window CHEVROLET ASTRO 2002 User Guide

2-20
C (OFF): 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).
D (RUN): This is the position for driving.
E (START): This position starts your engine.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature which will allow certain features
on your vehicle to continue to work up to 20 minutes
after the ignition key is turned to OFF.
Your radio, power windows and overhead console will
work when the ignition key is in RUN or ACCESSORY.
Once the key is turned from RUN to OFF, these features
will continue to work for up to 20 minutes or until a
door is opened.
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. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.

2-31
Engine Exhaust
CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:

Your exhaust system sounds strange
or different.

Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.

Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.

Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.

Repairs weren't done correctly.

Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:

Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and

Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
Running Your Engine While
You're Parked
It's better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
ªEngine Exhaust.º
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even
if the fan is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is a garage. Exhaust
-- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
See ªBlizzardº in the Index.

2-36
OFF: Turn the band to turn off the windshield wipers.
LOW (Low Speed): Turn the band to LOW for steady
wiping at low speed.
HIGH (High Speed): Turn the band to HIGH for steady
wiping at high speed.
DELAY:Turn the band to one of the five delay settings
located between OFF and LOW, to choose the delayed
wiping cycle. The closer the band is turned to OFF,
the shorter the delay will be. For fewer wipes choose a
setting closer to LOW. Use this setting for light rain
and snow.
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.Windshield Washer
There is a paddle marked with the windshield washer
symbol at the top of the malfunction lever. 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.
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.
The wipers will clear the window and then either stop or
return to your preset speed.

2-37
Rear Window Washer/Wiper (Option)
You control the rear
window washer/wiper
using a switch located
on the instrument panel,
next to the audio system.
To turn the wiper on, slide the switch all the way up
to ON.For delay wiping, slide the switch up to the center
position next to the word DELAY on the rear wiper
control. The wiper will cycle every nine seconds.
To wash the window, push in on the switch. Window
washer fluid will continue to spray until the switch is
released. The wiper will continue with three more wipes
and then return to the setting that was chosen before the
lever was pushed.
Move the switch to OFF to turn off the rear
window washer.
The rear window washer uses the same fluid bottle as
the front windshield washer. If the fluid level is low in
the washer bottle, you may not be able to wash your rear
window. If you can wash your windshield, but not your
rear window, check the fluid level.

3-3
(Bi-level): With this setting, the outside air comes
out both the instrument panel vents and floor ducts.
Adjust the temperature knob for warmer or cooler air.
(Floor): Most of the air comes out near the floor.
The rest comes out from the defroster vents under the
windshield and at the front side windows.
(Blend): With this setting, the outside air comes
out both the floor ducts and defroster vents. Adjust the
temperature knob for warmer or cooler air.
DEF (Defrost): This setting operates the defroster.
Most of the air comes out near the windshield, with
some going to the floor ducts and front side windows.
Heating/Air Conditioning System
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has air conditioning, your heating/air
conditioning controls will look like this.
Fan Knob
The fan knob is located on the left of the control panel.
This knob has four positions. To increase airflow,
turn the knob toward HI. To decrease airflow, move it
toward LO.

3-4
Temperature Knob
This knob is next to the fan knob. It controls the
temperature of the air flowing into your vehicle. Turn
the knob clockwise for warmer air. Turn the knob
counterclockwise for cooler air.
Function Knob
This knob is located on the right side of the temperature
knob. The function knob allows you to choose the
direction of air delivery.
OFF: This setting turns the system off.
MAX A/C (Maximum Air Conditioning): This setting
cools the air the fastest, by recirculating the inside air.
A/C (Air Conditioning): This setting brings in outside
air, cools and dehumidifies it.
(Bi-Level): This setting brings in outside air and
blows it out through the floor ducts and the instrument
panel vents. If you move the temperature knob between
hot and cold, cooler air will come out of the upper vents
while warmer air comes out of the floor ducts. The air
conditioning compressor may operate in this setting to
cool the air.
(Vent): The air comes out at the vents on your
instrument panel. The air conditioning compressor will
not run in this position. Adjust the temperature knob for
warmer or cooler air.
(Floor): Most of the air comes out near the floor.
The rest comes out from the defroster vents under the
windshield and at the front side windows.
(Blend): With this setting, the outside air comes
out of both the floor ducts and defroster vents. Adjust
the temperature knob for warmer or cooler air. The air
conditioning compressor may operate in this setting to
dehumidify the air.
DEF (Defrost): This setting operates the defroster.
Most of the air comes out near the windshield, with
some going to the floor ducts and front side windows.
The air conditioning compressor may operate in this
setting to dehumidify the air.

