cooling CHEVROLET ASTRO PASSENGER 1993 1.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Hill and Mountain Roads
AM470001
Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from driving in flat or rolling
terrain.
If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you're planning to visit
there, here are some tips that can make your trips safer and more enjoyab\
le.
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels and also the
brakes, tires, cooling system and transmission. These parts can \
work
hard on mountain roads.
Know how to go down hills. The most important thing to know is this:
Let your engine
do some of the slowing down. Don't make your brakes
do it all. Shift
to a lower gear when you go down a steep or long hill.
That way, you will
slow down without excessive use of your brakes.
* If you don't shift down, your brakes could get so hot that they
L b wouldn't work well. You would then have poor braking or even none
going down a hill. You could crash. Shift down to let your engine
assist your brakes on a steep downhill slope.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Will the trailer brake parts take 3,000 psi (20 650 kPa) of pressure? If
not, the trailer brake system must not be used with your vehi\
cle.
if everything checks out this far, then make the brake fluid tap at the
port on the master cylinder that sends fluid to the rear brak\
es. But don’t use copper tubing for this.
If you do, it will bend and finally break off.
Use steel brake tubing.
Driving with a Trailer
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
so responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform, safety \
chains, electrical
connector, lights, tires and mirror adjustment.
If the trailer has electric brakes,
start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trail\
er brake controller
by hand to be sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
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
“Engine Exhaust” in the Index).
To maximize your safety when towing
a trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected for leaks and make
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 NC
because it only recirculates the air inside your vehicle. See
“Comfort Controls” in the Index.
necessary repairs before starting
on your trip.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure, and
that the lights and any trailer brakes are still working.
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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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine c I
PO453
The coolant level should be at or above FULL. If it isn't, you may have a
leak in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somew\
here
else in the cooling system.
mm I CAUTION
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank
If you haven't found a problem yet, but the coolant level isn't \
at or above
FULL, add a 50/50 mixture of clean water (preferable distilled) and a proper
antifreeze at the coolant recovery tank. (See "Engine Coolant" \
in the Index
for more information about the proper coolant mix.)
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 1 CAUTION
A Adding only plain water to your cooling system can be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other liquid like alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mix
will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is set
for the proper coolant mix. With plain water or the wrong mix, yo\
ur
engine could get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat \
warning.
Your engine could catch fire and you or others could be burned. Use
~ cold weather, water can freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater
‘e and other parts. Use the recommended coolant.
I CAUTION
A You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts. Coolant
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
b contains ethylene glycol and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
Vwn the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at or above FULL, start
your vehicle.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the overheat warning continues, there's one more thing you can try. You
can add the proper coolant mix directly to the radiator, but be sure the
cooling
system is cool before you do it.
I CAUTION
II
A
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling system can blow out
and burn you badly. They are under pressure, and
if you turn the
radiator pressure cap-even a little-they can come out at high
speed. Never
turn the pressure cap when the cooling system,
including the radiator pressure cap, is hot. Wait
for the cooling
system and radiator pressure cap
to cool if you ever have to turn
the pressure cap.
I A
PO425
5-1 3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Problems on #he Road
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
PO422
1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when the cooling system,
including the radiator pressure cap
and upper radiator hose, is no longer
hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly to the left until it
first stops. (Don't
press down while turning the pressure cap.)
If YOU hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means there is Still SOt-t~e
pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push down as you turn it.
Remc- the pressure cap.
PO423
3. Fill the radiator with the proper mix, up to the base of the filler neck,
5-1 4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Pmblems on the Road
Engine Fan Noise
This vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When the clutc\
h is engaged,
the fan spins faster
to provide more air to cool the engine. In most every day
driving conditions, the clutch is not engaged. This improves fu\
el economy and
reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing \
andlor high
outside temperatures, the fan speed increases when the clutch e\
ngages.
So
you may hear an increase in fan noise. This is normal and should not be
mistaken as the transmission slipping
or making extra shifts. It is merely the
cooling system functioning properly. The fan will slow down whe\
n additional
cooling is not required and the clutch disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the engine.
It will go away
as the fan clutch disengages.
If a Tim Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving, especially if you
maintain your tires properly.
If air goes out of a tire, it’s much more likely to
leak out slowly. But
if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few tips
about what to expect and what
to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that pulls the vehicle toward
that side. Take your foot
off the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel
firmly. Steer
to maintain lane position, then gently brake to a stop well out of
the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a skid \
and may
require the same correction you’d use in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove
your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under co\
ntrol by steering
the way you want the vehicle
to go. It may be very bumpy and noisy, but
you can still steer. Gently brake
to a stop, well off the road if possible.
If your tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your jacking equipment
to change a flat tire safely.
5-1 6

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Coolant
~
L
A
1
PO453
The following explains your cooling system and how to add cool\
ant when it is low.
If you have a problem with engine overheating, see "Engine
Overheating" in the Index.
The proper coolant for your vehicle will:
Give freezing protection down to -20°F (-29°C) or -40°F (-40°C) for
Canadian vehicles and vehicles with the cold climate option.
Give boiling protection up to 258°F (125°C).
Protect' against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning gages work as they should,
What to Use:
Use a mixture of clean water (preferably distilled) and antifreeze that meets
"GM Specification 6038-M," which won't damage aluminum parts.
Also use
GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) with a complete coolant \
change.
If
you use these, you don't need to add anything else.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you have to add coolant more than four times a year, have your dealer
check your cooling system.
I
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to add extra inhibitors or
additives which claim to improve the system. These can
be harm1
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