1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO Owners Manual

Installing the Engine Cover
1. Lift the engine cover into the vehicle and slide it all
the way forward. Make sure the rubber seal is over
the latches.
2. Install the two bolts at the engine cover.
3. Put the heater duct over the engine cover studs. Push
up
on the duct gently until it snaps into place.
4. Reconnect the electrical connectors.
5. Install the engine cover extension by gently squeezing
the sides and sliding
it into place. Make sure all of the
fastener clips engage, and the extension fits properly
in place. Replace and tighten the two screws.
5. Install the two nuts to secure the extension in place.
Air Cleaner
"""""".
To remove the air filter, lift the hood, unsnap both clips
and remove the top. After changing the filter, snap both
clips
to secure the air cleaner. Be sure the air cleaner lid
is correctly positioned to seal
out dust and contaminants
that are harmful to your engine.
Make sure the fresh air hose
is still attached after the
filter change.
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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.
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How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at your GM dealer
Service Department.
If you do it yourself,
be sure to follow all the instructions
here, or
you could get a false reading on the dipstick.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission.
Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine
parts or exhaust system parts, starting a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
transmission fluid.
Wait at least 30 minutes before checking the
transmission fluid level if you have been driving:
0 When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
0 In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather.
0 While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal
operating temperature, which is 180°F
to ,200"F
(82°C
to 93°C).
Checking Transmission Fluid Hot
Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles
(24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F
(10°C). If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), drive the
vehicle in DRIVE
(D) until the engine temperature gage
moves and then remains steady for
10 minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
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Checking Transmission Fluid Cold
A cold check is made after the vehicle has been sitting
for eight hours
or more with the engine off and is used
only as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for five
minutes if outside temperatures are 50°F (10°C) or
more. If it's colder than
50°F ( 10°C), you may have
to idle the engine longer. Should the fluid level be low
during a cold check,
you must perform a hot check
before adding fluid.
This will give you a more accurate
reading
of the fluid level.
Checking the Fluid Hot or Cold
Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
engine
running.
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds in each range. Then, position the shift
lever in PARK
(P).
0 Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more. Then, without shutting
off the engine, follow these steps:
1. Flip the handle up and then pull out the dipstick and
wipe
it with a clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then
pull it back out again.
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3.
4.
Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be
in the COLD area for a
cold check or
in the HOT area or cross-hatched area
for a hot check.
If the fluid
level is in the acceptable range, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of transmission fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
Add fluid only after checking the transmission fluid
HOT. (A COLD check is used only as a reference.)
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper fluid
to bring the level up
to the HOT area for a hot
check. It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a
pint
(0.5 L). Don ’r ove$iZl. We recommend you use only
fluid labeled DEXRON@-111, because fluid with that
label is made especially for your automatic transmission.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRON-TI1 is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
a After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How
to Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back
in all the way; then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick
in place.
All- Wheel Drive
If you have an all-wheel-drive vehicle, be sure to perform
the lubricant checks described
in this section. However,
they have two additional systems that need lubrication.
Transfer Case
When to Check Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections’’
in the Index.
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How to Check Lubricant Front 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.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index. 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.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant
to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
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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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NOTICE:
When adding coolant it is important that you use
DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored, silicate-free)
coolant meeting
GM Specification 6277M.
If silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first.
What to Use
Use a mixture
of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze that meets GM Specification
6277M, which won’t damage aluminum parts. Use GM
Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer)
(GM Part
No. 3634621) with any complete coolant change. If you
use this mixture, you don’t need to add anything else.
A CAUTION:
I
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but
you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use
a 50/50 mix of clean
water and DEX-COOL (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze.
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