towing CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN 1995 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking at Night
Parking
Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching your vehicle, it’s best
to lock it up and take your keys. But what
if you have to leave your ignition
key? What if you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area out of sight.
0 Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
0 Then take the door key with you.
New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your modern vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate “break-in.” But
it will perform better in the long run if you follow these
guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 kmh) or less for the first 500
miles (804 km).
0 Don’t drive at any one speed - fast or slow - for the first
500 miles (804 km). Don’t make full-throttle starts.
0 Avoid making hard stops for the first 200 miles (322 km) or
so. During this time your new brake linings aren’t 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.
Don’t tow a trailer during “break-in.” See “Towing a Trailer”
in the Index for more information.
2-13

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3. If your engine still won’t start, wait 15 seconds to let the starter motor
cool down and do it all again.
When the engine starts,
let go of the key and the accelerator pedal.
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 fuel injection system operates. Before adding
electrical equipment, check with your dealer. If you don’t, your
engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see the part of this
manual that tells how to do it without damaging your vehicle.
See “Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Fuel Regulator
You have a fuel regulator that shuts the fuel off when the engine reaches
5,600 rpm.
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
NOTICE:
If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or standing water,
water can come in through your engine’s air intake and badly
damage your engine. Never drive through water that is slightly \
lower than the underbody
of your vehicle. If you can’t avoid
deep puddles or standing water, drive through them very slowly.
2-16

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer
depends
on the weather, the kind of oil you have, and some other things.
Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact your GM
dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give
you the best advice for that particular area.
Automatic Transmission
There are several
different positions for
your shift lever.
0 PARK (P) -This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best position to use
when you start your engine because your vehicle can’t move easily.
A CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the shift lever is not I
fully in PARK (P) with the parking brake firmly set. Your
vehicle can roll.
Don’t 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
won’t move, even when you’re on fairly level ground, always set
your parking brake and move the shift lever to PARK
(P). I
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If you’re pulling a
trailer,
see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
2- 18

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0
0
0
0
OVERDRIVE (0)
This position is for normal driving. If you need more power for
passing, and you’re:
- Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push your accelerator
- Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the accelerator pedal
pedal
about halfway down.
all the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
OVERDRIVE
(0) should not be used when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, or driving on steep hills. Select DRIVE (D) when operating
the vehicle under any of these conditions.
DRIVE (D) - This is like OVERDRIVE (@), but you never go into
OVERDRIVE
(0). You should use DRIVE (D) when towing a trailer,
carrying
a heavy load or driving on steep hills.
SECOND GEAR (2) - This position gives you more power but lower
fuel economy. You can use SECOND GEAR
(2) on hills. It can help
control your speed as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you
would also want to use your brakes off and on.
If
you manually select SECOND GEAR (2), the transmission will drive
in second gear. You may use this feature for reducing torque to the rear
wheels when you are trying to start your vehicle from
a stop on
slippery road surfaces.
FIRST GEAR (1) - This position gives you even more power (but
lower fuel economy) than SECOND GEAR
(2). You can use it on very
steep hills, or
in deep snow or mud. If the selector lever is put in FIRST
GEAR
(I), the transmission won’t shift into FIRST GEAR (1) until the
vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your rear wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to drive. This \
might
happen if you were stuck in very deep sand or mud or were u\
p
against a solid object. You could damage your transmission
or
transfer case or both.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold your vehicle ther\
e
with only the accelerator pedal. This could overheat and damage\

the transmission.
Use your brakes or shift into PARK (P) to hold
your vehicle in position on a hill.
2-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking Brake
To Set the Parking Brake
Hold the regular brake
To Release the Parking Brake
pedal down with your
right foot. Push down
the parking brake
pedal with your left
foot.
If the ignition is
on, the brake system
warning light
will
come on.
Hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the
brake release lever.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause your rear brakes to
overheat. You may have to replace them, and you could also
damage other parts
of your vehicle.
If you are on a hill: See “Parking on Hills” in the Index.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill: See “Towing a
Trailer” in the Index. That section shows what to do first to keep the trailer
from moving.
2-21

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Running Your Engine While You’re Parked
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you ever have to, here
are some things
to know.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t move.
See “Shifting
Into
PARK (P)” in the Index. If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a
Trailer” in
the Index.
2-26

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A green arrow on the
instrument panel will
flash
in the direction
of the turn or lane
change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever until the green arrow
starts to flash. Hold it there until
you complete your lane change. The lever
will return by itself when
you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows don’t flash but just stay
on, a signal bulb may be burned out and other drivers won’t see your turn
signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an accident. If the green
arrows don’t go
on at all when you signal a turn, check the fuse (see “Fuses”
in the Index) and for burned-out bulbs.
If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring for the trailer lights, a
different turn signal flasher is used. With this flasher installed, the signal
indicator will flash even if a turn signal bulb
is burned out. Check the front
and rear turn signal lights regularly
to make sure they are working.
Headlamp High-Low Beam
f ,.
To change the
headlamps from low
beam to high or high
to low, pull the turn
signal lever all the
way toward you. Then
release it.
2-31

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine This light should come on briefly as you start the vehicle. If it doesn’t come
on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the road and stop
carefully. You may notice that the pedal
is harder to push. Or, the pedal may
go closer
to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have
the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle’’
in the Index.)
b
A CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly if the brake
system warning light is on. Driving with the brake system warning light on can lead to an accident. If the light is st\
ill on
after you’ve pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have\
the
vehicle towed for service.
The brake system warning light will also come on when you set your
parking brake, and it will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it means you have a
brake problem.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
Standard Cluster Digital Cluster
With the anti-lock brake system, this light will come on when you start your
engine and may stay on for several seconds. That’s normal. If the light
doesn’t come on, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem.
2-54

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Towing a Trailer
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your vehicle and result\

in costly repairs not covered
by your warranty. To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in this part, and see your
GM dealer
for important information about towing a trailer with your
vehicle.
Most vehicles are ready for some trailer towing. If yours was built with
trailering options, as many are, it’s ready for heavier trailers. But trailering
is different than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes
in handling, durability, and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many time-tested, important
trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that
of your passengers. So please read this section carefully before you
pull a trailer.
&!You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points.
There are many different laws, including speed limit restrictions,
having to do with trailering. Make sure your rig will be legal, not only
where you live but also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for this
information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control if your trailer will weigh 2,000 pounds
(900 kg) or less. You should always use a sway control if your trailer
will weigh more than
2,000 pounds (900 kg). You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
4-26

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0
0
0
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles (800 km) your new
vehicle is driven. Your engine, axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the first
500 miles (800 km) that you tow a trailer, don’t
drive over
50 mph (80 kdh) and don’t make starts at full throttle. This
helps your engine and other parts
of your vehicle wear in at the heavier
loads.
You should use DRIVE (D) (or, as you need to, a lower gear) when
towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle in
DRIVE (D) when towing a
trailer will minimize heat build-up and extend the
life of your
transmission.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends
on how you plan to use your rig. For example, speed, altitude,
road grades, outside temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull
a trailer are
all important. And, it can also depend on any special equipment
that you have on your vehicle.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or advice, or you can
write us
at the address listed in your Warranty and Owner Assistance
Information Booklet.
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Center
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight to measure
because it affects the total or gross weight
of your vehicle. The gross vehicle
weight (GVW) includes the curb weight
of the vehicle, any cargo you may
carry in it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. And if you will
tow
a trailer, you must add the tongue load to the GVW because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading Your Vehicle” in the
Index for more information about your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
4-27