warning CHEVROLET ASTRO PASSENGER 1994 1.G Owner's Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have a GM dealer or a professional towing service tow your vehicle.
They can provide the right equipment and know how
to tow it without
damage.
If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it was factory-new by
adding aftermarket items like fog lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and
wheels, these things can be damaged during towing.
Before you do anything, turn on the hazard warning flashers.
When you call, tell the towing service:
That, if your vehicle has all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive \
with fog
lamps, it cannot be towed from the front with sling-type equipment.
That your vehicle has rear-wheel drive, or that it has the
The make, model, and year of your vehicle.
all-wheel-drive
option.
0 Whether you can still move the shift lever.
0 If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition key off. The steering
wheel should be clamped in a straight-ahead position, with a clamping
device designed for towing service.
Do not use the vehicle’s steering
column lock for this. The transmission should be in “N” (Neutral) and the
parking brake released.
If your vehicle has the all-wheel drive option, it can only be towed with all
four wheels off the ground.
A dolly must be used under the un-raised
wheels when towing or the vehicle must be transported
on a flat bed carrier.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no steam, the problem may
not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little
too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
0 Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
0 Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning
with no sign of steam, try this for a minute
or
so:
1. If you have an air conditioner, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan speed and open the
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to “N” (Neutral).
window as necessary.
If you no
longer have the overheat warning, you can drive. Just to be safe,
drive slower for about ten minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on,
you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there’s still
no sign of steam, push the accelerator until the engine speed is
about twice as fast as normal idle speed. Bring the engine speed back to
normal idle speed after two or three minutes. Now see if the warning stops.
But then, if you still have the warning, TURN
OFF THE ENGINE AND
GET EVERYONE OUT OF THE VEHICLE until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service help right away.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
the
FULL mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean water (preferably distilled)
and
a proper antifreeze at the coolant recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolant”
in the Index for more information about the proper coolant mix.)
..
..
I NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the engine, radiator,
heater core and other parts. Use the recommended coolant.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at or above the FULL,
mark, start your vehicle.
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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly to a
level place. Turn on your hazard warning flashers.
I Flat Tire
L U
Blocked Tire
c
The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and change a tire.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your GM dealer is ready to advise if you
think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less than 10 miles
(16
km).
The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in door-to-door
You tow a trailer often.
delivery,
or in stop-and-go traffic).
0 Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one of these is true for your vehicle, then
you need to change your oil
andfilter every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months - whichever comes
first
.
If none of them is true, change the oil every 7,500 miles (12 500 km) or
12 months
- whichever comes first. Change the filter at the first oil change
and at every other oil change after that.
Engine Coolanf Heater (Engine Block Heater)
An engine coolant heater can be a big help if you have to park outside in
very cold weather,
0°F (-18°C) or colder. If your vehicle has this option,
see “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your
skin and could even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay
on your skin for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw away clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. (See the manufacturer’s warnings about the use
and disposal of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you change your own oil,
be sure to drain all free-flowing oil from the filter before disposal. Don’t
ever dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by taking it to
a place that collects used oil. If you have a problem properly disposing of
your used oil, ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of lubricant to
use. See “Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants” in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to add coolant 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:
0 Give freezing protection down to -20°F (-29”C), or -34°F (-37°C) in
0 Give boiling protection up to 258°F (125 “C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning gages work as they should.
Canada
and for vehicles with the cold climate option.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze
that meets “GM Specification 6038-M,” which won’t damage
aluminum parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to
“GM
Specification 603%”’ with a complete coolant flush and refill. If you use
this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The
sound may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving
(except when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads could result in
costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake squeal when the
brakes are first applied or lightly applied. This does not mean something is
wrong with your brakes.
Your rear drum brakes don't have wear indicators, but
if you ever hear a
rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear brake linings inspected. Also,
the
rear brake drums should be removed and inspected each time the tires are
removed for rotation or changing. When you have the front brakes replaced,
have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height, or if
there is a rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake
trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes adjust for wear.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your rear drum brakes
may need adjustment. Adjust them by backing
up and firmly applying the
brakes a few times.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you ever replace your tires with those not having a TPC Spec number,
make sure they are the same size, load range, speed rating and construction
type (bias, bias-belted
or radial) as your original tires.
_1 - .. .
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system developed by the United
States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which grades tires
by treadwear, traction and temperature performance. (This applies only to
vehicles sold
in the United States.)
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the
tire
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test
course. For example,
a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1 1/2)
times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative
performance
of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices and differences in road characteristics and
climate.
Traction - A, 8, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are: A, B, and C. They represent
the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A
tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking
(straight-ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering (turning)
traction.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Temperature - A, By C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire’s
resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laborat\
ory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance
on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Warning: The temperature grade
for this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
These grades are molded on the sidewalls
of passenger car tires.
While the tires available as standard or optional equipment on General
Motors vehicles may vary with respect to these grades, all suc\
h tires meet General Motors performance standards and have been approved for use
on
General Motors vehicles. All passenger type (P Metric) tires must conform
to Federal safety requirements
in addition to these grades.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced carefully at \
the
factory to give you the longest tire life and best overall performance.
In most cases, you will not need to have your wheels aligned again.
However, if you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling
one way or
the other, the alignment may need
to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels may need \
to be
rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked or badly rusted. If wheel nuts keep
coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel
nuts should be replaced. If
the wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum wheels, \
which can
sometimes be repaired). See your
GM dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel
you need.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tire Chains
NOTICE:
If your vehicle has P245/60R15 size tires, don’t use tire chains;
they can damage your vehicle.
If you have other size tires, use tire chains only where legal and
only when you must. Use only
SAE Class “S” type chains that
are the proper size for your tires. Install them on the rear axle
tires and tighten them
as tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow the chain
manufacturer’s instructions. If you can hear the chains
contacting your vehicle, stop and retighten them.
If the contact
continues, slow down until it stops. Driving too fast with chains
on will damage your vehicle.
Appearance Care
P
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some are toxic. Others can
burst into flame if you strike a match or get them on a hot part
of the
vehicle. Some are dangerous if
you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from
a container to clean your vehicle, be sure to
follow the manufacturer’s warnings and instructions. And alway\
s open your
doors or windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
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