CHEVROLET ASTRO PASSENGER 1994 1.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
If you try to do your own service work without knowing enough
about it, your vehicle could be damaged.
The 8th digit of your Vehicle Identification Number (VTN) shows the code
letter for your engine. You will find the VIN at the top left
of your
instrument panel. (See “Vehicle Identification Number”
in the Index.)
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher. With the
4.3L (Code
W) engine, use premium unleaded gasoline rated at 9 1 octane or
higher for high power performance, when towing a trailer or with a high
payload requirement. But when operating with a light load as a normal
condition, you may
use middle grade or regular unleaded gasolines.
The gasoline
you use should meet specifications ASTM D48 14 in the U.S.
and CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels should have the proper additives,
so you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
In the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be sure
you get the right kind of
gasoline (unleaded). You’ll see “UNLEADED” right on the pump. And only
unleaded nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler neck.
Be sure the posted octane is at least
91 for premium, 89 for middle grade
and
87 for regular. If the octane is less than 87, you may get a heavy
knocking noise when you drive. If it’s bad enough, it can damage your
engine.
If you’re using fuel rated at 91 octane or higher and you still hear heavy
knocking, your engine needs service. But don’t worry if
you hear a little
pinging noise when you’re accelerating or driving up a hill. That’s normal,
and you don’t have
to buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of it. It’s the heavy,
constant knock that means
you have a problem.
What about gasoline with blending materials that contain oxygen \
(oxygenates), such as MTBE or alcohol?
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.” Fuel that is no more than
15% MTBE is fine for your vehicle.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol. Properly-blended fuel that is no more than
10% ethanol is fine for your vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
NOTICE:
Fuel that is more than 5% methanol is bad for your vehicle.
Don’t use it. It can corrode metal parts in your fuel syst\
em and
also damage plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t b\
e
covered under your warranty. And even at
5% or less, there
must be “cosolvents” and corrosion preventers in this fuel\
to
help avoid these problems.
Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with deposit control additives will help prevent
deposits from forming
in your engine and fuel system. That helps keep your
engine in tune and your emission control system working properly. It’s good
for your vehicle, and you’ll be doing your part for cleaner air.
Many gasolines are now blended with oxygenates. General Motors
recommends that you use gasolines
with these blending materials, such as
MTBE and ethanol. By doing so, you can help clean the air, especially in
those parts of the country that have high carbon monoxide levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing reformulated
gasolines. These gasolines are specially designed to reduce vehicle
emissions. General Motors recommends that you use reformulated gasoline.
By doing
so, you can help clean the air, especially in those parts of the
country that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station operators
if their gasolines contain
deposit control additives and oxygenates, and
if they have been
reformulated to reduce vehicle emissions.
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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 tankful, 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 Overseas Distribution Corporation
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
Filling Your Tank
The cap is behind a
hinged door on the left
side of your vehicle.
.. .
.. .
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine While refueling, hang
the cap inside the fuel
door.
To take off the cap,
turn
it slowly to the
left (counter-
clockwise). The
fuel filler door
release button
is in the
upper corner of the
driver's side stepwell.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from painted surfaces as
soon as possible. See “Cleaning the Outside
of Your Vehicle” in the Index.
When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until you hear a clicking
noise.
I NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right type. Your \
dealer
can get one for you.
If you get the wrong type, it may not fit or
have proper venting, and your fuel tank and emissions system
might be damaged.
Checking Things Under the Hood
Hood Release
To open the hood, first
pull the handle inside
the vehicle
on the
right side
of the
steering column.
Then go to the front
of
the vehicle and release
the secondary hood
release.
6-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Lift the hood, release
ic
the hood prop from its
retainer and put the
hood prop into the slot
in the hood.
Before closing the
hood, be sure all the
filler caps are on
properly. 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.
6-8

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine a
Then just pull 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.
Turn off the engine
and give the oil a few
minutes to drain back
into the oil pan. If you
don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the
actual level.
6-9

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
I
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 Specifications” \
in the Index.
L
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so much oil that the
oil level gets above the cross-hatched area that shows the pro\
per
operating range, your engine could be damaged.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Just fill it enough to
put the
level
somewhere in the
proper operating
range. Push the
dipstick all the way
back
in when you’re
through.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Beginning midyear 1993, oils of the proper quality for your vehicle will be
identified with this new “starburst” symbol. The “starburst” symbol
indicates that the oil has
been certified by the American Petroleum Institute
(API), and is preferred for use in your gasoline engine.
You should look for this on the front of the oil container, and use only oils
that display this new symbol.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your vehicle, as shown in
the following chart:
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAL VISCOSITY GRADE OIL
FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
F
+ 100
+ 80
+ 60
+ 40
+ 20
0
+ 38
+ 27
+ 16
+4
-7
- 18
COLD
WEATHER
LOOK FOR
ONE OF THESE
LABELS
SAE 1OW-30
SAE 5W-30
PREFERRED
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30
GRADE
OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30
GRADE MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES
ABOVE 40 DEGREES
F (4 DEGREES C).
ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR
As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you
can use SAE 1OW-30 if it's going to be 0°F (-18°C) or above. These
numbers
on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as
SAE lOW-40 or SAE 20W-50.
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