heating CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN 2002 2.G Owners Manual

2-16
Rear Hatch/Rear Doors
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the rear hatch
or rear doors open because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You can't
see or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness
and even death.
If you must drive with the rear hatch or rear
doors open or if electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass through the seal between
the body and the rear hatch or rear doors:

Make sure all other windows are shut.

Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on anything but MAX A/C. That will force
outside air into your vehicle. See ªComfort
Controlsº in the Index.

If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index.
Hatch Release
You can use your key to unlock the hatch and all of the
other doors from the outside. Insert the key into the
hatch release button and turn it counterclockwise.
All of the doors will unlock.
You may also use the keyless entry system
described earlier.
The hatch can be opened or closed without a key if the
door lock system is unlocked.

2-55
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
The cigarette lighter is on the left of the engine cover console.
To use the lighter, press it in all the way and let go.
When it's done heating, it will pop back out by itself.
NOTICE:
Don't hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating. If you do, it won't be able to
back away from the heating element when it's
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
NOTICE:
When using the cigarette lighter as an accessory
power outlet, maximum electrical load must not
exceed 20 amps. Always turn off any electrical
equipment when not in use. Leaving electrical
equipment on for extended periods will drain
your battery.
The front ashtray is located above the passenger's side
front cupholder. To remove the front ashtray, open it and
gently pull it slightly past its stop.
To remove the ashtray on the sliding door, open it,
then press down on the inside tab and pull it out.
You may have another ashtray on the driver's sidewall.
Press the right side to turn the ashtray around for use.
To remove the ashtray, open it and gently pull it off
the hinge.
NOTICE:
Don't put papers and other things that burn
into your ashtrays. If you do, cigarettes or
other smoking materials could set them on fire,
causing damage.

2-68 Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the
engine coolant temperature.
If the gage pointer moves to
the red area, 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.
See ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service
Engine Soon Light in the United States
or Check Engine Light in Canada)
United States Canada
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer which
monitors operation of the fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.

3-2
Comfort Controls
This section tells you how to make your air system work
for you. Your comfort control system with air
conditioning uses ozone
-friendly refrigerant.
With these systems, you can control the heating,
cooling and ventilation in your vehicle. Your vehicle
also has a flow
-through ventilation system described
later in this section.
Heating System
If your vehicle does not have air conditioning, your
heater controls will look like this.Fan Knob
The fan know is located on the left of the control
panel. This control has four positions. To increase
airflow, turn the knob toward HI. To decrease airflow,
move it toward LO.
Temperature Knob
This knob is next to the fan knob. It controls the
temperature of the air flowing into your vehicle. Turn
the knob clockwise for warmer air. Turn the knob
counterclockwise for cooler air.
Function Knob
This knob is on the right of the temperature knob.
The function knob allows you to choose the direction of
air delivery.
OFF: This setting turns the system off.
(Vent): The air comes out at the vents on your
instrument panel.

3-3
(Bi-level): With this setting, the outside air comes
out both the instrument panel vents and floor ducts.
Adjust the temperature knob for warmer or cooler air.
(Floor): 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.
(Blend): With this setting, the outside air comes
out both the floor ducts and defroster vents. Adjust the
temperature knob for warmer or cooler air.
DEF (Defrost): This setting operates the defroster.
Most of the air comes out near the windshield, with
some going to the floor ducts and front side windows.
Heating/Air Conditioning System
(If Equipped)
If your vehicle has air conditioning, your heating/air
conditioning controls will look like this.
Fan Knob
The fan knob is located on the left of the control panel.
This knob has four positions. To increase airflow,
turn the knob toward HI. To decrease airflow, move it
toward LO.

3-5 Rear Heating System (Option)
You may have the optional rear heater. The three-speed
fan thumbwheel is to the right of the radio. Turn the
thumbwheel toward HIGH for higher airflow in the
rear area. Turn the thumbwheel to OFF to turn the
system off.
Rear Air Conditioning System (Option)
You may have rear air conditioning. The rear air
conditioning thumbwheel is located to the right of the
heater controls. Turn the thumbwheel toward HIGH for
higher airflow in the rear area. Turn the switch to OFF
to turn the system off.

3-6 Air Conditioning
Before using your vehicle's air conditioning, open the
windows to clear the vehicle of hot air. This reduces the
time it takes for your vehicle to cool down. Then keep
your windows closed for the air conditioner to work at
its best.
You can use MAX A/C with the temperature knob in
the blue area when it's really hot outside and you need
to cool the inside air quickly. MAX A/C lets in only a
little air from the outside.
If you first use MAX A/C, you can then use A/C with
the temperature knob in the blue area as soon as the
vehicle has cooled down, so outside air will be going
through your vehicle.
If your vehicle has rear air conditioning, setting it on LOW
may enhance the front air conditioning performance by
allowing trapped refrigerant in the rear lines to circulate.
The rear air conditioning system will only send cooled
air if the front system is on. It can still be used to
circulate air, even if the front system is off.
When the air conditioning, defrost or blend is on, you
may notice a slight increase or decrease in engine speed,
due to compressor operation. This is normal because the
system is designed to cycle the compressor on and off to
maintain the desired temperature.
Heating
On cold days, use the floor setting with the temperature
knob in the red area. Outside air will be brought in
through the floor ducts. The heater works best if you
keep your windows closed while using it.
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 ªEngine Coolant Heaterº in the Index.
Defrosting
Use defrost to remove fog or ice from the windshield
quickly in extremely cold conditions. The temperature
knob should be in the red area and the fan control
toward high. The air conditioning compressor may
operate in this setting to dehumidify the air.
The blend setting is useful for cold weather with a large
number of passengers or very humid conditions to help
keep the windshield clear.

3-8 Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use the vent setting to direct outside
air through your vehicle. Air will flow through the
instrument panel vents.
Your vehicle's flow
-through ventilation system supplies
outside air to the inside of your vehicle when it is
moving. With the side windows closed, air will flow into
the front air inlet grilles at the base of the windshield,
through the vehicle and out the rear air exhaust valve.
Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the heater
or the air conditioning compressor is running.
Your vehicle has air vents near the center and on the
sides of the instrument panel that allow you to adjust the
direction and the amount of airflow inside the vehicle.
Move the dial on the vent up or down to direct airflow
to your preference. Increase or reduce the amount of
airflow by opening and closing the louvers. The vents
turn to direct the airflow from side to side.

3-9
When you close a vent, it will increase the flow of air
coming out of any vents that are open.
If you have rear heating or rear air conditioning, you
will have adjustable vents in the rear of the vehicle to
help direct the airflow. The rear air conditioning vents
are located in the headliner at the rear of the vehicle.
The rear heating vents are located next to the second and
third seat on the driver's side of the vehicle, near the
floor. You can move the vents to direct the flow of air,
or close the vents altogether. When you close a vent, it
will increase the flow of air coming out of any vents that
are open.Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.

When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, turn the
fan to HI for a few moments before driving off.
This helps clear the intake ducts of snow and
moisture and reduces the chance of fogging the
inside of your windows.

Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.

4-38 Driving with a Trailer
CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon monoxide
(CO) could come into your vehicle. You can't see
or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness or
death. See ªEngine Exhaustº in the Index. To
maximize your safety when towing a trailer:

Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.

Keep the rear
-most windows closed.

If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle. Do not use
MAX A/C because it only recirculates the
air inside your vehicle. See ªComfort
Controlsº in the Index.
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you
are driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.