warning CHEVROLET ASTRO PASSENGER 1994 1.G User Guide

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This section describes the warning lights and gages that may be on your
vehicle. The pictures will help you locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is wrong before it
becomes serious enough to cause an expensive repair or replacement.
Paying attention
to your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights go on when there may be or is a problem with
one of your
vehicle’s functions.
As you will see in the details on the next few pages,
some warning lights come on briefly when
you turn the ignition key just to
let you know they’re working. If you are familiar with this section, you
should not be alarmed when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or
is a problem with one of your
vehicle’s functions. Often gages and warning lights work together to let you
know when there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes
on and stays on when you are
driving, or when one
of the gages shows there may be a problem, check the
section that tells you what
to do about it. Please follow the manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs can be costly
- and even dangerous. So please get to
know your warning lights and gages. They’re a big help.
Brake System Warning Light
Standard Cluster Digital Cluster
Your
vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two parts. If one part
isn’t working,
the other part can still work and stop you. For good braking,
though,
you need both parts working well.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake problem. Have your
brake system inspected right away.
This light should come on as you start the vehicle. If it doesn’t come on
then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the road and stop
carefully. You may notice that the pedal is harder to push.
Or, the pedal may
go closer to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still
on, have
the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.)
The brake system warning light will also come on when
YOU set your
parking brake, and it will stay on
if your parking brake doesn’t release fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it means YOU have a
brake problem.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
Standard Cluster Digital Cluster
I
With anti-lock, this light will go on when you start your engine and may
stay on for several seconds. That’s normal. If the light doesn’t come on,
have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a problem.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the light stays on, or comes on when you’re driving, your vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light isn’t
on, you still have
brakes, but you don’t have anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light is also on,
you don’t have anti-lock brakes and there’s a
problem with your regular brakes. See “Brake System Warning Light”
earlier in this part.
Air Bag System Light
There is an air bag
readiness light
on the
instrument panel,
which shows
AIR
BAG. The system
checks for electrical
malfunctions, and the
light tells
you if there
is a problem.
You will
see this light flash for a few seconds when you turn your ignition
to
RUN or START. Then the light should go out, which means the system is
ready.
Remember, if the air bag readiness light doesn’t come
on when you start
your vehicle, or stays
on, or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle serviced right \
away.
Indicator Lights
Indicator lights go on when you use your turn signals, change from low
beam headlights to high beams, or when
you use your hazard flashers. The
next few pages will also tell you about the indicator lights on your vehicle
and help
you locate them.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU BADLY!
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to do. See “Engine
Overheating” in the Index.
Voltmeter
Standard Cluster Digital Cluster
When your engine is not running, but the ignition is on (in the RUN
position), the gage shows your battery’s state of charge in DC volts. When
the ignition is running, the gage shows the condition of the charging system.
Readings between the low and high warning zones indicate the n\
ormal
operating range.
Readings
in either warning zone indicate a possible problem in the electrical
system.
On the digital cluster, a box around the voltmeter symbol will begin the
flash when the charging system needs service.
You can only drive for a short time with the readings in either warning zone.
If you must drive, turn off all unnecessary accessories.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your best to avoid
sudden steering, acceleration,
or bralung (including engine braking by
shifting to
a lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may
not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning clues
- such as enough water, ice or packed
snow on the road to make
a “mirrored surface” - and slow down when you
have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock braking system
(ABS) helps avoid only the
braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One reason is that some
drivers are likely to be impaired
- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
Here are some tips
on night driving.
Drive defensively.
0 Don’t drink and drive.
Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlights
behind
you.
Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow down and keep more
Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlights can light
In remote areas, watch for animals.
If you’re tired, pull off the road in a safe place and rest.
space
between
you and other vehicles.
up only
so much road ahead.
4-12

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
Know the best way to get to where you are going. Get a city map and
plan your trip into an unknown part of the city just as you would for a
cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most large cities. You’ll
save time and energy. (See the next section, “Freeway Driving.”)
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light is there because
the corner is busy enough to need it. When a light turns green, and just
before you start
to move, check both ways for vehicles that have not
cleared the intersection or may be running the red light.
Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways, expressways,
turnpikes, or superhighways) are the safest of all roads. But they have their
own special rules.
The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep up with traffic and
keep to the right. Drive at the same speed most of the other drivers are
driving. Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the
left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.
At the entrance there is usually a ramp that leads to the freeway. If you have
a clear view of the freeway as you drive along the entrance ramp, you
should begin
to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend
with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to the prevailing speed.
Switch on your turn signal, check your mirrors and glance over your
shoulder as often as necessary.
Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow.
Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the posted limit
or to the
prevailing rate if it’s slower. Stay
in the right lane unless you want to pass.
Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use your turn signal.
4-16

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your vehicle in good shape for winter. Be sure your engine
coolant
mix is correct.
You may want to put winter emergency supplies in your vehicle.
Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply of windshield
washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer clothing,
a small shovel, a flashlight,
a red cloth, and a couple
of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will be
driving under severe conditions, include a small bag of sand, a piece of old
carpet or a couple of burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you
properly secure these items in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the road probably have
good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and the road, you can
have a very slippery situation. You’ll have a lot less traction or “grip” and
will need to be very careful.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Problems on the Road
Section
5
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road .
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................................... 5-2
Other Warning Devices
...................................... 5-3
Jumpstarting
.............................................. 5-3
TowingYourVehicle
........................................ 5-7
Engine Overheating
...................................... 5-11
Engine Fan Noise
.......................................... 5-18
If a Tire Goes Flat ....................................... 5-18
Changing a Flat Tire
..................................... 5-19
Compact Spare Tire
..................................... 5-32
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud. Ice or Snow
. . ........ 5-33
5-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Hazard Warning Flashers
.I - -- .‘ -----
others. They also let
police know you have
a problem. Your front
and rear turn signal
lights will flash on
and
off.
But they won’t flash if
you’re braking.
. :
Press the button in to
make your front and
rear turn signal lights
flash on
and off. Your
hazard warning
flashers work
no
matter what position
your key is in, and
even
if the key isn’t in.
To turn off the
flashers, pull out on
the collar.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn signals won’t work.
5-2

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at the side of the road
about
300 feet (100 m) behind your vehicle.
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use another vehicle and some
jumper cables to start your vehicle. But please follow the steps below to do
it safely.
I NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage to your
vehicle that wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling it won’t work,
and it could damage your vehicle.
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery with a negative
ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a negative
ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
5-3