automatic transmission CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN 2003 2.G Owner's Guide

Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace
blade inserts that appear worn or damaged or that
streak or miss areas of the windshield. Also see
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle on page 5-86.
Spare Tire Check
At least twice a year, after the monthly in¯ation check of
the spare tire determines that the spare is in¯ated to
the correct tire in¯ation pressure, make sure that
the spare tire is stored securely. Push, pull, and then try
to rotate or turn the tire. If it moves, use the wheel
wrench to tighten the cable. See
Changing a Flat Tire
on page 5-71.
Weatherstrip Lubrication
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. During very cold,
damp weather more frequent application may be
required. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 6-32.
Automatic Transmission Check
Check the transmission ¯uid level; add if needed. SeeAutomatic Transmission Fluid on page 5-25. A ¯uid loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
speci®ed in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges, the body hood, fuel door
and rear compartment hinges, latches and locks
including interior glove box and console doors, hood
latch assembly, secondary latch, pivots, spring anchor,
release pawl and any moving seat hardware. Lubricate
the hood safety lever pivot and prop rod pivot. Part
D tells you what to use. More frequent lubrication may
be required when exposed to a corrosive environment.
6-27

Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. See
Parking Brake on page 2-26if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the starter works in any other position, your
vehicle needs service.
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
could move suddenly. If it does, you or others
could be injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See
Parking Brake
on page 2-26if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN
position, but don't start the engine. Without applying
the regular brake, try to move the shift lever out
of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of PARK (P), your vehicle needs service.
6-28

Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
·The key should turn to LOCK only when the
shift lever is in PARK (P).
·The key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P)
Mechanism Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
·To check the parking brake's holding ability: With
the engine running and transmission in NEUTRAL
(N), slowly remove foot pressure from the regular
brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is held by the
parking brake only.
·To check the PARK (P) mechanism's holding
ability: With the engine running, shift to PARK (P).
Then release the parking brake followed by the
regular brake.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ¯ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-29

Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identi®ed below by name, part
number or speci®cation may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certi®ed for
Gasoline Engines starburst symbol
of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity for
your vehicle's engine, see
Engine
Oil on page 5-15.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
žCoolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-28.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake ¯uid.
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
žWasher Solvent or
equivalent.
Parking Brake
Cable GuidesChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242, or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements of
NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part
No. U.S. 1052884, in Canada
993294, or equivalent).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
ž-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474, or equivalent).
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242, or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements of
NLGI #2, Category LB or GC-LB.
Front Wheel
BearingsWheel bearing lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2, Category
GC or GC-LB (GM Part No. U.S.
1051344, in Canada 993037, or
equivalent).
6-32

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-13
Automatic Transmission Check..........................6-27
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-28
Automatic Transmission...................................5-25
Fluid..........................................................5-25
Operation...................................................2-23
B
Backing Up....................................................4-38
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-6
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-16
Battery..........................................................5-46
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-21
Bench Seat............................................1-11, 1-57
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-27
Brake Adjustment............................................5-45
Brake Fluid....................................................5-42
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-45
Brake Wear...................................................5-45
Brake............................................................2-26
Parking......................................................2-26
System Inspection.......................................6-31
System Warning Light..................................3-28
Brakes..........................................................5-42
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9Braking........................................................... 4-6
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-19
Bucket Seats, Rear.........................................1-12
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-55
Front Turn Signal Lamps..............................5-59
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-55
Headlamps.................................................5-55
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-61
Taillamps....................................................5-60
Buying New Tires...........................................5-66C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-6
Canada ± Customer Assistance.......................... 7-5
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
Canceling the Sliding Door Security Lock...........2-12
Capacities and Speci®cations............................5-99
Carbon Monoxide...........................4-24, 4-31, 2-30
Care of.........................................................5-86
Safety Belts................................................5-86
Your CD Player...........................................3-50
Your CDs ...................................................3-50
Cargo Vans...........................................1-41, 1-48
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts.............1-27
Chains, Tires..................................................5-70
Charging System Light....................................3-27
2

