1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO tow

Don’t use any of these unless this manual says you can.
In many uses, these will damage your vehicle:
Alcohol
Laundry Soap
Bleach
Reducing Agents
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Use a vacuum cleaner often to get rid of dust and loose
dirt. Wipe vinyl or leather with a clean, damp cloth.
Your
GM dealer has two GM cleaners, a solvent-type
spot lifter and a foam-type powdered cleaner. They will
clean normal spots and stains very well. Do
not use
them
on vinyl or leather.
Here are some cleaning tips:
Always read the instructions on the cleaner label.
Clean up stains as soon as you can -- before they set.
Use a clean cloth or sponge, and change to a
clean area often. A soft brush may be used if stains
are stubborn.
0 Use solvent-type cleaners in a well-ventilated area
only.
If you use them, don’t saturate the stained area.
0 If a ring forms after spot cleaning, clean the entire
area immediately or
it will set.
Using Foam-Type Cleaner on Fabric
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Vacuum and brush the area to remove any loose dirt.
Always clean a whole trim panel or section. Mask
surrounding trim along stitch or welt lines.
Mix Multi-Purpose Powdered Cleaner following
the directions
on the container label.
Use suds only and apply with
a clean sponge.
Don’t saturate the material.
Don’t rub
it roughly.
As soon as you’ve cleaned the section, use
a sponge
to remove
the suds.
Rinse the section with a clean, wet sponge.
Wipe off what’s
left with a slightly damp paper
towel or cloth.
Then dry it immediately with a blow dryer.
Wipe
with a clean cloth.
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Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all.
Some spots and stains will clean off better with just
water and mild soap.
-. If you need to use a solvent:
0 Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with a
clean, dd1 knife or scraper. Use very little cleaner, light
pressure and clean cloths (preferably cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at the outside of the stain,
“feathering”’ toward
the center. Keep changing
to a clean section of the cloth.
0 When you clean a stain from fabric, immediately
dry the area with a blow dryer
to help prevent a
cleaning ring.
Fabric Protection
Your vehicle has upholstery and carpet that has been .
treated with Scotchgard“ Fabric Protector, a 3M
product.
It protects fabrics by repelling oil and water,
which are the carriers of most stains. Even
with this
protection, you still need to clean your upholstery and
carpet often to keep
it looking new.
Further information on cleaning is available by calling
1-800-433-3296
(in Minnesota, 1-800-642-61 67).
Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains
Stains caused by grease, oil, butter, margarine, shoe
polish, coffee with cream, chewing gum, cosmetic
creams, vegetable oils, wax crayon,
tar and asphalt can
be removed as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.
2. Follow the solvent-type instructions
described earlier.
3. Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and asphalt will stain
if left on a vehicle’s seat fabric. They should be
removed as soon as possible.
Be careful, because
the cleaner will dissolve them and may cause them
to spread.
6-5 1

Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply silicone
grease with a clean cloth at least every
six months.
During very cold, damp weather more frequent
application may be required. (See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index.)
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to keep
it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays of the
sun.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use
liquid hand, dish or car washing (mild detergent) soaps.
Don’t use cleaning agents that are petroleum based,
or that contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents
should be flushed promptly and
not allowed to dry on
the surface, or they could stain. Dry the finish with a soft,
clean chamois or a 100% cotton towel
to avoid
surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure vehicle washes may
cause water to enter
your vehicle.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle by
hand may be necessary
to remove residue from the paint
finish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. (See “Appearance Care and Materials”
in the Index.)
Your vehicle has a 44basecoat/clearcoat” paint finish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoatklearcoat
paint finish.
NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoatklearcoat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
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Foreign materials such as calcium chloride and other
salts, ice melting agents, road oil and tar, tree sap, bird
droppings, chemicals from industrial chimneys, etc., can
damage your vehicle’s finish if they remain on painted
surfaces. Wash the vehicle as soon as possible. If
necessary,
use non-abrasive cleaners that are marked
safe for painted surfaces
to remove foreign matter.
Exterior painted surfaces are subject to aging, weather
and chemical fallout that can take their toll over a period
of years. You can help to keep the paint finish looking
new by keeping your vehicle garaged or covered
whenever possible.
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Parts
Bright metal parts should be cleaned regularly to keep
their luster. Washing with water is all that is usually
needed. However, you may use
GM Chrome Polish on
chrome or stainless steel trim,
if necessary.
Use special care with aluminum trim. To avoid damaging
protective trim, never use auto or chrome polish, steam
or caustic soap
to clean aluminum. A coating of wax,
rubbed to high polish, is recommended for all bright
metal parts.
Aluminum Wheels (If So Equipped)
Keep your wheels clean using a soft clean cloth with
mild soap and water. Rinse with
clean water. After
rinsing thoroughly, dry with
a soft clean towel. A wax
may
then be applied.
The surface of these wheels is similar
to the painted
surface of your vehicle. Don’t use strong soaps,
chemicals, abrasive polishes, abrasive cleaners or
abrasive cleaning brushes
on them because you could
damage the surface.
Don’t take your vehicle through an automatic vehicle
wash that has silicon carbide tire cleaning brushes.
These brushes can also damage the surface of
these wheels.
6-55

