1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO Owners Manual

NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The repair
cost wouldn’t be covered by your warranty. Too
much water in the mix can freeze and crackthe
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
I NOTICE: I
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim
to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
ADD, or a little higher. When your engine is warm, the
level should be up to
FULL HOT, or a little higher.
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Adding Coolant If ,you need more coolant, add the proper mix
at the
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be,careful not
to spill it.
' A CAUTION:
Turnj J the radiator pressure cap when the
engine.and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
With the'coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have
to add coolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a
1. little -- when,the engine and radiator are hot. I
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
.
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on
a hot engine.
6-28

Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line
up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, a GM cap
is recommended. See “Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts” in the Index.
6-29

Thermostat When to Check Power Steering Fluid
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat It is not necessary to reg,ularlY check Power steering
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the fluid unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
flow
of coolant through the radiator until the coolant you
hear an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system
reaches a preset temperature. could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected
and remired.
Power Steering Fluid
I
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, unscrew the cap
and wipe
the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap
and completely tighten
it. Then remove the cap again
and look at the fluid level
on the dipstick.
The level should be at the
FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough fluid to bring the level up to
the mark.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants’’
in the Index. Always use the proper fluid.
Failure to use the proper fluid can cause leaks and
damage hoses and seals.
6-30

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use.
If you will be
operating your vehicle
in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use
a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap labeled
WASHER
FLUID ONLY.
Add washer fluid until the
tank is
full.
NOTICE:
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze and damage your washer fluid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean
as well as washer fluid.
three-quarters full when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion, which could damage
the tank if it is completely full.
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your
6-31

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your.brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level
in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put
in, the fluid
level goes back up. The other reason
is that fluid is leaking
out of the brake system. If it is, you should have
your brake system fixed, since a leak means
that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t work
at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If
you add fluid
when your linings are worn, then
you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill
on the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine
is hot enough. You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work
is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections”
in the Index.
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Checking Brake Fluid What to Add
x
You
can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the window
on the brake fluid reservoir. The
fluid level should be above MIN. If
it isn’t, have your
brake system checked to see if there is
a leak.
After work
is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level
is above MIN and below the top of
the window. When
you do
need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535).
Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and always clean the brake fluid
reservoir
ca. lefore removing it. *
A CAUTION:
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well,
or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
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Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
I A CAUTION:
The brake wear warning sound means that
sooner or later your brakes won’t work well.
That could lead to an accident. When you hear
the brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result
in costly brake repair.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed.
The sound may come and
go or be heard all the time your vehicle
is moving (except
when you are pushing
on the brake pedal firmly). Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly applied.
This does not mean something
is wrong with your brakes.
Free movement
of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers
for movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque
wheel nuts
in the proper sequence to GM specifications.
6-34