steering CHEVROLET ASTRO 1996 Owner's Manual

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help
you get out when you’re stuck, but
you must use caution.
A CAUTION:’
I
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured.
And, the transmission or other parts of the
vehicle can overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels
as little as possible. Don’t
~ spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
~ on the speedometer.
I
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle
as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transmission back
and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For information about using tire chains
on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains” in
the Index.
Rocking your vehicle to get it out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE
(R) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly
on
the accelerator pedal when the transmission is in gear. If
that doesn’t get
you out after a few tries, you may need
to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see
“Towing Your Vehicle’’’ in the Index.
5-37

When you open the hood, this is what you will see:
-
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

Thermostat When to Check Power Steering Fluid
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat It is not necessary to reg,ularlY check Power steering
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
flow
of coolant through the radiator until the coolant you
hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
reaches a preset temperature. could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected
and remired.
Power Steering Fluid
I
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, unscrew the cap
and wipe
the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap
and completely tighten
it. Then remove the cap again
and look at the fluid level
on the dipstick.
The level should be at the
FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up to
the mark.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants’’
in the Index. Always use the proper fluid.
Failure to use the proper fluid can cause leaks and
damage hoses and seals.
6-30

Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) at the same intervals.
Footnotes
3- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure
to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior
to the
completion
of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
# Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints and
kingpin bushings, steering linkage and transfer case
shift linkage, parking brake cable guides and brake
pedal springs. Drive
a
a
a
a
lxle service:
Locking Differential
-- Drain fluid and refill at first
engine oil change. At subsequent oil changes, check
fluid level and add fluid as needed. If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
Standard Differential
-- Check fluid level and add
fluid as needed
at every oil change. If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
More frequent lubrication may be required for
heavy-duty use.
7-6

Long Tripmighway Maintenance Schedule
The services sbown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same, intervals.
Footnotes
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not
nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
# Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints and
kingpin bushings, steering linkage and transfer case
shift linkage, parking brake cable guides and brake
pedal springs.
** Drive axle service:
0
0
0
Locking Differential -- Drain fluid and refill at first
engine
oil change. At subsequent oil changes, check
fluid level and add fluid as needed. If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
Standard Differential
-- Check fluid level and add
fluid as needed at every engine
oil change. If driving
in dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and
refill every 15,000 miles
(25 000 km).
More frequent lubrication may be required for
heavy-duty use.
7-29

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

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed
at least twice a year (for instance, each
spring and fall). You should let your GM dealer’s
service department or other qualified service center do
these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found
in a GM Service Manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications’’
in the Index.
Steering and Suspension Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections
or other conditions which could
cause a heat build-up
in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust’’
in the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and for damage or missing
parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any cables
that have high effort or
excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise
control cables.
7-45

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from your
GM dealer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
FLUID/LUBRICANT ~~~ ~
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines “Starburst”
symbol of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil’’ in the Index.
~~
50/50, mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and GM
Goodwrench@ DEX-COOL
TM or
Havoline@ DEX-COOL
TM
(orange-colored, silicate-free)
antifreeze conformiag to GM
Specification 6277M. See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index.
USAGE
Coolant
Supplement
Sealer
Hydraulic Brake
System
~~~~~~~
Parking Brake
Cable Guides
Power Steering
System
Automatic
Transmission
Key Lock
Cylinders
FLUIDLUBRICANT
GM Part No. 3634621 or
equivalent with a complete flush
and refill.
-
Delco Supreme 11 @ Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 1052535 or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid).
Chassis.1ubricant (GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements of
NLGI Grade 2, Category
LB or
GC-LB.
GM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. 1052884
- 1 pt.,
1050017
- 1 qt., or equivalent).
DEXRON@-I11 Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Pu ose Lubricant,
Superlube
% (GM Part
No. 1234624 1 or equivalent).
7-47

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

Instrumentpanel ............................... 2-50
Brightness Control
.................... i ....... 2-35
Cleaning
.................................... 6-53
Cluster
..................................... 2-52
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-61
Interior Lamps
................................. 2-37 Charging System
........................... 2-55
Check Gages
................................ 2-63
Check Oil
................................... 2-61
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator
............... 2-62
Safety Belt Reminder
..................... 1 - 12. 2-54
Service Engine Soon
.......................... 2-58
Loading Your Vehicle
........................... 4-26 .
J
Locks
ack. Tire .................................... 5-24
Cylinders ................................... 7-42
Jump Starting ................................... 5-2
Door ........................................ 2-5
Key Lock Cylinders Service
..................... 7-42
Keyless Entry System
............................ 2-7
Keys
.......................................... 2-1
Key Lock Cylinder Service ..................... 7-42
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-6
Sliding Door Child Security
..................... 2-10
Steering Column Lock Check
................... 7-44
Lubricants and Fluids
............................ 7-47
Lubrication Service. Body
........................ 7-42
Luggagecarrier
................................ 2-47
Certificationflire
............................. 4-26 Lumbar Controls ................................ 1-2
Service Parts Identification ..................... 6-59
Tire-Loading Information
...................... 4-26
Vehicle Identification Number
................... 6-59
Lamps ........................................ 2-35
Dome
...................................... 2-37
Interior
..................................... 2-37
OnReminder
................................ 2-36
Latches. Seatback ................................ 1-5
Leaving Your Vehicle ............................. 2-6
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-24
Lighter
....................................... 2-48
Lights
Air Bag Readiness ....................... 1-25. 2-54
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
............ 2-57. 4-6
Brake System Warning
......................... 2-57 Maintenance.
Normal Replacement Parts
........... 6-69
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-49
Maintenance Schedule
............................ 7-1
Long Trip/Highway Definition
................... 7-5
Long TripMighway Intervals
..................... 7-5
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-41
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-45
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-47
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-2
Short Trip/City Definition
....................... 7-4
Short Trip/City Intervals ........................ 7-4
Maintenance. Underbody ......................... 6-X
9-5