maintenance schedule CHEVROLET ASTRO PASSENGER 1994 1.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Table of Contents
Introduction - How to Use this Manual
This section tells you how to use your manual and includes safety
and vehicle damage warnings and symbols.
Section 1 - Seats and Safety Restraints
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety restraints
properly.
Section 2 - Features & Controls
This section explains how to start and operate your vehicle.
Section 3 - Comfort Controls & Audio Systems
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort
controls and how
to operate your audio system.
Section 4 - Your Driving and the Road
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and
how to drive under different conditions.
Section 5 - Problems on the Road
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while
driving, such as a flat tire or engine overheating.
Section 6 - Service & Appearance Care
Here the manual tells you how to keep your vehicle running
properly and looking good.
Section 7- Scheduled Maintenance Services
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and
what fluids and lubricants to use.
Section 8 - Customer Assistance Information
This section tells you how to contact your GM division for
assistance and how to get service publications. It also gives you
information on “Reporting Safety Defects’’ on page 84
Index
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this
manual. You can use it to quickly find something you want to read.
iv

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.
4-29

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you have the 4.3L engine (VIN Code W) with the square air cleaner, you
can change the air cleaner filter without removing the engine cover. Just lift
the hood, unsnap both clips and remove
the top. After changing the filter,
snap both clips to secure
the air cleaner. Be sure air cleaner lid is correctly
positioned to seal out dust and contaminants that are harmful
to your engine.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to replace the air
filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire can cause a damaging engine
fire. And, dirt can easily get into your engine, which
will damage
it. Always have the air cleaner in place when you’re drivin\
g.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid level is when the
engine oil is changed. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine
when to change your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the
Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a GM dealership Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here,
or you could
get a false reading on the dipstick.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4. If the fluid level
is in the
acceptable range,
push the dipstick
back in all the
way.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of transmission
fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index.
If the fluid level
is low, add only enough of the proper fluid to bring the
level up to the
COLD area for a cold check or the HOT area for a hot
check. It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than
a pint. Don’t overfill.
We recommend you use only fluid labeled DEXRON@-I11 or
DEXRON@-IIE, because fluids with that label are made especially for our
automatic transmission. Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON
-111
or DEXRON@-IIE is not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
d
After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as described under “How to
Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the dipstick back in all
the way.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often to check the
lubricant and
when to change it. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in
the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
. .... ... I..
If the level is below
the bottom of the filler
plug hole, you’ll need
to add some lubricant.
Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the
bottom of the filler
plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of lubricant to
use. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index.
All- Wheel IDrive
If you have an all-wheel drive vehicle, be sure to perform the lubricant
checks described in this section. However, they have two additional systems
that need lubrication.
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often to check the
lubricant. See “Periodic Maintenance Inspections” in the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below
the bottom of the filler
plug hole, you’ll need
to add some lubricant.
Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the
bottom of the filler
plug hole (top arrow
shows filler plug hole,
lower arrow shows
drain plug hole.)
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of lubricant to
use. See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index.
Front Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change it. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in
the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
x.
If the level is below
the bottom of the filler
plug hole, you’ll need
to add some lubricant.
Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the
bottom of the filler
plug hole.
6-25

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 Unscrew the cap and
wipe the dipstick with
a clean rag. Replace
the cap and
completely tighten it.
Then remove the cap
again and look at the
fluid level
on the
dipstick.
When the engine compartment is hot, the level should be at the HOT
mark.
When the engine compartment is cool, the level should be at the FULL
COLD mark.
What to Add
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what kind of fluid to use.
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants’’ in the Index.
6-30

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Brakes
Brake Master Cylinder
Your brake master cylinder is here. It is filled with DOT-3 brake fluid.
There
are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in your master cylinder
might go down. The first is
that the brake fluid goes down to an acceptable
level during normal brake lining wear. When new linings
are put in, the
fluid level goes back up. The other reason is that fluid
is leaking out of the
brake system.
If it is, you should have your brake system fixed, since a leak
means that sooner or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at
all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid. Adding brake fluid
won’t correct a leak. If
you add fluid when your linings are worn, then
you’ll have
too much fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is done
on the brake
hydraulic system.
Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to check your brake
fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance Inspections” in the Index.
6-32

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Other Maintenance Rems
Front Suspension and Steering Linkage
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often to lubricate the
fittings and what type of lubricant to use.
Front Wheel Bearing (Two-Wheel Drive)
If your vehicle is two-wheel drive, it has wheel bearings that must be
cleaned and repacked.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often this must be
done.
Single Belt Accessory Drive
Your new vehicle uses a serpentine belt that is lighter, and more durable
than systems with several belts.
The belt runs over or around the pulleys on the engine.
A tensioner is used
to keep the belt tight at all times. The tensioner also makes replacing the
belt easier. If you need to replace the belt, be sure to get the correct
replacement belt. Your dealership or parts supplier can help you with this.
The Accessory Drive Belt Routing label on your vehicle will show you how
to route the belt your vehicle uses.
Windshield Wiper Blade Inserts
To replace your
windshield wiper
blade inserts, lift the
wiper
arm away from
the windshield. Pinch
the two tabs on the
wiper
arm and slide
the insert out of the
blade. Slide the new
one in place. Make
sure the tabs are
locked into position.
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