cooling CHEVROLET ASTRO PASSENGER 1994 1.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain
falling asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with the same scenery,
along with the hum of the tires on the road, the drone of the engine, and the
rush of the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t let
it
happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the road in less than a
second,
and you could crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be aware that
it can
happen.
Then here are some tips:
Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a comfortably cool
interior.
Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to the sides. Check
your mirrors and your instruments frequently.
If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service, or parking area
and take a nap, get some exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness
on the highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain Roads
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 enjoyable.
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.
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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
5. Release the regular brakes.
“P” (Park).
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. Thin.gs that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system, and brake
adjustment. 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.
Trailer Light Wiring
See “Trailer Wiring Harness” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what you’ll see:
A. Coolant recovery tank
B. Radiator pressure cap
C. Engine fan
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling, don’t do anything
else until it cools down.
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 somewhere
else in the cooling system.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine without coolant isn’t \
covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, start the engine again. See if the fan speed
increases when idle speed
is doubled by pushing the accelerator pedal down.
If it doesn’t, your vehicle needs service. Turn
off the engine.
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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 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 some
pressure left.
2. Then keep
turning
the
I
pressure cap, but
now push down
as you turn it.
Remove the
pressure cap.
3. Fill the Radiator
with
the proper
mix, up to the
base
of the filler
neck.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 8. Then replace the
pressure cap. At
any time during
this procedure
if
coolant begins to
flow out of the
filler neck,
reinstall the
pressure cap. Be
sure the arrows on
the pressure cap
line up like this.
Engine Fan Noise
This vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When the clutch 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 fuel economy
and reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing and/or
high outside temperatures, the fan speed increases when the clutch engages.
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 when
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 Tire 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 control
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 a tire goes flat,
the next section shows how to use your jacking equipment
to change a flat tire safely.
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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 I NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine could overheat
and be badly damaged. The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty. Too much water in the mix can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Some conditions, such as air trapped in the cooling system, can affect the
coolant level
in the radiator. Check the coolant level when the engine is cold
and follow the steps under “Adding Coolant” for the proper way to add
coolant.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year, have your dealer
check your cooling system.
I NOTICE:
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 harmful.
Adding Coolant
To Check Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at COLD LEVEL, or
a little higher. When your engine is warm, the level should be up
to COLD
LEVEL, or a little higher.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Conditioning
Every now and then have your dealership check your air conditioning
system to be sure it has not
lost any cooling ability. If you think the system
is not working properly, have your dealership
check it out as soon as
possible.
The air conditioning will not work when the temperature is below
40°F
(4 O C).
Lubrication
Accelerator Control System
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often the accelerator
linkage pivot points must be lubricated and what type of lubricant
to use.
Accelerator cables and cruise control cables should not be lubricated. Any
cables that are worn or are hard to pull should be replaced.
When cleaning the engine compartment with water or steam, avoid directing
the flow onto the throttle linkage in a manner that would cau\
se moisture
to
enter the cables.
Hood Latches and Hood Hinge
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how to lubricate the hood
latch and hood hinge assembly.
Sliding Door Tracks
Your vehicle’s sliding door has three tracks which need lubrication.
For the upper and lower tracks, open the door, wipe the track\
clean and then lubricate with Lubriplate
TM White Grease.
For the outside middle track, close
the door after you finish the upper and
lower tracks. Then, wipe
the track clean and lubricate with
Lubriplate
TM White Grease.
Body
Normal use of your vehicle will cause metal to metal wear at some points on
the cab and body
if they are not lubricated.
For exposed surfaces, such as door checks, door lock bolts, lock striker
plates, dovetail bumper wedges, etc., a thin film
of engine oil should be
applied.
Where oil holes are provided in the body or cab, a dripless oil can be used.
The seat adjusters and seat track should be lubricated with chassis grease.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Each new wheel should have the same load carrying capacity, diameter,
width, offset, and be mounted the same way as the
one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel nuts,
replace them only with new
GM original equipment parts. This way, you
will be sure to have the right wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts
for your
GM model.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with bearing life,
brake cooling, speedometer/odometer calibration, headlight aim,
bumper height, vehicle ground clearance, and tire or tire chain\

clearance to the body and chassis.
Used Replacement Wheels
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