trailer CHEVROLET ASTRO PASSENGER 1994 1.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine All-Wheel Drive (Option) .................. ............... 2-26
Windows
................................................ 2-26
Horn
.................................................... 2-29
Tilt Wheel (Option)
........................................ 2-29
Turn SignaVMultifunction Lever
.............................. 2-30
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
...................... 2-30
Headlight High-Low Beam
............................... 2-32
Windshield Wipers
.................................... 2-32
Windshield Washer
...................................... 2-33
Rear Window WiperNasher
.............................. 2-34
Cruise Control
........................................ 2-35
Lights
................................................. 241
Mirrors
.................................................. 245
SunVisors
............................................. 247
Cigarette LighterlAshtrays
................................... 248
Assist Handles
............................................ 249
Storage Compartments
...................................... 2-50
Instrument Cluster
......................................... 2-51
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
....................... 2-55
Indicator Lights
....................................... 2-57
Gages
................................................ 2-61
Luggagecarrier
........................................... 2-65
Trailer Wiring Harness
... ......... ~~ . . 2-66
2-2

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine @ (Overdrive)
This position is for normal driving. If you need more power for
passing, and you’re:
- Going less than about 35 mph (56 kdh), push your accelerator
- Going about 35 mph (56 kdh) or more, push the accelerator pedal
pedal
about halfway down.
all the way down. You’ll shift down to the
next gear and have
more power.
@ should not be used when towing a trailer, carrying a heavy load, or
driving on steep hills. Select
“D” (Third Gear) when operating the
vehicle under any of these conditions.
0 D (Third Gear) - This is like @, but you never go into Overdrive.
You should use
“D’ (Third Gear) when towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load or driving on steep hills.
2 (Second Gear) - This position gives you more power but lower fuel
economy. You can use
“2” (Second Gear) on hills. It can help control
your speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then you would
also want to use your brakes off and on.
If you manually select
“2” (Second Gear), the transmission will drive
in second gear. You may use this feature for reducing torque to the rear
wheels when you are trying to start your vehicle from a stop on
slippery road surfaces.
1 (First Gear) - This position gives you even more power (but lower
fuel economy) than
“2” (Second Gear). You can use it on very steep
hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the selector lever is put in
“1” (First
Gear), the transmission won’t shift into
“1” (First Gear) until the
vehicle is going slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your rear wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to drive. This might
happen if you were stuck in very deep sand or mud or were up
against
a solid object. You could damage your transmission or
transfer case or both.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold your vehicle there
with only the accelerator pedal. This could overheat and damage
the transmission. Use your brakes or shift into
“P” Park to hold
your vehicle in position on
a hill.
2-19

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you are on a hill: See “Parking on Hills” in the Index. That section
shows how to turn your front wheels.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill: See “Towing a
Trailer” in the Index. That section shows what to do first to keep the trailer
from moving.
Shifting lnto “Pyy (Park)
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and set the parking
brake.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK
2. Move the shift
lever into
“P’
(Park) position
like this:
0 Pull the lever
toward you.
0 Move the
lever up
as far
as it will go.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can walk away from your
vehicle with the ignition key
in your hand, your vehicle is in
“P” (Park).
2-21

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t move. See “Shifting
Into
‘P’ (Park)” in the Index.
If you’re pulling
a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.
2-25

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ‘I
I
A green arrow on the
instrument panel will
flash in the direction
of the turn or lane
change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or lower the lever until the green arrow
starts to flash. Hold it there until
you complete your lane change. The lever
will return by itself when
you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows don’t flash but just stay
on, a signal bulb may be burned out and other drivers won’t
see your turn
signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an accident. If the green
arrows don’t go
on at all when you signal a turn, check the fuse (see “Fuses”
in the Index) and for burned-out bulbs.
If you have a trailer towing option with added wiring for the trailer lights, a
different turn signal flasher is used. With this flasher installed, the signal
indicator will flash even if a turn signal bulb is burned out. Check the front
and rear turn signal lights regularly to make sure they are working.
Operation of Lights
Although your vehicle’s lighting system (headlights, parking lights, fog
lamps, side marker lights and taillights) meets all applicable federal lighting
requirements, certain states and provinces may apply their own lighting
regulations that may require special attention before you operate these
lights.
For example, some jurisdictions may require that you operate your fog
lamps only when your lower beam headlights are also
on, or that headlights
be turned
on whenever you must use your windshield wipers. In addition,
most jurisdictions prohibit driving solely with parking lights, especially at
dawn or dusk. It is recommended that you check with your own state or
provincial highway authority for applicable lighting regulations.
2-31

