tire pressure CHEVROLET ASTRO PASSENGER 1993 1.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic following distances, you
will eliminate
a lot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking and
longer brake
life.
4 If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake normally but don’t
pump your brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to push down. If
your engine stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But you
will
use it when you brake, Once the power assist is used up, it may
take longer
to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push.
Anti-lOCk Brakes (ABS)
Your vehicle has an advanced electronic braking system that can help you
keep
it under control. When you start your vehicle and begin to drive \
away,
you may hear a momentary motor
or clicking noise. This is the ABS system
testing itself.
AM41 501 0
Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet. You’re driving safely.
Suddenly an animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens with
ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
The computer separately works the brakes at each front wheel a\
nd
at the
rear wheels. The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure\
faster than
any driver could. The computer is programmed
to make the most of available
tire and road conditions.
You can steer around the obstacle while braking
hard.
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AM455019
Driving too fast through large water puddles or even going thr\
ough some car
washes can cause problems
too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to
avoid puddles. But if you can’t, try to slow down before you hit them.
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won’t work well in a quick
stop and may cause pulling
to one side. You could lose control of
the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle of water or a car wash, apply
your brake pedal lightly until your brakes work normally.
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Hydropraning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires that
they can actually ride on the water. This can happen
if the road is wet
enough and you’re going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it
has
little or no contact with the road.
You might not be aware of hydroplaning. You could drive along for some time
without realizing your tires aren’t in constant contact with the road. You could
find out the hard way: when you have
to slow, turn, move out to pass-or if
you get hit by a gust of wind. You could suddenly find yourself out of control.
Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But
it can if your tires haven’t much tread
or
if the pressure in one or more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is
standing on the road. If you can see reflections from trees, \
telephone poles,
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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.
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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 I
Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in the passenger
b compartment of the vehicle could cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could strike someone. Store all these\
in
I the proper place.
Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare was fully inflated when your vehicle\
was new, it
can lose air after a time. Check the inflation pressure regula\
rly. It should be
60 psi (420 kPa). The compact spare is made to go up to 3,000 miles
(5000 km), so you can finish your trip and have your full-size tire repaired\
or
replaced where you want. Of course, it’s best
to replace your spare with a
full-size tire as soon as you can. Your spare
will last longer and be in good
shape in case you need
it again.
Don’t use your compact spare on some other vehicle.
And don’t mix your compact spare or wheel with other wheels\
or tires. They
won’t fit. Keep your spare and its wheel together.
Tire chains won’t fit your compact spare. Using them will d\
amage your vehicle and destro) “re chc”? too. Don’t use
ti- chair - 3n your compacl
spare.
A
Storing a jack, a tire, or other equipment in the passenger
compartment
of the vehicle could cause injury. In a sudden stop or
collision, loose equipment could strike someone. Store all these\
in
the proper place.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service & Appearance Care
Loading Your Vehicle
K3651
The Certificationrrire label is found on the rear edge of the driver’s door. The
label shows the size of your original tires and the inflation pressures needed
to obtain the gross vehicle weight capacity of your vehicle. This is called the
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR includes the weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
The Certificationflire label also tells you the maximum weights for the front
and rear axles, called Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
To find out the
actual loads on your front and rear axles, you need
to go to a weigh station
and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can help you with this. Be sure
to
spread out your load equally on both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross Axle Wei\
ght Rating
(GAWR) for either the front or rear axle.
And,
if you do have a heavy load, you should spread it out.
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR or the
- maximum front and rear GAWRs. If you do, parts on your vehicle
can break, or
it can change the way your vehicle handles. These
could cause you
to lose control. Also, overloading can shorten the
life
of your vehicle. I
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are dangerous. Overloading your tires can cause overheating as a result of too
much friction.
You could have an air-out and a serious accident.
See “Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Underinflated tires pose the same danger as overloaded tires.
The resulting accident could cause serious injury. Check all ti\
res
frequently to maintain the recommended pressure. Tire pressure
should be checked when the tires are cold.
Overinflated tires are more likely to be cut, punctured, or broken
by sudden impact (as when you hit a pothole). Keep tires at\
the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents.
If your tread is badly worn,
or
if your tires have been damaged, replace them.
Don’t drive over
85 mph (1 35 km/h) even if it’s legal, unless you
have the correct high speed rated tires.
Inflation-Tire Pressure
The Certification/Tire label which is on the rear edge of the driver’s door
shows the correct inflation pressures for your tires, when they’re cold\
. “Cold”
means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours \
or driven no
more than a mile.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Senrice & Appearance Care
on’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or overinflation is all right. It’s
When to Check: Check your tires once a month or more. Don’t forget your
compact spare tire.
It should be at 60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check: Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire pressure.
Simply looking at the tires will not tell you the pressure, e\
specially
if you
have radial tires-which may look properly inflated even
if they’re
underinflated.
If your tires have valve caps, be sure to put them back on. They help
prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tire Inspection and Rotation
To make your tires last longer, have them inspected and rotated a\
t the
mileages recommended in the Maintenance Schedule. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index.
Use this rotation pattern.
If your vehicle has front tires with different load ratings or tread designs (such
as all season vs. on/off road) than the rear tires, don’t \
rotate your tires front
to rear.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and rear inflation pressure
as shown on the CertificationRire label. Make certain that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut Torque” in the Index.
CAUTION I
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on the parts to which it is fastened, can
make wheel nuts become loose after a time. The wheel could come
.. off and cause an accident. When you change a wheel, remove an\
y
- - .-..-rust. -o,r dit-.from places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In
an emergency, you can use a cloth or paper towel to
do this; but be
sure
to use a scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to get all
the rust or dirt off. (See “Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index.)
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which would be made at the
time period specified to help ensure proper safety, emission performance, and
dependability of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once. Whenever \
any fluids
or lubricants are added to your vehicle, make sure they are the \
proper ones,
as shown in this section.
At Least Once a Month
Tire inflation pressure check -Check the tires for proper inflation. If they
are low, inflate them
to the level specified on the CertificationRire label or in
Section
6. See “Inflation-Tire Pressure” in the Index.
At Least Once a Year
Key lock cylinder lubrication -Lubricate key lock cylinders with one of the
lubricants recommended in this section.
Transmission neutral start switch operation
I A When you are doing this check, the vehicle could move suddenly\
. If I
it does, you or others could be injured. Follow the steps below. I L
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the manual parking brake and the regular brake. See
“Brakes” and “Parking Brake” in the Index.
Do not use the accelerator
pedal.
3. Be ready to turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
4. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter should work only in P
Steering column lock operation -While parked, try to turn the key to Lock
in each gear shift position. The key should turn to Lock only when the gear
shift is in
P (Park). The key should come out only in Lock.
(Park) or N (Neutral).
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