oil CHEVROLET ASTRO 1996 User Guide

I I
9.
A CAUTION:
Remove any rust or dirt
from the wheel bolts,
mounting surfaces and
spare wheel.
-
Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you
do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could
fall
off, causing a serious accident.
Rust or dirt on the wheel, or on tL parts to
which it is fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The wheel could come
off and cause an accident. When you change a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt from the places
where the wheel attaches to the vehicle..In an
emergency, you can use a
cloth or a paper towel
to do this; but be sure to use a scraper or wire
brush later, if ybu need to, to get all the rust or
dirt
off.
10. Put on the spare tire. Put the nuts on by hand.
Make sure the cone-shaped end is toward the
wheel. Tighten each
nut by hand until the wheel is
held against the hub.
If a nut can’t be turned by
hand, use the extension and see your dealer as
soon as possible.
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To provide cleaner air, all gasolines are now required to
Contain additives
that will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine and
fuel system, allowing your
emission control system
to function properly. Therefore,
you should not have
to add anything to the fuel. In
addition, gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be
available in your area to help clean the air. General
Motors recommends that
you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
metal parts
in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under
your warranty.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard
to find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous
text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use
of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major
oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell
us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation, North American Export Sales
(NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L 1 H 8P7
6-4

When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you hear at least three clicks. Make sure you
fully install
the cap. The diagnostic
system can determine if the fuel
cap has been
left off or improperly installed. This would
allow fuel
to evaporate into the atmosphere. See
“Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and emissions system
might be damaged.
Checking Things Under the Hood
/1 CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not
to drop or spill
things that will burn onto a hot engine.
6-7

When you open the hood, this is what you will see:
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A. Windshield Washer Fluid Fill Location
B. Coolant Fill Location
C. Oil Dipstick Location
D. Transmission Dipstick/Fill Location
E. Air Cleaner
6-9
F. Oil Fill Location
G. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
I. Battery

Engine Oil
CHECK
OIL
If the CHECK OIL light on
the instrument panel comes
on, it means you need to
check your engine oil level
right away. For more information, see “Check Oil
Light” in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
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
is a yellow ring.
Turn
off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual
level.
6-11

Checking Engine Oil
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.
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need
to add some oil. But
you must use the right kind. This
part explains what kind
of oil to use. For crankcase
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.
Just 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.
6-12

What Kind of 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:
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL
FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
+ 40-
+ 20 -
0-
t
I W
COLD
LOOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
SA€ SW-30 PREFERRED
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2DW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
6-13

As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your
vehicle. However,
you can use SAE 1OW-30 if it’s going
to be
0°F (- 18 “C) 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.
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:
0
0
e
e
e
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 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).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
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, 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 causes engine oil to
break down slower.
6-14

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.)
Engine Cover
Removing the Engine Cover
1. Move both front seats as far back as they will go.
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.
2. Remove the instrument panel extension
by removing
the two nuts that secure it in place.
6-15

Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter and the crankcase ventilation filter.
See “Scheduled
N ntenance Services” in the Index.
Operating th, mgine with the air cleaner off
can cause
you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn’t there, and the
engine backfires, you could be burned. Don’t
drive with it
off, and be careful working on the
engine with the
air cleaner off.
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 driving.
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,
Change both the fluid and filter every
15,000 miles
(25 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more of these conditions:
In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If
you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change
the fluid and filter every
30,000 miles (50 000 km).
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in
the Index.
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or
higher.
6-20