brakes CHEVROLET ASTRO 1996 Owner's Manual

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.
6-33

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.
6-34

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

Steering Column Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try
to turn
the key to
LOCK in each shift lever position.
0 The key should turn to LOCK only when the shift
lever is in PARK (P).
The key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission
PARK (P) Nlorhanism Check Park
on a fairly
steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
0 To check the parking brake: With the engine running
and transmission
in NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove
foot pressure from the regular brake pedal.
Do this
until the vehicle is held by the parking brake only.
0 To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With
the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release all brakes.
A CAUTION:
r
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front
of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.
7-44

Drive Axle Service
Check readfront axle fluid level and add as needed.
Check constant velocity joints and axle
seals for leaking.
Transfer Case (All-Wheel Drive) Inspection
Every 12 months or at oil change intervals, check front
axle and transfer case and add lubricant when necessary.
Oil the control lever pivot point and all exposed control
linkage. Check vent hose at transfer case for kinks and
proper installation.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
Check parking brake adjustment.
You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often if your driving habits
or conditions result in frequent braking.
7-46

. .. I. .
Section 9 Index
Accessory'power Outlet ......................... 2-49
Add-on Equipment
............................. 4-28
AirBag
....................................... 1-24
Adding Equipment
............................ 1-30
How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-28
How it Works
................................ 1-26
Location
.................................... 1-26
Readiness Light
......................... 1.25. 2.54
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-27
What Will
You See After it Inflates .... : .......... 1-28
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-27
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-19
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-5
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-68
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-47
All-Wheel Drive
.......................... 2.21. 6.23
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
....................... 6-55
Antenna. Fixed
................................. 3-28
Antifreeze
...................................... 6-25
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-57. 4-6
Brakes
...................................... 4-6
knti-Theft. Radio
.............................. 3-23
Appearance Care
............................... 6-49
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-58
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-7
Servicing
................................... 1-29
Ashtrays
...................................... 2-48
Audio Equipment. Adding
. : ...................... 3-2t
Automatic Audio Systems
.................................. 3-8
Transmission Check
........................... 7-42
Transmission Operation
........................ 2-18
Axle Front
....................................... 6-24
LockingRear
................................ 2-21
Rear
....................................... 6-25
Battery
...................................... 6-35
Jump Starting
................................. 5-2
Replacement. Remote Keyless Entry ............... 2-8
Warnings
...................................... 5-2
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-7
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-5
Brake
Adjustment
...................... ........... 6-35
Fluid
..................................... ;.6-32
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-32
Parking
..................................... 2-21
PedalTravel .................................. 6-32
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-32
Trailer
...................................... 4-3:
Transmission Shift Interlock Check
............... 7-42
Wear
............................. : ......... 6-3'
9-1

Brakes. Anti-Lock ............................... 4-6
Braking
........................................ 4-5
Braking
in Emergencies ........................... 4-8
Break-In. New Vehicle
.......................... 2- 13
BTSICheck ................................... 7-43
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-36
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-6
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-67
Carbon Monoxide
............... 2.26.4.25.4.32. 4.33
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-41
Cassette Tape Player
.................. 3- 10. 3. 12. 3.20
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-27
Center Passenger Position
........................ 1-34
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-32
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-49
Changing a Flat Tire
............................. 5-23
Charging System Light
.......................... 2-55
Check Gages Light
.............................. 2-63
Check Oil Light
................................ 2-61
Checking
Your Restraint Systems .................. 1-52
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-57
Child Restraints
................................ 1-4 I
Securing in a Rear Outside Seat Position ........... 1-43
Securing
in the Center Seat Position .............. 1-45
Securing
in the Right Front Seat Position .......... 1-46
TopStrap
................................... 1-42
Where to Put
........................... 1-4 I. 1-42
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-48
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-61
Cleaner. Air ................................... 6-19 Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels ............................ 6-55
Fabric
...................................... 6-50
Glass
....................................... 6-53
Inside
of Your Vehicle ......................... 6-50
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-53
Leather
..................................... 6-52
Outside
of Your Vehicle ........................ 6-54
Special Problems
............................. 6-51
Stains
...................................... 6-51
Tires
....................................... 6-56
Vinyl ....................................... 6-52
Wheels
..................................... 6-55
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-53
Clock. Setting the
................................ 3-8
Comfort Controls
................................ 3-1
Compact Disc Care
............................. 3-28
Compact Disc Player
............................ 3-16
Compact Spare Tire
............................. 5-36
Control of a Vehicle .............................. 4-5
ConvenienceNet
............................... 2-46
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-39
Coolant
....................................... 6-25
Heater. Engine
............................... 2-16
RecoveryTank
............................... 5-15
Courtesy Lamps
................................ 2-37
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-6
Cruise Control
................................. 2-32
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users
......... 8-3
Customer
Assistance Information ................... 8-1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8-1
Cooling System
................................ 5-15
9-2

