maintenance CHEVROLET ASTRO 1997 2.G User Guide

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Check Lubricant Front Axle
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom
of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the
bottom of the filler plug
hole, you’ll need to add
some lubricant. Add enough
lubricant to raise the level
to the bottom of the filler
plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
6-24

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Rear Axle What to Use .
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often
to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need
to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise
the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL
J engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL’ extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when
it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating”
in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL@ coolant for
your vehicle
will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
6-25

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brakes
Brake Fluid
have your brake system fixed, since a leak means that
sooner or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t
work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak.
If you add fluid
when your linings are worn,
then you’ll have too much
fluid when
you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done
on the brake hydraulic system.
Your brake master cylinder reservoir
is here. It is filled
with DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why
the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down
to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put
in, the fluid
level goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is
leaking out of the brake system.
If it is, you should
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid
will burn if the engine
is hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work is done
on the brake
hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake
fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections”
in the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and
evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence
to GM specifications.
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.
See “Brake System Inspection’’ in Section
7 of this
manual under Part
C “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections.”
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.
Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake parts. 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 approved 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.
6-35

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4. Press the tab and
turn the socket
counterclockwise
to
remove the socket
from the bezel.
If the socket does not
have a tab, turn the
socket counterclockwise
to remove the socket
from the bezel.
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
To replace your windshield
wiper blade inserts, lift
the wiper arm away from the windshield.
5. Reverse Steps 1 through 4 to reinstall the taillamp.
Pinch the two tabs on the wiper arm and slide the insert
out of the blade. Slide
the new one in place. Make
sure the tabs are locked into position. See “Normal
Maintenance Replacement Parts”
in the Index for the
proper type of replacement blade.
6-42

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tire Inspection and Rotation
Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles
( 10 000 to 1 3 000 km). Any time you notice unusual
wear, rotate your tires as soon as possible and check
wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires or
wheels. See “When It’s Time for New Tires’’ and
“Wheel Replacement” later in this section for
more information.
The purpose
of regular rotation is to achieve more
uniform wear
for all tires on the vehicle. The first
rotation is the most important. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services”
in the Index for scheduled
rotation intervals. When rotating your tires, always
use the
correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Don’t include the compact spare tire in your
tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and
rear inflation pressures
as shown on the
Certificatioflire label. Make certain that all wheel nuts
are properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” in
the Index.
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which
it is fastened, can make wheel nuts become loose
after
a time. The wheel could come off and cause
an accident. When you change
a wheel, remove
any rust or dirt from places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency,
you can
use a cloth
or a paper towel to do this; but be
sure to use
a scraper or wire brush later, if you
need to, to get all the rust or dirt off. (See
“Changing
a Flat Tire” in the Index.)
~ 6-45

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle. This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched
into the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this,
GM will
repair, at no charge to the owner, the surfaces of new
vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs first.
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 car washing system can
do
this for you.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Engine Oil Filter
................ AC Type PF52
Air Cleaner
................... AC Type A 1 163C
Positive Crankcase
Ventilation (PCV) Valve
........ AC Type CV774C
Spark Plugs
................... AC Type 4 1-932
Spark Plug Gap
.......... 0.060 inches ( 1.52 mm)
Fuel Filter ..................... AC Type GF48 1
Thermostat
............... GM Part No. 1255 1472
Wiper Blades (Front)
............ Trico 221 10158, Pin Type
18 inches (45.7 cm) Length
Wiper Blade (Rear)
............. Trico 22 154396,
Pin Type
14 inches (35.5 cm) Length
Vehicle Dimensions*
Overall Length ............. 189.8 inches (482 cm)
Width
................... 77.5 inches (196.8 cm)
Height.
.................. 76.2 inches (193.5 cm)
Wheelbase
.............. 1 1 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.
6-68

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
This section covers the maintenance required for your vehicle. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety,
dependability and emission control performance.
7-2
7-2
7-3
7-4
7-4
7-5 7-5
7-6 Introduction
Your
Vehicle and the Environment
How This Section is Organized
Part
A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
Short Trip/City Definition
Short Trip/City Intervals
Long Trip/Highway Definition 7-6
7-7
7-30
7-43
7-47
7-49
7-5
1
Long TripIHighway Intervals
Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule
Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule
Part
B: Owner Checks and Services
Part
C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
Part
D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Part
E: Maintenance Record
7-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Introduction
I IMPORTANT: I
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
I protection I
Plan
Have you purchcrsed the GM Protection Plcrn? The Plarz
supplements
your new vehicle warranties. See your
Warranty and Owner Assistance booklet, or your
GM dealer for details.
Your Vehicle and the Environment
Proper vehicle maintenance not only helps to keep your
vehicle in good working condition,
but also helps the
environment. All recommended maintenance procedures
are important. Improper vehicle maintenance can
even
affect the quality of the air we breathe. Improper fluid
levels or the wrong tire inflation can increase the level
of emissions from your vehicle. To help protect our
environment, and to keep
your vehicle in good
condition, please maintain your vehicle properly.
7-2