1994 CHEVROLET ASTRO PASSENGER Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from painted surfaces as
soon as possible. See “Cleaning the Outside
of Your Vehicle” in the Index.
When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until you hear a clicking
noise.
I NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right type. Your \
dealer
can get one for you.
If you get the wrong type, it may not fit or
have proper venting, and your fuel tank and emissions system
might be damaged.
Checking Things Under the Hood
Hood Release
To open the hood, first
pull the handle inside
the vehicle
on the
right side
of the
steering column.
Then go to the front
of
the vehicle and release
the secondary hood
release.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Lift the hood, release
ic
the hood prop from its
retainer and put the
hood prop into the slot
in the hood.
Before closing the
hood, be sure all the
filler caps are on
properly. Then lift the
hood to relieve
pressure on the hood
prop.
Remove the hood prop
from the slot in the
hood and return the
prop to its retainer.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine a
Then just pull the
hood down and close
it firmly.
Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you get fuel. In order to
get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on
level ground.
Turn off the engine
and give the oil a few
minutes to drain back
into the oil pan. If you
don't, the oil dipstick
might not show the
actual level.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To Check Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or cloth, then push it
back in all the way. Remove it again, keeping
the tip lower.
I
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need to add some oil. But
you must use the right kind. This section explains what kind of oil to use.
For crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications” \
in the Index.
L
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so much oil that the
oil level gets above the cross-hatched area that shows the pro\
per
operating range, your engine could be damaged.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Just fill it enough to
put the
level
somewhere in the
proper operating
range. Push the
dipstick all the way
back
in when you’re
through.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Beginning midyear 1993, oils of the proper quality for your vehicle will be
identified with this new “starburst” symbol. The “starburst” symbol
indicates that the oil has
been certified by the American Petroleum Institute
(API), and is preferred for use in your gasoline engine.
You should look for this on the front of the oil container, and use only oils
that display this new symbol.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your vehicle, as shown in
the following chart:
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAL VISCOSITY GRADE OIL
FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
F
+ 100
+ 80
+ 60
+ 40
+ 20
0
+ 38
+ 27
+ 16
+4
-7
- 18
COLD
WEATHER
LOOK FOR
ONE OF THESE
LABELS
SAE 1OW-30
SAE 5W-30
PREFERRED
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30
GRADE
OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30
GRADE MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES
ABOVE 40 DEGREES
F (4 DEGREES C).
ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR
As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you
can use SAE 1OW-30 if it's going to be 0°F (-18°C) or above. These
numbers
on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as
SAE lOW-40 or SAE 20W-50.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you cannot find oils with the new “starburst” symbol on the front of the
container, you should look for and use oils containing the following three
things:
0 SHor SG
“SH” or “SG’ must be on the oil container, either by itself or combined
with other quality designations, such as “SHKD,” “SH, SG, CD,”
“SGKD,” etc. These letters show American Petroleum Institute (API)
levels of quality.
SAE 5W-30
0 Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the container will help you save fuel.
These three things are usually included in a doughnut shaped logo (symbol)
on most containers. If you cannot find oils with the “starburst” symbol, you
should look for oils with the doughnut shaped symbol, containing the three
things noted above.
NOTICE:
If you use oils that do not have either the “starburst” sym\
bol or
an
API SH or SG designation, you can cause engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil) meets all the
requirements for your vehicle.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your GM dealer is ready to advise if you
think something should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles (6 km).
It’s below freezing outside and most trips are less than 10 miles
(16
km).
The engine is at low speed most of the time (as in door-to-door
You tow a trailer often.
delivery,
or in stop-and-go traffic).
0 Most trips are through dusty places.
If any one of these is true for your vehicle, then
you need to change your oil
andfilter every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months - whichever comes
first
.
If none of them is true, change the oil every 7,500 miles (12 500 km) or
12 months
- whichever comes first. Change the filter at the first oil change
and at every other oil change after that.
Engine Coolanf Heater (Engine Block Heater)
An engine coolant heater can be a big help if you have to park outside in
very cold weather,
0°F (-18°C) or colder. If your vehicle has this option,
see “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain elements that may be
unhealthy for your
skin and could even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay
on your skin for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and water,
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw away clothing or rags
containing used engine oil. (See the manufacturer’s warnings about the use
and disposal of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you change your own oil,
be sure to drain all free-flowing oil from the filter before disposal. Don’t
ever dispose of oil by putting it
in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by taking it to
a place that collects used oil. If you have a problem properly disposing of
your used oil, ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling center
for help.
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