1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO manual transmission

DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving. If you
need more power for passing, and you’re:
Going less than about 35 mph (56 km/h), push your
accelerator pedal about halfway down.
Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down. You’ll shift
down to
the next gear and have more power.
DRIVE
(D) should be used for normal trailer towing.
THIRD
(3): This position is also used for normal
driving, however it offers more power and lower
fuel
economy than DRIVE (D). You should use THIRD (3)
when carrying a heavy load or driving on steep hills.
SECOND
(2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy.
You can use SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed
as you go down steep
mountain roads, but
then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.
If you manually select SECOND
(2)’ the transmission
will drive
in second gear. You may use this feature
for reducing torque to
the rear wheels when you are
trying to start your vehicle from a stop on slippery
road surfaces. FIRST
(1): This
position gives you even more power
(but lower
fuel economy) than SECOND (2). You can .
use it on very steep hills, or in deep snow or mud. If the
selector lever is put
in FIRST (1)’ the transmission
won’t shift
into first gear until the vehicle is going
slowly enough.
NOTICE:
If your rear wheels can’t rotate, don’t try to
drive. This might happen if you were stuck in
very deep sand or mud or were up against
a solid
object. You could damage your transmission or
transfer case or both.
Also, if you stop when going uphill, don’t hold
your vehicle there with only the accelerator
pedal. This could overheat and damage the
transmission. Use your brakes or shift into
PARK
(P) to hold your vehicle in position on
a hill.
2-20

Parking on Hills
Youereally should not park your vehicle, with a trailer
attached,
on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig
could start to move. People can be injured, and both
your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
But
if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s
how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into
PARK
(P) yet. Turn your wheels into the curb
when facing downhill and away from the curb when
facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3, When the wheel chocks are in place, release the
regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then apply your parking
brake, and shift to PARK
(P).
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on a
Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine
oil, axle lubricant, belt, cooling system
and brake adjustment. Each
of these is covered in this
manual, and
the Index will help you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea
to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically
to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
4-36

1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with
a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other.
If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want.
You wouldn’t be able to
start your vehicle, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
You could be injured
if the vehicles roll. Set the
parking brake firmly on each vehicle. Put an
automatic transmission
in PARK (P) or a manual
transmission in NEUTRAL (N). If you have a
four-wheel-drive vehicle
with a manual transfer case
shift lever, be sure the transfer case
is not in
NEUTRAL (N).
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into
the cigarette
lighter or accessory power outlets. Turn off all lamps
that aren’t needed
as well as radios. This will avoid
sparks and help save both batteries.
In addition, it
could save your radio!
I NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive
(+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
5-3

Normal Maintenance Replacement
Parts
Replacement part numbers listed in this section are
based on the latest information available at the time of
printing, and are subject to change.
If a part listed in this
manual is
not the same as the part used in your vehicle
when it was built, or
if you have any questions, please
contact your
GM truck dealer.
Oil Filter..
......................... PF52
Air Cleaner Filter
.................. A 1 163C
Automatic Transmission
Filter Kit
............ ... 24200796
PCV Valve
...................... CV774C
Spark Plugs
....................... 41-932
Spark
Plug Gap ...... 0.060 inches (1.52 mm) Fuel
Filter
...
Radiator Cap .......
Wiper Blades (Front) .
Wiper Blade (Rear) . .
. . GF481
............ RC27
. . 22110158, Pin Type
. . 22154396, Pin Type
Vehicle Dimensions*
Wheelbase .............. 189.8 inches (482 cm)
Width
................... 77.5 inches (1 96.8 cm)
Height.
.................. 76.2 inches (193.5 cm)
Wheelbase
.............. 11 1.2 inches (282.4 cm)
Front Tread Width
......... 65.1 inches (165.4 cm)
Rear Tread Width
........ 65.1 inches (1 65.4 cm)
*Figures reflect base equipment only.
6-69

I Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule I
90,000 Miles (150 000 km) (Continued)
0 Change automatic transmission fluid 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.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of
these conditions, change the fluid and filter every
30,000 miles (50 000 km).
0 Replace fuel filter.
0 Replace air cleaner filter.
An Emission Control Service.
0 Rotate tires. See “Tire Inspection and
An Emission Control Service.
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 I I
DATE ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY
7-26

7,500 Miles (12 500 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components; see footnote ##
(or every 12 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
DroDer calker service txocedures.
15,000 Miles (25 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components; see
1 occurs first).
0 Check readfront axle fluid level-and add
fluid as needed. Check constant velocity
joints and axle seals for leaking.
**
0 Change automatic transmission fluid 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 O C) or higher.
footnote
# (or every 12 months, whichever
7-30.

37,500 Miles (62 500 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components; see footnote #
(or every 12 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.
45,000 Miles (75 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or e J ,veri
12 months, whichever occurs first).
0 Lubricate chassis components; see
An Emission Control Service.
footnote # (or every 12 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 Change automatic transmission fluid 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.
(Continued)
7-33

I Long Trip/Highway Maintenance Schedule
82,500 Miles (137 500 km)
Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components; see footnote ##
(or every 12 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.
I
ACTUAL MILEAGE SERVICED BY:
90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
0 Change engine oil and filter (or every
12 months, whichever occurs first).
An Emission Control Service.
0 Lubricate chassis components; see
footnote
# (or every 12 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 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 fluid 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.