1994 CHEVROLET ASTRO PASSENGER automatic transmission

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Features & Controls
Section
A
..
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional features on your
vehicle. and information on starting. shifting. and braking
. Also explained
are the instrument panel and
the warning systems that tell you if everything
is working properly- and what to
do if you have a problem .
For explanation of vehicle symbols. refer to “Vehicle Symbols” in the
Introduction
.
Keys ................................. .................. 2-3
Your Doors and How They Work
..................... ....... 2-5
DoorLocks
................................................ 2-8
Theft
..............................................
New Vehicle “Break-In” ................. .......
. . 2-11
. . 2-12
Ignition Switch
....... ....... .......................... 2-13
Starting Your Engine
....................................... 2-14
FuelRegulator
......................................... 2-15
Driving Through Deep Standing Water
... ............... 2-15
Automatic Transmission
.................................... 2-17
Engine
Block Heater
................................... 2-16
.. ..< .. Locking Rear Axle ...................... .... 2-20
ParkingBrake
............................................ 2-20
Shifting Into
“P’ (Park) ....... .......................... 2-21
Shifting Out of “P” (Park)
................................... 2-22
Parking Over Things That Burn
............................... 2-23
EngineExhaust
.....................................
Running Your Engine While You’re Parked .............
.... 2-24
. . 2-24
2-1

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How long should you keep the coolant heater plugged in? The answer
depends on the weather, the kind
of oil you have, and some other things.
Instead of trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact a
GM
dealer in the area where you’ll be parking your vehicle. The dealer can give
you the best advice for
that particular area.
Automatic Transmission
There are several
different positions for
your shift lever.
P (Park) - This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best position to use
when you start your engine because your vehicle can’t move easily.
2- 17

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Leaving Your Vehide With the Engine Running
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine running, be sure your
vehicle is in “P” (Park) and your parking brake is firmly set before you
leave it. After you’ve moved the shift lever into the
“P” (Park) position,
hold the regular brake pedal down. Then, see if you can move the shift lever
away from
“F’” (Park) without first pulling it toward you. If you can, it
means that the shift lever wasn’t fully locked into
“P” (Park).
Shifting Out of “P” (Park)
Your vehicle has a brake-transmission shift interlock. You have to fully
apply your regular brake before you can shift from “P” (Park) when the
ignition is in the
RUN position. See “Automatic Transmission” in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of
“P” (Park), ease pressure on the shift lever - push
the shift lever all the way into
“P” (Park) as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t shift out of “P” (Park),
try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to “N’ (Neutral).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
2-22

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 2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can reach, but be
sure the vehicles aren’t touching each other. If they are, it could cause a
ground connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to start your
vehicle, and the bad grounding could damage the electrical systems.
You could be injured if the vehicles roll. Set the parking brake firmly
on each vehicle. Put an automatic transmission
in “P” (Park) or a
manual transmission in
“N’ (Neutral). If you have a four-wheel-drive
vehicle with a manual transfer case shift lever, be sure the transfer case
is not in
“N’ (Neutral).
needed, and radios. This will avoid sparks and help save both batteries.
And it could save your radio!
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Turn off all lights that aren’t
NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly damaged. The
repairs wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the positive (+) and
negative
(-) terminals on each battery.
5-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service & Appearance Care
...
Section
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle . This part
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 section devoted to its appearance care
.
Service ................................................... 6-2
Fuel
..................................................... 6-3
Checking Things Under the Hood
.............................. 6-7
Hood Release
........................................... 6-7
Engineoil
.............................................. 6-9
Enginecover
.......................................... 6-15
Air Cleaner
............................................ 6-19
Automatic Transmission Fluid ............................. 6-20
RearAxle
............................................. 6-24
All-WheelDrive
........................................ 6-24
Transfercase
.......................................... 6-24
FrontAxle
............................................. 6-25
Engine Coolant
....................................... 6-26
Windshield Washer Fluid
................................. 6-31
Brake Master Cylinder
................................... 6-32
Replacing Brake System Parts
.................... ........ 6-35
Battery
.................................................. 6-35
Vehiclestorage
......................................... 6-35
FluidLeakCheck
.......................................... 6-36
Bulb Replacement
......................................... 6-36
Other Maintenance Items
.................................... 6-41
Tires
.................................................... 6-47
Appearancecare
.......................................... 6-54
Vehicle Identification Number
................................ 6-63
Service Parts Identification Label
..................... .... 6-65
Capacities and Specification Charts
................ . . 6-68
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ........... 6-72
Power Steering Fluid .................................. 6-30
Loading Your Vehicle
.... .............................. 6-44
6-1

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.
6-20

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.
6-23