Electrical System (cont.)
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-92
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-92
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-33
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-26
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-18
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-26
Engine..........................................................5-24
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-24
Battery.......................................................5-46
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-30
Compartment Overview................................5-14
Coolant Heater............................................2-22
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-30
Coolant......................................................5-28
Cooling System Inspection............................6-30
Cover........................................................5-20
Exhaust.....................................................2-30
Fan Noise..................................................5-39
Oil .............................................................5-15
Overheating................................................5-31
Starting......................................................2-21
Entry Lighting.................................................3-15
Erasing HomeLink
žButtons..............................2-37
Except Cargo Vans.................................1-38, 1-47
Exit Lighting...................................................3-15Express-Down Window....................................2-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-34
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
F
Filter.............................................................5-24
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-24
Finding a Station....................................3-39, 3-41
Finish Care....................................................5-87
Finish Damage...............................................5-88
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-50
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-7
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-71
Flat Tire........................................................5-70
Fluid.............................................................5-25
Automatic Transmission................................5-25
Power Steering...........................................5-40
Windshield Washer......................................5-41
FM ...............................................................3-50
Following Distance..........................................4-38
Front Axle......................................................5-54
Front Doors..................................................... 2-8
Fuel Regulator................................................2-21
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
5

Operation Tips................................................3-22
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-5
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-22
Outside.........................................................2-33
Convex Mirror.............................................2-33
Manual Mirror.............................................2-32
Power Mirrors.............................................2-32
Overhead Console..........................................2-39
Overseas ± Customer Assistance........................ 7-5
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner's Information........................................7-12
P
Park (P)........................................................2-29
Shifting Out of............................................2-29
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission Park
(P)
Mechanism Check.......................................6-29
Parking on Hills..............................................4-39
Parking.........................................................2-26
Brake........................................................2-26
Over Things That Burn.................................2-30
Park(P).........................................................2-27
Shifting Into................................................2-27
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services............ 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services................6-26Part C - Periodic MaintenanceInspections..........6-30
Part D - Recommended Fluids and Lubricants....6-32
Part E - Maintenance Record...........................6-34
Passing.................................................4-12, 4-38
Passlock
ž......................................................2-18
Payload.........................................................4-31 .
Plan Ahead When Possible................................ 7-8
Playing a Compact Disc...................................3-43
Playing the Radio...................................3-39, 3-41
Power Steering................................................ 4-9
Power...........................................................3-16
Accessory Outlets........................................3-16
Door Locks.................................................. 2-8
Electrical System.........................................5-92
Seat............................................................ 1-3
Steering Fluid.............................................5-40
Windows....................................................2-17
Programmable Automatic Door Locks.................. 2-9
Programming the HomeLink Transmitter.............2-35
Q
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.........1-17
10

Tires.............................................................5-63
Buying New Tires........................................5-66
Chains.......................................................5-70
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-71
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-82
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-70
In¯ation Ð Tire Pressure..............................5-64
Inspection and Rotation................................5-64
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-67
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-69
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-69
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-66
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-22
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-50
Top Strap......................................................1-48
Torque Lock...................................................2-29
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires..................4-35
Tow/Haul Mode Button.....................................2-25
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-36
Towing..........................................................4-29
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-29
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-31
Your Vehicle...............................................4-29
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-36
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-41
Trailering Package..........................................4-31
Transfer Case................................................5-52Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-23
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case Unit
Repair Manual............................................7-11
Transmission..................................................5-25
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-25
Transportation Options...................................... 7-9
Trip Odometer................................................3-25
Turn and Lane Change Signals.......................... 3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-6
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-38
U
Underbody Flushing Service.............................6-29
Underhood Fuse Block....................................5-96
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-50
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-67
United States ± Customer Assistance.................. 7-4
Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature After a
Power Loss................................................3-49
Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-70
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-84
Using HomeLink
ž...........................................2-37
14