Underhood Electrical Center
1
(-) I-)
(-1
[-)
(T)
E3
IIVC)
(-)
I
The underhood electrical center is located toward the
rear
of the engine compartment on the driver's side.
Lift the hood and open the cover to gain access to this
fuse block.
Feed
AUXB . . . . . .
AUX A . . . . . , . .
Relay
A/C Relay
IGN Relay
Starter Enable Relay
A/C Enable Relay
Empty Relay
Fuel Pump Relay
Usage
. . Upfitter Battery Feed
. . Upfitter Ignition Feed
6-64

Maintenance Schedule
Short TripKity Definition
Follow the Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule if any
one
of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
0
0
0
0
0
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such
as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons yo~l should follow this schedule if
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is
that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down soonex
Short Trip/City Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or
3 months, whichever occurs first). Chassis
Lubrication (or
3 months, whichever occurs first). Drive
Axle Service (or
3 months, whichever occurs fust).
At 6,000 Miles (10 000 km) -- Then Every
12,000 Miles
(20 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection,
if driving in dusty conditions. Front
Wheel Bearing Repack (2WD only) (or at each brake
relining, whichever occurs first). Automatic
Transmission Service (severe conditions only).
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement.
Fuel Filter Replacement. Automatic
Transmission Service (Normal Conditions).
Every 60,000 Miles (100 000 km): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection. Fuel
Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection.
Every 100,000 Miles (166 000 km): Cooling System
Service (or every
60 months, whichever occurs first).
Spark Plug Wire Inspection. Spark Plug Replacement.
Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve Inspection.
These intervals only summarize nzaintenance services.
Be sure to follow the complete maintenance schedule on
the following pages.
7-4

Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule
The services shown in this schedule up to 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) should be performed after 100,000 miles
(166
000 km) at the same intervals.
Footnotes
3- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the
California Air Resources Board has determined that the
failure
to perform this maintenance item will not nullify
the emission warranty or limit recall liability prior
to the
completion
of the vehicle’s useful life. We, however,
urge that all recommended maintenance services be
performed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance
be recorded.
# Lubricate the front suspension, ball joints and
kingpin bushings, steering linkage and transfer case
shift linkage, parking brake cable guides and brake
pedal springs. Drive
a
a
a
a
lxle service:
Locking Differential
-- Drain fluid and refill at first
engine oil change. At subsequent oil changes, check
fluid level and add fluid as needed. If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
Standard Differential
-- Check fluid level and add
fluid as needed
at every oil change. If driving in
dusty areas or towing a trailer, drain fluid and refill
every
15,000 miles (25 000 km).
More frequent lubrication may be required for
heavy-duty use.
7-6

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
15,000 Miles (25 000 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 Inspect air cleaner filter if you are driving
in dusty conditions. Replace filter
if
necessary. An Emission Control Service.
0 Check readfront axle fluid level and add
fluid as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking.
**
For Two-Wheel-Drive vehicles only: Clean
and repack the front wheel bearings (or at
each brake relining, whichever occurs first).
0 Change automatic transmission flr lid and
filter
if the vehicle is mainly driven under
one or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90°F
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
[f you do not use your vehicle under my of
these conditions, change the fluid and filter every
30,000 miles (50 000 km).
7-9