overheating CHEVROLET ASTRO 1997 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
ANTI -
LOCK
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will
come
on when you start
your engine and may stay
on for several seconds.
That’s normal.
Engine Co ~ ant Temperature Gage
If the gage pointer moves
to the red area, your engine
is
too hot!
If the light stays on, or comes on when you’re driving,
your vehicle needs service. If the regular brake system
warning lightisn’t on,
you still have brakes, but you
don’t have anti-lock brakes.
If the regular brake system
warning light is
also on, you don’t have anti-lock brakes
and there’s a problem with your regular brakes. See
“Brake System Warning Light” earlier in this section.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come
on then, have it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there
is a problem. It
means that your engine coolant has overheated.
If you
have been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions, you should pull
off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
In “Problems on
the Road,” this manual shows you what
to
do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
2-64

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring (included
in the optional trailering package).
The green arrows
on your instrument panel will flash
whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you’re about
to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows
on your
instrument panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned
out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down,
you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade,
shift down and reduce your
speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility
of engine and transmission overheating.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a
lower temperature than at normal altitudes. If
you turn
your engine
off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in
PARK (P) for a few
minutes before turning
the engine off. If you do get the
overheat warning, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
4-37

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5-2
5-3
5-3
5-7
5- 13
5-15
Hazard Warning Flashers
Other Warning Devices
Jump Starting
Towing Your Vehicle
Engine Overheating Cooling System 5-22
5-22
5-23
5-35
5-36
Engine Fan Noise
If
a Tire Goes Flat
Changing a Flat Tire
Compact Spare Tire
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Overheating
You will find an engine coolant temperature gage on
your vehicle’s instrument panel. See “Gages” in
the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
“‘ON:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even
if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from
it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign
of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned.
Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get
out of the vehicle until the
engine
is cool.
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered
by your warranty.
5-13

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 Radiator Pressure Cap
I NOTICE:
~~
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed
to prevent coolant loss and possible engine
damage from overheating. Be sure the arrows
on
the cap line up with the overflow tube on the
radiator filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, a GM cap
is recommended.
6-29

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,
see your warranty booklet for details.
I
1
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating
as a result of too much friction.
You could have an air-out and a serious
accident. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
Overinflated tires are more likely to be
6-43

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Cooling System ................................ 5- I5
Courtesy Lamps ................................ 2-39
Courtesy Transportation
........................... 8-8
Cruise Control
................................. 2-34
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8- 1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure .................... 8-2
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users
......... 8-4
Damage. Finish
............................... 6-58
Damage. Sheet Metal
............................ 6-57
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-38
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light
............ 2-68
Dead Battery
................................... 5-3
Defects. Reporting Safety
................... 8- IO. 8- 11
Defensive Driving ............................... 4-2
Defogger. Rear Window
.......................... 3-8
Defrosting
..................................... 3-6
Dimensions. Vehicle
............................ 6-68
Dome Lamps
.................................. 2-39
Door Locks
....................................... 2-6
Sliding ..................................... 2-10
Drive Position
................................. 2-21
Driver Position
................................. 1 - 18
Driving
City
........................................ 4-18
Defensive
.................................... 4-2
Drunken
..................................... 4-3
Freeway
.................................... 4-19
TnaBlizzard
................................. 4-26
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
IntheRain
.................................. 4-16
Night
...................................... 4-14
OnCurves
................................... 4-9
On Grades While Towing
a Trailer ............... 4-37
On
Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-22
OnSnowandIce
............................. 4-24
Throughwater
............................... 4-18
WetRoads
.................................. 4-16
Winter
...................................... 4-24
With a Trailer ................................ 4-35
DrunkenDriving
................................ 4-3
Electrical Equipment. Adding
.......... 2- 18. 3-28. 6-60
Electrical System
............................... 6-60
Engine
........................................ 6-9
Coolant
..................................... 6-25
Coolant Heater
............................... 2-18
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-43
Cooling System Capacity
....................... 6-66
Cover
...................................... 6-15
Exhaust ..................................... 2-27
FuseBlock
.................................. 6-64
Identification
................................ 6-60
OilLevelCheck
.............................. 7-43
Overheating
................................. 5-13
Running While Parked
......................... 2-28
Specifications
................................ 6-66
Starting
..................................... 2-17
Temperature Gage
............................ 2-64
9-3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Loading Your Vehicle ........................... 4-28
Cylinders
................................... 7-44
Door
........................................ 2-6
Ignition Transmission Lock Check
............... 7-46
Key Lock Cylinder Service
..................... 7-44
PowerDoor
.................................. 2-7
Sliding Door Child Security
..................... 2- I I
Lubricants and Fluids ............................ 7-49
Lubrication Service. Body
........................ 7-44
Luggagecarrier
................................ 2-49
Lumbar Controls
................................ 1-3
Locks
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts
........... 6-68
Maintenance Record
............................ 7-5 1
Maintenance Schedule ............................ 7- I
Long Trip/Highway Definition ................... 7-6
Long Tripmighway Intervals ..................... 7-6
Owner Checks and Services
..................... 7-43
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-47
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
............. 7-49
Scheduled Maintenance Services
.................. 7-4
Short TripKity Definition
....................... 7-5
Short TripKity Intervals ........................ 7-5
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
................. 4-38
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-65
ManualFrontSeat
............................... 1-2
Methanol
...................................... 6-3
Maintenance. Underbody
......................... 6-58
Manual Lumbar Support
.......................... 1-3 Mirrors
....................................... 2-41
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-42
Inside Day/Night Rearview
..................... 2-41
Outside
..................................... 2-41
Visorvanity
................................. 2-52
MMT
......................................... 6-3
Model Reference
................................. vi
MountainRoads ................................ 4-22
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-49
Neutral
....................................... 2-21
New Vehicle Break-In
........................... 2-15
Nightvision
................................... 4-15
odometer
.................................... 2-59
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-59
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4-11
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6-11
Opener. Garage Door ............................ 2-45
Outside Mirror
................................. 2-41
Overhead Console
.............................. 2-44
Overheating Engine
............................. 5-13
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-43
Owner Publications. Ordering
................ 8- 1 I. 8- 12
Paint Spotting. Chemical
........................ 6-58
Park(P)
...................................... 2-19
Shifting Into ................................. 2-24
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-26