check transmission fluid CHEVROLET ASTRO PASSENGER 1999 2.G Owners Manual

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4-23

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.

Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the
slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.
CAUTION:
If you don't shift down, your brakes could get so
hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a
hill. You could crash. Shift down to let your
engine assist your brakes on a steep
downhill slope.
CAUTION:
Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to
do all the work of slowing down. They could get so
hot that they wouldn't work well. You would then
have poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Always have your engine running
and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill.

Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down
to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine
and transmission, and you can climb the hill better.

Stay in your own lane when driving on two
-lane
roads in hills or mountains. Don't swing wide or cut
across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay in your own lane.

As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be
something in your lane, like a stalled car or an accident.

You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of
special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or
no
-passing zones, a falling rocks area or winding
roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action.

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4-38 Parking on Hills
CAUTION:
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
PARK (P) 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 PARK (P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
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. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don't
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system
and brake system. 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.

6-
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6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Filling Your Tank
6
-7 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-11 Engine Oil
6
-15 Engine Cover
6
-19 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-20 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
-24 All-Wheel Drive
6
-25 Rear Axle
6
-26 Radiator Pressure Cap
6
-27 Thermostat
6
-27 Engine Coolant
6
-30 Power Steering Fluid
6
-31 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-32 Brakes6
-35 Battery
6
-36 Bulb Replacement
6
-42 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-43 Tires
6
-51 Appearance Care
6
-52 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-55 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-57 Cleaning Tires
6
-57 Finish Damage
6
-57 Underbody Maintenance
6
-58 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-59 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-59 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-60 Electrical System
6
-67 Capacities and Specifications
6
-68 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6
-69 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

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6-20
Make sure the fresh air hose is still attached after the
filter change.
CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air cleaner/filter
off can cause you or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn't there, and the
engine backfires, you could be burned. Don't
drive with it off, and be careful working on the
engine with the air cleaner/filter off.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner/filter 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/filter in place when
you're driving.
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.
Change both the fluid and filter every 15,000 miles
(25 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one
or more of these conditions:

In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90F (32C) or higher.

In hilly or mountainous terrain.

When doing frequent trailer towing.

Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, change the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles (83 000 km).
See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº in the Index.

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6-21 How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at the 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.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission. Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if you have been driving:

When outside temperatures are above 90F (32C).

At high speed for quite a while.

In heavy traffic
-- especially in hot weather.

While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180F to 200F
(82C to 93C).
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50F
(10C). If it's colder than 50F (10C), drive the
vehicle in THIRD (3) until the engine temperature gage
moves and then remains steady for 10 minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.

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6-22
Checking Transmission Fluid Cold
A cold check is made after the vehicle has been sitting
for eight hours or more with the engine off and is used
only as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for five
minutes if outside temperatures are 50F (10C) or
more. If it's colder than 50F (10C), you may have to
idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low
during a cold check, you must perform a hot check
before adding fluid. This will give you a more accurate
reading of the fluid level.
Checking the Fluid Level

Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.

With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).

With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK (P).

Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more.Then, without shutting off the engine, follow
these steps:
1. The transmission dipstick has a red handle and is
located near the center of the engine compartment
behind the air cleaner. Flip the handle up and then
pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or
paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.

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6-23
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the COLD area for a
cold check or in the HOT area or cross
-hatched area
for a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transmission fluid to use. See ªRecommended
Fluids and Lubricantsº in the Index.
Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid
while it is hot. (A cold check is used only as a
reference.) If the fluid level is low, add only enough of
the proper fluid to bring the level up to the HOT area for
a hot check. It doesn't take much fluid, generally less
than one pint (0.5 L). Don't overfill.
NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON
-III, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON

-III is not covered by your new
vehicle warranty.

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6-67
Capacities and Specifications
All capacities are approximate. English and metric
conversions are given.
Please refer to ªRecommended Fluids and Lubricantsº
in the Index for more information.
Engine Specifications
Engine ªVORTECº 4300 V6 CSFI*. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RPO L35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Firing Order 1
-6-5-4-3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horsepower 190 at 4,400 rpm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thermostat Specification 195
F (91
C) . . . . . . . . . . .
*Central Sequential Fuel Injection
Wheel Nut Torque
Base or Optional Wheel 100 lb-ft (140 N´m) . . . . . . .
Tire Pressures See ªLoading Your Vehicleº . . . . . . . .
in the Index.
Cooling System Capacity
Quantity*
without Rear HeaterQuantity*
with Rear Heater
13.5 quarts (12.8 L) 16.5 quarts (15.6 L)
After refill, the level must be checked.
*All quantities are approximate.
Crankcase Capacity
Quantity*
with Filter 4.5 quarts (4.3 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
After refill, the level must be checked. Do not overfill.
*All quantities are approximate.
Fuel Tank Capacity
Standard Tank 25.0 gallons (94.6 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmission Capacity
Automatic Transmission
(Drain and Refill) 5.0 quarts (4.7 L). . . . . . . . . . . .

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
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7-11

Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving in dusty conditions. Replace filter
if necessary.
An Emission Control Service. (See footnote
.)
Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check constant
velocity joints and axle seals for leaking. (See footnote **.)
For Two
-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean and repack the front wheel
bearings (or at each brake relining, whichever occurs first).
Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
± In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature regularly reaches
90F (32C) or higher.
± In hilly or mountainous terrain.
± When doing frequent trailer towing.
± Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these conditions, change the fluid
and filter every 50,000 miles (83 000 km).
18,000 Miles (30 000 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
(Continued)ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE

Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance
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7-16
42,000 Miles (70 000 km)

Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.

Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)

Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check constant
velocity joints and axle seals for leaking. (See footnote **.)

Rotate tires. See ªTire Inspection and Rotationº in the Index for proper
rotation pattern and additional information. (See footnote +.)
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)

Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.

Lubricate chassis components (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
(See footnote #.)

Check rear/front axle fluid level and add fluid as needed. Check constant
velocity joints and axle seals for leaking. (See footnote **.)

For Two
-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean and repack the front wheel
bearings (or at each brake relining, whichever occurs first).

Change automatic transmission fluid and filter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE
ACTUAL
SERVICED BY:MILEAGE
DATE