instrument panel CHEVROLET ASTRO 2002 Owner's Manual

2-64
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual's advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
-- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They're a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a tone will
come on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts, unless the driver's safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light will
also come on and stay on
for about 20 seconds,
then it will flash for about
55 seconds.
If the driver's belt is already buckled, neither the tone
nor the light will come on.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG or the air bag symbol.
The system checks the air bag's electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there is an electrical
problem. The system check includes the air bag sensor,
the air bag modules, the wiring and the crash sensing
and diagnostic module. For more information on the
air bag system, see ªAir Bagº in the Index.
This light will come on when you start your vehicle, and
it will flash for a few seconds. Then the light should go
out. This means the system is ready.

3-2
Comfort Controls
This section tells you how to make your air system work
for you. Your comfort control system with air
conditioning uses ozone
-friendly refrigerant.
With these systems, you can control the heating,
cooling and ventilation in your vehicle. Your vehicle
also has a flow
-through ventilation system described
later in this section.
Heating System
If your vehicle does not have air conditioning, your
heater controls will look like this.Fan Knob
The fan know is located on the left of the control
panel. This control has four positions. To increase
airflow, turn the knob toward HI. To decrease airflow,
move it toward LO.
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 on the right of the temperature knob.
The function knob allows you to choose the direction of
air delivery.
OFF: This setting turns the system off.
(Vent): The air comes out at the vents on your
instrument panel.

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.

3-8 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.

4-33
Tow/Haul Mode
The tow/haul mode is a feature that assists when pulling
a heavy trailer. The purpose of the tow/haul mode is:

to reduce the frequency of shifts when pulling a
heavy trailer.

to provide the same shift feel when pulling a heavy
trailer as when the vehicle is unloaded.

to reduce the need to change throttle position when
pulling a heavy trailer.
This feature is turned on or off by pressing a button on
the column shift lever. When the feature is on, a light on
the instrument panel will illuminate to indicate that the
tow/haul mode has been selected.
See ªTow/Haul Mode Lightº in the Index. The tow/haul
mode is automatically turned off each time the vehicle
is started.The tow/haul mode is most effective when the vehicle
and trailer combined weight is at least 75% of the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the maximum
trailer weight rating for the vehicle. See ªGross Vehicle
Weight Ratingº and ªTrailer Weightº in the Index.
The tow/haul mode for hauling a heavy trailer is most
useful under the following conditions:

When driving through hilly terrain at speeds below
55 mph (88 km/h).

When driving in low speed or stop and go traffic
below 55 mph (88 km/h).

When driving in parking lots.
Operating in the tow/haul mode when not pulling a
heavy trailer will not cause damage to the vehicle,
but you may experience reduced fuel economy and
undesirable performance from the engine and
transmission. The tow/haul mode should be used
only when pulling a heavy trailer.

4-40 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 will also flash, telling other
drivers you're about to turn, 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.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower gear
selection if the transmission shifts too often (e.g., under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions). See ªTow/Haul
Modeº in the Index.
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 ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.

5-7
Jumper Cable Removal
A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead BatteryTo disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles,
do the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (
-) cable from the
vehicle that had the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (
-) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
other vehicle.
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service
if you need to have your disabled vehicle towed. See
ªRoadside Assistanceº in the Index. If you want to
tow your vehicle behind another vehicle for recreational
purposes (such as behind a motorhome), see
ªRecreational Vehicle Towingº in the Index.
Engine Overheating
You will find an engine coolant temperature gage
on your vehicle's instrument panel. See ªGagesº
in the Index.

6-17
2. Remove the instrument panel extension by removing
the two nuts that secure it in place. The nuts are
located at the bottom of the extension on the driver's
and passenger's side corners.3. Remove the screws located near the top on each side
of the extension. Grasp the extension from both sides
and gently remove it.

6-19
6. Loosen the two bolts on the engine cover. The bolts
are not supposed to come out of the cover, only from
the front of the dash.
When removing the cover, be careful not to damage
the instrument panel or the trim.
7. Disconnect the AM radio ground strap.8. Grasp the bottom of the cover and slide it rearward.
Then, lift it up and out of the vehicle.
If the seal does not release, use the pull strap on the
driver's side above the rear mount.