1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO check oil

Engine Oil
CHECK
OIL
If the CHECK OIL light on
the instrument panel comes
on, it means you need to
check your engine oil level
right away. For more information, see “Check Oil
Light” in the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
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. The
engine oil dipstick
is a yellow ring.
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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Checking 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 down, and check
the level.
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
part explains what kind
of oil to use. For crankcase
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 proper
operating range, your engine could
be damaged.
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.
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Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter and the crankcase ventilation filter.
See “Scheduled
N ntenance Services” in the Index.
Operating th, mgine with the air cleaner 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 off.
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 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
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
30,000 miles (50 000 km).
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in
the Index.
regularly reaches
90°F (32°C) or
higher.
6-20

What to Use Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when
to change it. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole. Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant
to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in your
vehicle for
5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If
you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating’’ in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your vehicle will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (1 29°C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
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Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) at the same intervals.
Footnotes
3- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure
to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior
to the
completion
of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
# Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints and
kingpin bushings, steering linkage and transfer case
shift linkage, parking brake cable guides and brake
pedal springs. Drive
a
a
a
a
lxle service:
Locking Differential
-- Drain fluid and refill at first
engine oil change. At subsequent oil changes, check
fluid level and add fluid as needed. If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
Standard Differential
-- Check fluid level and add
fluid as needed
at every oil change. If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
More frequent lubrication may be required for
heavy-duty use.
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I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
3,000 Miles (5 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Lubricate chassis components; see
An Emission Control Service.
footnote ## (or every 3 months, whichever
occurs first).
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid
as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals
for leaking. **
I DATE I ACTUAL MILEAGE I SERVICED BY I J
6,000 Miles (10 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components; see footnote #
(or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add fluid
as needed. Check constant velocity joints and
axle seals for leaking.
**
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and Rotation”
in the Index for proper rotation pattern and
additional information. During tire rotation,
check brake calipers for freedom of movement.
Refer to the appropriate
GM service manual for
proper caliper service procedures.
DATE SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
~~~ ~~ ~.. ~.
7-7

I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule I
9,000 Miles (15 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service. 4
0 Lubricate chassis components; ,see
footnote
# (or every 3 months, whichever
occurs first).
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking.
**
I DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE
SERVICED BY
12,000 Miles (20 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Lubricate chassis components; see
An Emission Control Service.
footnote # (or every 3 months, whichever
occurs first).
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking.
**
7-8

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Lubricate chassis components; see
An Emission Control Service.
footnote ## (or every 3 months, whichever
occurs first).
0 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace filter
if
necessary. An Emission Control Service.
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking.
**
For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean
and repack the front wheel bearings (or at
each brake relining, whichever occurs first).
0 Change automatic transmission flr lid 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
90°F
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
[f you do not use your vehicle under my of
these conditions, change the fluid and filter every
30,000 miles (50 000 km).
7-9