heating CHEVROLET ASTRO 2005 User Guide

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-4
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-5
Fuel................................................................5-5
Gasoline Octane............................................5-5
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-6
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....................5-10
Hood Release..............................................5-11
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Cover...............................................5-17
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-21
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-23
Engine Coolant.............................................5-26
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-28
Engine Overheating.......................................5-28
Cooling System............................................5-30
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-35
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-36Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-37
Brakes........................................................5-38
Battery........................................................5-42
Jump Starting...............................................5-42
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-47
Rear Axle.......................................................5-48
Front Axle......................................................5-49
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-50
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-50
Headlamps and Sidemarker Lamps.................5-50
Front Turn Signal and Parking Lamps..............5-54
Taillamps, Turn Signal, Stoplamps and
Back-up Lamps.........................................5-55
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-56
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-57
Tires..............................................................5-58
Tire Sidewall Labelling...................................5-59
Tire Terminology and Denitions.....................5-61
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-64
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-65
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-66
Buying New Tires.........................................5-67
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-68
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-69
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating on
page 5-28.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-halfclean, drinkable waterand
one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will not damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you do
not need to add anything else.
5-26

Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixtureat the coolant recovery tank,but be
careful not to spill it.
{CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank, you will
almost never have to add coolant at the
radiator. Never turn the radiator pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator.
For information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
seeCooling System on page 5-30.
Radiator Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may occur.
Be sure the cap is properly and tightly secured.
The radiator pressure cap
is located in the engine
compartment on the
passenger’s side of the
vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for more
information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd an engine coolant temperature gage on
your vehicle’s instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-29.
5-28

Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,
see your GM Warranty booklet for details. For additional
information refer to the tire manufacturer’s booklet
included with your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual.{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and
a serious accident. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-28.
Underinated tires pose the same
danger as overloaded tires. The resulting
accident could cause serious injury.
Check all tires frequently to maintain the
recommended pressure. Tire pressure
should be checked when your tires are
cold. SeeInflation - Tire Pressure on
page 5-64.
Overinated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact — such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If
your tread is badly worn, or if your tires
have been damaged, replace them.
5-58

Child Restraints (cont.)
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-54
Older Children.............................................1-38
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-56
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Center Rear Seat Position.........................1-58
Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Outside Seat Position........................1-57
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position..........................1-60
Top Strap...................................................1-50
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-52
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-49
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-18
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels........................................5-90
Exterior Lamps/Lenses.................................5-88
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-85
Finish Care.................................................5-88
Glass Surfaces............................................5-87
Instrument Panel.........................................5-87
Interior Plastic Components...........................5-87
Leather......................................................5-87
Tires..........................................................5-90
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-91
Vinyl..........................................................5-86
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-88Cleaning (cont.)
Weatherstrips..............................................5-88
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-89
Climate Control System...................................3-19
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-21
Rear Air Conditioning System........................3-22
Rear Heating System...................................3-21
Comfort Guides, Rear Safety Belt.....................1-35
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-84
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-38
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-29
Heater, Engine............................................2-19
Cooling System..............................................5-30
Cruise Control Lever.......................................3-11
Customer Assistance Information
Courtesy Transportation.................................. 7-8
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users............................... 7-4
Customer Assistance Offices........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program............... 7-6
Reporting Safety Defects to
General Motors........................................7-12
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government..............................7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the
United States Government.........................7-11
3

Engine (cont.)
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-28
Starting......................................................2-18
Entry Lighting.................................................3-17
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................7-10
Exit Lighting...................................................3-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-37
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-14
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-21
Finish Damage...............................................5-91
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-50
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-8
Flat Tire........................................................5-71
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-72
Flat Tire, Storing.............................................5-82
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-23
Power Steering...........................................5-36
Windshield Washer......................................5-37
Front Axle......................................................5-49
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10Fuel (cont.)
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-36
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Specications.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-36
Regulator...................................................2-19
System Inspection.......................................6-28
Fuses
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-95
Instrument Panel Fuse Block.........................5-96
Underhood Fuse Block.................................5-98
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-94
GGage
Check Gages Warning Light..........................3-35
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-29
Fuel..........................................................3-36
Oil Pressure...............................................3-33
Speedometer..............................................3-25
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-27
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-29
Gasoline
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Specications............................................... 5-5
GM Mobility Reimbursement Program.................. 7-6
5

Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-22
R
Radiator Pressure Cap....................................5-28
Radios..........................................................3-39
AM-FM Radio.............................................3-40
Care of Your CD Player...............................3-50
Care of Your CDs........................................3-50
Radio with CD............................................3-42
Rear Seat Audio..........................................3-46
Setting the Time for Radios with
HR and MN Buttons.................................3-40
Setting the Time for Radios with the
Set Button..............................................3-40
Theft-Deterrent............................................3-48
Understanding Reception..............................3-50
Rear Air Conditioning System...........................3-22
Rear Axle......................................................5-48
Locking........................................................ 4-8
Rear Doors....................................................2-11
Rear Heating System......................................3-21
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides......................1-35Rear Seat Audio (RSA)....................................3-46
Rear Seat Operation......................................... 1-7
Rear Seat Passengers, Safety Belts..................1-31
Rearview Mirrors.............................................2-28
Reclining Seatbacks.......................................... 1-4
Recreational Vehicle Towing.............................4-34
Remote Keyless Entry System............................ 2-3
Remote Keyless Entry System, Operation............ 2-4
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire..................................................5-76
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools...................5-73
Replacement Bulbs.........................................5-56
Reporting Safety Defects
Canadian Government..................................7-11
General Motors...........................................7-12
United States Government............................7-11
Restraint System Check
Checking Your Restraint Systems...................1-70
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash..........................................1-71
Restraint Systems
Checking....................................................1-70
Replacing Parts...........................................1-71
Retained Accessory Power (RAP)......................2-18
Right Front Passenger Position, Safety Belts......1-31
10