coolant CHEVROLET ASTRO 2003 Owner's Manual

6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
7. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
filler neck may be lower.
If the level is lower, add
more of the proper
DEX-COOL@ coolant mixture
through the filler neck until the level reaches
the base of the filler neck.
Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure
if coolant begins to flow out of
the filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure
the arrow on the pressure cap lines up.
Engine Fan Noise
This vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When
the clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster to provide
more air to cool the engine. In most everyday driving
conditions, the clutch is not fully engaged. This improves
fuel economy and reduces fan noise. Under heavy
vehicle loading, trailer towing and/or high outside
temperatures, the fan speed increases when the clutch
engages.
So you may hear an increase in fan noise.
This is normal and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making extra shifts. It is merely
the cooling system functioning properly. The fan will
slow down when additional cooling is not required and
the clutch disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the
engine. It will go away as the fan clutch disengages.
5-39

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will
be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a fluid that
has sufficient protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer fluid until the
tank is full.
Notice:
When using concentrated washer fluid, follow
the manufacturer’s instructions for adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer fluid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer fluid tank and other parts
of the washer system.
Also, water doesn’t
clean as well as washer fluid.
0 Fill your washer fluid tank only three-quarters
full when
it’s very cold. This allows for
expansion
if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if
it is completely full.
Don’t use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer.
It can damage your
washer system and paint.
5-41

100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0 Inspect spark plug wires. An Emission Control
Service.
0 Replace spark plugs. An Emission Control Service.
0 If you haven’t used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven’t
changed your automatic transmission fluid, change
both the fluid and filter.
0 Change transfer case fluid.
Cl Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.
An Emission Control Service.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs first).
See
Engine Coolant on page 5-28 for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test cooling system and
pressure cap.An
Emission Control Service.
An Emission Control Service.
Cl Inspect engine accessory drive belt.
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled
Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) at the same intervals for the life of
this vehicle. The services shown at
150,000 miles
(240 000 km) should be repeated at the same interval
after
150,000 miles (240 000 km) for the life of this
vehicle.
See
Part 5: Owner Checks and Services on page 6-26
and Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections on
page 6-30.
Footnotes
t The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure to perform this maintenance item will not nullify the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior to
the completion of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the
maintenance be recorded.
# Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints and kingpin
bushings, steering linkage and transfer case shift linkage,
parking brake cable guides and brake pedal springs.
+ A good time to check your brakes is during tire
rotation. See Brake System Inspection
on page 6-31.
6-1 8

97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
U Change engine oil and filter (or every 12 months,
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every 12 months,
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as
whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
whichever
occurs first). (See footnote #).
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
page 5-64 for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +).
0 Rotate tires. See Tire Inspection and Rotation on
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0 Inspect spark plug wires. An Emission Control
U Replace spark plugs. An Emission Control Service.
Service.
0 If you haven’t used your
vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven’t
changed your automatic transmission fluid, change
both the fluid and filter.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
U Drain, flush and refill cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs first).
See
Engine Coolant on page 5-28 for what to use.
inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
U Inspect engine accessory drive belt. An Emission
Control Service.
0 Change transfer case fluid.
0 Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve.
An Emission Control Service.
6-25

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals specified to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil
if necessary. See Engine Oil on page 5-15 for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture
if necessary. See Engine Coolant
on page
5-28 for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper fluid
if necessary.
See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-41 for
further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
Don’t forget to check your spare tire. See
Tires on
page
5-63 for further details.
At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
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. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
6-26

Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part
number or specification may be obtained from your
dealer.
Engine Coolant
t
I
Hydraulic
Brake System
Windshield Washer Solvent
Fluid/Lubricant
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity.
To determine
the preferred viscosity for your
vehicle’s engine, see
Engine Oil
on page 5- 15.
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only DEX-COOL
Coolant. See
Engine Coolant on
page
5-28.
Delco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid
or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid.
GM Optikleen Washer Solvent
or equivalent.
Usage I Fluid/Lubricant
~~~~~
Chassis Lubricant (GM Part
No. U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242, or equivalent) or lubricant meeting requirements of
NLGl #2, Category LB or GC-LB. Parking Brake
Cable Guides
GM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part
No. US. 1052884, in
Canada 993294, or equivalent).
System Power
Automatic
I DEXRON-Ill Automatic
Transmission
Transmission
Fluid.
Key Lock
Cylinders Multi-Purpose
Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No.
U.S. 12346241,
in Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Chassis Lubrication Chassis Lubricant (GM Part
No. U.S. 12377985,
in Canada
88901 242, or equivalent) or lubricant
meeting requirements of NLGl#2,
Category LB or GC-LB.
Front Wheel
Bearings Wheel
bearing lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGl#2,
Category GC or GC-LB (GM Part
No. U.S. 1051344,
in Canada 993037, or equivalent).
6-32

Checking Brake Fluid .................................. 5-43
Checking Coolant ............................................ 5-29
Checking Engine Oil ........................................ 5-15
Checking Things Under the Hood ...................... 5-1 1
Checking Your Restraint Systems ...................... 1-71
Chemical Paint Spotting ................................... 5-89
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems
............................... 1-44
Infants and Young Children ........................... 1-38
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)
.......................... 1-52
Older Children ............................................. 1-35
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System
................................ 1-54
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center
Seat Position
....................................... 1-57
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position
............................... 1-54
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position
................................... 1-59
Top Strap ................................................... 1-48
Top Strap Anchor Location ............................ 1-50
Where to Put the Restraint ........................... 1-47
Cigarette Lighter ............................................. 3-1 7
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle
.................................. 5-83
Outside of Your Vehicle ................................ 5-86
Underbody Maintenance ............................... 5-89
Weatherstrips .............................................. 5-86
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses ....................... 5-86
Climate Control System ................................... 3-18
Rear .......................................................... 3-21
Rear Heating System ................................... 3-19
Compact Disc Messages .................................. 3-45
Compact Spare Tire ........................................ 5-82
Composite Headlamps ..................................... 5-56
Control of a Vehicle .......................................... 4-6
Convenience Net ............................................ 2-45
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage
............................ 3-30
Heater, Engine ............................................ 2-22
Cooling System .............................................. 5-33
Cruise Control ................................................ 3-10
Current and Past Model Order Forms ................ 7-12
Customer Assistance Information
Customer Assistance for Text
Customer Assistance
Off ices ........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure ..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities
................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors ....... 7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
.............................. 7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government
......................... 7-10
Roadside Assistance Program ......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information ........ 7-11
Rear Air Conditioning System ........................ 3-20
Courtesy Transportation ......... ...... 7-8
Telephone (TTY) Users ............................... 7-4
3

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) ...................... 3-14
Defensive Driving
............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting
................................. 3-1 9
Directing the Airflow
........................................ 3-20
Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature
................. 3-49
Doing Your Own Service Work
........................... 5-3
Dome Lamps
.......................................... ~ ~~~ 3-16
Door Front Doors
............................................... 2-8
Locks
.......................................................... 2-7
Power Door Locks
......................................... 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
............... 2-9
Rear Doors
................................................. 2-13
Sliding Side Door
........................................ 2-10
Position, Safety Belt
..................................... 1-1 8
Driver Information System
................................ 2-42
At Night
..................................................... 4-14
City
........................................................... 4-19
Defensive
..................................................... 4-2
Drunken
....................................................... 4-3
Freeway
..................................................... 4-20
Hill and Mountain Roads
.............................. 4-22
In Rain and on Wet Roads ........................... 4-16
Winter
........................................................ 4-24
Driving On Grades
.......................................... 4-39
Driving on Snow or Ice
.................................... 4-24
Driver
Driving Driving
Through Deep Standing Water
............... 4-18
Driving Through Flowing Water
......................... 4-18
Driving with a Trailer
....................................... 4-37
E
Electrical System
Add-on Equipment
...................................... 5-92
Headlamp Wiring
......................................... 5-92
Fuses and
Circuit Breakers
........................... 5-93
Power Windows and Other Power Options
......... 5-92
Windshield Wiper Fuses
............................... 5-92
Emissions Inspection and
Engine Maintenance Programs
