key CHEVROLET ASTRO 2004 User Guide

Power Door Locks
If your vehicle has power
door locks, press the
power door lock switch
located on the door panel
to lock or unlock all the
doors at once.
The power door lock switch will lock or unlock the rear
hatch and Dutch doors. See ªHatch Releaseº in
Rear Doors on page 2-11.
When a door is locked, the inside door handle will not
open the door. This will help stop a door from being
accidentally opened.If the sliding door is open and you press the power door
lock switch, the sliding door will not lock immediately.
After you close the door, the system comes on and locks
the sliding door in about ®ve seconds.
When the key is in the ignition and the power door lock
switch is pressed with a door open, all doors are
locked while the driver's side door remains unlocked.
Programmable Automatic
Door Locks
Your vehicle is equipped with an auto lock/unlock
feature which enables you to program your power
door locks.
Your vehicle left the factory programmed to have all the
doors lock automatically when the shift lever is moved out
of PARK (P). All of the doors will unlock when the shift
lever is moved back into PARK (P). The following
instructions detail how to program your door locks.
2-7

To enter the program mode you need to do the
following:
1. Begin with the ignition in OFF. Then, pull back on
the turn signal/multifunction lever all the way
toward you and hold it while you perform the
next step.
2. Turn your key to RUN and OFF twice. Then, with
the key in OFF, release the turn signal/multifunction
lever. Once you do this, you will hear the lock
switch lock and unlock.
You are now ready to program the automatic door
locks. Select one of the following four programming
options and follow the instructions. You will have thirty
seconds to begin programming. If you exceed the
thirty second limit, the locks will automatically lock and
unlock to indicate that you have left the program
mode. If this occurs, repeat the procedure beginning
with Step 1. You can exit the program mode any time by
turning the ignition to RUN. The locks will automatically
lock and unlock to indicate that you are leaving the
program mode. If the lock/unlock switches are not
pressed while in the programming mode, the auto
lock/unlock setting will not be modi®ed.The following is a list of the available programming
options:
·All doors lock/Only the driver's door unlocks:
Press the lock side of the power lock switch on
the door panel once and then the unlock side once.
·All doors lock/All doors unlock:Press the
lock side of the power lock switch on the door panel
once, and then the unlock side twice.
·All doors lock/None of the doors unlock:Press
the lock side of the power lock switch on the door
panel once, and then the unlock side three times.
·No doors lock/None of the doors unlock:Press
the lock side of the power lock switch on the door
panel twice. This turns off the automatic lock
feature.
For more information, see your dealer.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving your vehicle, take your key, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close the door.
2-8

Hatch Release
You can use your key to unlock the hatch and all of the
other doors from the outside. Insert the key into the
hatch release button and turn it counterclockwise. All of
the doors will unlock.
You may also use the keyless entry system described
earlier.
The hatch can be opened or closed without a key if the
door lock system is unlocked.
To open the hatch, unlock it, then press the button and
lift the handle located in the center of the door.
To lock the power lock system from the outside, insert
the key in the hatch release button and turn it clockwise.
All doors will lock.
2-13

Theft-Deterrent Systems
Vehicle theft is a big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways you
can help.
Passlockž
Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlockž
theft-deterrent system.
Passlock
žis a passive theft-deterrent system. Passlockž
enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder is turned with
a valid key. If a correct key is not used or the ignition
lock cylinder is tampered with, fuel is disabled.During normal operation, the SECURITY light will go
off approximately ®ve seconds after the key is turned
to RUN.
If the engine stalls and the SECURITY light ¯ashes,
wait until the light stops ¯ashing before trying to restart
the engine. Remember to release the key from
START as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine is running and the SECURITY light comes
on, you will be able to restart the engine if you turn
the engine off. However, your Passlock
žsystem is not
working properly and must be serviced by your
dealer. Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock
žat
this time. You may also want to check the fuse.
See
Fuses and Circuit Breakers on page 5-89. See your
dealer for service.
2-16

