has upholstery that has been treated with Scotchgard” Fabric
Protector,
a 3M product. Scotchgard“ protects fabrics by repelling oil and
water, which are the carriers of most stains. Even with this protection, you
still need to clean your upholstery often to keep it looking new.
Further information on cleaning is available by calling 1-800-433-3296
(in
Minnesota, 1-800-642-6 167).
Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains
Stains caused by grease, oil, butter, margarine, shoe polish, coffee with
cream, chewing gum, cosmetic creams, vegetable oils, wax crayon, tar and
asphalt can be removed as follows:
Carefully scrape off excess stain.
Follow the solvent-type instructions described earlier.
Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and asphalt will stain if left on a vehicle
seat fabric. They should be removed as soon
as possible. Be careful,
because the cleaner will dissolve them and may cause them to spread.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Non-Greasy Stains
Stains caused by catsup, coffee (black), egg, fruit, fruit juice, milk, soft
drinks, wine, vomit, urine and blood can be removed as follows:
0
0
0
0
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then sponge the soiled area with cool
water.
If a stain remains, follow the foam-type instructions described earlier.
If an odor lingers after cleaning vomit or urine, treat the area with a
watedbaking soda solution:
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of baking soda to 1 cup
(250 ml) of lukewarm water.
If needed, clean lightly
with solvent-type cleaner.
Combination Stains
Stains caused by candy, ice cream, mayonnaise, chili sauce and unknown
stains can be removed as follows:
Carefully scrape off excess stain, then clean with cool water and allow
to dry.
0 If a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type cleaner.
Cleaning Vinyl
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
0 Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt. You may have to do it
more than once.
Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if you don’t get them
off quickly. Use
a clean cloth and a solvent-type vinyl cleaner.
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces of the instrument
panel. Sprays containing silicones or waxes may cause annoying reflections
in the windshield and even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
Glass
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner (GM Part No. 1050427)
or a liquid household glass cleaner will remove normal tobacco smoke and
dust films.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass, because
they may cause scratches.
Avoid placing decals on the inside rear window, since they may have to be
scraped
off later. If abrasive cleaners are used on the inside of the rear
window, an electric defogger element may be damaged. Any temporary
license should not be attached across the defogger grid.
Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield,
Backglass and Wiper Blades
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield washer, or if the
wiper blade chatters when running, wax
or other material may be on the
blade or windshield.
Clean the outside
of the windshield with GM Windshield Cleaner, Bon-Ami
Powder@ (GM Part
No. 105001 1). The windshield is clean if beads do not
form when you rinse it with water.
Clean the blade by wiping vigorously with a cloth soaked in full strength
windshield washer solvent. Then rinse the blade with water.
Wiper blades should be checked on a regular basis and replaced when worn.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last longer, seal better, and
not stick or squeak. Apply silicone grease with a clean cloth at least every
six months. During very cold, damp weather more frequent application may
be required. (See “Recommended Fluids
& Lubricants’’ in the Index.)
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