ignition CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN 2004 2.G User Guide

How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged
in? The answer depends on the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead
of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your 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 Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P):This position locks your rear wheels.
It’s the best position to use when you start your engine
because your vehicle can’t move easily.
{CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Do not 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 will not move, even
when you are on fairly level ground, always
set your parking brake and move the shift
lever to PARK (P). SeeShifting Into Park (P)
on page 2-26. If you are pulling a trailer,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-35.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has an automatic transmission
shift lock control system. You have to fully apply your
regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when
the ignition key is in RUN. 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 wish. SeeShifting Out of Park (P) on page 2-28.
2-22

All-Wheel Drive
If your vehicle has all-wheel drive, your engine’s
driving power is sent to all four wheels for extra traction
when needed.
This is like four-wheel drive, but there is no separate
lever or switch to engage or disengage the front axle.
It is fully automatic, and adjusts itself as needed for
road conditions.
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.
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.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Verify that
the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on a hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-35. That section shows
what to do rst to keep the trailer from moving.
2-25

Move the lever up as far as it will go.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the
Engine Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and your
parking brake is rmly set before you leave it. After
you’ve moved the shift lever to PARK (P), hold
the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can
move the shift lever away from PARK (P) without rst
pulling it toward you. If you can, it means that the
shift lever wasn’t fully locked into PARK (P).
2-27

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may nd it difficult to pull
the shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called “torque
lock.” To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake
and then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver’s seat. To nd out how, seeShifting Into
Park (P) on page 2-26.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out
of PARK (P)beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. SeeAutomatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-22.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up 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 xed as soon as you can.
2-28

Overhead Console
Your vehicle may have this feature.
The overhead console includes reading lamps, a
compartment for a garage door opener, a trip computer,
a temperature and compass display, and a storage
compartment for sunglasses.
The reading lamps, trip computer, temperature and
compass display will work when the ignition is in RUN,
ACCESSORY or when Retained Accessory Power
(RAP) is active. See “Retained Accessory Power”
underIgnition Positions on page 2-18.
Reading Lamps
Your vehicle may have this feature.
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.
2-38

COMP/TEMP (Compass/Temperature):This 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 US/MET and
MODE 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. Record your
zone number.
2. Press and hold both the US/MET and the MODE
buttons while in the COMP/TEMP mode.
2-41

The main components of your instrument panel are
the following:
A. Exterior Lamps. SeeExterior Lamps on page 3-12.
B. Instrument Panel Brightness Control. SeeExterior
Lamps on page 3-12.
C. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-6.
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-4.
E. Shift Lever. SeeStarting Your Engine on page 2-20.
F. Ignition Switch. SeeIgnition Positions on page 2-18.
G. Rear Defogger Button. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-17.
H. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System on page 3-17.
I. Rear A/C Control. SeeRear Heating System
on page 3-20.J. Rear Heater Control. SeeRear Heating System
on page 3-20.
K. Rear Window Washer/Wiper Switch. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-6.
L. Ashtray. SeeAshtrays and Cigarette Lighter
on page 3-16.
M. Dome Override Button. SeeInterior Lamps
on page 3-14.
N. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-10.
O. Cigarette Lighter. SeeAshtrays and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-16.
P. Audio System(s). SeeAudio System(s)
on page 3-35.
Q. Front Storage Compartment. SeeStorage Areas
on page 2-36.
R. Accessory Power Outlets. SeeAccessory Power
Outlets on page 3-15.
3-3

Increasing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to go to a higher speed:
Use the accelerator pedal to get to the higher
speed. Press the button at the end of the lever,
then release the button and the accelerator pedal.
You’ll now cruise at the higher speed.
Move the cruise switch from ON to R/A. Hold it
there until you get up to the speed you want,
and then release the switch. To increase your speed
in very small amounts, move the switch to R/A
briey. Each time you do this, your vehicle will go
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster.
Reducing Speed While Using
Cruise Control
There are two ways to reduce your speed while using
cruise control:
Press the button at the end of the lever until you
reach the lower speed you want, then release it.
To slow down in very small amounts, press the
button briey. Each time you do this, you’ll go
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h) slower.
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 nd 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.
3-11

Exterior Lamps
The exterior lamp control is located on the driver’s side
of the instrument panel.
The exterior lamp control has three positions:
9(Off):Turning the control to this position turns off
all lamps except the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
;(Parking Lamps):Turning the control to this
position turns on the parking lamps, together with
the following:
Sidemarker Lamps
Taillamps
License Plate Lamps
Instrument Panel Lights
Ashtray Lamp
O(Headlamps):Turning the control to this position
turns on the headlamps, together with the previously
listed lamps and lights.
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 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.
3-12

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 lighting 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.
You may be able to turn off your automatic headlamp
system. See “Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)” later
in this section for more information.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamps when you need them.
Lamps On Reminder
A reminder tone will sound when your headlamps or
parking lamps are manually turned on and your ignition
is in OFF, LOCK or ACCESSORY. To disable the
tone, turn the instrument panel brightness thumbwheel
all the way down. In the automatic mode, the
headlamps turn off once the ignition key is in OFF.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
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. Fully functional daytime
running lamps are required on all vehicles rst sold
in Canada.
The DRL system will make your headlamps come on
at a reduced brightness when the following conditions
are met:
The ignition is on,
the exterior lamp control is off.
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.
3-13