ignition CHEVROLET ASTRO 1997 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Let only qualified technicians work on your air bag
system. Improper service
can mean that your air bag
system won’t work properly. See your dealer
for service.
NOTICE:
~ ~ ~~~
If you damage the covering for the driver’s or the
right front passenger’s air bag, the bag 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 coverings.
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.
I a CAUTION:
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.
1-32

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2-2
2-4 2-4
2- 6
2-7
2-
10
2- 12
2-
14
2- 15
2-15
2- 17
2-1 8
2- 19
2-22
2-22
2-23
2-24
2-26 Keys
Front
Doors
Rear Doors
Door Locks
Keyless Entry System
Sliding Door
Hatch
Theft New Vehicle “Break-In”
Ignition Positions
Starting Your Engine
Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
Automatic Transmission Operation
Locking Rear Axle All-Wheel Drive (Option)
Parking Brake
Shifting Into PARK (P)
Shifting Out
of PARK (P) 2-27
2-27
2-28
2-29
2-3
1
2-3 1
2-3 1
2-37
2-39
2-4
1
2-42
2-50
2-5
1
2-52
2-5
3
2-56
2-58
2-60 Parking
Over Things That Burn
Engine Exhaust
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
Windows
Horn
Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
Lamps Interior Lamps
Mirrors Storage Compartments
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
Sun Visors
Accessory Power Outlets (Option)
Universal Transmitter (Option)
Instrument Panel
Instrument Panel Cluster
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
2-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Keys
A CAUTION:
Leaving young children in a vehicle --I with the
ignition key
is dangerous for many reasons.
A child or others could be badly injured or
even killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls
or even make the vehicle move. Don’t
leave the keys in a vehicle with young children.
I
‘CL’
2-2

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine This vehicle has one
double-sided key for the
ignition and door locks. It
will fit with either side
up.
The bar-coded tag has a code on it that tells your dealer
or a qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep
this tag
in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you’ll be
able to have new ones made easily using this tag.
When
a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer provides the
owner with a pair
of identical keys and a bar-coded tag.
I NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft. But you can have a lot
of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock your keys inside. You may even have to
damage your vehicle to get in.
So be sure you
have extra keys.
2-3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
I
To release the hatch using the optional Keyless Entry
hand-held transmitter, see “Keyless Entry System” in
the Index.
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.
To release the hatch and
unlock the doors from the
outside of
the vehicle, put
the key in the lock and
turn clockwise.
Then, pull
up on the hatch and open the right rear door
first. Grasp the handle and pull the door open.
The hatch and doors will automatically lock when the
hatch
is shut.
If
the hatch is partially closed, the rear doors will lock
and you will need
to use the key or the REAR HATCH
button to unlock them.
Also, see
the Caution following “Hatch,” located in
this section.
2-13

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Theft Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
Vehicle
theft is big business, especially in sbme cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put
on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are ways
you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves -- so
don’t do it.
When you park your vehicle and open the driver’s
door, you’ll hear
a chime reminding you to remove your
key from the ignition and take it with you. Always do
this. Your steering wheel will be locked, and
so will
your ignition and transmission. And remember
to lock
the doors.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle, it’s best
to lock it up and take your key.
But what if
you have to leave your key? What if you
have
to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
glove box.
Then take the door
key and remote keyless entry
transmitter with you.
2-14

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine New Vehicle “Break-In” Ignition Positior- -
NOTICE:
Your
modern vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
0
0
0
0
Keep your speed at 55 mph (SS km/h) or
less for the
first 500 miles (SO5 km).
Don’t drive
at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (SO5 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow
a trailer during break-in. See
“Towing
a Trailer’’ in the Index for more
information. Use your ignition
key to
stan 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.
2-15

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 you are using the correct key; if
so, is it 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.
2-16

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
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.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in
START. If it doesn’t start in 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down for five more
seconds, or until it starts.
2-17

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to.
If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake anc
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling
a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer”
in the Index.
Ensure the shift lever is
fully in PARK (P)
before starting the engine. Your vehicle has a
brake-transmission shift interlock.
You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK
(P) when the ignition key is in the RUN position.
If you cannot shift out
of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK
(P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear
you wish. See
“Shifting Out of PARK (P)” in this section.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your
transmission. Shift to
REVERSE (R) only after
your vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission, see
“Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
2-20