coolant temperature CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN 1995 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine These symbols are used on warning and indicator lights:
Engine Coolant
Temperature System
I I
Fue
I
I II
Brake 4 - Wheel
(Digital Cluster)
Anti - Lock
(Digital Cluster)
Here are some other symbols you may see:
Fuse Lighter
Horn Engine
Oil
Pressure
I
Speaker
viii

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Englne Coolant Temperature Gage
Standard Cluster Digital Cluster
If you have the standard cluster, you have a gage that shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the gage pointer moves to the
“H” (red) side, your
engine is
too hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you have been
operating your vehicle under normal driving conditions, you should pull off
the road, stop your vehicle and turn
off the engine as soon as possible.
If you have
a digital cluster, a box around the temperature symbol will also
flash when your engine is too hot.
In “Problems on
the Road,” this manual explains what to do. See “Engine
Overheating”
in the Index.
2-5 8

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine BLEND - With this setting, the heated outside air comes out both the
heater
vents and defroster vents, with some air coming through the side
window vents. Adjust the temperature lever
for warmer or cooler air. This
setting
is useful for cold weather with a large number of passengers or very
humid conditions
to help keep the windshield clear. The A/C compressor
may operate in this setting
to dehumidify the air.
HTR (Heater)
- Most of the air comes out near the floor. The rest comes
out from the defroster vents under the windshield and at the front side
windows. This
is best for cold weather.
VENT
- The air comes out at the vents on your instrument panel. The air
conditioner will not run. Adjust the temperature lever for warmer or cooler air.
BI-LEV A/C - With this, outside air comes out through the heater floor
vent and the instrument panel vents. If you move your temperature control
lever between cold and hot, cooler air
will come out of the upper vents
while warmer air comes
out of the floor vent. This setting is useful in cool
weather with bright sunlight.
NORM A/C - This setting cools the outside air. If you first used MAX
A/C, use NORM A/C
as soon as the vehicle has cooled down, so outside air
will be going through your vehicle.
MAX A/C -This cools the air the fastest. Move
the other lever all the way to
Cold. MAX A/C lets in only a little air from the outside. You can use MAX A/C
at first when
it's really hot outside and you need to cool off quickly.
When
the air conditioning, defrost or BLEND is on, you may notice a slight
increase or decrease in engine speed, due
to compressor operation.
Engine Coolant Heater (Option)
If you use the optional engine coolant heater before starting your engine,
your heating system will produce warmer air faster to heat the passenger
compartment
in cold weather. See "Engine Coolant Heater" in the Index.
Rear Heater (Option)
You may have the
optional rear heater.
The three speed fan
switch is above the
radio. Slide
the lever
toward
HI for warmer
air in the rear area.
Move the switch to
OFF to turn the
system off.
3-3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start down a long or steep
downgrade. If
you don’t shift down, you might have to use your brakes so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your speed to around
45 mph
(70 km/h) to reduce the possibility of engine and transmission overheating.
When towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, consider the following:
Engine coolant will boil at
a lower temperature than at normal altitudes. If
you turn your engine off immediately after towing at high altitude on steep
uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this, let the engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission
in PARK (P) for a few minutes before
turning the engine off. If you do get the overheat warning, see “Engine
Overheating”
in the Index.
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig could start to move. People can be injured,
and both your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But if
you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into PARK (P) yet. Turn your
wheels into the curb when facing downhill and away from the curb
when facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes until the
chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes, Then apply your parking brake, and shift to
5. Release the regular brakes.
PARK (P).
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
4-32

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 7. By this time the coolant level inside the radiator filler neck may be
lower.
If the level is lower, add more of the proper mix through the
filler neck until the level reaches the base
of the filler neck.
8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during this procedure if
coolant begins to flow out of the filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap.
Be sure the arrows on the pressure cap line
up like this.
Engine Fan Noise
This vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When the clutch is engaged,
the fan spins faster to provide more air to cool the engine. In most every day
driving conditions the clutch is not fully engaged. This improves fuel
economy and reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing
and/or high outside temperatures, the fan speed increases when the clutch
engages.
So you may hear an increase in fan noise. This is normal and
should not be mistaken
as the transmission slipping or making extra sh
It is merely the cooling system functioning properly. The fan will slow
down when additional cooling is not required and the clutch disengage .ifts.
S.
You may
also hear this fan noise when you start the engine. It will go away
as the fan clutch disengages.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving, especially if you
maintain your tires properly.
If air goes out of a tire, it’s much more likely to
leak out slowly. But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few tips
about what
to expect and what to do:
If
a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer
to maintain lane position, then gently brake to a
stop well out of the traffic lane.
5-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines “Starburst” symbol. Failure \
to
use the proper oil can result in engine damage not covered by\

your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil) meets all the
requirements for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additr’ves
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your GM dealer is ready to advise if you
think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km). This is particularly
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent driving in stop and
important
when outside temperatures are below freezing.
go traffic).
0 Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of your vehicle.
If any one of these is true for your vehicle, then you need to change your oil
and filter every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months - whichever comes
first.
If
none of them is true, change the oil and filter every 7,500 miles (12 500
km) or 12 months - whichever comes first.
Engine Coolant Heater
An engine coolant heater can be a big help if you have to park outside in
very cold weather,
0 OF (-1 8 O C) or colder. If your vehicle has this option,
see “Engine Coolant Heater’’ in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your skin and could even cause cancer? Don’t
let used oil stay
on your skin for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw away clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. (See the manufacturer’s warnings about the use
and disposal of oil products.)
6- 12

