battery CHEVROLET ASTRO 1996 Owners Manual

Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD BATTERY
CAUSE
BURNS
SPARK
OR ,111,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BATTERY
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle
is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
FASTEN SEAT
BELTS
These symbols have
to do with
your lights:
SIGNALS e
TURN
WARNING
A
HAZARD
FLASHER
FOG LAMPS
$0
These symbols are on
some of
your controls:
WIPER w
WINDSHIELD
DEFROSTER
VENTILATING FAN
(
-b
-J
These symbols are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT -
TEMP -
CHARGING I-1
BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(0)
COOLANT a
ENGINE OIL w,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(@)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE
I
LIGHTER n
HORN )a(
SPEAKER
b
FUEL p3
V

Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and
diagnostic module, which records information about
the
air bag system. The module records information
about the readiness of the system, when the sensors are
activated and driver’s safety belt usage at deployment.
system. Improper service can mean that your air bag
system won’t work properly. See your dealer for service.
0 Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
Air bags affect how your vehicle should be serviced.
There are parts
of the air bag system in several places
around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to
inflate while someone is working on your vehicle. Your
GM dealer and the service manual have information
about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system.
To
purchase a service manual, see “Service and Owner
Publications”
in the Index.
NOTICE:
If you damage the cover for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s air bag, they may not
work properly. You may have to replace the air
bag module in the steering wheel or both the air
bag module and the instrument panel
for the
right front passenger’s air bag.
Do not open or
break the air bag covers.
.
For up to 10 minutes after the ignition key is
turned off and the battery is disconnected, an air
bag can still inflate during improper service. You
can be injured
if you are close to an air bag when
it inflates. Avoid wires wrapped with yellow tape
or yellow connectors. They are probably part of
the air bag system. Be sure to follow proper
service procedures, and make sure the person
performing work for you is qualified to do
so.
The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.
1-29

Keyless Entry System
If your vehicle has this option, you can lock and unlock
your doors or unlock your
trunk from up to 30 feet (9 m)
away using the key chain transmitter supplied
with
your vehicle.
Your Keyless Entry System operates on a radio
frequency subject to Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) Rules.
This device complies with
Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation
is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Should interference to this system occur, try this:
Check to determine if battery replacement is
necessary. See the instructions on battery replacement.
Check the distance. You may be too far from your
vehicle. This product has a maximum range.
Check the location. Other vehicles or objects may be
blocking the signal.
See your GM dealer or a qualified technician
for service.
Changes or modifications to this system by other than
an
authorized service facility could void authorization to
use this equipment.
Operation
When you press UNLOCK, the driver’s door will
unlock automatically. If you press UNLOCK again
within five seconds, all doors will unlock.
All doors will
lock when
DOOR is pressed. The interior lamps will
come on whenever you lock or unlock the doors. See
“Keyless Illumination’’
in the Index. Pressing REAR
twice within
3 1/2 seconds, will unlock the hatch or rear
cargo doors.
2-7

Matching Transmitter(s) To Your Vehicle
Each key chain transmitter is coded to prevent another
transmitter from unlocking your vehicle. If
a transmitter is
lost or stolen, a replacement can be purchased through
your dealer. Remember to bring
any remaining transmitters
with you when
you go to your dealer. When the dealer
matches the replacement transmitter to your vehicle, any
remaining transmitters must also be matched. Once the new transmitter is coded, the lost transmitter will
not
unlock your vehicle. Each vehicle can have only two
transmitters matched to
it.
See your dealer to match transmitters to another vehicle.
Battery Replacement
Under normal use, the batteries in your key chain
transmitter should last about two years.
You can tell the batteries are weak if the transmitter
won’t work at the normal range
in any location. If you
have
to get close to your vehicle before the transmitter
works, it’s probably time
to change the batteries.
Your transmitter housing snaps apart for ease
in
battery replacement.
To open the housing:
1. Insert a dime be een two halves of the transmitter
housing near
the Key ring hole.
2. Remove the bottom by twisting the dime.
3. Remove and replace the batteries with two Duracell @
batteries (DL2016 or equivalent), positive (+) side down.
4. Align and snap together the back and top
transmitter housings.
2-8

