CHEVROLET ASTRO 2002 Manual PDF

1-64
CAUTION:
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that has a
lap
-shoulder belt, but the shoulder part is behind
the child. If the child wears the belt in this way,
in a crash the child might slide under the belt.
The belt's force would then be applied right on
the child's abdomen. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of the belt
should be worn low and snug on the hips, just touching
the child's thighs. This applies belt force to the child's
pelvic bones in a crash.

1-65
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you,
you should use it.
But if a safety belt isn't long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It's free. When you
go in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so
the extender will be long enough for you. The extender
will be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle
that you choose. Don't let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure the safety belt reminder light
and all your belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and
anchorages are working properly. Look for any other
loose or damaged safety belt system parts. If you see
anything that might keep a safety belt system from
doing its job, have it repaired.
Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect you in a
crash. They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn or frayed, get a new one right away.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)

1-66
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
If you've had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if worn
during a more severe crash, then you need new parts.
If you ever see a label on the driver's or the right front
passenger's safety belt that says to replace the belt, be
sure to do so. Then the new belt will be there to help
protect you in a collision. You would see this label on
the belt near the latch plate.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even if the belt wasn't being used at
the time of the collision.
If an air bag inflates, you'll need to replace air bag
system parts. See the part on the air bag system
earlier in this section.

2-
2-1
Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your vehicle, and information on starting,
shifting and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if everything is
working properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
2
-2 Windows
2
-4 Keys
2
-6 Front Doors
2
-6 Rear Doors
2
-8 Door Locks
2
-10 Keyless Entry System (Option)
2
-13 Sliding Door
2
-16 Rear Hatch/Rear Doors
2
-17 Theft
2
-18 Passlock

2-18 New Vehicle ªBreak-Inº
2
-19 Ignition Positions
2
-20 Starting Your Engine
2
-22 Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
2
-23 Automatic Transmission Operation
2
-26 Parking Brake
2
-27 Shifting Into PARK (P)
2
-30 Shifting Out of PARK (P)
2
-30 Parking Over Things That Burn2
-31 Engine Exhaust
2
-31 Running Your Engine While You're Parked
2
-32 Locking Rear Axle (If Equipped)
2
-32 All-Wheel Drive (Option)
2
-32 Horn
2
-33 Tilt Wheel (If Equipped)
2
-33 Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
2
-40 Exterior Lamps
2
-43 Interior Lamps
2
-45 Mirrors
2
-46 Storage Compartments
2
-55 Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
2
-56 Sun Visors
2
-56 Accessory Power Outle
2
-57 HomeLink
Transmitter (Option)
2
-60 The Instrument Panel - Your
Information System
2
-63 Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators

2-2
Windows
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the windows
closed is dangerous. A child can be overcome by
the extreme heat and can suffer permanent
injuries or even death from heat stroke. Never
leave a child alone in a vehicle, especially with the
windows closed in warm or hot weather.

2-3 Manual Windows
To open your manual windows, turn the hand crank on
each door to raise or lower your side door windows.
Power Windows (Option)
If you have power windows, the controls are located on
each of the front doors. The driver's door also has a
switch for the front passenger window. Your power
windows will not work unless the ignition is in RUN or
ACCESSORY, or unless retained accessory power is
active. See ªRetained Accessory Powerº in the Index.Express
-Down Window
The driver's window switch also has an express
-down
feature that allows you to lower the window without
holding the switch. Press the down arrow on the driver's
window switch marked AUTO briefly to activate the
express
-down feature. The express-down feature can
be interrupted at any time by pressing the up arrow
end of the switch. Lightly tap the switch to open the
window slightly.

2-4
Keys
CAUTION:
Leaving children in a vehicle with the ignition
key is dangerous for many reasons. A child or
others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate the power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don't
leave the keys in a vehicle with children.

2-5
This vehicle has one
double
-sided key for the
ignition and door locks. It
will fit with either side up.
When a new vehicle is delivered, the dealer provides the
owner with a pair of identical keys and a bar
-coded tag.
The bar
-coded tag has a code on it that tells your dealer
or a qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep
this tag in a safe place. If you lose your keys, you'll be
able to have new ones made easily using this tag.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle has a number of new features that
can help prevent theft. But you can have a lot
of trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever
lock your keys inside. You may even have to
damage your vehicle to get in. So be sure you
have extra keys.
If you ever do get locked out of your vehicle, call GM
Roadside Assistance Center. See ªRoadside Assistanceº
in the index.

2-6
Front Doors
To open a front door from the outside, grasp the handle
and pull the door open.
To open a front door from
the inside, pull the lever
toward you and push the
door open.
Rear Doors
If you have the ªDutch doors,º you must open the hatch
first. See ªHatch Releaseº in the Index.
Rear doors can only be
opened from the outside.
Open the passenger's
side rear door first. Grasp
the handle and pull the
door open.
Cargo Door Shown

2-7
To open the driver's side
rear door, pull on the latch
release handle located on
the inside of the door.
To close the rear doors, close the driver's side door first.
Check to make sure both doors are completely closed.
The rear doors have a check assembly to keep the doors
from opening beyond 90 degrees.To fully open the rear doors,
push in on the clip and lift
the check assembly up off
the mounting bracket.
Do this on each door. Replace the check assemblies on
the mounting brackets before closing the doors.