1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO parking brake

Starter Switch Check When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below. Brake-Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
c
,A CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If
it does, you
or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2.
3.
Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking Brake” in the Index
if necessary) and the regular brake.
NOTE: Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to turn
off the engine immediately if it starts.
Try
to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only
in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N). If
the starter works in any other position, your vehicle
needs service.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a
level surface.
2.
3.
Firmly apply the parking brake (see “Parking Brake”
in the Index if necessary).
NOTE: Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately
if the vehicle begins to move.
With the engine
off, turn the key to the RUN position,
but don’t start the engine. Without applying the regular
brake, try to move the shift lever out of PARK
(P)
with normal effort. If the shift lever moves out of
PARK (P), your vehicle’s BTSI needs service.
7-43

Steering Column Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try
to turn
the key to
LOCK in each shift lever position.
0 The key should turn to LOCK only when the shift
lever is in PARK (P).
The key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission
PARK (P) Nlorhanism Check Park
on a fairly
steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
0 To check the parking brake: With the engine running
and transmission
in NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove
foot pressure from the regular brake pedal.
Do this
until the vehicle is held by the parking brake only.
0 To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
With
the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release all brakes.
A CAUTION:
r
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front
of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.
7-44

Drive Axle Service
Check readfront axle fluid level and add as needed.
Check constant velocity joints and axle
seals for leaking.
Transfer Case (All-Wheel Drive) Inspection
Every 12 months or at oil change intervals, check front
axle and transfer case and add lubricant when necessary.
Oil the control lever pivot point and all exposed control
linkage. Check vent hose at transfer case for kinks and
proper installation.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
Check parking brake adjustment.
You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often if your driving habits
or conditions result in frequent braking.
7-46

