1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO window

How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument .panel. The air bag supplements
the
protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute
the force
of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s
upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But
air bags would not help
you in many types of collisions,
including rollovers, rear impacts and side impacts,
primarily because an occupant’s motion is
not toward
the air bag. Air bags should never be regarded as
anything more than
a supplement to safety belts,
and then only in moderate to severe frontal or
near-frontal collisions.
What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After the air bag inflates, it quickly deflates. This occurs
so quickly that some people may not even realize the air
bag inflated. Some components of the air bag module
in the steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag, or the
instrument panel for
the right front passenger’s bag, will
be hot for a short time. The part of the bag that comes
into contact with
you may be warm, but it will never be
too hot to touch. There will be some smoke and dust
coming from vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag inflation will
not prevent the
driver from seeing or from
being able
to steer the vehicle, nor will it stop people
from leaving the vehicle.
I A CAUTION:
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing problems
for people with a history of asthma or other
breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get out as soon as it is safe to do
so.
If you have breathing problems but can’t get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or door.
The air bags are designed to inflate only once. After
they inflate, you’ll need some new parts for your air
bag system. If you don’t get them, the air bag system
won’t be there to help protect you in another crash.
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need
to replace other parts.
1-28

I %.
Larger Children If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a
window
so the child can wear a lap-shoulder belt and
' ' get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.
I j are restrained in the rear seat. But they need to use the
'I Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
I safety belts properly. I I
0 ,Children who aren'i buckled up can be thrown out in
0 Children who aren't buckled upcan strike other
a
crash.
I.
peopl-e who are.
I
' Children who have outgrown child restraints should
wear the vehicle's safety belts.
1-49

Section 2 Features and Controls
Here you can learn about the many standard and
optional features on your vehicle, and information on
starting, shifting and braking. Also explained are
the
instrument panel and the warning systems that tell you if
everything is working properly -- and what to do if you
have a problem.
Keys
Leaving young children in a vehicle with the
ignition key
is dangerous for many reasons.
A child or others could be badly injured or
even killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls or even make the vehicle move. Don't
leave the keys in a vehicle with young children.
2-1

To open the driver’s side
rear door. pull
on the latch ‘I
release handle in the inside
of the door.
To close the rear doors, close the driver’s side door first.
Check to make sure both doors are completely closed.
The rear doors have a check assembly to keep the doors
from opening beyond
90”.
To fully open the rear doors,
push
in on the clip and lift
the check assembly up off
the mounting bracket.
Do this on each door. Replace the assemblies the
same way.
See
the Caution following “Swing-Out Windows” in
this section.
2-4

Hatch
A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the rear
swing-out windows, rear hatch or rear doors
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the rear swing-out
windows, rear hatch or rear doors open or
if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and the
rear swing-out windows, rear hatch or rear doors:
Make sure all windows are shut.
’hrn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on anything but MAX A/C. That will force
outside air into your vehicle. See “Comfort
Controls” in the Index.
instrument panel, open them all the way.
If you have air outlets on or under the
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
Rear Hatch and Dutch Doors Release
(Option)
If you have this option, your vehicle must be in either
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL
(N) to release the hatch and
unlock the Dutch doors. If your battery
is dead, the
hatch and Dutch doors will not open,
even from the
outside with a key.
To release the hatch and
unlock the doors from the
inside of the vehicle, press
the REAR HATCH button
on the instrument panel.
It
is located on the right side of the steering column. The
hatch will release with or without the key
in the ignition.
Then, pull up on
the hatch handle and open the doors.
2-11

Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables
out of sight.
Put them
in a storage area, or take them with you.
Parking Lots
If you park in a lot where someone will be watching
your vehicle,
it’s best to lock it up and take your keys.
But what if you have to leave your ignition key? What if
you have to leave something valuable in your vehicle?
0 Put your valuables in a storage area, like your
glove box.
0 Remember to lock the storage compartment/glove
0 Lock all the doors except the driver’s.
box and take that key
with you.
New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your
modern vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
0
0
0
0
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 kmk) or
less for the first
500 miles (804 km).
Don’t drive at
any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow
a trailer during break-in. See
“Towing
a Trailer’’ in the Index for
more information.
2-13

Engine Exhaust
A CAUTIOF:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide
(CO), which you can’t see or
smell.
It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
0 Your exhaust system sounds strange
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.
Repairs weren’t done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
or
different.
modified improperly.
blow out any
CO; and
I
Running Your Engine While
You’re Parked
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
A CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the air system control off
could allow dangerous exhaust into your vehicle
(see the earlier Caution under “Engine Exhaust”).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide
(CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is
a garage. Exhaust -- with
CO
-- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard.
(See “Blizzard” in the Index.)
2-26

CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to.
If you’ve left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t
move. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing
a Trailer” in
the Index.
Windows
Manual Windows
To open your manual windows, turn the hand crank on
each door to raise or lower your side door windows.
Power Windows
If you have the optional power windows, the controls
are
on each of the front side doors. The driver’s door has
a switch for the front passenger window
as well. Your
power windows will not move unless the ignition has
been turned to the
RUN position.
2-27