power steering fluid CHEVROLET ASTRO 2003 Owners Manual

Engine Coolant Heater
If your vehicle has this
feature,
in very cold
weather, 0°F
(-8°C) or
colder, the engine coolant heater can help. You’ll get
easier starting and better
fuel economy during engine warm-up.
Usually, the coolant heater should be plugged in a
minimum of four hours prior to starting your vehicle.
At temperatures above 32°F
(OOC), use of the coolant
heater is not required.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The engine coolant heater cord is located on the
driver’s side of the engine compartment, near
the power steering fluid reservoir. 3.
Plug
it into a normal, grounded 1 IO-volt AC outlet.
Plugging the cord i ..__ _.. mgrounc,, ,utlet
could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the
wrong kind of extension cord could overheat
and cause a fire. You could be seriously
injured. Plug the cord into
a properly grounded
three-prong
11 0-volt AC outlet. If the cord
won’t reach, use a heavy-duty three-prong
extension cord rated for at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away
from moving engine parts.
If you don’t, it could be
damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer
in the area where you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give you the best advice for that
particular area.
2-22

Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
Service .......................................................... -5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work
......................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of
Your Vehicle
.............................................. 5-4
Fuel ................................................................ 5.5
Gasoline Octane ........................................... -5-5
Gasoline Specifications .................................... 5.5
California Fuel ............................................. -56
Additives
....................................................... 5.6
Fuels in Foreign Countries
............................... 5.7
Filling Your Tank
............................................ 5-8
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
..................... 5-10
Checking Things Under the Hood .................... 5-1 1
Hood Release .............................................. 5.11
Engine Compartment Overview
...................... 5.14
Engine Oil
................................................... 5.15
Engine Cover ................. .... ........ 5.20
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
................. ........ 5.24
Automatic Transmission Fluid
...................... 5.25
Engine Coolant ............................................. 5.28
Radiator Pressure Cap
.................................. 5.30
Engine Overheating
....................................... 5.31
Cooling System
............................................ 5.33
Engine Fan Noise
......................................... 5.39
Power Steering Fluid
..................................... 5.40
Windshield Washer Fluid
................................ 5.41 Brakes
........................................................ 5.42
Battery
........................................................ 5-46
Jump Starting
............................................... 5-47
All-Wheel Drive .............................................. 5-52
Rear Axle ....................................................... 5-53
Front Axle ...................................................... 5-54
Bulb Replacement .......................................... 5-55
Halogen Bulbs .............................. ..... 5-55
Headlamps .................................. ..... 5-55
Front Turn Signal Lamps ............................... 5-59
Replacement Bulbs
....................................... 5-61
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement .............. 5-62
Tires .............................................................. 5.63
Inflation
- Tire Pressure ................................ 5-64
Tire Inspection and Rotation
........................... 5-64
When It
Is Time for New Tires ....................... 5-66
Buying New Tires
......................................... 5-66
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
.......................... 5-67
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
.................. 5-69
Wheel Replacement
...................................... 5-69
Tire Chains
.................................................. 5-70
If a Tire Goes Flat ........................................ 5.70
Changing a Flat Tire ..................................... 5.71
Compact Spare Tire ...................................... 5-82
Taillamps
.................................................... 5-60
5- 1

A. Windshield Washer Fluid
B. Engine Coolant
C. Engine
Oil Dipstick
D. Transmission Dipstick
E. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
F. Engine Oil Fill
G. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
I. Battery
Engine Oil
It is important to keep engine oil at the proper level. The engine oil dipstick has a yellow ring and is located
near the center of the engine compartment. See
Engine
information on location.
Checking Engine Oil Compartment Overview on page 5- 14 for more
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time
you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil Turn off the engine and give the oil several minutes to
must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground. drain back into the
Oil pan. If YOU don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
5-1 5

Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering fluid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page
5-14 for reservoir location.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten
it. Then remove
the cap again and
look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the
FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up to
the mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see Part D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-32.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
5-40

