light CHEVROLET ASTRO 1997 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 EVES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD BATTERY
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS
OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,111,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BATTERY
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers whenever your
vehicle
is
driven:
UNLOCK Esl
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
These symbols have
to do with
your lamps:
SIGNALS 6 e
TURN
FOG LAMPS
$0
These symbols
are
on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
These symbols are used
on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT -
TEMP -
CHARGING BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(0)
R.
ENGINE OIL w,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(@)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols you may see:
FUSE
I
LIGHTER m
HORN )a(
SPEAKER
b
FUEL e3
V

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I A CALION:
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside
of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed.
Do not allow people to
ride in any area
of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and safety belts. Be sure
everyone in your vehicle
is in a seat and using a
safety belt properly.
Your vehicle has a light
that comes on as a reminder
to buckle up. (See “Safety
Belt
Reminder Light” in
the Index .)
In most states and Canadian provinces, the law says to
wear safety belts. Here’s why: They work.
You never know if you’ll be in a crash. If you do have a
crash,
you don’t know if it will be a bad one.
A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be
so
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn’t survive.
But most crashes are in between. In many
of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt
or killed.
After more than
25 years of safety belts in vehicles, the
facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does
matter
... a lot!
Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as
it goes.
1-13

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION:
Air bags inflate with great force, faster than the
blink of
an eye. If you’re too close to an inflating
air bag, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts
help keep you in position before and during a
crash. Always wear your safety belt, even with air
bags. The driver should sit
as far back as possible
while still maintaining control of the vehicle.
’ A CAUTION:
An inflating air bag can seriously injure small
children. Always secure children properly in your
vehicle. To read
how, see the part of this manual
called “Children” and the caution label on the
right front passenger’s safety belt.
There is an air bag readiness
light on the instrument panel,
AIR
BAG
which shows AIR BAG.
The system checks the air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells
you if there is an electrical
problem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light” in
the Index
for more information.
1-28

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When
you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for
you. The extender will
be just for
you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t let someone else use it, and use it
only for
the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. If your vehicle has a
built-in child restraint, also periodically make sure the
harness straps, latch plates, buckle, clip, retractors and
anchorages are working properly.
Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt and built-in child restraint
system parts. If
you see anything that might keep a
safety belt or built-in child restraint system from doing
its job, have it repaired. Torn
or frayed safety belts may not protect
you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is
torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
If your vehicle has the built-in child restraint, torn or
frayed harness straps can rip apart under impact forces
just like torn or frayed safety belts can. They may
not
protect a child in a crash. If a harness strap is torn or
frayed, get a new harness right away.
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.)
1-65

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.
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2-4 2-4
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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
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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 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 Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot.
Push down the parking brake pedal with your left foot.
If the ignition is
on, the brake system warning light will
come
on.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the brake release lever located on the
lower
left side of the steering column.
I NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts
of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see “Towing a Trailer’’ in the Index. That section shows
what
to do first to keep the trailer from moving.
2-23

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Windows
Manual Windows
To open your manual windows, turn the hand crank on
each door to raise or lower your side door windows.
Power Windows (Option)
a switch for the front passenger window as well. Your
power windows will not move unless the ignition has
been turned to
RUN or ACCESSORY.
Express-Down Window
The driver's window switch also has an express-down
feature that allows you to lower it without holding the
window switch. Hold the driver's window switch down
for more than
1/2 second to activate the express-down
feature. Lightly tap the switch to open the window
slightly. The express-down feature can be interrupted
at any time by pressing the up arrow end of the switch.
If
you have the optional power windows, the controls
are on each of the front side doors. The driver's door has
2-29

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine mrn and Lane Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow
you to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or
down. When the turn is finished, the lever will
return automatically.
An arrow on the instrument
panel will flash
in the
direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever
until the arrow starts to flash. Hold it there until you
complete your lane change. The lever will return by
itself when
you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows
don’t flash but just stay on, a signal bulb may be
burned
out and other drivers won’t see your turn signal. If
a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident.
If the arrows don’t go on at all when you
signal a turn, check the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit
Breakers”
in the Index) and for burned-out bulbs.
If
you have a trailer towing option with added wiring
for the trailer lamps, a different turn signal flasher is
used. With this flasher installed, the signal indicator
will flash even if a turn signal bulb is burned out. Check
the front and rear turn signal lamps regularly to make
sure
they are working.
Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer
To change the headlamps from low beam to high or high
to low, pull the multifunction lever all the way toward
you. Then release
it.
When the high beams are
on, this indicator light on
the instrument panel also
will be on.
2-32

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Windshield Washer
Windshielr' Wipers
You control the windshield
wipers by turning the band
with the wiper
symbol on it.
For a single-wiping cycle,
turn the band to MIST. Hold
it there until the wipers
start, then let
go. The wipers
will stop after one wipe. If
you want more wipes, hold
the band
on MIST longer.
You can set the wiper speed for
a long or short delay
between wipes. This can be very useful in light rain or
snow. Turn the band
to choose the delay time. The
closer to
LOW, the shorter the delay.
For steady wiping at low speed,
turn the band away from
you to LOW. For high-speed wiping, turn the band further,
to
HIGH. To stop the wipers, move the band to OFF.
Be sure to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before using them. If they're frozen
to the windshield,
carefully loosen
or thaw them. If your blades do become
worn
or damaged, get new blades or blade inserts. At
the top of the multifunction lever, there's a paddle
marked with the windshield washer symbol and
PUSH. To spray washer fluid on the windshield,
press the paddle.
The wipers will clear
the window and then either stop
or return to your preset speed.
I ' A CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don't use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can
form ice on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
2-33