Finish Damage ................................. 6-56
First Gear
..................................... 2-20
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......................... 5-1
Flat Tire. Changing ............................. 5-23
Fluid Capacities
................................ 6-67
Fluids and Lubricants
............................ 7-47
Foreign Countries. Fuel
........................... 6-4
French Language Manual
11
Front Axle .................................... 6-24
Front Storage Area
.............................. 2-40
Front Towing
.............................. 5-9. 5- 10
Front Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement .......... 6-40
Fuel
.......................................... 6-3
Canada
...................................... 6-3
Filling Your Tank
.............................. 6-5
Gage
....................................... 2-63
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
Regulator
................................... 2-16
Fuses
and Circuit Breakers ....................... 6-61
Gages
.. ...........................
Engine Coolant Temperature .................... 2-62
Engine Oil Pressure
........................... 2-60
Fuel
....................................... 2-63
Garage Door Opener
............................ 2-43
Gear Positions. Automatic Transmission
............. 2- 18
GloveBox .................................... 2-40
Gross Axle Weight Rating
........................ 4-26
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
...................... 4-26
Guide en FranGais
11
GVWR ....................................... 4-26
GAWR
....................................... 4-26
.. .................................
Halogen
Bulbs ................................ 6-36
Hatch Release
.................................. 2-11
Hazard Warning Flashers .......................... 5-1
Head Restraints ................................. 1-5
Headlamps .................................... 2-35
Bulb Replacement
............................ 6-36
Highkow Beam Changer
...................... 2-30
OnReminder
................................ 2-36
Wiring
..................................... 6-60
Hearing Impaired. Customer Assistance
.............. 8-3
Heating ........................................ 3-5
High-Beam Headlamps
.......................... 2-30
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-20
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-20
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-32
Hood Checking Things Under
......................... 6-7
Prop
....................................... 6-10
Release
...................................... 6-8
Horn
......................................... 2-29
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-16
Ignition Positions
.............................. 2-14
Inflation. Tire
.................................. 6-43
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-38
Inspections
.................................... 7-45
Brakesystem
................................ 7-46
Drive Axle
.................................. 7-46
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-45
Radiator and Heater Hose
...................... 7-45
Steering
.................................... 7-45
Suspension
.................................. 7-45
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-45
9-4

Tire Loading ............................... 4-26
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-47
Buying New
................................. 6-45
Chains
..................................... 6-49
Changing a Flat
.............................. 5-23
Cleaning
.................................... 6-56
Compact Spare
............................... 5-36
Inflation
.................................... 6-43
Inflation Check
............................... 7-41
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-44
Loading
.................................... 4-26
Pressure
.................................... 6-43
Temperature
................................. 6-47
Traction
.................................... 6-47
Treadwear
................................... 6-46
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-46
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-45
When It's Time for New
....................... 6-45
TopStrap
..................................... 1-42
TorqueLock
................................... 2-24
Tire-Loading
Information Label
................... 4-26
Tires
......................................... 6-42
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-47
Torque. Wheel
Nut ......................... 5-33. 6-67
Towing
a Trailer ................................ 4-29
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-6
Driving on Grades ............................ 4-35
Trailer
Brakes
..................................... 4-33
Drivingwith
................................. 4-33
Hitches
..................................... 4-32
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-36
Parking
on Hills .............................. 4-36 Safety
Chains
................................ 4-32
Tongueweight
............................... 4-31
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-32
Towing
..................................... 4-29
Turnsignals
................................. 4-35
Weight
..................................... 4-30
Wiring Harness
............................... 4-37
Transmission Fluid. Automatic
.................... 6-20
Transmitters. Keyless Entry
........................ 2-7
Transportation. Courtesy
.......................... 8-6
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-53
TTY Users
..................................... 8-3
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals
............... 2-30
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
................... 2-29
Turn Signals When Towing
a Trailer ................ 4-35
Two-way Manual Seat
........................... 1-2
Underbody 'Maintenance ....... ........... 6-56
Underhood Electrical Center
...................... 6-64
Vehicle Control
...................................... 4-5
Damage Warnings
.............................. iv
Dimensions ................................. 6-69
Identification Number
......................... 6-59
Loading .................................... 4-26
Storage
..................................... 6-36
Ventilation System
............................... 3-6
Visor Vanity Mirrors
............................ 2-49
Visors. Sun
.................................... 2-49
Voltmeter
................................. 2-55
9-9