CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN 2002 2.G Owners Manual

6-11 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood, this is what you will see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid
B. Engine Coolant
C. Engine Oil DipstickD. Transmission Dipstick
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
F. Engine Oil FillG. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
I. Battery

6-12
Engine Oil
Checking Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick has a yellow ring and is located
near the center of the engine compartment. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº in the Index for more
information on location.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.

6-13
When to Add Engine Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you'll need
to add at least one quart of oil. But you must use the
right kind. This part explains what kind of oil to use.
For engine oil crankcase capacity, see ªCapacities and
Specificationsº in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don't add too much oil. If your engine has
so much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross
-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap is located on the valve cover in
the engine compartment on the passenger's side of the
vehicle. Your vehicle may have a cap with text and a
graphic or just a graphic as shown above. See ªEngine
Compartment Overviewº in the Index for more
information on location.
Be sure to fill it enough to put the level somewhere in
the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the
way back in when you're through.

6-14 What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the starburst symbol.
This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by
the American Petroleum Institute (API). Do not use any
oil which does not carry this starburst symbol.
If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that
has the starburst symbol
on the front of the oil
container. If you have your
oil changed for you, be sure
the oil put into your engine
is American Petroleum
Institute certified for
gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:

6-15
As in the chart shown previously, SAE 5W-30 is best for
your vehicle. However, you can use SAE 10W
-30 if it's
going to be 0F (
-18C) or above. These numbers on
an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not
use other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W
-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline
Engines starburst symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage
not covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
If you are in an area where the temperature falls below
-20F (-29C), consider using either an SAE 5W-30
synthetic oil or an SAE 0W
-30 oil. Both will provide
easier cold starting and better protection for your engine
at extremely low temperatures.
Engine Oil Additives
Don't add anything to your oil. The recommended oils
with the starburst symbol are all you will need for good
performance and engine protection.
When to Change Engine Oil
If any one of these is true for you, use the short trip/city
maintenance schedule:

Most trips are less than 5 miles (8 km). This is
particularly important when outside temperatures are
below freezing.

Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop
-and-go traffic).

You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top
of your vehicle.

The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter
every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months
-- whichever
occurs first.
If none of them is true, use the long trip/highway
maintenance schedule. Change the oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months
-- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engine under highway conditions will cause engine oil
to break down slower.

6-16 What to Do with Used Oil
Used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer.
Don't let used oil stay on your skin for very long.
Clean your skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw away
clothing or rags containing used engine oil. See the
manufacturer's warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.
Used oil can be a threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all the oil from
the filter before disposal. Never dispose of oil by putting
it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers,
or into streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it
by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you
have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
Engine Cover
Removing the Engine Cover
1. Move both front seats as far back as they will go.

6-17
2. Remove the instrument panel extension by removing
the two nuts that secure it in place. The nuts are
located at the bottom of the extension on the driver's
and passenger's side corners.3. Remove the screws located near the top on each side
of the extension. Grasp the extension from both sides
and gently remove it.

6-18
4. Disconnect the electrical connectors and set the
extension aside.5. Grasp the top of the heater duct and pull down gently
to remove it.

6-19
6. Loosen the two bolts on the engine cover. The bolts
are not supposed to come out of the cover, only from
the front of the dash.
When removing the cover, be careful not to damage
the instrument panel or the trim.
7. Disconnect the AM radio ground strap.8. Grasp the bottom of the cover and slide it rearward.
Then, lift it up and out of the vehicle.
If the seal does not release, use the pull strap on the
driver's side above the rear mount.

6-20 Reinstalling the Engine Cover
1. Lift the engine cover into the front of the vehicle
and slide it all the way forward. Make sure the
rubber seal is over the latches.
2. Tighten the two bolts located on the engine cover
to reinstall the cover to the front of the dash.
3. Put the heater duct over the engine cover studs.
Push up on the duct gently until it snaps into place.
4. Reconnect the electrical connectors.
5. Reconnect the AM radio ground strap.
6. Reinstall the engine cover extension by gently
squeezing the sides and sliding it into place.
Make sure all of the fastener clips engage and the
extension fits properly in place. Reinstall and tighten
the two screws.
7. Reinstall the two nuts to secure the extension
in place.
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to replace the engine air cleaner/filter and the crankcase
ventilation filter. See ªScheduled Maintenanceº in
the Index.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.