................................. 3-33
Air Cleaner/Filter
......................................... 5-24
Battery
....................................................... 5-46
Check and Service Engine Soon Light
............ 3-30
Coolant
...................................................... 5-28
Coolant Heater
............................................ 2-22
Coolant Temperature Gage
........................... 3-30
Cooling System Inspection
............................ 6-30
Cover
........................................................ 5-20
Engine Compartment Overview
...................... 5-14
Exhaust
..................................................... 2-30
Fan Noise
.................................................. 5-39
Oil
............................................................. 5-15
Starting
...................................................... 2-21
Overheating
................................................ 5-31
4

Engine Coolant Level Check ............................. 6-26
Engine Oil Additives
........................................ 5-18
Entry Lighting
................................................. 3-15
Erasing HomeLink@ Buttons
.............................. 2-37
Except Cargo Vans
................................. 1-38, 1-47
Express-Down Window
.................................... 2-1 7
Extender, Safety Belt
....................................... 1-34
Exterior Lamps
............................................... 3-12
Engine
Oil Level Check
................................... 6-26
Exit Lighting
................................................... 3-15
F
FabricKarpet ................................................. 5-83
Filter Engine Air Cleaner
...................................... 5-24
Finding a Station
.................................... 3-39, 3-41
Finish Care
.................................................... 5-87
Finish Damage
............................................... 5-88
Fixed Mast Antenna
........................................ 3-50
Flash-to-Pass
................. ........................... 3-7
Flat Tire
........................................................ 5-70
Fluid Flat Tire, Changing
......................................... 5-71
Automatic Transmission
................................ 5-25
Power Steering
........................................... 5-40
Windshield Washer
...................................... 5-41
FM
............................................................... 3-50
Following Distance
.......................................... 4-38 Footnotes
..... ................................ 6.7.
6-18
Front Axle
........ ................................... 5-54
Front Doors
..................................................... 2-8
Fuel
............................................................... 5-5
Additives ...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel
.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
.................... 5-10
Filling Your Tank
........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries
.............................. 5-7
Gage
......................................................... 3-36
Gasoline Octane
........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specifications .................................. 5-5
System Inspection
....................................... 6-30
Fuel Regulator
................................................ 2-21
Fuses Low Warning
Light
....................................... 3-37
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
........................... 5-93
Windshield Wiper
......................................... 5-92
G
Gage
Check Gages Warning Light
.......................... 3-36
Engine Coolant Temperature
......................... 3-30
Fuel
.......................................................... 3-36
Oil Pressure
............................................... 3-34
Speedometer
.............................................. 3-25
Voltmeter Gage
........................................... 3-28
Garage Door Opener
....................................... 2-34
5

Gasoline Octane
........................................................ 5-5
Specifications
............................................... 5-5
Gate Operator and Canadian Programming
........ 2-36
Glass Surfaces
............................................... 5-85
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities
.................................................... 7-5
Hatch R
H
e I' ease ......................... ........ 2-15
Hazard Warning Flashers
............................... 3-4
Head Restraints
............................................... 1-5
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
.................... 3-7
Headlamp Wiring
............................................ 5-92
Headlamps
.................................................... 5-55
Bulb Replacement
.................................... 5-55
Front Turn Signal Lamps
.................. ..... 5-59
Halogen Bulbs
............................ ........ 5-55
Highway Hypnosis
........................................... 4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads
.................................. 4-22
Hitches
.......................................................... 4-36
HomeLink Transmitter, Programming
.................. 2-35
HomeLink@ Transmitter
.................................... 2-34
Hood Checking Things Under
................................ 5-1 1
Release
..................................................... 5-1 1
Horn
............................................................... 3-5 How
to Add Coolant to the Coolant
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
.................. 5-37
How to Add Fluid
............................................ 5-27
How to Check
........................................ 5-25, 5-64
How to Check Lubricant
................................... 5-53
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
.................. 5-40
How to Use This Manual
...................................... ii
Recovery Tank ........................................ 5-34
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
................... 1-18
Hydroplaning
.................................................. 4-18
I
If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
............................................ 5-32
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine ........... 5-31
If the Light
Is Flashing ..................................... 3-32
If the Light
Is On Steady ................................. 3-32
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
....... 4-28
If You Do Decide
To Pull A Trailer ..................... 4-32
If You're Caught in a Blizzard ........................... 4-26
Ignition Transmission Lock Check
...................... 6-29
Infants and Young Children, Restraints
............... 1-38
Inflation
- Tire Pressure ................................... 5-64
Inspection Brake System
............................................. 6-31
Engine Cooling System
................................ 6-30
Ignition Positions
............................................. 2-19
6