key CHEVROLET ASTRO 1996 Owner's Guide

At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced, (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Automatic Transmission Check
Check the transmission fluid level; add if needed. See
“Automatic Transmission’’ in the Index. A fluid
loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified in Part
D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges, the body hood, fuel door
and rear compartment hinges, latches and locks
including interior glove box and console doors, and
any
moving seat hardware. Lubricate the hood safety lever
pivot and prop rod pivot. Part
D tells you what to use.
More frequent lubrication may be required
when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
7-42

Starter Switch Check When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below. Brake-Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
c
,A CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If
it does, you
or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2.
3.
Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking Brake” in the Index
if necessary) and the regular brake.
NOTE: Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to turn
off the engine immediately if it starts.
Try
to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only
in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If
the starter works in any other position, your vehicle
needs service.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a
level surface.
2.
3.
Firmly apply the parking brake (see “Parking Brake”
in the Index if necessary).
NOTE: Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately
if the vehicle begins to move.
With the engine
off, turn the key to the RUN position,
but don’t start the engine. Without applying the regular
brake, try to move the shift lever out of PARK
(P)
with normal effort. If the shift lever moves out of
PARK (P), your vehicle’s BTSI needs service.
7-43

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 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

Chevrolet/Geo Roadside
Assistance Program
In
To enhance Chevrolet’s strong commitment to customer
satisfaction, Chevrolet is excited
to announce the
establishment of the Chevrolet/Geo Roadside Assistance
Center. As the owner of a
1996 Chevrolet/Geo,
membership in Roadside Assistance
is free. Roadside Assistance is available
24 hours
a day,
365 days a year, by calling 1-800-CHEV-USA
(1-800-243-8872). This toll-free number will provide
you over-the-phone roadside assistance with minor
mechanical problems.
If your problem cannot be
resolved over the phone, our advisors have
access to a
nationwide network of dealer recommended service
providers. Roadside membership is free, however some
services may incur costs.
Roadside offers two levels of service
to the customer,
Basic Care and Courtesy” Care:
0 Toll-free number, 1 -800-CHEV-USA
0 Free towing for warranty repairs
0 Basic over-the-phone technical advice
Available dealer services at reasonable costs (ie.,
wrecker services, locksmith/key service, glass
repair, etc.)
ROADSIDE
Courtesy ” Care PROVIDES:
0 Roadside Basic Care services (as outlined above)
Plus:
0 FREE Non-Warranty Towing (to the closest dealer
from
a legal roadway)
8-4

0 FREE Locksmith/Key Service (when keys are lost
on the road or locked inside)
0 FREE Flat Tire Service (spare installed on the road)
0 FREE Jump Start (at home or on the road)
0 FREE Fuel Delivery ($5 of fuel delivered on
the road)
Chevrolet/Geo offers Courtesy Transportation for
customers needing warranty service. Courtesy
Transportation will be offered in conjunction with
the coverage provided by the Bumper to Bumper
New Vehicle Limited Warranty to eligible purchasers
of 1996 Chevrolet/Geo passenger car and light duty
trucks. (Please see your selling dealer for details.)
Note:
Courtesy Care is available to Retail and Retail Lease
Customers operating
1996 and newer ChevroletlGeo
vehicles for a period
of 36 months/36,000 miles,
whichever occurs first.
All Courtesy Care services
must be pre-arranged by Chevrolet Roadside
or dealer
Service Management.
Basic Care and Courtesy Care are not part of or
included
in the coverage provided by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. Chevrolet reserves the right to
modify or discontinue
Basic C~re and Courtesy Care
at any time. For
complete program details, see your Chevrolet/Geo
dealer to obtain
a Roadside Assistance Center brochure.
The Roadside Assistance Center uses companies that
will provide
you with quality and priority service. When
roadside services are required, our advisors will explain
any payment obligations that may be incurred for
utilizing outside services.
For prompt assistance when calling, please have the
following available to give
to the advisor:
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
License plate number
0 Vehicle color
0 Vehicle location
0 Telephone number where you can be reached
Vehicle mileage
0 Description of problem
Please refer
to the Roadside Assistance brochure
inside your owner information portfolio for
full
program details.
8-5

. .. 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

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

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