automatic transmission CHEVROLET ASTRO 2003 Owner's Guide

Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield. Also see
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-86.
Spare Tire Check
At least twice a year, after the monthly inflation check
of the spare tire determines that the spare is inflated to
the correct tire inflation pressure, make sure that the
spare tire is stored securely. Push, pull, and then
try
to rotate or turn the tire. If it moves, use the wheel
wrench
to tighten the cable. See Changing a
Flat Tire on page 5-71.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page
6-32.
Automatic Transmission Check
Check the transmission fluid level; add if needed.
See
Automatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-25.
A fluid loss may indicate a problem. Check the
system and repair
if needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges, the body hood, fuel door
and rear compartment hinges, latches and locks
including interior glove box and console doors, hood
latch assembly, secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor,
release pawl and any moving seat hardware. Lubricate
the hood safety lever pivot and prop rod pivot. Part D
tells you what to use. More frequent lubrication may be
required when exposed
to a corrosive environment.
6-27

Starte’ emvitnCI Check
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly.
If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. See
Parking Brake on page 2-26 if necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn
off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL
(N).
If the starter works in any other position, your
vehicle needs service.
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Co
-. - - I System Check
When you are do J this checl , he vehicle
could move suddenly.
If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See
Parking Brake
on page 2-26
if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately
if the vehicle begins to move.
position, but don’t start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), your vehicle needs service.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN
6-28

Ignition Transmission Lock Check Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake,
While parked, and with the parking brake set,
tw to turn set the parking brake.
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
0 The key should turn to LOCK only when the
0 The key should come out only in LOCK.
shift
lever is in PARK (P).
Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park
(P) Mechanism
C’ leck
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front
of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.
To check the parking brake’s holding ability:
With the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to PARK (P).
Then release the parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-29

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

Automatic Headlamp System ..................
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
................................................
Automatic Transmission Check ................
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
System Check
...................................
Operation .........................................
......... 3-13
......... 5-25
......... 2-23
......... 6-27
......... 6-28
Backing Up
.................................................... 4-38
Battery
.......................................................... 5-46
Battery Replacement
......................................... 2-6
Battery Run-Down Protection
............................ 3-1 6
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
......................... 4-21
Bench Seat
............................................ 1-1 1, 1-57
Body Lubrication Service
.................................. 6-27
Brake Parking
...................................................... 2-26
System Inspection
....................................... 6-31
System Warning Light
.................................. 3-28
Brake Adjustment
............................................ 5-45
Brake Fluid
.................................................... 5-42
Brake Pedal Travel
......................................... 5-45
Brake Wear
................................................... 5-45
Brakes
.......................................................... 5-42
Braking in Emergencies
..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle
..................................... 2-19
Braking
........................................................... 4-6
Bucket Seats, Rear
......................................... 1-12 Bulb
Replacement
........................................... 5-55
Halogen Bulbs ............................................ 5-55
Headlamps
............................ ......... 5-55
Replacement Bulbs
.............................. 5-61
Taillamps
.................................................... 5-60
Front
Turn Signal Lamps
.............................. 5-59
Buying New Tires
................................... 5-66
C
California Fuel .................................................. 5-6
Canada
........................................................... 7-5
Canadian Owners
................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance ............ ....... 7-7
Cancelling the Sliding Door
Security Lock
.......................................... 2-12
Capacities and Specifications
........................ 5-99
Carbon Monoxide
............... ..... 4-24, 4-31, 2-30
Care of
Safety Belts
.... ~ ~ ~ ~ ..................... 5-86
Care of Your
CD Player
.......... ...., ............ ..... 3-50
CDS
.......................................................... 3-50
Cargo Vans
........................................... 1-41, 1-48
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts
............. 1-27
Chains, Tires
..................................... ..... 5-70
Charging System Light
....................... ..... 3-27
Engine Light
.............................. , ..... 3-30
Check
Gages Warning Light
................................... 3-36
2

