CHEVROLET ASTRO 1996 Owners Manual

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:
0 Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with a
clean, dd1 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.
0 When you clean a stain from fabric, immediately
dry the area with a blow dryer
to help prevent a
cleaning ring.
Fabric Protection
Your vehicle has upholstery and carpet that has been .
treated with Scotchgard“ Fabric Protector, a 3M
product.
It 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 and
carpet often to keep
it looking new.
Further information on cleaning is available by calling
1-800-433-3296
(in Minnesota, 1-800-642-61 67).
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:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.
2. Follow the solvent-type instructions
described earlier.
3. Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and asphalt will stain
if left on a vehicle’s 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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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:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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 waterhaking 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:
0 Carefully scrape off excess stain, then clean with
0 If a stain remains, clean it with solvent-type cleaner.
cool
water and allow to dry.
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.
0 Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if
you don’t get them off quickly. Use a clean cloth and
a GM VinylLeather Cleaner or equivalent product.
Cleaning Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap.
0 For stubborn stains, use a GM Vinylkeather Cleaner
0 Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
or equivalent product.
cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.
0 Soiled leather should be cleaned immediately. If dirt is
allowed to work into the finish, it can
harm the leather.
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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.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
Do not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, it
may severely weaken them. In a crash, they
might not be able to provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only with mild soap and
lukewarm water.
~~~ ~
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.
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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 and Lubricants”
in the Index.)
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to keep
it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the
sun.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use
liquid hand, dish or car washing (mild detergent) soaps.
Don’t use cleaning agents that are petroleum based,
or that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents
should be flushed promptly and
not allowed to dry on
the surface, or they could stain. Dry the finish with a soft,
clean chamois or a 100% cotton towel
to avoid
surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure vehicle washes may
cause water to enter
your vehicle.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by
hand may be necessary
to remove residue from the paint
finish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. (See “Appearance Care and Materials”
in the Index.)
Your vehicle has a 44basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoatklearcoat
paint finish.
NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoatklearcoat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
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Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If
necessary,
use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces
to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Parts
Bright metal parts should be cleaned regularly to keep
their luster. Washing with water is all that is usually
needed. However, you may use
GM Chrome Polish on
chrome or stainless steel trim,
if necessary.
Use special care with aluminum trim. To avoid damaging
protective trim, never use auto or chrome polish, steam
or caustic soap
to clean aluminum. A coating of wax,
rubbed to high polish, is recommended for all bright
metal parts.
Aluminum Wheels (If So Equipped)
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with
clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with
a soft clean towel. A wax
may
then be applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar
to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners or
abrasive cleaning brushes
on them because you could
damage the surface.
Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic vehicle
wash that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes.
These brushes can also damage the surface of
these wheels.
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Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner.
NOTICE:
When applying a tire dressing always take care to
wipe
off any overspray or splash from all painted
surfaces on the body or wheels
of the vehicle.
Petroleum-based products may damage the
paint finish.
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired or
replaced
to restore corrosion protection.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on
the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame,
floor
pan and exhaust system even though they have
corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer
or an underbody vehicle washing system
can do this for you.
6-56

Fiberglass Springs Chemical Paint Spotting
,. Some weather and atmospherkconditions can create
a chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon
and attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This
damage can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
Don’t use corrosive or acidic cleaning agents, discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched
engine degreasers, aluminum cleaning agents or into the paint surface.
other harsh solvents to clean fiberglass springs;
they’ll damage the springs.
,NOTICE:
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, GM will
repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces
of new
vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles
(20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs first.
i
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Appearance Care Materials Chart
PART NUMBER USAGE DESCRIPTION
SIZE
1050004
Exterior cleaner and polish
Magic Mirror Cleaner Polish
16
oz. (0.473 L) I05020 1
Removes soil and black marks White Sidewall Tire Cleaner 16 oz. (0.473 L) 10501 74 Removes rust and corrosion
Chrome Cleaner and Polish 16
oz. (0.473 L)
1050173 Also removes old waxes and polishes
Tar and Road Oil Remover 16
oz. (0.473 L)
1050172 Shines vehicle without scratching
Chamois
2.75
sq. ft.
~ ~~
1050214
1050427 Spot and stain removal Vinyl and Leather Cleaner
32 oz. (0.946 L)
Exterior wash
Wash and
Wax Concentrate
16 oz. (0.473 L) 1052870 Windshield washer solvent and
antifreeze
Optikleen
32
oz. (0.946 L) 1051515 For cloth
Spot Lifter
8 oz. (0.237 L) 105 1398” Cleans
vinyl, cloth, tires and mats
Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner 6 lbs. (2.72 kg) 1050429 Cleans
grease, grime and smoke
film Glass Cleaner 23
oz. (0.680 L)
I I I
I 1052918** I 8 oz. (0.237 L) I Armor All TM Protector I Protects vinyl, leather and rubber 1
1052929
Cleans
vinyl, leather and rubber
Armor All Cleaner
16 oz. (0.473 L) 12345002** Attracts and absorbs
soils
Capture Dry Spot Remover
8 oz. (0.237 L) 1052930 Spray on wheel cleaner Wheel Cleaner 16
oz. (0.473 L)
12345725 Shines tires
Silicone Tire Shine
12 oz. (0.354 L)
See
your General Motors Parts Department for these products. * Not recommended for pigskin suede leather.
See “Fluids and Lubricants’’
in the Index. **Not
recommended for use on instrument panel vinyl.
6-58

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
ENGINE/l996 t‘
CODE MODEL YEAR
ASSEMBLY
PLANT
This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate
in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver’s side. You can see
it if yo11 look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The
VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and
the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in your VIN is the engine code.
This code will help you identify your engine,
specifications and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label on the inside of the front storage
compartment door. It’s very helpful if you ever need to
order parts. On this label
is:
your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information, and
0 a list of all production options and special equipment.
Be sure that this
label is not rqmoved from the vehicle.
6-59

Electrical System
Add-on Electrical Equipment
NOTICE:
Don’t add anything electrical to your vehicle unless
you check with your dealer
first, Some electrical
equipment can damage your vehicle and the
damage wouldn’t be covered by your warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment can keep other
components from working as they should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your vehicle, see “Servicing
Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle” in the Index.
Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring is protected by a circuit breaker in
the lamp switch. An electrical overload will cause the
lamps to
go on and off, or in some cases to remain off.
If this happens, have your headlamp wiring checked
right away.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats due to heavy
snow, etc., the wiper will stop until the motor cools. If
the overload is caused by some electricai problem and
not snow, etc.; be sure to get
it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse panel protect the power
windows and other power accessories. When the current
load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and closes,
protecting the circuit until the problem is fixed or
goes away.
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