ignition CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN 2000 2.G User Guide

2-24 Tow/Haul Mode Selector Switch
Your vehicle is equipped with a tow/haul selector
switch. The selector switch is located on the end of the
column shift lever. You can use this feature to assist
when towing or hauling a heavy load.
To select the tow/haul mode, press in the switch. The
TOW/HAUL light on the instrument panel cluster will
come on. To go back to normal operation, press the
switch again. The indicator light on the instrument panel
will go out. See ªTow/Haul Modeº in the Index for
more information.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular 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.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Pull the brake release lever located on the
lower left side of the steering column.

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1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) like this:

Pull the lever toward you.

Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
remove the key from your ignition, your vehicle is in
PARK (P).

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Shifting Out of PARK (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brake before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. See ªAutomatic Transmissionº
in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the system fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Over Things That Burn
CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Don't park
over papers, leaves, dry grass or other things that
can burn.

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You may experience a brief vehicle vibration upon
acceleration when driving in slippery conditions. This is
normal and is an indication that the all
-wheel drive
system is functioning properly.
Windows
Manual Windows
To open your manual windows, turn the hand crank on
each door to raise or lower your side door windows.
Power Windows (Option)
If you have the optional power windows, the controls
are on each of the front side doors. The driver's door has
a switch for the front passenger window as well. Your
power windows will not move unless the ignition has
been turned to RUN or ACCESSORY, or retained
accessory power is present. See ªRetained Accessory
Powerº in the Index.
Express
-Down Window
The driver's window switch also has an express
-down
feature that allows you to lower it without holding the
window switch. Press and hold the side of the driver's
window switch down marked AUTO for one second to
activate the express
-down feature. The express-down
feature can be interrupted at any time by pressing the up
arrow end of the switch. Lightly tap the switch to open
the window slightly.

2-39
Passing Another Vehicle While Using Cruise Control
Use the accelerator pedal to increase your speed. When
you take your foot off the pedal, your vehicle will slow
down to the cruise control speed you set earlier.
Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may want to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don't use cruise control on
steep hills.
Ending Cruise Control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control:

Step lightly on the brake pedal.

Move the cruise switch to OFF.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.Exterior Lamps
Your lamp switch is located on the driver's side of the
instrument panel.
Turn the knob clockwise to the parking lamp symbol to
turn on the following:

Parking Lamps

Sidemarker Lamps

Taillamps

License Plate Lamps

Instrument Panel Lights

2-40
Turn the knob clockwise to the master lighting symbol
to turn on all the lamps listed as well as the headlamps.
Turn the knob all the way counterclockwise to turn off
your lamps and put the system in auto headlamp mode.
Automatic Headlamp System
When it is dark enough outside, your automatic
headlamp system will turn on your headlamps at the
normal brightness along with other lamps such as the
taillamps, sidemarker, parking lamps and the instrument
panel lights. The radio lights will also be dim.
Your vehicle is equipped with a light sensor on the top
of the instrument panel in the defroster grille. Be sure it
is not covered, or the system will be on whenever the
ignition is on.
The system may also turn on your headlamps when
driving through a parking garage, heavy overcast
weather or a tunnel. This is normal.
There is a delay in the transition between the daytime
and nighttime operation of the Daytime Running Lamps
(DRL) and the automatic headlamp systems so that
driving under bridges or bright overhead street lights does
not affect the system. The DRL and automatic headlamp
system will only be affected when the light sensor sees a
change in lightning lasting longer than the delay.To idle your vehicle with the automatic headlamp
system off, set the parking brake while the ignition is
off. Then start your vehicle. The automatic headlamp
system will stay off until you release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.Lamps On Reminder
A reminder tone will sound when your headlamps or
parking lamps are manually turned on and your ignition
is in the OFF, LOCK or ACCESSORY position. To
disable the tone, turn the thumbwheel all the way down.
In the automatic mode, the headlamps turn off once the
ignition key is in OFF.
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) can make it easier
for others to see the front of your vehicle during the
day. DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.

