1995 CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN tire pressure

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Your vehicle has an advanced electronic braking system that can help you
keep it under control. When you start your vehicle and begin to drive away,
you may hear a momentary motor or clicking noise. This is the ABS system
testing itself.
nere
s now anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet. You’re driving safely.
Suddenly an animal jumps out
in front of you.
You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens with ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one of the wheels is
about
to stop rolling, the computer will separately work the brakes at each
front wheel and at
the rear wheels. The anti-lock system can change the
brake pressure faster than any driver could. The computer is programmed to
make the most
of available tire and road conditions. You can steer around
the obstacle while braking hard.
As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and
controls braking pressure accordingly.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine It’s wise to keep your wiping equipment in good shape and keep your
windshield washer tank filled. Replace your windshield wiper inserts when
they show signs
of streaking or missing areas on the windshield, or when
strips of rubber start to separate from the inserts.
Driving too fast through large water puddles or even going through some
car washes can cause problems, too. The water may affect your brakes. Try
to avoid puddles. But if you can’t, try to slow down before you hit them.
I A CAUTION: .’
Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won’t work well in a
quick stop and may cause pulling to one side.
You could lose
control of the vehicle.
After driving through a large puddle
of water or a car wash,
apply your brake pedal lightly until your brakes work normally.\

Hydroplaning
Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires
that they can actually ride on the water. This can happen if the road
is wet
enough and you’re going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it
has little or no contact with the road.
Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your tires haven’t much
tread or if the pressure in one or more is low. It can happen if a lot
of water
is standing on the road. If
you can see reflections from trees, telephone
poles, or other vehicles, and raindrops “dimple” the water’s surface; there
could be hydroplaning.
Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There just
isn’t a hard and
fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down when it is
raininq.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you must start when you’re
not fresh
- such as after a day’s work - don’t plan to make too many
miles that first
part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip?
If you keep it serviced and maintained,
it’s ready to go. If it needs service, have it done before starting out. Of
course, you’ll find experienced and able service experts in
GM dealerships
all across North America. They’ll be ready and willing to help if you need
it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are all windows clean
inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
0 Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked all levels?
0 Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread
good enough for long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Should you delay your trip a short time to avoid a major storm system?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook along your route?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
High way Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain
falling asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack
of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch of road with the same scenery,
along with the hum
of the tires on the road, the drone of the engine, and the
rush of the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t let it
happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave the road in
less than a
second, and you could crash and be injured.
What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be aware that it can
happen.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Loading Your Vehicle
PAYLOAD =-I
PSI/KPA (COLD)
-0
-0 < SEE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Certificatioflire
label is found on the
rear edge
of the
driver's door. The
label shows the size
of
your original tires and
the inflation pressures
needed to obtain the
gross weight capacity
of your vehicle.
This is called the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR
includes the weight of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel, cargo, and tongue
weight, if pulling a trailer.
The CertificatiodTire label also tells you the maximum weights for the
front and rear axles, called Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
To find out
the actual loads on your front and rear axles, you need to go to a weigh
station and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer
can help you with this. Be sure
to spread out your load equally on both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for either the front or rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you should spread it out.
Using heavier suspension components to get added durability might not
change your weight ratings. Ask your dealer
to help you load your vehicle
the right way.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 7. By this time the coolant level inside the radiator filler neck may be
lower.
If the level is lower, add more of the proper mix through the
filler neck until the level reaches the base
of the filler neck.
8. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during this procedure if
coolant begins to flow out of the filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap.
Be sure the arrows on the pressure cap line
up like this.
Engine Fan Noise
This vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When the clutch is engaged,
the fan spins faster to provide more air to cool the engine. In most every day
driving conditions the clutch is not fully engaged. This improves fuel
economy and reduces fan noise. Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing
and/or high outside temperatures, the fan speed increases when the clutch
engages.
So you may hear an increase in fan noise. This is normal and
should not be mistaken
as the transmission slipping or making extra sh
It is merely the cooling system functioning properly. The fan will slow
down when additional cooling is not required and the clutch disengage .ifts.
S.
You may
also hear this fan noise when you start the engine. It will go away
as the fan clutch disengages.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving, especially if you
maintain your tires properly.
If air goes out of a tire, it’s much more likely to
leak out slowly. But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few tips
about what
to expect and what to do:
If
a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly. Steer
to maintain lane position, then gently brake to a
stop well out of the traffic lane.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Storing The Jack and Spare Tire
1. Put the tire on the ground at the rear of the vehicle, with the valve stem
pointed down.
2. Pull the retaining bar through the center of the wheel, making sure it is
properly attached. Attach the ratchet, with the UP side facing you, to
the extension.
3. Put the flat end of the extension on an angle through the hole in the rear
door frame, above the bumper. Turn the ratchet clockwise until the tire
is against the underside
of the vehicle.
You will hear two“c1icks” when the tire is up all the way. Try to move
the tire with your hands to make sure it is securely in place.
Return the jacking equipment to the proper location. Secure the items and
replace the jack cover.
Compact Spare Tire
Although the compact spare was fully inflated when your vehicle was new,
it can lose air after
a time. Check the inflation pressure regularly. It should
be
60 psi (420 kPa). After installing the compact spare on your vehicle, you
should stop as soon as possible and make sure your spare tire is correctly
inflated. The compact spare is made to perform well at posted speed limits
for distances up to
3,000 miles (5 000 km), so you can finish your trip and
have your full-size tire repaired or replaced where you want. Of course, it’s
best to replace your spare with a full-size tire as soon as you can. Your
spare will last longer and be in good shape in case you need
it again.
I NOTICE:
Don’t take your compact spare through an automatic car wash \
with guide rails. The compact spare can get caught
on the rails.
That can damage the tire and wheel, and maybe other parts
of
your vehicle.
Don’t use your compact spare on some other vehicle.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine lnflation - Tire Pressure
The CertificatiodTire label which is on the rear edge of the driver’s door,
shows the correct inflation pressures for your tires, when they’re cold.
“Cold” means your vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven
no more than a mile.
NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or overinflation is
all right. It’s not. If your tires don’t have enough air
(underinflation) you can get:
Too much flexing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
If your tires have too much air (overinflation), you can get:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Don’t forget your compact spare tire. It should be at
60 psi (420 kPa).
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire pressure. Simply looking
at the tires will not tell you the pressure, especially if you have radial tires
- which may look properly inflated even if they’re underinflated.
If your tires
have valve caps, be sure to put them back on. They help prevent
leaks by keeping
out dirt and moisture.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tire lnspection and Rotation
Tires should be inspected every 6,000 to 8,000 miles ( 10 000 to 13 000 km)
for any signs of unusual wear. If unusual wear
is present, rotate your tires as
soon
as possible and check wheel alignment. Also check for damaged tires
or wheels. See “When It’s Time for New Tires” and “Wheel Replacement”
later
in this section for more information.
The purpose
of regular rotation is to achieve more uniform wear for all tires
on the vehicle. The first rotation is the most important. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services”
in the Index for scheduled rotation intervals.
When rotating your tires, always use
the
correct rotation
pattern shown here.
Don’t include the compact spare tire
in your tire rotation.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust the front and rear inflation pressures
as shown on
the Certification/Tire label. Make certain that all wheel nuts are
properly tightened. See “Wheel
Nut Torque” in the Index.
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