Starting and Operating Your
Vehicle
New Vehicle Break-In
Notice:Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
ªbreak-in.º But it will perform better in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
·Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or less for
the ®rst 500 miles (805 km).
·Do not drive at any one speed Ð fast or
slow Ð for the ®rst 500 miles (805 km). Do not
make full-throttle starts.
·Avoid making hard stops for the ®rst 200 miles
(322 km) or so. During this time your new
brake linings are not yet broken in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean premature wear
and earlier replacement. Follow this breaking-in
guideline every time you get new brake
linings.
·Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeTowing
a Trailer on page 4-35
for more information.
Ignition Positions
With the key in the ignition, you can turn it to ®ve
different positions.
A (ACCESSORY):This position lets you use things like
the radio, power windows and windshield wipers when
the engine is off. To get into ACCESSORY, push in the
key and turn it toward you.
2-17

Notice:Lengthy operation of features such as the
radio in the accessory ignition position may
drain the battery and prevent your vehicle from
starting. Do not operate your vehicle in the
accessory ignition position for a long period
of time.
B (LOCK):This position locks your ignition and
transmission. It's a theft-deterrent feature. You will only
be able to remove your key when the ignition is
turned to LOCK.
Notice:Using a tool to force the key from the
ignition switch could cause damage or break the
key. Use the correct key and turn the key only with
your hand. Make sure the key is all the way in. If
none of this works, then your vehicle needs service.C (OFF):This position lets you turn off the engine. Use
OFF if you must have your vehicle in motion while
the engine is off (for example, if your vehicle is being
towed).
D (RUN):This is the position for driving.
E (START):This position starts your engine.
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)
Your vehicle is equipped with a Retained Accessory
Power (RAP) feature which will allow certain features on
your vehicle to continue to work up to 20 minutes
after the ignition key is turned to OFF.
Your radio, power windows and overhead console will
work when the ignition key is in RUN or ACCESSORY.
Once the key is turned from RUN to OFF, these
features will continue to work for up to 20 minutes or
until a door is opened.
2-18

Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won't start in any other position ± that's a
safety feature. To restart when you're already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
Notice:Do not try to shift to PARK (P) if your
vehicle is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START. When the engine starts,
let go of the key. The idle speed will go down as
your engine gets warm.
Notice:Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor. Wait about
15 seconds between each try to help avoid draining
your battery or damaging your starter.
2. If it doesn't start within 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the ¯oor, while you
hold the ignition key in START. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and let up on the accelerator
pedal. Wait about 15 seconds between each try.When starting your engine in very cold weather (below
0ÉF or-18ÉC), do this:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the
ignition key to START and hold it there up to
15 seconds. When the engine starts, let go of
the key.
2. If your engine still won't start (or starts but then
stops), it could be ¯ooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
¯oor and holding it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. When the engine
starts, let go of the key and accelerator. If the
vehicle starts brie¯y but then stops again, do the
same thing, but this time keep the pedal down
for ®ve or six seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine.
Notice:Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way the
engine operates. Before adding electrical equipment,
check with your dealer. If you do not, your engine
might not perform properly.
Fuel Regulator
You have a fuel regulator that shuts the fuel off when
the engine reaches 5,600 rpm.
2-19

Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels. It's the
best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can't move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake ®rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Do not leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P). See
Shifting Into Park (P) on
page 2-25
. If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on page 4-35.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transmission
shift lock control system. You have to fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P)
when the ignition key is in RUN. If you cannot shift
out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever ± push
the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) as you
maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever
into the gear you wish. See
Shifting Out of Park (P) on
page 2-27.
2-21

·Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake ®rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch ®re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is ®rmly set before you leave it. After
you've moved the shift lever to PARK (P), hold
the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can
move the shift lever away from PARK (P) without ®rst
pulling it toward you. If you can, it means that the
shift lever wasn't fully locked into PARK (P).
2-26

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may ®nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque
lock.º To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver's seat. To ®nd out how, see
Shifting Into
Park (P) on page 2-25.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)
beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. See
Automatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-21.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then,
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the system ®xed as soon as you can.
2-27