fuel CHEVROLET ASTRO 1999 Owner's Manual

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6-5
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to
find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you'll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell us where you're going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Filling Your Tank
CAUTION:
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don't smoke if you're near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.

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6-6
The fuel cap is behind a hinged door on the driver's side
of your vehicle.
While refueling, place the cap in the holder on the fuel
filler door.
To remove the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). The cap has a spring in it; if you let
go of the cap too soon, it will spring back to the right.
CAUTION:
If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you if you open the
fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait for any ªhissº noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See ªCleaning the
Outside of Your Vehicleº in the Index.
When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear a clicking sound. Make sure
you fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº in
the Index.

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6-7
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you. If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit properly. This may
cause your malfunction indicator lamp to light
and your fuel tank and emissions system may be
damaged. See ªMalfunction Indicator Lampº in
the Index.
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
CAUTION:
Never fill a portable fuel container while it is in
your vehicle. Static electricity discharge from the
container can ignite the gasoline vapor. You can
be badly burned and your vehicle damaged if this
occurs. To help avoid injury to you and others:

Dispense gasoline only into
approved containers.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Dispense gasoline only into
approved containers.

Do not fill a container while it is inside a
vehicle, in a vehicle's trunk, pickup bed or
on any surface other than the ground.

Bring the fill nozzle in contact with the
inside of the fill opening before operating
the nozzle. Contact should be maintained
until the filling is complete.

Don't smoke while pumping gasoline.

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6-11
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly. Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on the
hood prop.
Remove the hood prop
from the slot in the hood
and return the prop to
its retainer.
Then just pull the hood
down and close it firmly.
Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick is a yellow ring and is located
near the center of the engine compartment.
Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.

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6-44 Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Certification/Tire label, which is on the rear edge of
the driver's door, shows the correct inflation pressures
for your tires when they're cold. ªColdº means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven
no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
NOTICE:
Don't let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It's not. If your tires
don't have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:

Too much flexing

Too much heat

Tire overloading

Bad wear

Bad handling

Bad fuel economy.
NOTICE: (Continued)
NOTICE: (Continued)
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:

Unusual wear

Bad handling

Rough ride

Needless damage from road hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don't forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket
-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can't tell if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they're underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt
and moisture.

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6-57
Cleaning Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner.
NOTICE:
When applying a tire dressing always take care to
wipe off any overspray or splash from all painted
surfaces on the body or wheels of the vehicle.
Petroleum
-based products may damage the paint
finish and tires.
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti
-corrosion material to the parts repaired or
replaced to restore corrosion protection.
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.
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.
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.

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6-64
Underhood Electrical Center
The underhood electrical center is located toward the
rear of the engine compartment on the driver's side.
Lift the hood and open the cover to gain access to this
fuse block.Feed Usage
AUX B Upfitter Battery Feed
AUX A Upfitter Accessory Feed
Relay
A/C Relay (Rear Heat and A/C)
Upfitter
-ACCY Relay
Starter Enable Relay
A/C Enable Relay
Fuel Pump Relay

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Fuse/Circuit
Breaker Usage
UPFITTER
-BATT Upfitter Battery Power Stud,
Trailer Wiring Harness
UPFITTER
-ACCY Upfitter Accessory Relay
Spare Not used
Fuse Puller*
Spare Not used
Spare Not used
ECM
-1B Fuel Pump Relay and Motor,
VCM, Oil Pressure
Switch/Sender
HORN Horn Relay and Horn
A/C COMP A/C Enable Relay and
Compressor
ATC Active Transfer Case
-L Van
ENG
-I Oxygen Sensors, Camshaft
Position Sensor, Mass Air Flow
Sensor, Evaporative Emission
Canister Purge Solenoid, Linear
EGR Valve Solenoid, VCM
EGR HI
IGN
-E A/C Enable Relay CoilFuse/Circuit
Breaker Usage
ECM
-I Fuel Injectors 1-6, Crankshaft
Position Sensor, VCM, Coil
Driver Module (EST)
LIGHTING Park Lamps Fuse, DRL Fuse,
Headlamp and Panel Dimmer
Switch
BATT Steering/Security Fuse, Courtesy
Fuse, ACSY CB, Stop/Hazard
Fuse, Auxiliary Power Fuse,
Cigarette Lighter Fuse, Radio
Battery Fuse
IGN A Starter Relay, Ignition Switch
IGN B Ignition Switch
ABS Electronic Brake Control
Module
A/C Blower Motor Resistor, Blower
Relay
RR HTR/AC Auxiliary Heater, A/C Relay
HTD MIR/RR
DEFOGRear Window Defogger
*A fuse puller is included in the underhood electrical
center. You will also find spare fuses.

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6-67
Capacities and Specifications
All capacities are approximate. English and metric
conversions are given.
Please refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº
in the Index for more information.
Engine Specifications
Engine ªVORTECº 4300 V6 CSFI*. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RPO L35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Firing Order 1
-6-5-4-3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horsepower 190 at 4,400 rpm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thermostat Specification 195
F (91
C) . . . . . . . . . . .
*Central Sequential Fuel Injection
Wheel Nut Torque
Base or Optional Wheel 100 lb-ft (140 N´m) . . . . . . .
Tire Pressures See ªLoading Your Vehicleº . . . . . . . .
in the Index.
Cooling System Capacity
Quantity*
without Rear HeaterQuantity*
with Rear Heater
13.5 quarts (12.8 L) 16.5 quarts (15.6 L)
After refill, the level must be checked.
*All quantities are approximate.
Crankcase Capacity
Quantity*
with Filter 4.5 quarts (4.3 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
After refill, the level must be checked. Do not overfill.
*All quantities are approximate.
Fuel Tank Capacity
Standard Tank 25.0 gallons (94.6 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmission Capacity
Automatic Transmission
(Drain and Refill) 5.0 quarts (4.7 L). . . . . . . . . . . .

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6-69
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 A1163C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Positive Crankcase Ventilation
(PCV) Valve AC Type CV769C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark Plugs AC Type 41
-932 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark Plug Gap 0.060 inches (1.52 mm). . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Filter AC Type GF481. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thermostat GM Part No. 12559051. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wiper Blades (Front) Trico 22110158, Pin Type. . . . .
18 inches (45.7 cm) Length
Wiper Blade (Rear)
Trico 22154396, Pin Type
14 inches (35.5 cm) Length
Vehicle Dimensions*
Length 189.8 inches (482 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Width 77.5 inches (196.8 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Height 76.0 inches (193.0 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheelbase 111.0 inches (281.9 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Tread Width 65.1 inches (165.4 cm). . . . . . . . .
Rear Tread Width 65.1 inches (165.4 cm). . . . . . . . . .
*Figures reflect base equipment only.