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

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

Loading Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-29
Locks Door
........................................................... 2-7
Front Doors
.................................................. 2-8
Leaving Your Vehicle
.................................... 2-10
Power Door
.................................................. 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
............... 2-9
Long Trip/Highway Definition
.............................. 6-6
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
............................... 6-6
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance
........ 6-1 8
Loss
of Control ............................................... 4-1 3
Low Fuel Warning Light
................................... 3-37
Lumbar
Luggage
Carrier
.............................................. 2-44
Manual Controls
............................................ 1-3
M
Maintenance. Normal Replacement Parts .......... 5-1 01
Maintenance Schedule At Each Fuel Fill
......................................... 6-26
At Least Once a Month
................................ 6-26
At Least Once a Year
.................................. 6-27
At Least Twice a Year
.................................. 6-26
Brake System Inspection
.............................. 6-31
Engine Cooling System Inspection
................. 6-30
Fuel System Inspection
................................ 6-30
How This Section is Organized
....................... 6-3
Exhaust System
Inspection
........................... 6-30 Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Introduction
.................................................. 6-2
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance
..... 6-18
Maintenance Requirements
............................. 6-2
Part A
. Scheduled Maintenance Services ......... 6-4
Part B
. Owner Checks and Services ............. 6-26
Part C
. Periodic Maintenance Inspections ...... 6-30
Part D
- Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
............................................... 6-32
Part E
. Maintenance Record ........................ 6-34
Selecting the Right Schedule
.......................... 6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
............. 6-7
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
.......................... 6-30
Using Your
................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment
................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
..................... 4-40
Throttle
System Inspection
............................ 6-31
Making Turns
................................................. 4-38
Malfunction Indicator Light
................................ 3-30
Manual Lumbar Controls
.................................... 1-3
Manual Seats
................................................... 1-2
Manual Windows
........................................ 2-16
Mirrors Manual Rearview Mirror
................................ 2-32
Outside Convex Mirror
................................. 2-33
Outside Manual Mirrors
................................ 2-32
Outside Power Mirrors
.................................. 2-32
Model Reference
............................................ vi
8

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

Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN)
............................................. 5-91
Vehicle Storage
.............................................. 5-47
Vinyl
............................................................. 5-85
Visor Vanity Mirror
.......................................... 2-17
Visors
........................................................... 2-1 7
Voltmeter Gage
.............................................. 3-28
Service Parts identification Label
................... 5-91
When
to Add Engine Oil
.................................. 5-16
When to Change Engine Oil
............................. 5-18
When to Check
.............................................. 5-64
When to Check and Change
............................ 5-25
When
to Check Lubricant ................................. 5-53
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
................ 5-40
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a Hill
......................................... 4-40
Where to Put the Restraint
............................... 1-47
Why Safety Belts Work
.................................... 1-14
Windows
....................................................... 2-16
Manual
...................................................... 2-16
Power
........................................................ 2-17
Windshield and Wiper Blades
........................... 5-87
Windshield Washer
........................................... 3-8
Fluid
.......................................................... 5-41
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
................ 6-26
Windshield Wiper
Blade Replacement
...................................... 5-62
Fuses
........................................................ 5-92
Windshield Wipers
............................................ 3-8
Winter Driving
............................................ 4-24
Wiper Blade Check
.... ............................. 6-27
Warning Lights. Gages and
Indicators
................ 3-23
Warnings Hazard Warning Flashers
............................... 3-4
Other Warning Devices
.................................. 3-5
Safety and Symbols
......................................... 111
Vehicle Damage .............................................. iv
Washing Your Vehicle
.................. ............ 5-86
Weatherstrip Lubrication
................... ........ 6-27
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
............................. 4-35
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
........................ 5-17
What to Do with Used Oil
................................ 5-19
What to Use
.......................... 5-28, 5-40, 5-41, 5-53
Wheels Alignment and Tire Balance 5-69
...
Weight of the Trailer ........................................ 4-33
Y ..........................
Replacement .................... .... ......... 5-69 four Vehicle and the Environment ....... .. 6-2
14