transmission oil CHEVROLET ASTRO 1998 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION:
Plugging the cord iL-_ 1 an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong
kind
of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could
be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated
for
at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away from
moving engine parts.
If you don’t, it could
be damaged. How long should
you keep the coolant heater
plugged
in? The answer depends on
the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where
you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give
you the best advice for that
particular area.
Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
II II
PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
2-19

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could cause the trailer
to come in contact with the
vehicle.
Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
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 arrows on your instrument panel will flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked
up, the trailer lamps
drivers you’re about to turn, will
also flash, telling other
change lanes or stop. When
towing a trailer, the 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 kdh) 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.
4-35

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached,
on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start
to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and
the trailer can be damaged.
But if you ever have
to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do
it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and shift to
PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
PARK (P) yet.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while
you:
0 Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
:ks.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the choc
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system
and brake adjustment. Each
of these is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help
you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea
to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
4-36

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical infc lation about your
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6-35 vehicle,
and a part devoted to its appearance care.
Service
Fuel
Filling Your Tank
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
Checking Things Under the Hood
Engine Oil Engine Cover
Air Cleaner
Automatic Transmission Fluid
All-Wheel Drive
Rear Axle
Engine Coolant
Radiator Pressure Cap
Thermostat
Power Steering Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid
Brakes
Battery 6-36
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6-67
6-68
6-69 Bulb
Replacement
Halogen Bulbs
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
Tires
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Cleaning the Built-in Child Restraint
Cleaning the Outside
of Your Vehicle
Cleaning Tires
Finish Damage
Underbody Maintenance
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Service Parts Identification Label
Electrical System
Capacities and Specifications
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
6-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When you open the hood, this is what you will see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Fill Location
B. Coolant Fill Location
C. Oil Dipstick Location
D. Transmission DipsticWill Location
E. Air Cleaner
F. hngine Oil b111 Location
G. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
I. Battery
6-9

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may
choose
to have this done at your GM dealership ~
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid Service Department.
level is when the engine oil
is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
15,000 miles here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.\

(25 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or If
you do
it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions
more of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
0 In hilly or mountainous terrain.
0 When doing frequent trailer towing.
regularly reaches
90°F (32 “C) or
higher.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission.
Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not
use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles (83 000 km).
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services’’ in the Index.
6-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Maintenance Schedule
I Short Trip/City Definition
Follow the Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these conditions
is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
driving
in stop-and-go traffic).
0 Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to
break
down sooneE
0 Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
your vehicle.
or other commercial application.
I Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first). Chassis
Lubrication (or
3 months, whichever occurs first). Drive
Axle Service (or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving
in dusty conditions. Front
Wheel Bearing Repack
(2WD only) (or at each brake
relining, whichever occurs first). Automatic
Transmission Service (severe conditions only).
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Fuel Filter Replacement.
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Service (normal conditions).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine
Accessory Drive Belt Inspection. Fuel Tank,
Cap and Lines Inspection.
7-5

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Maintenance Schedule
L Long Tripmighway Intervals I
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every 12 months, whichever occurs first).
Chassis Lubrication
(or every 12 months, whichever
occurs first). Drive Axle Service. Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Automatic
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Fuel Filter
Transmission Service (severe conditions
only).
Replacement.
Air Cleaner Filter Replacement. Front
Wheel Bearing Repack
(2WD only) (or at each brake
relining, whichever occurs first).
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km): Automatic
Transmission Service (normal conditions).
Long Tripmighway Intervals
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine
Accessory Drive Belt Inspection.
Fuel Tank,
Cap and Lines Inspection.
Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement. Positive
Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve Inspection.
Every 150,000 Miles (240 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
These intervals only summarize maintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Spark Plug Wire
7-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1 Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions. Replace filter
if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote?.)
velocity joints and axle seals for leaking. (See footnote
**.)
bearings (or at each brake relining, whichever occurs first).
under
one or more of these conditions:
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check constant
0 For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean and repack the front wheel
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
90 OF (32 O C) or higher.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use yaw- vehicle under any of these conditions, change thejiruid
andfilter every
50,000 miles (83 000 km).
18,000 Miles (30 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
7-11

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule 1
0 For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean and repack the front wheel
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
bearings
(or at each brake relining, whichever occurs first),
under one
or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, change the fluid
andfilter every
50,000 miles (83 000 km).
filter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote?.)
90°F (32°C) or higher.
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions. Replace
48,000 Miles (80 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote #.)
(Continued)
DATE
MILEAGE
ACTUAL SERVICED BY:
7-17