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of lubricant to
use. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to add coolant when it
is low. If you have a problem with engine overheating, see “Engine
Overheating”
in the Index.
The proper coolant
for your vehicle will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 262 OF ( 1 28 O C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean wafer (preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets
“GM Specification 6038-M,” which won’t damage
aluminum parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to “GM
Specification 6038-M. Use
GM Coolant Supplement (Sealer) with a
complete coolant flush and refill.
If you use this mixture, you don’t need to
add anything else.
6-23

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa) pressure-type cap and
must be tightly installed to prevent coolant
loss and possible
engine damage from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap \
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator filler neck.
Thermostat
~ When you replace
1 your radiator pressure cap, a
GM cap is
1 recommended. See
l “Service Replacement
I Parts and Filler
Recommendations” in
the Index.
Engine coolant temperature is controlled
by a thermostat in the engine
coolant system. The thermostat stops
the flow of coolant through the
radiator until the coolant reaches
a preset temperature.
When
you replace your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat is recommended.
6-26

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Cruise Control (continued) ToReduceSpeed
.............................................. 2-38
ToResume
.................................................. 2-36
ToSet
...................................................... 2-36
Cupholder
...................................................... 2-48
Customer Assistance Information
.................................... 8-1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
..................................... 8-1
Customer Assistance for
the Hearing
or Speech Impaired ................. 8-3
Daytime Running Lamps .......................................... 2-41
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) Indicator Light (See “Lights”)
Differential (See “Axle’’)
Doors
.......................................................... 2-4
Locks ........................................................ 2-7
PowerDoorLocks
............................................ 2-10
RearDoors
................................................... 2-6
Rear Hatch and Dutch Doors Release ............................... 2-9
SideDoors
.................................................... 2-4
Sliding Side Door
.............................................. 2-5
Drive
Axle (See “Axle”)
Driving AtNight
.................................................... 4-12
City
........................................................ 4-15
Defensive
.................................................... 4-1
Freeway ..................................................... 4-16
Hill and Mountain Roads
....................................... 4-18
If You’re Caught
in a Blizzard ................................... 4-21
IntheRain
................................................... 4-13
LossofControl ............................................... 4-11
Nightvision ................................................. 4-12
OnGrades
................................................... 4-32
OnSnoworIce
............................................... 4-20
Passing
...................................................... 4-9
Through Deep Standing Water
................................... 2-16
Winter
...................................................... 4-19
DrunkenDriving
................................................. 4-2
Highway
Hypnosis
............................................ 4-17
E
Electrical System
Engine Add-on
Equipment
........................................... 6-59
Adding Coolant .......................................... 5-1 6. 6-24
Aircleaner
.................................................. 6-17
Control Module System ........................................ 6-40
Coolant
..................................................... 6-23
Coolant Heater
...................................... 2-1 7,3-3, 6- 12
Coolant Temperature Gage (See “Gages”)
Cover
....................................................... 6-13
Exhaust ..................................................... 2-25
FanNoise
................................................... 5-20
Identification
............................................ 6-57, 6-62
3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine (continued) Oil (See “Oil”)
Overheating
.................................................. 5-13
RunningWhileParked
......................................... 2-26
Starting
..................................................... 2-15
Exhaustsystem
................................................. 6-40
Filter Replacement Chart (See “Service-Replacement Parts and Filter
Recommendations”)
Fluid Capacities (See “Capacities and Specification”)
FluidLeakCheck
................................................ 6-33
Fluids (See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”)
Fuel FillingYourTmk
.............................................. 6-4
Foreign Countries .............................................. 64
Gage (See “Gages”)
Cholines for Cleaner Air
........................................ 6-3
Tank Capacity
................................................ 6-62
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
................................... 6-60. 6-65
FuseBlock
.................................................. 6-61
G
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
................... ........ 2-58
Odometer
................................................... 2-50
Speedometer
................................................. 2-50
FuelGage ................................................. 2-60
Oil Pressure Gage
............................................. 2-59
Tamper Resistant Odometer
..................................... 2-50
Trip Odometer
................................................ 2-51
Voltlneter .................................................... 2-61
Halogen Bulbs (See “Bulb Replacement”)
Head Restraints (See “Seats”)
Headlamps
Hazard Warning Flashers
........................................... 5- . 1
High Beam Indicator Light (See
“Lights”)
High-Low Beamchanger
...................................... 2-31
Reminder
.................................................... 2-42
Replacement (See “Bulb Replacement”)
Heatercontrols
.................................................. 3-1
Rear Heater (Option)
............................................ 3-3
HeatedAir Conditioning Controls
............................... 3-2, 6-40
Rear Air Conditioning (Option)
................................... 3-4
Refrigerant Capacity
........................................... 6-68
Highway Hypnosis (See “Driving-Highway Hypnosis”)
Hitches (See “Towing-Hitches”)
4