1995 CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN warning

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine YOU may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a new odometer
installed.
If the new one can be set to the mileage total of the old odometer,
then
it must be. But if it can't, then it's set at zero, and a label must be put
on the driver's door to show the old mileage reading when the new
odometer was installed.
Trip Odometer
Standard Cluster
4
Digital Cluster
The trip odometer can tell you how far your vehicle has been driven since
you last set the trip odometer to zero.
To reset the trip odometer on the standard cluster, press the button near the
readout.
The trip odometer on the digital will appear
in place of your regular
odometer when you press the TRIP button.
To reset the trip odometer on the digital cluster, press the RESET button. To
change back to the regular odometer, press the TRIP button again.
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that may be on your
vehicle. The pictures
will help you locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something
is wrong before it
becomes serious enough to cause an expensive repair or replacement.
Paying attention to your warning lights and gages
could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or
is a problem with one of your
vehicle's functions.
As you will see in the details on the next few pages,
some warning lights come on briefly when you start the engine just to let
2-5 3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine you know they’re working. If you are familiar with this section, you should
not be alarmed when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or
is a problem with one of your
vehicle’s functions. Often gages and warning lights work together
to let you
know when there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes
on and stays on when you are
driving, or when
one of the gages shows there may be a problem, check the
section that tells you what to do about
it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting
to do repairs can be costly - and even dangerous. So please get to
know your warning lights and gages. They’re
a big help.
Safety Beit Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a light will come on for about
eight seconds to remind people
to fasten their safety belts. Unless the
driver’s safety belt is already buckled,
a tone will also sound.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument panel, which shows
AIR BAG. The system checks the air bag’s electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells
you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the air bag sensors and module, the wiring and the
diagnostic module. For more information on the air bag system,
see “Air
Bag”
in the Index.
3-53

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You will see this light flash for a few seconds when you turn your ignition
to
RUN or START. Then the light should go out. This means the system is
ready.
If the air bag readiness light doesn’t come on when you start your vehicle,
or stays on, or comes
on when you are driving, your air bag system may not
work properly. Have your vehicle serviced right away.
Brake System Warning Light
Standard Cluster Digital Cluster
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two parts. If one part
isn’t working, the other
part can still work and stop you. For good braking,
though, you need both
parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake problem. Have your
brake system inspected right away.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine This light should come on briefly as you start the vehicle. If it doesn’t come
on then, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the road and stop
carefully. You may notice that the pedal
is harder to push. Or, the pedal may
go closer
to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have
the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle’’
in the Index.)
b
A CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be working properly if the brake
system warning light is on. Driving with the brake system warning light on can lead to an accident. If the light is st\
ill on
after you’ve pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have\
the
vehicle towed for service.
The brake system warning light will also come on when you set your
parking brake, and it will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it means you have a
brake problem.
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
Standard Cluster Digital Cluster
With the anti-lock brake system, this light will come on when you start your
engine and may stay on for several seconds. That’s normal. If the light
doesn’t come on, have it fixed
so it will be ready to warn you if there is a
problem.
2-54

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the light stays on, or comes on when you’re driving, your vehicle needs
service.
If the regular brake system warning light isn’t on, you still have
brakes, but you don’t have anti-lock brakes. If the regular brake system
warning light
is also on, you don’t have anti-lock brakes and there’s a
problem with your regular brakes. See “Brake System Warning Light”
earlier in this part.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(SERVICE ENGINE
SOON)
The amber
Malfunction Indicator
(SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON) Lamp is
located on the
passenger side of your
standard cluster. If
you have the digital
cluster, it is
on the
driver’s side.
A computer monitors operation of your fuel, ignition and emission control
systems. This light should come on when the ignition is
on, but the engine is
not running, as a check to show you it is working.
If it does not come on at
all, have it fixed right away.
If it stays on, or it comes on while you are
driving, the computer is indicating that you have a problem. You should
take your vehicle in for service soon.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light on, after a whi\
le
the emission controls won’t work as well, your fuel economy \
won’t be as good and your engine may not run as smoothly. \
This
could lead to costly repairs not covered by your warranty.
Indicator Lights
Indicator lights go on when you use your turn signals, change from low
beam headlamps to high beams, or when you use your hazard flashers.
The
next few pages will also tell you about the indicator lights on your vehicle
and help you locate them.
2-55

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Voltmeter
Standard Cluster Digital
Cluster
VOLTS
When your engine is not running, but the ignition is on (in the RUN
position), the gage shows your battery's state of charge in DC volts. When
the ignition
is running, the gage shows the condition of the charging system.
Readings between the low and high warning zones indicate the normal
operating range.
Readings in the low warning zone may occur when a large number of
electrical accessories are operating
in the vehicle and the engine is left at an
idle for an extended period. This condition
is normal since the charging
system is
not able to provide full power at engine idle. As engine speeds are
increased, this condition should correct itself as higher engine speeds allow
the charging system to create maximum power.
On the digital cluster, a box around the voltmeter symbol will begin the
flash when the charging system needs service.
You can only drive for a short time with the readings
in either warning zone.
If
you must drive, turn off all unnecessary accessories.
Readings in either warning zone indicate a possible problem in the electrical
system. Have the vehicle serviced as soon as possible.
2- 61

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Loss of Confrol
Let’s review what driving experts say about what happens when the three
control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration) don’t have enough
friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked.
In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an
escape route or area of less danger.
Skidding
In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid
most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by
not “overdriving” those conditions. But skids are always possible.
The three types of skids correspond to your vehicle’s three control systems.
In the braking skid your wheels aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering
skid, too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose
cornering force. And in the acceleration skid too much throttle causes the
driving wheels to spin.
A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best handled by easing your
foot
off the accelerator pedal.
If your vehicle starts to slide, ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and
quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. If you start steering
quickly enough, your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a
second skid if it occurs.
Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel, or other
material is on the road. For safety, you’ll want to slow down and adjust your
driving to these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery
surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control more
limited.
While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your best to avoid
sudden steering, acceleration, or braking (including engine braking by
shifting to a lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding.
Learn to recognize warning clues
- such as enough water, ice or packed
snow on the road to make a “mirrored surface”
- and slow down when you
have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps avoid only the braking
skid.
4-11

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Some Other Rainy Weather Tips
Turn on your low-beam headlamps - not just your parking lamps -
0 Besides slowing down, allow some extra following distance. And be
to help make you more visible to others.
especially careful when you pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more
clear room ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted by road
spray.
Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See “Tires” in the Index.)
City Driving
a
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the amount of traffic on
them. You’ll want to watch out for what the other drivers are doing and pay
attention
to traffic signals.
Here are ways to increase your safety
in city driving:
0 Know the best way to get to where you are going. Get a city map and
plan your trip into an unknown part
of the city just as you would for a
cross-country trip.
save time and energy. (See the next part, “Freeway Driving.”)
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light is there because
the corner is busy enough to need
it. When a light turns green, and just
before
you start to move, check both ways for vehicles that have not
cleared the intersection or may be running
the red light.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most large cities. You’ll
4-15