1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO steering wheel

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 shifts. It is merely
the cooling system functioning properly. The fan will
slow down when additional cooling is
not required and
the clutch disengages.
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 4‘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, and then gently brake to
a stop well
out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you’d use in a
skid.
In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but
you can still steer. Gently
brake
to a stop -- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to
use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
5-22

If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice
or Snow
What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is
to spin your wheels too fast. The method known as
“rocking” can help
you get out when you’re stuck, but
you must use caution.
A CAUTION:’
I
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured.
And, the transmission or other parts of the
vehicle can overheat. That could cause an engine
compartment fire or other damage. When you’re
stuck, spin the wheels
as little as possible. Don’t
~ spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown
~ on the speedometer.
I
NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle
as well as the tires. If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transmission back
and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For information about using tire chains
on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains” in
the Index.
Rocking your vehicle to get it out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE
(R) and a forward gear,
spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the
accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly
on
the accelerator pedal when the transmission is in gear. If
that doesn’t get
you out after a few tries, you may need
to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see
“Towing Your Vehicle’’’ in the Index.
5-37

Seatback Latches
.................................... 1-5
Reclining .................................... 1-3
Bench
....................................... 1-6
Bucket ...................................... 1-6
ManualFront
................................. 1-1
Manual Lumbar Support ........................ 1-2
Power
....................................... 1-3
Rear
........................................ 1-5
Removable Rear Bucket ......................... 1-8
Restraint Systems
.............................. 1 - 1
Seat Controls ................................. 1 . 1
Securing a Child Restraint ................. 1.41. 1-42
Two-WayManual
............................. 1-2
Second Gear
................................... 2-20
Service
........................................ 6-1
Bulletins. Ordering
............................. 8-9
EngineSoonLight
............................ 2-58
Manuals. Ordering
............................. 8-9
Parts Identification Label
....................... 6-59
Publications. Ordering
........................... 8-9
Work. Doing Your Own
......................... 6-2
Service and Appearance Care
...................... 6- 1
Service Publications .............................. 8-9
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
........... 1-29
Sheet Metal Damage
............................ 6-56
Shifting
....................................... 2-18
IntoPark
.................................... 2-22
Outofpark
.................................. 2-25
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
..................... 1 - 18
SIR .......................................... 1-24
Skidding
....................................... 4-12
Sound Equipment. Adding
........................ 3-26
Seats
Spare Tire.
Compact
............................. 5-36
Specifications and Capacities
...................... 6-67
Speech Impaired. Customer Assistance
............... 8-3
Speedometer
................................... 2-53
Springs. Fiberglass
.............................. 6-57
Stains. Cleaning
................................ 6-51
Starter Switch Check ............................ 7-43
Starting Your Engine
............................ 2-15
Steam
........................................ 5-13
Steering
....................................... 4-8
Column Lock Check
.......................... 7-44
In Emergencies ................................ 4-9
Power
....................................... 4-8
Tips
......................................... 4-8
Wheel. Tilt
.................................. 2-29
Storage Compartments
........................... 2-40
Storage. Vehicle
................................ 6-36
Stuck:
In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow .................. 5-37
Sunvisors
.................................... 2-49
Sunglasses Storage
.............................. 2-46
Supplemental Inflatable Restraint
.................. 1-24
Symbols. Vehicle
.................................. v
Taillamp Bulb Replacement ...................... 6-40
Tape Player Care
............................... 3-27
Theft
......................................... 2-12
Theft-Deterrent Feature
.............. ; ........... 3-23
THEFTLOCK" ................................ 3-23
Thermostat
.................................... 6-30
Third Gear
.................................... 2-20
Tilt Steering Wheel
............................. 2-29
Time. Setting
................................... 3-8
Tirechains
.................................... 6-49
9-8