check oil CHEVROLET ASTRO PASSENGER 1993 1.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Featuves & Controls
Oil Pressure Gage
Standard Cluster Digital Cluster
The oil pressure gage shows the engine oil pressure in psi (\
pounds per square inch) when the engine is running. Canadian vehicles ind\
icate pressure
in kPa (kilopascals). Oil pressure may vary with engine speed\
, outside
temperature and oil viscosity, but readings above the low press\
ure zone indicate the normal operating range.
A reading in the low pressure zone may be caused by a dangerous\
ly low oil
level or other problem causing oil pressure.
On the digital cluster, a box around the oil pressure symbol \
will begin to flash
when the
oil pressure is low.
CAUTION
Don't keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If you do, your engine
can become
so hot that it catches fire. You or others could be
burned. Check your oil as soon as possible and have your vehi\
cle
serviced.
NOTIC-
Damage to yo/
not covered b)
2-62

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Driving On a Long nip
Although most long trips today are made on freeways, there are still many
made on regular highways.
Long-distance driving on freeways and regular highways is the same in some
ways. The trip has to be planned and the vehicle prepared, you drive at
higher-than-city speeds, and there are longer turns behind the wheel. You’ll
enjoy your trip more
if you and your vehicle are in good shape. Here are
some tips for a successful long trip.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you must start when you’re
not fresh-such as after a day’s work-don’t plan to make too many miles
that first part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you can
easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it serviced and maintained,
it’s ready to
go. If it needs service, have it done before starting out. Of
course, you’ll find experienced and able service experts in
GM dealerships all
across North America. They’ll be ready and willing to help
if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are all windows clean
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked all levels?
Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread
good enough for long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Should you delay your trip a short time to avoid a major storm system?
inside and outside?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook along your route?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
On the Road
Unless you
are the only driver, it is good to share the driving task with
others. Limit turns behind the wheel to about
100 miles (160 km) or two
hours- at a sitting. Then, either change drivers or stop for some refres\
hment
like coffee, tea or soft drinks and some limbering up. But
do stop and move
around. Eat lightly along the way. Heavier meals tend to make some people
sleepy.
4-33

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer attached, \
on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig could start to move. People can be injured,
and both your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into P (Park) yet.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes until the
chocks absorb
the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking brake, and \
shift to
P (Park).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down while you:
Start your engine.
Shift into a gear; and
Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re pulling a trailer. See
the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t ove\
rfill),
engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system, and brake adj\
ustment. Each of
these is covered in this manual, and the Index will help you find them
quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea
to review these sections before
you start your trip.
Check periodically
to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
mailer Light Wiring
See “Trailer Wiring Harness” in the Index.
4-49

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service & Appearance Care
L
......... ..... -&-.A- -
I 5, "9
. .
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle \
. This Section
begins with service and fuel information. and then
it shows how to check
important fluid and lubricant levels
. There is also technical information about
your vehicle. and a section devoted to its appearance care
.
Service ........................................................................\
........................................... 6-3
Fuel
........................................................................\
................................................ 6-4
Checking Things Under the Hood
....................................................................... \
6-8
Hood Release
........................................................................\
............................ 6-8
Engine
Oil ........................................................................\
.................................. 6-9
Engine Cover
........................................................................\
........................... 6-15
Air Cleaner
........................................................................\
............................... 6-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid
........................................................................\
. 6-20
Rear Axle
........................................................................\
................................. 6-23
All-Wheel Drive
........................................................................\
........................ 6-23
Transfer Case
........................................................................\
.......................... 6-23
Front Axle
........................................................................\
................................. 6-24
Engine Coolant
........................................................................\
........................ 6-26
Power Steering Fluid
........................................................................\
............... 6-30
Windshield Washer Fluid
........................................................................\
......... 6-31
Brake Master Cylinder
........................................................................\
............. 6-32
6-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the U.S. or Canada,
unleaded fuel may be hard to find.
Do not’ use leaded gasoline. If you use
even one tank full, your emission controls won’t work well \
or at all. With
continuous use, spark plugs can get fouled, the exhaust system \
can corrode,
and your engine oil can deteriorate quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor will
be damaged.
All of that means costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or contact a major oil
company that does business in the country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address
for advice. Just tell us where
you’re going and give your Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN).
General Motors of Canada, Limited
International Export Sales
P.O. Box 828
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7N1, Canada
Filling Your Tank
PO389
6-6

