oil 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 Oil Pressure Gage
Standard Cluster Digital Cluster
The
oil pressure gage shows the engine oil pressure in psi (pounds per
square inch) when the engine is running. Canadian vehicles indicate
pressure in kPa (kilopascals). Oil pressure may vary with engine speed,
outside temperature and oil viscosity, but readings above the low pressure
zone indicate the normal operating range.
A reading in the low pressure zone may be caused by a dangerously low oil
level or other problems causing low
oil pressure.
On the digital cluster, a box around the oil pressure symbol will begin to
flash when the oil pressure
is low.
A CAUTION:
Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If you do, your
engine can become
so hot that it catches fire. You or others could
be burned. Check your oil
as soon as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil problems can be
costly and
is not covered by your warranty.
2-59

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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your vehicle, as shown in
the following chart:
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY QRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COW STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAP VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE. ~~
LOOK
FOR THtS
SYMBOL
HOT
WEATHER
t
1
COLD
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you
can use SAE 1 OW-30 if it's going to be 0°F (-1 SOC) or above. These
numbers on an oil container show
its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 2OW-50.
6-1 1

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 NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a damaging engine
fire. And, dirt can easily get into your engine, which will damage
it. Always have the air cleaner in place when you’re driving.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid level is when the
engine oil
is changed. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
when
to change your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the
Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this
done at your
GM dealer Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading
on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too
much can mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on
hot engine parts or exhaust system parts, starting
a fire. Be sure
to get an accurate reading if you check your transmission fluid.
Wait at least
30 minutes before checking the transmission fluid level if you
have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32” C).
0 At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic - especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal operating
temperature, which is 180°F to
200°F (82°C to 93°C).
6- 18

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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Conditioning
Every now and then have your dealership check your air conditioning
system
to be sure it has not lost any cooling ability. If you think the system
is not working properly, have your dealership check it out as soon as
possible.
The air conditioning will not work when the temperature
is below 40°F
(4°C).
Lock Cylinders
To be sure your locks operate properly, they must be lubricated.
Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often to lubricate them
and what type
of lubricant to use.
You should not use penetrating oils because they could wash out the factory
installed lubricant and cause the lock to bind. De-icers which contain
alcohol could also wash away the lubricant,
so be sure to lubricate the lock
after using a de-icer of this type.
Exhaust System
To help prevent damage to your exhaust system, do not continue to drive
your vehicle if you notice:
0 Engine misfiring
Loss of performance
Exhaust system components hanging lower than normal.
Loud exhaust system noises.
Other unusual operating conditions
Have your engine and exhaust system serviced regularly.
Three-way Catalytic Converter
Your vehicle’s three-way catalytic converter is designed to reduce the
pollutants in your vehicle’s exhaust. Use only unleaded fuel in your vehicle.
If you use leaded fuel, you could damage your three-way catalytic converter
and other engine components.
Engine Control Module System
This system has an oxygen (02) sensor that helps keep your engine’s
air-fuel mixture at a proper level. Use only unleaded fuel in your vehicle. If
you
use leaded fuel, you could damage your oxygen (02) sensor and affect
your vehicle’s emissions.
6-40

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I Schedule I Definition I
Follow Maintenance Schedule I if any one of these is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km). This is particularly
important when outside temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent driving in stop and
Most trips are through dusty areas.
go traffic).
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of your vehicle.
Schedule
I should also be followed if the vehicle is used for delivery
service, police, taxi,
or other commercial application.
I Schedule I Intervals I
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km) or 3 Months
Engine Oil and Filter Change
Chassis Lubrication
Drive Axle Service
At 6,000 Miles (10 OOO km) - Then Every 12,000 Miles (25 OOO km)
Tire Rotation
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
Air Cleaner Filter Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions
Front Wheel Bearing Repack
(or at each brake relining, whichever occurs
first)
(2WD Only)
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
Air Cleaner Filter Replacement
Spark Plug Replacement
Fuel Filter Replacement
Cooling System Service (or every
24 months, whichever occurs first)
Every 50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
Automatic Transmission Service (severe conditions only)
7-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I Maintenance Schedule I I
50,000 Miles (83 000 km)
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly
driven under one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly
reaches
90°F (32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, the fluid
and filter do not require changing.
DATE
SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
51,000 Miles (85 000 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).
Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check
constant velocity joints and axle seals for leaking.**
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
7- 15