brake fluid CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN 1995 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a comfortably cool
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to the sides. Check
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service, or parking area
interior.
your mirrors
and your instruments frequently.
and take a nap, get some exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from driving in flat or
rolling terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re planning to visit there,
here are some tips that can make your trips safer and more enjoyable.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels and also the
brakes, tires, cooling system and transmission. These parts can work
hard on mountain roads.
0 Know how to go down hills. The most important thing to know is this:
let your engine
do some of the slowing down. Shift to a lower gear
when you go down
a steep or long hill.
4- 18

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trailer.
Cross the safety chains under the tongue of the trailer
so that the tongue will
not drop to the road if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer or by the
trailer manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for
attaching safety chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always leave
just enough slack
so you can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety
chains
to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg) loaded, then it needs
its own brakes
- and they must be adequate. Be sure to read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
Your trailer brake system can tap into your vehicles’s hydraulic brake
system, except:
Don’t tap into your vehicle’s brake system if the trailer’s brake system
will use more than
0.02 cubic inch (0.3~~) of fluid from your vehicle’s
master cylinder. If it does, both braking systems won’t work well. You
could even lose your brakes.
Will the trailer parts take 3,000 psi (20 650 kPa) of pressure? If not, the
trailer brake system must
not be used with your vehicle.
If everything checks out this far, then make the brake fluid tap at the
port on the master cylinder that sends fluid to the rear brakes. But don’t
use copper tubing for this.
If you do, it will bend and finally break off.
Use steel brake tubing.
4-29

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re pulling a trailer. See
the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system, and brake
adjustment. Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index will help
you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Lighting Systems Wiring
See “Trailer Wiring Harness” in the Index.
4-33

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To check transmission fluid hot: Get the vehicle warmed up by driving
about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F (10°C).
If it's colder than
50°F (lO°C), drive the vehicle in DRIVE (D) until the
engine temperature gage moves and then remains steady for ten minutes.
Then follow the hot check procedures.
To check transmission fluid cold: A cold check is made after the vehicle
has been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine off and is used only
as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for five minutes if outside
temperatures are
50°F (10°C) or more. If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), you
may have to idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low during a
cold check, you
must perform a hot check before adding fluid. This will
give you a more accurate reading of the fluid level.
To check the fluid hot or cold
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the engine running.
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each
gear range, pausing for about three seconds
in each range. Then,
position the shift lever in
PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.
Then, without shutting off the engine, follow these steps:
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and then pull it back out
clean rag or
paper towel.
again.
6-19

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brakes
Brake Master Cylinder
Your brake master cylinder is here. It is filled with DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in your master cylinder
might
go down. The first is that the brake fluid goes down to an acceptable
level during normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the
fluid level goes back up. The other reason is that fluid
is leaking out of the
brake system.
If it is, you should have your brake system fixed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at
all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid. Adding brake fluid
won’t correct a leak.
If you add fluid when your linings are worn, then
you’ll have too much fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
A CAUTION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on the engine. The
fluid will burn
if the engine is hot enough. You or others could
be burned, and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid \
only
when work is done on the brake hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to check your brake
fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance Inspections” in the Index.
6-29

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To Check Brake Fluid
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap. Just look at the
windows
on the brake fluid reservoir. The fluid levels should be above MIN.
If they aren’t, have your brake system checked to see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make sure the levels are
above
MIN and below the top of each window.
What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake fluid - such as
Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a
sealed container only, and always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap before
removing it.
NOTICE:
Don’t let someone put in the wrong kind of fluid. For
example, just
a few drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake system parts
so
badly that they’ll have to be replaced.
Brake fluid can damage paint, so be careful not to spill brake
fluid on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off immediately. See
“Appearance Care” in the Index.
6-30

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its many parts have to
be of top quality and work well together if the vehicle is to have really good
braking. Vehicles we design and test have topquality
GM brake parts in
them, as your vehicle does when it is new. When you replace parts of your
braking system
- for example, when your brake linings wear down and
you have to have
new ones put in - be sure you get new genuine GM
replacement parts. If you don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly.
For example, if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front and rear brakes can change
- for
the worse. The braking performance you’ve come to expect can change in
many other ways if someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Hydro-Boost Brake System
The power steering pump also powers the Hydro-Boost. Refer to “Power
Steering Fluid” in this section when checking the fluid level or adding fluid.
Battery
Every new vehicle has a Delco Freedom’ battery. You never have to add
water to one of these. When it’s time for a new battery, we recommend
a
Delco Freedom’ battery. Get one that has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or more, take off the
black, negative (-) cable from the battery. This will help keep your battery
from running down.
Contact your dealer
to learn how to prepare your vehicle for longer storage
periods.
6-32

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I Maintenance Schedule I
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles ( 166 000 km)
should be performed after 100,000 miles (166
000 km) at the same intervals.
Footnotes
f 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 vehicle useful life. We,
however, urge that all recommended maintenance services be performed at
the indicated intervals and the maintenance be recorded.
** Drive axle service:
Locking Differential - Drain fluid and refill at first engine oil change.
At subsequent oil changes, check fluid level and add fluid as needed. If
driving in dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
Standard Differential - Check fluid level and add fluid as needed at
every oil change. If driving in dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain
fluid and refill every 15,000 miles
(25 000 km).
More frequent lubrication may be required for heavy-duty use.
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs
first).
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints and king pin bushings,
steering linkage and transfer case shift linkage, parking brake cable
guides, and brake pedal springs at every oil change (or every
6 months,
whichever occurs first).
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check
constant velocity joints and axle seals
for leaking. **
I DATE I ACTUALMILEAGE I T~RVICED BY
7-6

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I Maintenance Schedule I I
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
0
0
0
0
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs
first).
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints and king pin bushings,
steering linkage and transfer case shift linkage, parking brake cable
guides, and brake pedal springs at every oil change (or every
6 months,
whichever occurs first).
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” in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information.
I DATE I ACTUALMILEAGE I SERVICED BY
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs
first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints and king pin bushings,
steering linkage and transfer case shift linkage, parking brake cable
guides, and brake pedal springs at
every oil change (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first).
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check
constant velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.
**
I DATE I ACTUALMILEAGE I SERVICED BY: I
7-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ~ I Maintenance Schedule I
12,000 Miles (20 000 km)
0 Change
engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs
0 Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints and king pin bushings,
first).
An
Emission Control Service.
steering linkage and transfer case shift linkage, parking brake cable
guides, and brake pedal springs at every
oil change (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first).
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check
constant velocity joints and
axle seals for leaking. **
DATE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
75,000 Miles (25 000 km)
0
0
0
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs
first).
An Emission Control Service.
Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints and king pin bushings,
steering linkage and transfer case shift linkage, parking brake cable
guides, and brake pedal springs at every
oil change (or every 6 months,
whichever occurs first).
Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions. Replace
filter if necessary.
An Emission Control Service.
Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check
constant velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.
**
For 2-Wheel Drive vehicles only: Clean and repack the front wheel
bearings (or at each brake relining, whichever occurs first).
DATE SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
7-8