CHEVROLET ASTRO 1996 Owners Manual

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use.
If you will be
operating your vehicle
in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use
a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap labeled
WASHER
FLUID ONLY.
Add washer fluid until the
tank is
full.
NOTICE:
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze and damage your washer fluid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean
as well as washer fluid.
three-quarters full when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion, which could damage
the tank if it is completely full.
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your
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Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your.brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level
in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put
in, the fluid
level goes back up. The other reason
is that fluid is leaking
out of the brake system. If it is, you should have
your brake system fixed, since a leak means
that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t work
at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If
you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then
you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine
is hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work
is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections”
in the Index.
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Checking Brake Fluid What to Add
x
You
can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the window
on the brake fluid reservoir. The
fluid level should be above MIN. If
it isn’t, have your
brake system checked to see if there is
a leak.
After work
is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level
is above MIN and below the top of
the window. When
you do
need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535).
Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean the brake fluid
reservoir
ca. lefore removing it. *
A CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well,
or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
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Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
I A CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
sooner or later your brakes won’t work well.
That could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result
in costly brake repair.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed.
The sound may come and
go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except
when you are pushing
on the brake pedal firmly). Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly applied.
This does not mean something
is wrong with your brakes.
Free movement
of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers
for movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque
wheel nuts
in the proper sequence to GM specifications.
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Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but
if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the
rear brake linings inspected. Also, the rear brake drums should be removed and inspected each time the tires are
removed for rotation or changing. When you have the
front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal
travel. This could be a sign
of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your
rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by
backing up and firmly applying
the brakes a few times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be of top quality and work well
together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake
parts
in them, as your vehicle does when it is new. When
you replace parts of your braking system
-- for example,
when your brake linings wear down and
you have to have
new ones put
in -- be sure you get new genuine GM
replacement parts. If you don’t, your brakes may no
longer work properly. For example,
if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle,
the balance
between your front and rear brakes can change
-- for the
worse. The braking performance
you’ve come to expect
can change
in many other ways if someone puts in the
wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Every new vehicle has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have
to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom
battery. Get one that has the replacement number shown
on
the original battery’s label.
6-35

Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or more,
take
off the black, negative (-) cable from the battery. This
will help keep your battery from running down.
Bulb Replacement
Before replacing any bulbs, make sure all lamps are off
and the vehicle is not running. See “Replacement Bulbs”
in the Index.
Halogen Bulbs
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting’’ in the Index
for tips on working around
a battery without
getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how
to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods..
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature”
in the Index. Halogen bulbs have p’ surized gas
il de and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb.
You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
6-36

Headlamps
Sealed Beam Lamps
1. Remove the four retainer
screws and the retainer.
2. Pull the connector out
and unplug the lamp.
3. Install the new bulb into the connector.
4. Reverse Steps 1 and 2 to reinstall the headlamp.
Composite Headlamps
1. Open the hood.
1
2. Remove the two screws
from the sidemarkedturn signal lamp.
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3. Completely remove the sidemarkedturn signal lamp
by pulling
out the assembly and disconnecting the
sidemarkedturn signal lamp sockets from the lamp.
I
4. Remove the screw
located behind the
corner reflector in order
to remove the entire
corner reflector.
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5. Remove the remaining three screws; the first one
from the corner reflector pocket and the two
remaining from the composite assembly.
6. Remove the
composite assembly.
7. Turn the halogen bulb counterclockwise to remove
from the assembly.
8. Install the new bulb into the composite assembly by
turning it clockwise until it is completely-tightened.
9. Replace the composite assembly by installing and
tightening all of the screws previously removed.
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Front Turn Signal -Lamps Taillamps
1. Remove
the two screws at the inside edge of the 1. Open the rear door.
parking/turn signal lamp assembly.
2. Remove the lamp
assembly.
2. Remove the two screws
from behind the door.
3
3. Squeeze the tab on the
side
of the lamp socket
while turning the socket
I
counterclockwise.
.4. Pull the socket out of the lamp assembly.
5. Pull the bulb from the socket.
6. Gently push the new bulb into the socket.
7. Put-the socket back into the lamp assembly and turn
it clockwise until it locks.
8. Put the parking/turn signal lamp assembly back into
the vehicle and tighten the screws.
6-40