CHEVROLET ASTRO PASSENGER 1994 1.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you cannot find oils with the new “starburst” symbol on the front of the
container, you should look for and use oils containing the following three
things:
0 SHor SG
“SH” or “SG’ must be on the oil container, either by itself or combined
with other quality designations, such as “SHKD,” “SH, SG, CD,”
“SGKD,” etc. These letters show American Petroleum Institute (API)
levels of quality.
SAE 5W-30
0 Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the container will help you save fuel.
These three things are usually included in a doughnut shaped logo (symbol)
on most containers. If you cannot find oils with the “starburst” symbol, you
should look for oils with the doughnut shaped symbol, containing the three
things noted above.
NOTICE:
If you use oils that do not have either the “starburst” sym\
bol or
an
API SH or SG designation, you can cause engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil) meets all the
requirements for your vehicle.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your GM dealer is ready to advise if you
think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less than 10 miles
(16
km).
The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in door-to-door
You tow a trailer often.
delivery,
or in stop-and-go traffic).
0 Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one of these is true for your vehicle, then
you need to change your oil
andfilter every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months - whichever comes
first
.
If none of them is true, change the oil every 7,500 miles (12 500 km) or
12 months
- whichever comes first. Change the filter at the first oil change
and at every other oil change after that.
Engine Coolanf Heater (Engine Block Heater)
An engine coolant heater can be a big help if you have to park outside in
very cold weather,
0°F (-18°C) or colder. If your vehicle has this option,
see “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that 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 real threat to the environment. If you change your own oil,
be sure to drain all free-flowing oil from the filter before disposal. Don’t
ever 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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Cover
In order to replace your air cleaner filter, you will have to remove your
engine cover. It is inside your vehicle behind the instrument panel
extension.
To Remove the Engine Cover:
1. Move both front seats as far back as they will go.
-1 2. Remove the
instrument panel
extension by
removing the two
screws and two
nuts.
3. The screws are
on each side at
the top
of the
extension. The
nuts are on the
bottom
of the
extension.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4. Grasp the bottom
of the extension.
Lift up and then
pull out.
5. Disconnect the
electrical
connector for the
cigarette lighter.
Set the extension
aside.
6. Grasp the top of
the heater duct and pull down
gently to remove.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 7. Remove the bolt
from the engine cover bracket.
8. Loosen the nut and move the
bracket out
of the
way.
9. Lift up on each of
the two latches at
the bottom
of the
cover.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 10. Remove the two screws
at the
engine cover
using
a long
handled screwdriver. The
screws are
not
supposed to come
out of the cover,
only from the
front of dash.
When removing the cover, be careful
not to damage the instrument panel or
the trim.
11. Grasp the bottom
of the cover and
slide it
backwards. Then,
lift
it up and out
of the vehicle.
To Install the Engine Cover:
1. Lift the engine cover into the vehicle and slide it all the way forward.
Make sure the rubber seal is over the latches.
2. Install the two screws at the engine cover. Do not tighten the screws all
the way.
3. Press down on each of the two latches at the bottom of the cover. Make
sure they are secure.
4. Tighten the two screws at the engine cover.
5. Turn the bracket into position and install the bolt. Tighten the nut at the
other end
of the bracket.
6. Put the heater duct over the engine cover studs. Push up on the duct
gently until it snaps into place.
7. Reconnect the electrical connector for the cigarette lighter.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 8. Grasp the bottom of the instrument panel extension and install the top
9. Install the two nuts and two screws on the extension.
into
the groove
first. Then, push the bottom of the extension into place.
Air Cleaner
To Remove the Air Cleaner Filter:
If you have the 4.3L engine (VIN Code Z) with the round air cleaner, you
must first remove the engine cover before changing the filter. (See “Engine
Cover” earlier
in this section.) After removing the engine cover, unscrew the
wing nuts to take the cover
off the air cleaner. After changing the filter, put
the cover back on and be sure the wing nuts are properly tightened. Be sure
air cleaner lid
is correctly positioned to seal out dust and contaminants that
are harmful to your engine.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you have the 4.3L engine (VIN Code W) with the square air cleaner, you
can change the air cleaner filter without removing the engine cover. Just lift
the hood, unsnap both clips and remove
the top. After changing the filter,
snap both clips to secure
the air cleaner. Be sure air cleaner lid is correctly
positioned to seal out dust and contaminants that are harmful
to your engine.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to replace the air
filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a damaging engine
fire. And, dirt can easily get into your engine, which
will damage
it. Always have the air cleaner in place when you’re drivin\
g.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid level is when the
engine oil is changed. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
when to change your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the
Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a GM dealership Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here,
or you could
get a false reading on the dipstick.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust system, starting a fire. Be sure to get
an accurate reading if you check
your transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transmission fluid level if you
have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32 ” C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic - especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal operating
temperature, which is
180°F to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
To check transmission fluid hot: Get the vehicle warmed up by driving
about 15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are above
50°F (10” C).
If it’s colder than
50°F (IOOC), drive the vehicle in “D” (3rd Gear) until the
engine temperature gage moves and then remains steady for ten minutes.
Then follow the hot check procedures.
To check transmission fluid cold: A cold check is made after the vehicle has
been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off and
is used only as a
reference. Let the engine run at idle for five minutes if outside temperatures
are
50°F ( 10°C) or more. If it’s colder than 50°F (IOOC), you may have to
idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low during a cold check,
you must perform a hot check before adding fluid. This will give you a
more accurate reading
of the fluid level.
To check the fluid hot or cold
Park your vehicle on a level place.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in “P” (Park).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each
gear range, pausing for about three seconds in each range. Then,
position the shift lever in
“P” (Park).
0 Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Then, without shutting ofithe engine, follow these steps:
I
I 1. Pull out the
dipstick and wipe
it with a clean rag
or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all
three seconds and
then pull it back
out again.
I the way, wait
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower level. The fluid
level must be in the
COLD area for a cold check or in the HOT area or
cross-hatched area for a hot check.
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