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and start a fire. These
include liquids like gasoline, oil, coolant, brake fluid, windsh\
ield
washer and other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others could
be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill things that will burn onto a
hot engine.
I I
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on properly.
I
~
K3607
Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on the hood prop. Remove the hood
prop from the slot in the hood and return the prop to its retainer. Then just
let the hood down and close
it firmly.
Engine Oil
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you get fuel. In order to
get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle\
must be on level ground.
6-9

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service dk Appearance Care
K3608
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to drain back down into
the oil pan.
If you don’t, the oil dipstick might not show the actual level\
.
To Check Engine Oil: Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again, keeping the tip
lower.
K3609
When to Add Oil: If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need to
add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This section \
explains what
kind
of oil to use. For crankcase capacity see ‘Capacities and Speci\
fications’’
in the Index.
6-1 0

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service & Appearance Care
h
Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can cause you or other!
to be burned. The air cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame
if the engine backfires. If it isn’t there, and the engine backfires, you
could be burned. Don’t drive with it off, and be careful working on
the engine with the air cleaner off.
If the air cleaner is off, a backfir
dirt can easily get into your engine,
air cleaner in place when you’re drivin $use a damaging engir
hicl
vill damage it. Na)
Automatic Transmission Nuid
When to Check and Change:
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid level is when the
engine oil is changed. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule
to determine when
to change your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choo\
se to have this
done at a
GM dealership Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading on the dipstick.
Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too much can
mean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine part-
starting a fire. Be sure to get an accurate reading
if you check your
transmission fluid.
I
I
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the transmission fluid level if you
have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic-especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
6-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service & Appearance Care
braking system-for example, when your brake linings wear down and you
have
to have new ones put in-be sure you get new genuine GM
replacement parts.
If you don’t, your brakes may no longer work properly. For
example,
if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the
balance between your front and rear brakes can change, for the\
worse. The
braking performance you’ve come to expect can change in many\
other ways
if someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Hydro-Boost Brake System (Hydraulic Pump)
The power steering pump is also used as the Hydro-Boost pump. \
Refer to
“Power Steering Fluid” in this section when. checking the fluid level or adding
fluid.
Fluid Leak Check
After the vehicle has been parked for awhile, inspect the surf\
ace beneath the
vehicle for water, oil, fuel or other fluids. Water dripping f\
rom the air
conditioning system is normal. If you notice fuel leaks or fumes, the causes
should be found and corrected at once.
Battery
Every new GM vehicle has
add water
to one of these,
a Delco Freedom@ battery.
the original battery’s label. a Delco Freedom@ battery. You never have
to
When it’s time for a new battery, we recommend
Get one that has the catalog number shown on
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or more, take off the
black, negative
(-) cable from the battery. This will help keep your battery
from running down.
I CAUTION
For more informarlon on vehicle storage, contact your dealer’\
s service
department, or write to:
Adistra Corporation 171 Hamilton Street Plymouth,
MI 48170
General Motors
of Canada, Limited
Customer Services Department
Oshawa, Ontario L1 J5Z6
In
Canada, write
to:
6-34

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Senrice & Appearance Care
Hood Latches and Hood Hinge
The Maintenance Schedule will tell you how often to lubricate the hood latch
and hood hinge assembly. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”\
in the
Index for the proper lubricant
to use.
Propeller Shaft Slip Splines/Universal Joints
The Maintenance Schedule will tell you how often the slip splines must be
lubricated. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the \
Index for the
proper lubricant
to use.
Constant Velocity Joints (All- Wheel Drive Only)
The Maintenance Schedule will tell you how often to lubricate the the
constant velocity joints. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubrican\
ts” in the
Index for the proper lubricant
to use.
Sliding Door Tracks
Your vehicle’s sliding door has three tracks which need lubricatio\
n.
For the upper and lower tracks, open the door, wipe the track\
clean and then
lubricate with Lubriplate@ White Grease.
For the outside middle track, close the door after you finish \
the upper and
lower tracks. Then, wipe the track clean and lubricate with Lu\
briplateB White
Grease.
Body
Normal use of your vehicle will cause metal-to-metal wear at some points \
on
the cab and body
if they are not lubricated.
tor exposed surfaces, such as door checks, door lock bolts, lock s\
triker
plates, dovetail bumper wedges, etc., a thin film
of engine oil should be
applied.
Where oil holes are provided in the body or cab, a dripless \
oil can be used.
The seat adjusters and seat track should be lubricated with chassis grease.
Door weatherstrips and rubber hood bumpers should be lightly coated with
a
rubber lubricant.
Never use
too much of any lubricant and be sure to wipe up any extra
lubricant when you are finished.
Some parts that need lubricating are hard
to get at. Window regulators and
controls are inside the doors. You can get to these by removing the trim
panels.
6-40