3-6 Air Conditioning
Before using your vehicle's air conditioning, open the
windows to clear the vehicle of hot air. This reduces the
time it takes for your vehicle to cool down. Then keep
your windows closed for the air conditioner to work at
its best.
You can use MAX A/C with the temperature knob in
the blue area when it's really hot outside and you need
to cool the inside air quickly. MAX A/C lets in only a
little air from the outside.
If you first use MAX A/C, you can then use A/C with
the temperature knob in the blue area as soon as the
vehicle has cooled down, so outside air will be going
through your vehicle.
If your vehicle has rear air conditioning, setting it on LOW
may enhance the front air conditioning performance by
allowing trapped refrigerant in the rear lines to circulate.
The rear air conditioning system will only send cooled
air if the front system is on. It can still be used to
circulate air, even if the front system is off.
When the air conditioning, defrost or blend is on, you
may notice a slight increase or decrease in engine speed,
due to compressor operation. This is normal because the
system is designed to cycle the compressor on and off to
maintain the desired temperature.
Heating
On cold days, use the floor setting with the temperature
knob in the red area. Outside air will be brought in
through the floor ducts. The heater works best if you
keep your windows closed while using it.
If you use the optional engine coolant heater before
starting your engine, your heating system will produce
warmer air faster to heat the passenger compartment in
cold weather. See ªEngine Coolant Heaterº in the Index.
Defrosting
Use defrost to remove fog or ice from the windshield
quickly in extremely cold conditions. The temperature
knob should be in the red area and the fan control
toward high. The air conditioning compressor may
operate in this setting to dehumidify the air.
The blend setting is useful for cold weather with a large
number of passengers or very humid conditions to help
keep the windshield clear.

3-7 Rear Window Defogger (Option)
If your vehicle has this option, the rear window will
have lines running across the glass. These lines heat
your window.
For best results, clear the window of as much snow or
ice as possible before using the rear window defogger.
To turn on the rear window
defogger, find the button
located to the left of the
heater controls with the
defog symbol on it.
Press the button until the light comes on, then release it.The rear window defogger will only work when the
ignition is in RUN.
You can turn the defogger off at any time by pressing
the button again. The defogger will shut itself off after
several minutes so that the glass does not get too hot.
If the window still isn't clear, turn the defogger on again.
Do not attach a temporary vehicle license, tape or decals
across the defogger grid on the rear window.
NOTICE:
Don't use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the defogger and the repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.

3-8 Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use the vent setting to direct outside
air through your vehicle. Air will flow through the
instrument panel vents.
Your vehicle's flow
-through ventilation system supplies
outside air to the inside of your vehicle when it is
moving. With the side windows closed, air will flow into
the front air inlet grilles at the base of the windshield,
through the vehicle and out the rear air exhaust valve.
Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the heater
or the air conditioning compressor is running.
Your vehicle has air vents near the center and on the
sides of the instrument panel that allow you to adjust the
direction and the amount of airflow inside the vehicle.
Move the dial on the vent up or down to direct airflow
to your preference. Increase or reduce the amount of
airflow by opening and closing the louvers. The vents
turn to direct the airflow from side to side.

3-9
When you close a vent, it will increase the flow of air
coming out of any vents that are open.
If you have rear heating or rear air conditioning, you
will have adjustable vents in the rear of the vehicle to
help direct the airflow. The rear air conditioning vents
are located in the headliner at the rear of the vehicle.
The rear heating vents are located next to the second and
third seat on the driver's side of the vehicle, near the
floor. You can move the vents to direct the flow of air,
or close the vents altogether. When you close a vent, it
will increase the flow of air coming out of any vents that
are open.Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.

When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the
fan to HI for a few moments before driving off.
This helps clear the intake ducts of snow and
moisture and reduces the chance of fogging the
inside of your windows.

Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.