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The DRL system will make your headlamps come on at
a reduced brightness when:

the ignition is on,

the headlamp switch is in automatic headlamp mode.

the automatic transmission is not in PARK (P),

the light sensor determines it is daytime and

the parking brake is released.
When the DRL are on, only your DRL lamps will be on.
The taillamps, sidemarker and other lamps won't be on.
Your instrument panel won't be lit up either.
When it begins to get dark, the automatic headlamp
system will switch from DRL to the headlamps or the
last chosen headlamp setting that was used.
To idle the vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking
brake. Shifting the transmission into PARK (P) will
also allow you to idle the vehicle with the DRL off.
The DRL will stay off until you release the parking
brake or shift the transmission out of PARK (P).
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need it.Interior Lamps
Instrument Panel Intensity Control
The instrument panel intensity control is located to the
right of the headlamp switch.
Turn the thumbwheel up to adjust the instrument panel
lights. To turn on the dome lamps (with the vehicle
doors closed) turn the thumbwheel all the way up.
Exit Lighting
With exit lighting, the interior lamps will come on when
you remove the key from the ignition. The lights will
not come on if the DOME OVERRIDE button is
pressed in.
Illuminated Entry
Your vehicle is equipped with an illuminated entry feature.
When the doors are opened, the dome lamps will come
on if the DOME OVERRIDE button is in the ªoutº
position. When all the doors are closed, the lamps will
stay on for a short period of time and will then go out.
If the DOME OVERRIDE button is pressed in, the
lamps will not come on.

2-42 Dome Lamps
The dome lamps will come on when you open the doors.
You can also turn the dome lamps on by turning the
thumbwheel, located next to the parking/headlamps
knob, all the way up. In this position, the dome lamps
will remain on whether the doors are opened or closed.
You can use the DOME OVERRIDE button, located
below the parking/headlamp knob, to set the dome
lamps to come on automatically when the doors are
opened, or remain off. To turn the lamps off, press the
button into the ªinº position, the dome lamps will
remain off when the doors are open. To return the lamps
to automatic operation, press the button again and return
it to the ªoutº position. With the button in this position,
the dome lamps will come on when you open a door.
Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature shuts off the dome, courtesy, vanity,
reading and glove box if they are left on for more than
20 minutes when the ignition is off. This will keep your
battery from running down.If the battery run
-down protection shuts off the interior
lamps, it may be necessary to do one of the following to
return to normal operation:

Shut off all lamps and close all doors, or

Turn the ignition key to RUN.
Mirrors
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
You can adjust the mirror for day or night driving.
Press the tab forward (away from you) for day driving.
Pull the tab back (toward you) for night driving.
Outside Manual Adjust Mirror
Adjust your outside mirrors so you can just see the side
of your vehicle.
You can fold them before entering a car wash. Pull the
mirrors in toward the vehicle. Push the mirrors back out
when finished. After pushing the mirror out, adjustment
will be maintained.

2-46 Overhead Console (Option)
The overhead console includes reading lamps, a
compartment for a garage door opener, trip computer,
a temperature and compass display and a storage
compartment for sunglasses.
The reading lamps, trip computer and temperature and
compass display will work when the ignition is in RUN,
ACCESSORY or when Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) is active. See ªRetained Accessory Powerº
in the Index.Reading Lamps
Press the button near each
lamp to turn the reading
lamps on and off.
The lamps can also be swiveled to point in the direction
you want.

2-49
COMP/TEMP: The display provides the outside
temperature and one of eight compass readings to
indicate the direction the vehicle is facing.
Before you turn on the ignition and move the vehicle,
the temperature indicated will be the last outside
temperature recorded with the ignition on. If the
outside temperature is 37
F (3
C) or lower, the
display will toggle between the word ICE and the
current temperature every eight seconds. This is a
warning to the driver that road conditions may be icy,
and that appropriate precautions should be taken.
The compass is self
-calibrating, so it does not need
to be manually set. However, if C (Calibration) is
displayed, the compass will need to be calibrated. You
may also place the compass in a noncalibrated mode by
pressing and holding the MODE and US/MET buttons
simultaneously while in the COMP/TEMP mode. After
about 10 seconds, the compass will display C and you
can release the buttons. Drive the vehicle in a complete
360
circle three times at a speed of less than 5 mph
(8 km/h), and the compass will function normally.
Once the calibration is complete, the display will return
to a compass reading.Variance is the difference between magnetic north and
geographic north. In some areas, the difference between
the two can be great enough to cause false compass
readings. If this happens, follow these instructions to
set the variance for your particular location:
1. Find your location on the zone map. Note your
zone number.
2. Press and hold both the MODE and the US/MET
buttons in the COMP/TEMP mode.