fuel CHEVROLET ASTRO 1996 Owner's Manual

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

Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Certificatioflire label, which is on the rear edge of
the driver’s door, shows the correct inflation pressures
for your tires when they’re cold. “Cold” means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven
no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It’s not.
If your tires
don’t have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:
Too much flexing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
NOTICE: (Continued) NOTICE: (Continued)
If your tires have too much air (overinflation).
you can get the following:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use
a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure.
You can’t tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they’re underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back
on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping
out dirt and moisture.
6-43

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

Underhood Electrical Center
1
(-) I-)
(-1
[-)
(T)
E3
IIVC)
(-)
I
The underhood electrical center is located toward the
rear
of the engine compartment on the driver's side.
Lift the hood and open the cover to gain access to this
fuse block.
Feed
AUXB . . . . . .
AUX A . . . . . , . .
Relay
A/C Relay
IGN Relay
Starter Enable Relay
A/C Enable Relay
Empty Relay
Fuel Pump Relay
Usage
. . Upfitter Battery Feed
. . Upfitter Ignition Feed
6-64

Fuse
UPFIT-BATT .......
UPFIT-IGN . .
Spare .....
Fuse Puller*
Spare
.............
Spare .............
ECM-B ............
..
..
HORN ......
A/C COMP ...
RR DEFOG .......
ENG-I ......
IGN-E
..
..
Usage
Upfitter Battery
Power Stud, Trailer Wiring
Harness Upfitter Ignition Relay
Not Used
Not Used Not Used
Fuel Pump Relay,
VCM, Oil Pressure
Switch/Sender
Horn Relay
A/C Enable Relay
Heater-A/C Control Selector Switch
Oxygen Sensors 1-4,
Camshaft Position Sensor,
Mass Air Flow Sensor,
Evaporative Emission
Canister Purge Solenoid
Valve, Linear EGR Valve
Solenoid, VCM
A/C Enable Relay
Fuse
ECM-I ..... .....
LIGHTING .....
BATT I/P .......
IGN A .............
IGN B .............
ABS ..............
AIC ...............
RR HTR/AC ........
Spare .............
Usage
Fuel Injectors 1-6,
Crankshaft Position Sensor,
VCM, Distributor Ignition
Control Module Park Lamps Fuse,
DRL Fuse, Headlamp and
Panel Dimmer Switch
Fuse Block Fuses,
Power Seat CB,
Stop/Hazard Fuse,
Auxiliary Power Fuse,
Cigarette Lighter Fuse,
Radio, Battery Fuse
Starter Relay, Ignition Switch
Ignition Switch
Brake Pressure Module Valve Blower Motor Resistor,
Blower Relay
Auxiliary Heater A/C Relay
Not Used
* A fuse puller is included in the underhood electrical
center. You
will also find spare fuses.
6-65

Capacities and Specifications
Engine Specifications
Engine ............... “VORTEC” 4300 V6 SFI‘k
RPO ................................... L35
Firing Order
...................... 1-6-5-4-3-2
Horsepower
................... 190 at 4,400 rpm
Thermostat Specification
......... 195 “F (9 1 O C)
“Sequential Fuel Injection
Wheel Nut Torque
Base or Optional Wheel ....... 100 lb-ft (140 Nem)
Tire Pressures ......... .... See “Loading
Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
Cooling System Capacity
Quantity*
Without Rear Heater
13.5 quarts (12.8 L)
Quantity*
with Rear Heater
16.5 quarts (15.5 L)
*All quantities are approximate. After refill, the level must
be checked.
Crankcase Capacity
Quantity*
with Filter
................... 4.5 quarts (4.3 L)
*All quantities are approximate. After refill, the level
must be checked. Do not overfill.
Fuel Tank Capacity
Standard Tank* ...........
*All quantities are approximate,
Transmission Capacity
Automatic Transmission
(Drain and Refill)“
.........
*All quantities are approximate.
Rear Axle Capacity
Standard Rear Axle* . .
Locking Rear Axle” ..........
*All quantities are approximate.
. . 27 gallons (102 L)
. . 5.0 quarts (4.7 L)
. . 3.5 pint (1.7 L)
3.5 pint (1.7 L)
6-67

