instrument panel CHEVROLET ASTRO 2003 Owner's Manual

Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a tone will
come on for several 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 several seconds,
then it will flash for
several more.
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
Air Bag System
on page 1-62.
AIR
BAG
United States Canada
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.
3-26

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:
e 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
Tow/Haul Mode Light on page 3-36. 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. 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 petformance from the engine and
transmission. The tow/haul mode should be used only
when pulling a heavy trailer.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For example,
speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and
how much your vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all
important. And, it can also depend on any special
equipment that you have on your vehicle.
4-33

Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand
to the left.
To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and,
if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice: Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal.
Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance.
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.
4-38

5. Grasp the top of the heater duct and pull down
gently to remove it. 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.
5-22

Engine Overheating
You will find an engine coolant temperature gage on
your vehicle’s instrument panel. See Engine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-30.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Sean, ,ram an overheated engine can burn
you badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from
it. Just turn it off and get
everyone away from the vehicle
until it cools
down. Wait until there
is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine
is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire.
You or others could be badly burned. Stop
your engine if
it overheats, and get out of the
vehicle
until the engine is cool.
Notice: If your engine catches fire because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not
be covered by your warranty.
5-31

Vinyl Top of the Instrument Panel
Use warm water and a clean cloth.
Rub with a clean, damp cloth to remove dirt.
You may have to
do this more than once.
0 Things like tar, asphalt and shoe polish will stain if
you don’t get them off quickly. Use a clean cloth
and vinyl/leather cleaner. See your dealer for
this product.
Leather
Use a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a mild soap or
saddle soap and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Then, let
the leather dry naturally.
Do not use heat to dry.
0 For stubborn stains, use a leather cleaner. See your
dealer for this product.
0 Never use oils, varnishes, solvent-based or abrasive
cleaners, furniture polish or shoe polish on leather.
Soiled or stained leather should be cleaned
immediately.
If dirt is allowed to work into the finish,
it can harm the leather. Use only
mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones
or waxes may cause annoying reflections in the
windshield and even make it difficult to see through the
windshield under certain conditions.
Interior Plastic Components
Use only a mild soap and water solution on a soft cloth
or sponge. Commercial cleaners may affect the
surface finish.
Glass Surfaces
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner
or a liquid household glass cleaner will remove normal
tobacco smoke and dust films on interior glass.
See
GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials on
page
5-89.
Notice: Don’t use abrasive cleaners on glass,
because they may cause scratches. Avoid placing
decals on the inside rear window, since they may
have to be scraped
off later. If abrasive cleaners are
used on the inside of the rear window, an electric
defogger element may be damaged. Any temporary
license should not be attached across the
defogger grid.
5-85

Vehicle Identification
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Service Parts Identification
Label
You’ll find this label on the front passenger door frame.
It’s very helpful
if you ever need to order parts. On this
label is:
your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information and
a list of all production options and special equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the
vehicle.
This is the legal identifier for your vehicle. It appears on
a plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on
the driver’s side. You can see it
if you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code.
This code will help you identify your engine,
specifications and replacement parts.
5-9 1

Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers
and fusible thermal links. This greatly reduces the
chance of fires caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse.
If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the identical
size and rating.
Spare fuses and a fuse puller are located in the
underhood fuse block. You can remove fuses with
the fuse puller. Remember to replace any of the spare
fuses you use,
so you will have some if you ever
need them again.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don’t have
a spare fuse, you can borrow one that has the same
amperage. Just pick some feature of your vehicle
that you can get along without
- like the radio or
cigarette lighter
- and use its fuse, if it is the correct
amperage. Replace it as soon as you can.
There are two fuse blocks in your vehicle: one
is inside
the vehicle and one is in the engine compartment.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
The fuse block is located on the lower portion of the
instrument panel on the driver’s side.
5-93

FuseKircuit Usage
Breaker
1
2
Stop/Turn/Hazard Lamps,
Center High Mounted Stop Lamp,
Anti-Lock Brakes
Radio Accy, Rear Seat
Audio Controls
FuseKircuit
Breaker
3
4
5
6
8
9
Usage
Courtesy Lamps, Glove Box Lamp,
Dome Reading Lamps, Vanity Mirror
Lamps, Courtesy Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps Relay,
Instrument Panel Cluster
Rear Defogger
Cruise Module, Truck Body Control Module, Instrument Panel Cluster,
Cruise Control Switch,
Electrochromic Mirror
Power Outlets, DLC,
Subwoofer Amplifier
Crank Circuit Fuse, ParWNeutral
Switch, Starter Enabler Relay
License Plate Lamp, Tailamps,
Parking Lamps, Ashtray Lamp,
Panel Lights, Trailer Taillamps,
Front and Rear Sidemarker Lamps,
Door Switch Illumination, Headlamp
Switch Illumination, Rear Seat
Audio Illumination, Truck Body
Control Module
5-94

13
14
15
16
Fuse/Circuit Usage Breaker
10 Air Bag System
11 Not Used
12 L, MI, M2 Blower Motor, Rear Air
Conditioning Relay Coil, Front Cont.
Temp. Door Motor, HI Blower Relay.
Defogger Timer Coil
Cigarette Lighter, Door Lock
Switches, Dutch Door Release Module
Cluster Illum, Climate Controls,
Chime Module, Radio Illumination,
Rear Heat Switch Illumination, Rear
Wipermasher Switch Illumination,
Rear Liftgate Switch Illumination,
Remote Cassette Illumination,
Overhead Console, Truck Body
Control Illurnination
Truck Body Module, Headlamp Relay
Front Turn Signals, Rear Turn
Signals, Trailer Turn Signals,
Back-up Lamps, Brake Transmission
Shift Interlock Solenoid 21
22
23
24
A
19
20
FuseKircuit
Usage
Breaker
17 Front Wipers, Front Washer Pump
18 VCM-lgn
3, VCM-Brake, Cruise
Stepper Motor Signal, ATC Module
Instrument Panel Radio: ATC
(Main Feed),
2000 Series (Standby)
PRNDUOdometer, TCC Enable and
PWM Solenoid, Shift A and Shift B
Solenoids, 3-2 Downshift Solenoid, Instrument Panel Cluster, VCM
Module
Powr Adjust Mirrors
Not Used
Rear Wiper, Rear Washer Pump
Not Used
(Circuit Breaker) Power Door Lock
Relay, 6-Way Power Seats
(Circuit Breaker) Power Windows
B
5-95