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from your
GM dealer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
FLUID/LUBRICANT ~~~ ~
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines “Starburst”
symbol of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil’’ in the Index.
~~
50/50, mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and GM
Goodwrench@ DEX-COOL
TM or
Havoline@ DEX-COOL
TM
(orange-colored, silicate-free)
antifreeze conformiag to GM
Specification 6277M. See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index.
USAGE
Coolant
Supplement
Sealer
Hydraulic Brake
System
~~~~~~~
Parking Brake
Cable Guides
Power Steering
System
Automatic
Transmission
Key Lock
Cylinders
FLUIDLUBRICANT
GM Part No. 3634621 or
equivalent with a complete flush
and refill.
-
Delco Supreme 11 @ Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 1052535 or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid).
Chassis.1ubricant (GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements of
NLGI Grade 2, Category
LB or
GC-LB.
GM Power Steering Fluid
(GM Part No. 1052884
- 1 pt.,
1050017
- 1 qt., or equivalent).
DEXRON@-I11 Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Pu ose Lubricant,
Superlube
% (GM Part
No. 1234624 1 or equivalent).
7-47

. .. I. .
Section 9 Index
Accessory'power Outlet ......................... 2-49
Add-on Equipment
............................. 4-28
AirBag
....................................... 1-24
Adding Equipment
............................ 1-30
How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-28
How it Works
................................ 1-26
Location
.................................... 1-26
Readiness Light
......................... 1.25. 2.54
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-27
What Will
You See After it Inflates .... : .......... 1-28
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-27
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-19
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-5
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-68
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-47
All-Wheel Drive
.......................... 2.21. 6.23
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
....................... 6-55
Antenna. Fixed
................................. 3-28
Antifreeze
...................................... 6-25
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-57. 4-6
Brakes
...................................... 4-6
knti-Theft. Radio
.............................. 3-23
Appearance Care
............................... 6-49
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-58
Arbitration Program
.............................. 8-7
Servicing
................................... 1-29
Ashtrays
...................................... 2-48
Audio Equipment. Adding
. : ...................... 3-2t
Automatic Audio Systems
.................................. 3-8
Transmission Check
........................... 7-42
Transmission Operation
........................ 2-18
Axle Front
....................................... 6-24
LockingRear
................................ 2-21
Rear
....................................... 6-25
Battery
...................................... 6-35
Jump Starting
................................. 5-2
Replacement. Remote Keyless Entry ............... 2-8
Warnings
...................................... 5-2
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-7
Better Business Bureau Mediation
................... 8-5
Brake
Adjustment
...................... ........... 6-35
Fluid
..................................... ;.6-32
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-32
Parking
..................................... 2-21
PedalTravel .................................. 6-32
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-32
Trailer
...................................... 4-3:
Transmission Shift Interlock Check
............... 7-42
Wear
............................. : ......... 6-3'
9-1

Maintenance When Trailer Towing ............... 4-36
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...................... 2-58
ManualFrontSeat
............................... 1-1
Manual Lumbar Support .......................... 1-2
Methanol
...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-38
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-39
Inside Day/Night Rearview
..................... 2-38
Outside
..................................... 2-39
Visor Vanity ................................. 2-49
MMT
......................................... 6-3
ModelReference
................................. vi
Mountain Roads ........ ................ 4-20
Net. Convenience
.............................. 2-46
Neutral
....................................... 2-19
New Vehicle Break-In
........................... 2- I3
Nightvision
................................... 4-13
Odometer
.................................... 2-53
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-53
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- IO
Oil. Engine .................................... 6-11
Opener. Garage Door ............................ 2-43
Outside Mirror
................................. 2-39
Overhead Console
.............................. 2-42
Overheating Engine
............................. 5- I3
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-41
Owner Publications. Ordering ...................... 8-9
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-57
Park
......................................... 2-18
Shifting Into
................................. 2-22
Shifting Out
of ............................... 2-25
AtNight
.................................... 2-13
Brake ...................................... 2-21
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-44
Lots
....................................... 2-13
Over Things That Burn
......................... 2-25
With
a Trailer ................................ 4-36
Passing
....................................... 4-10
Payload
....................................... 4-28
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-45
Power Accessory Outlet
............................. 2-49
DoorLocks
................................... 2-5
Option Fuses
................................ 6-60
Seat ......................................... 1-3
Steering ..................................... 4-8
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-30
Windows
.................................... 2-27
Pregnancy, Use of Safety Belts
.................... 1-30
Problems on the Road
............................ 5-1
Publications, Service and Owner .................... 8-9
Parking
Radiator
..................................... 5-19
Radiator Pressure Cap ........................... 6-29
Radio Reception
................................ 3-26
Radios
........................................ 3-8
Rain. Driving In ................................ 4-14
Reading
Lamps ................................ 2-38
9-6

Tire Loading ............................... 4-26
Alignment and Balance
........................ 6-47
Buying New
................................. 6-45
Chains
..................................... 6-49
Changing a Flat
.............................. 5-23
Cleaning
.................................... 6-56
Compact Spare
............................... 5-36
Inflation
.................................... 6-43
Inflation Check
............................... 7-41
Inspection and Rotation
........................ 6-44
Loading
.................................... 4-26
Pressure
.................................... 6-43
Temperature
................................. 6-47
Traction
.................................... 6-47
Treadwear
................................... 6-46
Uniform Quality Grading
....................... 6-46
Wear Indicators
.............................. 6-45
When It's Time for New
....................... 6-45
TopStrap
..................................... 1-42
TorqueLock
................................... 2-24
Tire-Loading
Information Label
................... 4-26
Tires
......................................... 6-42
Wheel Replacement
........................... 6-47
Torque. Wheel
Nut ......................... 5-33. 6-67
Towing
a Trailer ................................ 4-29
Towing Your Vehicle
............................. 5-6
Driving on Grades ............................ 4-35
Trailer
Brakes
..................................... 4-33
Drivingwith
................................. 4-33
Hitches
..................................... 4-32
Maintenance When Towing
..................... 4-36
Parking
on Hills .............................. 4-36 Safety
Chains
................................ 4-32
Tongueweight
............................... 4-31
Total Weight on Tires
.......................... 4-32
Towing
..................................... 4-29
Turnsignals
................................. 4-35
Weight
..................................... 4-30
Wiring Harness
............................... 4-37
Transmission Fluid. Automatic
.................... 6-20
Transmitters. Keyless Entry
........................ 2-7
Transportation. Courtesy
.......................... 8-6
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-53
TTY Users
..................................... 8-3
Turn Signal and Lane Change Signals
............... 2-30
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
................... 2-29
Turn Signals When Towing
a Trailer ................ 4-35
Two-way Manual Seat
........................... 1-2
Underbody 'Maintenance ....... ........... 6-56
Underhood Electrical Center
...................... 6-64
Vehicle Control
...................................... 4-5
Damage Warnings
.............................. iv
Dimensions ................................. 6-69
Identification Number
......................... 6-59
Loading .................................... 4-26
Storage
..................................... 6-36
Ventilation System
............................... 3-6
Visor Vanity Mirrors
............................ 2-49
Visors. Sun
.................................... 2-49
Voltmeter
................................. 2-55
9-9