suspension CHEVROLET ASTRO 2003 Owners Manual

The Certificationnire label also tells you the maximum Notice: Your warranty does not cover parts or
weights for the front and rear axles, called Gross components that fail because of overloading.
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
To find out the actual loads
on your front and rear axles, you need to go to a
If you put things inside of your vehicle - like suitcases,
weigh station and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can tools, packages, or anything else
- they will go as
help you with this. Be sure to spread out your load fast as the vehicle goes.
If you have to stop or turn
equally on both sides of the centerline. ciiickly qr if there is a crash, they’ll keep going.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the GAWR
for either the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread
it out.
-3 not load your e any heavier Ian _..e
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and
it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose
control and crash. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of your vehicle.
Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change your weight ratings. Ask your
dealer to help you load your vehicle the right way. Things you put inside your vehicle can
srlI6e
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or
in a crash.
Put things in the cargo area of your
vehicle. Try to spread the weight evenly.
Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle
so that some of them
are above the tops of the seats.
Don’t leave an unsecured child restraint
in your vehicle.
When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure
it whenever you can.
Don’t leave a seat folded down unless
you need
to.
4-30

Section 6 Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance Schedule ............................... 6.2
Introduction
................................................... 6.2
Your Vehicle and the Environment
.................... 6-2
Maintenance Requirements
.............................. 6-2
How This Section
is Organized ......................... 6-3
Part
A: Scheduled Maintenance Services ........... 6.4
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
.................... 6.4
Selecting the Right Schedule
........................... 6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
.............. 6.7
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled Maintenance
...... 6.18
Part B: Owner Checks and Services
................ 6.26
At Each Fuel Fill
.......................................... 6-26
At Least Once a Month
................................. 6.26
At Least Twice a Year
................................... 6.26 At
Least Once a Year
................................... 6-27
Part C: Periodic Maintenance inspections
......... 6.30
Steering. Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
............................ 6.30
Exhaust System Inspection
............................ 6.30
Fuel System Inspection
.................................. 6.30
Engine Cooling System Inspection
................... 6.30
Throttle System Inspection
............................ -6-31
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive) Inspection
....................... -6-31
Brake System Inspection
................................ 6.31
Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
.......................................... 6.32
Part E: Maintenance Record
........................... 6.34
6-
1

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166 000 km) should be repeated after IQ0,OOQ 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 B: 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, 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 6-3 1.
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 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.
6,000 Miles (IO 000 km)
0
0
0
0
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)
Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as
needed. Check constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking.
Rotate tires. See
Tire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-64
for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.
(See footnote +.)
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
0 Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 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.
6-7

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

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed in this part are inspections and services which
should be performed at least twice a year (for instance,
each spring and fall).
You should let your dealer’s
service department or other qualified service center
do these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs
are completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a service manual. See
Service Publications
Ordering Information on page
7- 1 1.
Steering, Suspension and Front
Drive Axle Boot and Seal Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc. Clean and then inspect the drive
axle boot seals for damage, tears or leakage. Replace
seals
if necessary.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system.
Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which
could cause a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See
Engine Exhaust
on page
2-30.
Fuel System Inspection
Inspect the complete fuel system for damage or leaks.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser.
To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of
the cooling system and pressure cap is recommended
at least once a year.
6-30

Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that your vehicle
has a safety defect, you should immediately notify
Transport Canada, in addition
to notifying General
Motors of Canada Limited. You may write to:
Transport Canada 330 Sparks Street
Tower C Ottawa, Ontario K1A ON5
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, we certainly hope you’ll notify us.
Please call us at 1-800-222-1020, or write:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI 48232-5170
In Canada, please call us at 1-800-263-3777 (English)
or 1-800-263-7854 (French). Or, write:
General Motors
of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Service Publications Ordering
Information
Service Manuals
Service Manuals have the diagnosis and repair
information on engines, transmission, axle, suspension,
brakes, electrical, steering, body, etc.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $120.00
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer
Case Unit Repair Manual
This manual provides information on unit repair service
procedures, adjustments, and specifications for GM
transmissions, transaxles, and transfer cases.
RETAIL SELL PRICE: $50.00
7-1
1

