1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO tires

Traction -- A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B,
and C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on braking (straightahead) traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature -- A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing
the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability
to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause
the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure.
The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination.
can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory
to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
In most cases, you will
not need to have your wheels
aligned again. However, if
you notice unusual tire
wear or your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may need to be reset.
If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving
on a smooth road, your
wheels may need to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded. If wheel nuts keep coming loose,
the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel
nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace
it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
GM dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know
the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as
the one it replaces.
6-47

If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new
GM original
equipment
parts. This way, you will be sure to have
the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your
vehicle model.
~ -.
’
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and handling
of your
vehicle, make your tires lose
air and make you
lose control.
You could have a collision in which . .
you or others could be injured. Always use the
correct whee1,’wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for replacement.
-- I--
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
See “Changing
a Flat Tire” in the Index for
more information.
Used Replacement Wheels
A
/! CAUTION: ..
I
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You can’t know how
it’s been used or
how many miles it’s been driven.
It could fail
suddenly and cause an accident.
If you have to
replace
a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
6-48

rire Chains
NOTICE:
If your vehicle has P235/65R15 size tires, don’t
use tire chains. They can damage your vehicle.
If you have other size tires, use tire chains only
where legal and only when you must.
Use only
SAE Class “S” type chains that are the proper size
for your tires. Install them on the
rear axle tires
and tighten them as tightly as possible with the
ends securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow
the chain manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can
hear the chains contacting your vehicle, stop and
retighten them.
If the contact continues, slow down
until it stops.
Driving too fast or spinning the
wheels with chains on
will damage your vehicle.
Appearance Care
Remember, cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are toxic. Others can burst into flame if you strike a
match or get them
on a hot part of the vehicle. Some are
dangerous
if you breathe their fumes in a closed space.
When you use anything from a container to clean your
vehicle, be sure to follow
the manufacturer’s warnings
and instructions. And always open your doors or
windows when you’re cleaning the inside.
Never use these to clean your vehicle:
Gasoline
Benzene
0 Naphtha
0 Carbon Tetrachloride
Acetone
Paint Thinner
Turpentine
Lacquer Thinner
Nail Polish Remover
They can all be hazardous
-- some more than
others
-- and they can all damage your vehicle, too.
6-49

Tires
To clean your tires, use a stiff brush with a tire cleaner.
NOTICE:
When applying a tire dressing always take care to
wipe
off any overspray or splash from all painted
surfaces on the body or wheels
of the vehicle.
Petroleum-based products may damage the
paint finish.
Sheet Metal Damage
If your vehicle is damaged and requires sheet metal
repair or replacement, make sure the body repair shop
applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired or
replaced
to restore corrosion protection.
Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the underbody. If these are not
removed, accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on
the underbody parts such as fuel lines, frame,
floor
pan and exhaust system even though they have
corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer
or an underbody vehicle washing system
can do this for you.
6-56

Appearance Care Materials Chart
PART NUMBER USAGE DESCRIPTION
SIZE
1050004
Exterior cleaner and polish
Magic Mirror Cleaner Polish
16
oz. (0.473 L) I05020 1
Removes soil and black marks White Sidewall Tire Cleaner 16 oz. (0.473 L) 10501 74 Removes rust and corrosion
Chrome Cleaner and Polish 16
oz. (0.473 L)
1050173 Also removes old waxes and polishes
Tar and Road Oil Remover 16
oz. (0.473 L)
1050172 Shines vehicle without scratching
Chamois
2.75
sq. ft.
~ ~~
1050214
1050427 Spot and stain removal Vinyl and Leather Cleaner
32 oz. (0.946 L)
Exterior wash
Wash and
Wax Concentrate
16 oz. (0.473 L) 1052870 Windshield washer solvent and
antifreeze
Optikleen
32
oz. (0.946 L) 1051515 For cloth
Spot Lifter
8 oz. (0.237 L) 105 1398” Cleans
vinyl, cloth, tires and mats
Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner 6 lbs. (2.72 kg) 1050429 Cleans
grease, grime and smoke
film Glass Cleaner 23
oz. (0.680 L)
I I I
I 1052918** I 8 oz. (0.237 L) I Armor All TM Protector I Protects vinyl, leather and rubber 1
1052929
Cleans
vinyl, leather and rubber
Armor All Cleaner
16 oz. (0.473 L) 12345002** Attracts and absorbs
soils
Capture Dry Spot Remover
8 oz. (0.237 L) 1052930 Spray on wheel cleaner Wheel Cleaner 16
oz. (0.473 L)
12345725 Shines tires
Silicone Tire Shine
12 oz. (0.354 L)
See
your General Motors Parts Department for these products. * Not recommended for pigskin suede leather.
See “Fluids and Lubricants’’
in the Index. **Not
recommended for use on instrument panel vinyl.
6-58

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 Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
18,000 Miles (30 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
3 months, whchever 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.
**
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.
-- - -
I DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY I
21,000 Miles (35 000 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.
**
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY I
7-10

I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedurl
- 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 knz).
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.
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
DATE
SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
33,000 Miles (55 000 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.
**
DATE SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
7-13