Hatch
A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the rear
swing-out windows, rear hatch or rear doors
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the rear swing-out
windows, rear hatch or rear doors open or
if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and the
rear swing-out windows, rear hatch or rear doors:
Make sure all windows are shut.
’hrn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on anything but MAX A/C. That will force
outside air into your vehicle. See “Comfort
Controls” in the Index.
instrument panel, open them all the way.
If you have air outlets on or under the
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
Rear Hatch and Dutch Doors Release
(Option)
If you have this option, your vehicle must be in either
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL
(N) to release the hatch and
unlock the Dutch doors. If your battery
is dead, the
hatch and Dutch doors will not open,
even from the
outside with a key.
To release the hatch and
unlock the doors from the
inside of the vehicle, press
the REAR HATCH button
on the instrument panel.
It
is located on the right side of the steering column. The
hatch will release with or without the key
in the ignition.
Then, pull up on
the hatch handle and open the doors.
2-11

Ignition Positions
Use your ignition key to start your vehicle. The ignition key \
lets you turn the ignition switch
to five different positions.
C
ACCESSORY (A): This position lets you use things like
the radio and the windshield wipers when the engine is
off. To get into ACCESSORY, push in the key and turn
it toward
you. Your steering wheel will remain locked,
just as it was before
you inserted the key.
NOTICE:
Don’t operate accessories in the ACCESSORY
position for long periods
of time. Prolonged
operation of accessories in the ACCESSORY
position could drain your battery and prevent
you from starting your vehicle.
LOCK (B): This position locks your ignition, steering
wheel and transmission shift lever
in PARK (P). It’s a
theft-deterrent feature. You will only be able to remove
your key when the ignition is turned to
LOCK.
OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. Use
OFF if you must have
your vehicle in motion while the engine is off (for
example,
if your vehicle is being towed).
RUN (D): This is the position for driving.
START (E): This starts your engine.

NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure it is all the way
in. If it is, then
turn the steering wheel left and right while you
turn the key hard. But turn the key only with
your hand. Using a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch.
If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start
in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key
to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
I
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
~
damage your starter motor. ,
I
2-15

Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You can
also swing them from side
to side. Your visors may have
an extension that can be pulled
out for additional glare
protection and
a strap for holding small items, such as maps.
Visor Vanity Mirror
I-
Some visors have mirrors built in, with or without lamps.
Just
lift the mirror cover on each visor to turn the lamps
on, if you have them.
Lighted mirrors also have a density switch to make
the
mirror lamps brighter or dimmer.
Accessory Power Outlets (Option)
If you have accessory power outlets, you can plug in
auxiliary electrical equipment. Just pull up from the
bottom
of the door and follow the proper installation
instructions that are included with any electrical
equipment that
you install.
There are two accessory power outlets located on the
passenger’s side
of the engine cover console.
Another accessory power outlet is located on the
driver’s side behind
the third row seating position,
near the floor.
These circuits are protected by
a fuse and have
maximum current levels.
I NOTICE:
~~
When using the accessory power outlets, maximum
electrical load must not exceed
25 amps. Always
turn
off any electrical equipment when not in use.
Leaving electrical equipment
on for extended
periods will drain your battery.
2-49

Charging System Indicator Light
j-+l
The charging system light
will come
on briefly when
you turn the ignition on, but
the engine is not running, as
a check
to show you the
light is working.
Voltmeter
I I When your engine is not
running, but the ignition is
on (in the
RUN position),
the gage shows your
battery’s state
of charge
in
DC volts.
Then it should go out once the engine is running.
If it
stays on, or comes on while
you are driving, you may
have a problem with the electrical charging system.
It could indicate that you have a loose accessory drive
belt, or another electrical problem. Have it checked
right away. Driving while this light is on could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain
to turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and heatedair conditioner. When
the ignition is
running, the gage shows the
condition
of the charging system. Readings between
the low and high warning zones indicate the, normal
operating range.
2-55

P.SET PROG: The front passengers must be listening
to something different for each of these three functions
to work:
0 Press this button to seek through your preset radio
stations set on your primary radio pushbuttons.
0 When a cassette tape is playing, press this button to
go to the other side of the tape.
VOL: Press this knob lightly so it extends. Turn the knob
clockwise to increase volume and counterclockwise to
decrease volume. Push the
knob back in when you're
not using
it. The upper VOL knob controls the upper
headphone and the lower
VOL knob controls the
lower headphone.
Theft-Deterrent Feature
THEFTLOCK" is designed to discourage theft of your
radio. It works by using a secret code to disable all radio
functions whenever battery power is removed.
The THEFTLOCK feature for the radio may be used or
ignored. If ignored,
the system plays normally and the
radio is not protected by the feature. If THEFTLOCK
is activated, your radio
will not operate if stolen.
When THEFTLOCK is activated, the radio will display
LOC to indicate a locked condition anytime battery
power is removed. If your battery loses power for any
reason, you must unlock the radio with the secret code
before
it will operate.
3-23