Inspection (cont.) Exhaust System
........................ ....... 6-30
Fuel System
............................................... 6-30
Part C
- Periodic Maintenance ....................... 6-30
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal
......................................... 6-30
Throttle System
........................................... 6-31
Installing a Garage Door Opener
....................... 2-40
Instrument Panel Cluster
....................................................... 3-24
Overview
.................................................. 3-2
Instrument Panel Brightness Control
.............. 3-1 5
Instrument Panel Fuse Block ............................ 5-93
Interior Lamps
................................................ 3-15
Interior Plastic Components
.............................. 5-85
Introduction Transfer Case (All-Wheel Drive) Inspection
........ 6-31
Jump Starting
....................................... ... 5-47
Key Lock Cylinders Service
.............................. 6-27
Keys
............................................................... 2-2
Keyless Entry System
....................................... 2-4
L
Lamps
Exterior
...................................................... 3-12
Interior
....................................................... 3-15
Lap Belt
........................................................ 1-27
Lap-Shoulder Belt
................................... 1-18, 1-29
LATCH System
Child Restraints
........................................... 1-52
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System
........................... . 1-54
Latches, Seatback
............................................ 1-6
Leather
......................................................... 5-85
Leaving Your Vehicle
....................................... 2-10
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
.......................................... 2-28
Light
Air Bag Readiness
....................................... 3-26
Brake System Warning
................................. 3-28
Charging System
......................................... 3-27
Check Gages Warning
................................. 3-36
Low Fuel Warning
....................................... 3-37
Malfunction Indicator
.................................... 3-30
Safety Belt Reminder
................................... 3-26
Security
.............................................. 3-35
Service All-Wheel-Drive
......................... 3-35
Tow/Haul Mode
........................................... 3-36
Lamps On Reminder
....................................... 3-14
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
................... 3-29
7

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

Service (cont.)
Doing Your Own Work
................................... 5-3
Engine Soon Light
....................................... 3-30
Publications Ordering Information
................... 7-1 1
Sewice Bulletins ............................................. 7-1 2
Service Engine Soon Light in the United States
or Check Engine Light
in Canada
.................................................. 3-30
Service Manuals
............................................. 7-1 1
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle ............ 1-69
Setting Preset Stations
............................ 3-39, 3-42
Setting the Temperature
................................... 3-20
Setting the Time
Radios with HR and MN Buttons
................... 3-38
Radios with the Set Button
........................... 3-38
Setting the Tone (Bassnreble)
.................. 3-40, 3-43
Shifting Into Park (P)
....................................... 2-27
Sheet
Metal Damage
....................................... 5-88
Shifting Out of Park (P)
................................... 2-29
Short Trip/City Definition
.................................... 6-5
Short TripKity Intervals
..................................... 6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
...... ... 6-7
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
............... ..... 1-20
Skidding
........................................ ......... 4-13
Sliding Door Security Lock
............................... 2-1 1
Sliding Side Door
............................................ 2-10
Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
....................... 4-18
Spare Tire Check
............................................ 6-27 Special Fabric Cleaning
Problems
..................... 5-84
Specifications, Capacities
................................. 5-99
Speedometer
.................................................. 3-25
Steering
.......................................................... 4-9
Starter Switch
Check
....................................... 6-28
Starting Your Engine
....................................... 2-21
Steering in Emergencies
.................................. 4-10
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection .............................. 6-30
Steering Tips
................................................... 4-9
Storage Areas
................................................ 2-38
Convenience Net
......................................... 2-45
Luggage Carrier
.......................................... 2-44
Overhead Console
....................................... 2-39
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and
Tools ............... 5-81
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
...................... 4-28
Sun Visors
..................................................... 2-17
Sunglasses Storage Compartment
..................... 2-44
Taillamps
....................................................... 5-60
Theft.Deterrent. Radio
..................................... 3-47
Theft-Deterrent Systems
................................... 2-18
Passlock@
............................................... 2-18
Throttle System Inspection
........................... 6-31
Tilt Wheel
........................................................ 3-5
Tire Inflation Check
......................................... 6-26
12