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Trailer Wiring Harness
If you have the optional trailering package, your vehicle will have a 7-wire
harness.
The 7-wire harness is stored on the right side
of the van near the rear wheel
well. This harness has a
30 amp battery feed wire and no connector, and
should be wired
by a qualified service person, Attach the harness to the
trailer, then tape or strap it to your vehicle's frame rail. Be sure you leave it
loose enough
so the wiring doesn't bend or break, but not so loose that it
drags
on the ground.
The harness must be routed out
of your vehicle between the rear door and
the floor, with enough of the harness
left on both sides so that the trailer or
the body won't pull it.
Store the harness
in its original place. Wrap the harness together and tie it
neatly
so it won't be damaged.
2-66

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your Driving and the Road
Section
.......
--_-. ~ ~ - - ~ - - - -. . 4-2
...................... 4-2
Here
you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in
varying weather conditions. We’ve also included many other useful tips on
driving.
Defensive Driving
...
Drunken Driving . I
Control of a Vehicle
Braking
.............................................. 4-5
Steering
................................................ 4-7
Steering Tips .............. .................... 4-8
Passing ............................................... 4-10
Loss of Control ..... .......... 4-11
Driving at Night
......... ........ 4-12
Driving in the Rain
........................................ 4-13
CityDriving
............................................ 4-15
Freeway Driving
............... ........... ...... 4-16
Winter Driving
................. ......... ...... 4-20
TowingaTrailer
........................................... 4-23
Hill and
Mountain Roads
.................................. 4-1 8
......................
................
4-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves fuel. When you run
the engine, make it go a little faster than just idle. That is, push the
accelerator slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps
the battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to restart the
vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with your headlights. Let the
heater
run for awhile.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost all the way to
preserve the heat. Start the engine again and repeat this only when you feel
really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve
the
fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of the
vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or
so until
help comes.
Towing a Trailer
4-23

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your vehicle and result\

in costly repairs not covered by your warranty.
To pull a trailer
correctly, follow the advice in this section, and see your
GM
dealer for important information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
Every vehicle is ready for some trailer towing. If it was built with trailering
options, as many are, it’s ready for heavier trailers. But trailering is different
than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes in
handling, durability, and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes
correct equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this section. In it are many time-tested, important
trailering tips and safety rules. Many of these are important for your safety
and that of your passengers.
So please read this section carefully before you
pull a trailer.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points.
There are many different laws having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live but also where you’ll be
driving.
A good source for this information can be state or provincial
police.
0 Consider using a sway control if your trailer will weigh 2,000 pounds
(900 kg) or less. You should always use a sway control if your trailer
will weigh more than
2,000 pounds (900 kg).
You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles (800 km) your new
vehicle is driven. Your engine, axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that you tow a trailer, don’t
drive over
50 mph (80 kmh) and don’t make starts at full throttle. This
helps your engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the heavier
loads.
You should use “D” (Drive) when towing a trailer. Operating your
vehicle in “D” (Drive) when towing a trailer will minimize heat
buildup and extend the life of
your transmission.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For example, speed, altitude,
road grades, outside temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull
a trailer are all important. And,
it can also depend on any special equipment
that you have on your vehicle.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or advice, or you can
write us at the address listed in your Warranty and Owner Assistance
Information Booklet.
In Canada, write to General Motors of Canada Limited, Customer
Assistance Center,
1908 Colonel Sam Drive, Oshawa, Ontario LlH 8P7.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight to measure
because it affects the total or gross weight
of your vehicle. The gross vehicle
weight (GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you may
carry in it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. And if you will
tow a trailer, you must add the tongue load to the
GVW because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading Your Vehicle”
in the
Index for more information about your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
A B
If you’re using a “dead-weight” hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh
10% of the total loaded trailer weight (B). If you have a
“weight-distributing” hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh
12% of the
total loaded trailer weight (B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are proper. If they aren’t, you may be able to
get them right simply by moving some items around
in the trailer.
4-25