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

Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle ................. 2-5
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean
Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico and
U.S. Virgin Islands) ........................................ 7-5
MyGMLink.com
................................................ 7-4
New Vehicle Break-In
...................................... 2-19
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
........... 5-101
Odometer
............................................
Off-Road Recovery ................................
Oil
... 3-25
... 4-1 1
Engine ....................................................... 5-1 5
Pressure Gage
............................................ 3-34
Older Children, Restraints
................................ 1-35
Online Owner Center
........................................ 7-4
Operation Tips
................................................ 3-22
Other Warning Devices
...................................... 3-5
Outlet Adjustment
............................................ 3-22
Outside Convex Mirror
............................................. 2-33
Manual Mirrors
............................................ 2-32
Power Mirrors
............................................. 2-32
Overhead Console
.......................................... 2-39
Owners, Canadian
............................................... ii
Owner’s Information
........................................ 7-1 2
P
Park (P)
Shifting Into
............................. ........ 2-27
Shifting Out
of ......................... ............ 2-29
Brake
..................................................... 2-26
Parking
Over Things That Burn
................................. 2-30
Park (P) Mechanism Check
........................... 6-29
Parking Brake
and Automatic Transmission
Parking on Hills
........................................ 4-39 -39
Part A
- Scheduled Maintenance Services ............... 6-4
Part B
- Owner Checks and Services ................... 6-26
Part D
- Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ....... 6-32
Part
E - Maintenance Record ............................. 6-34
Passing
................................................. 4-12, 4-38
Passlock@
...................................................... 2-18
Payload
......................................................... 4-31
Plan Ahead When Possible
................................ 7-8
Playing the Radio
................................... 3-39, 3-41
Power
Accessory Outlets
........................................ 3-16
Door Locks
.................................................. 2-8
Electrical System
......................................... 5-92
Seat
............................................................ 1-3
Windows .................................................... 2-17
Part
C - Periodic
Maintenance Inspections ............ 6-30
Playing a Compact Disc
................................... 3-43
Steering Fluid
............................................. 5-40 9

Tires ..................................................... 5.63. 5-88
Buying New Tires
........................................ 5-66
Chains
....................................................... 5-70
Changing a Flat Tire
.................................... 5-71
Compact Spare Tire
..................................... 5-82
If a Tire Goes Flat
....................................... 5-70
Inflation
- Tire Pressure ............................... 5-64
Inspection and Rotation
................................ 5-64
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
......................... 5-67
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
................. 5-69
Wheel Replacement
..................................... 5-69
When It
Is Time for New Tires ...................... 5-66
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
.................... 2-22
Top
of the Instrument Panel ............................. 5-85
Top Strap
...................................................... 1-48
Top Strap Anchor Location
............................... 1-50
Torque Lock
................................. ....... 2-29
Tow/Haul Mode Button
..................................... 2-25
Tow/Haul Mode Light
................................... 3-36
Towing Recreational Vehicle
..................................... 4-29
Towing a Trailer
.......................................... 4-31
Your Vehicle
............................................... 4-29
Trailer Brakes
................................................. 4-36
Trailer Wiring Harness
..................................... 4-41
Trailering Package
.......................................... 4-31
Transfer Case
................................................ 5-52
Transmission Fluid, Automatic
........................................... 5-25
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
... ....... 4-35 Transmission
Operation. Automatic
.................... 2-23
Transmission. Transaxle. Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual
............................................ 7-11
Trip Odometer
................................................ 3-25
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
........................... 3-6
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
.................. 4-38
Transportation Options
...................................... 7-9
Turn and Lane Change Signals
.......................... 3-6
U
Underbody Flushing Service ................. ..... 6-29
Underhood Fuse Block
.................... ..... 5-96
Understanding Radio Reception
.... ..... 3-50
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
......................... 5-67
United States
................................................... 7-4
Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature
After a Power Loss
...................................... 3-49
Used Replacement Wheels
.............................. 5-70
Using Cleaner on Fabric
.................................. 5-84
Using HomeLink@
........................................... 2-37
v
Vehicle
Control
..................................................... 4-6
Loading
...................................................... 4-29
Symbols
......................................................... iv
Damage Warnings
........................................... iv
13