Normal Maintenance Replacement
Parts
Replacement part numbers listed in this section are
based on the latest information available at the time of
printing, and are subject to change.
If a part listed in this
manual is
not the same as the part used in your vehicle
when it was built, or
if you have any questions, please
contact your
GM truck dealer.
Oil Filter..
......................... PF52
Air Cleaner Filter
.................. A 1 163C
Automatic Transmission
Filter Kit
............ ... 24200796
PCV Valve
...................... CV774C
Spark Plugs
....................... 41-932
Spark
Plug Gap ...... 0.060 inches (1.52 mm) Fuel
Filter
...
Radiator Cap .......
Wiper Blades (Front) .
Wiper Blade (Rear) . .
. . GF481
............ RC27
. . 22110158, Pin Type
. . 22154396, Pin Type
Vehicle Dimensions*
Wheelbase .............. 189.8 inches (482 cm)
Width
................... 77.5 inches (1 96.8 cm)
Height.
.................. 76.2 inches (193.5 cm)
Wheelbase
.............. 11 1.2 inches (282.4 cm)
Front Tread Width
......... 65.1 inches (165.4 cm)
Rear Tread Width
........ 65.1 inches (1 65.4 cm)
*Figures reflect base equipment only.
6-69

How This Section is Organized
The remainder of this section is divided into five parts:
“Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows
what to
have done and how often. Some of these
services can be complex,
so unless you are technically
qualified and have the necessary equipment,
you should
let your dealer’s service department or another qualified
service center do these jobs.
1
A CAUTION:
work on a vehicle can
be dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can
be seriously injured.
Do your own maintenance
work only if you have the required know-how
and the proper tools and equipment for the job.
If you have any doubt, have a qualified
technician do the work.
you are skilled enough to do some work on your
vehicle, you will probably want to get the service
information
GM publishes. See “Service and Owner
Publications’’ in the Index.
“Part B: Owner Checks and Services” tells you
what should be checked whenever you stop for fuel. It
also explains what you can easily do to help keep your
vehicle
in good condition.
“Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections”
explains important inspections that your GM dealer’s
service department or another qualified service center
should perform.
“Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
lists some products GM recommends to help keep your
vehicle properly maintained. These products, or their
equivalents,
should be used whether you do the work
yourself or have it done.
“Part E: Maintenance Record” provides a place for
you to record the maintenance performed on your
vehicle. Whenever any maintenance is performed, be
sure to
write it down in this part. This will help you
determine when your next maintenance should be done.
In addition, it is a good idea to keep your maintenance
receipts. They may be needed to qualify your vehicle for
warranty repairs.
7-2

Part A: Scheduled Maintenance
Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
We at General Motors want to help you keep your vehicle
in good working condition. But we don’t know exactly
how you’ll
drive it. You may drive very short distances
only
a few times a week. Or you may drive long distances
all the time in
very hot, dusty weather. You may use your
vehicle in making deliveries. Or you may drive it to work,
to do errands or in many other ways.
because of all the different ways people use their GM
vehicles, maintenance needs vary. You may even need
more frequent checks and replacements
than you’ll find
in the schedules in this section.
So please read this
section and,note how you drive. If you have any
questions on how to keep your vehicle in good
condition, see your
GM dealer.
This part tells
you the maintenance services you should
have done and when you should schedule them. If you
go to your dealer for your service needs, you’ll know
that GM-trained and supported service people will
perform the work using genuine GM parts. The
proper fluids and lubricants to
use are listed in
Part D. Make sure whoever services your vehicle
uses these. All parts should
be replaced and all
necessary repairs done before
you or anyone else
drives the vehicle.
These schedules are for vehicles that:
carry passengers and cargo within recommended
limits. You will find these limits
on your vehicle’s
CertificationRire label. See “Loading Your Vehicle”
in the Index.
are driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal
driving limits.
0 use the recommended fuel. See “Fuel” in the Index.
Selecting the Right Schedule
First you’ll need to decide which of the two schedules is
right for your vehicle. Here’s how to decide which
schedule
to follow:
7-3

Maintenance Schedule
Short TripKity Definition
Follow the Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule if any
one
of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
0
0
0
0
0
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.
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons yo~l should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is
that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down soonex
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first). Chassis
Lubrication (or
3 months, whichever occurs first). Drive
Axle Service (or
3 months, whichever occurs fust).
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) -- Then Every
12,000 Miles
(20 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection,
if driving in dusty conditions. Front
Wheel Bearing Repack (2WD only) (or at each brake
relining, whichever occurs first). Automatic
Transmission Service (severe conditions only).
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement.
Fuel Filter Replacement. Automatic
Transmission Service (Normal Conditions).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection. Fuel
Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve Inspection.
These intervals only summarize nzaintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
7-4