1997 CHEVROLET ASTRO heating

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If your vehicle has rear air conditioning, setting it on LO
may enhance the front A/C performance by allowing
trapped refrigerant
in the rear lines to circulate.
The rear air conditioning system will
only send cooled
air
if the front system is on. It can still be used to
circulate air, even if the front system
is off.
When the air conditioning, DEFROST or BLEND is on,
you may notice a slight increase or decrease in engine
speed, due to compressor operation. This
is normal
because the system is designed to cycle the compressor
on and off to keep the desired temperature.
Heating
On cold days, use HEATER with the temperature knob
in the red area. Outside air will be brought in through
the floor outlets. The heater works best if you keep your
windows closed while using it.
If you use the optional engine coolant heater before
starting your engine, your heating system will produce
warmer air faster
to heat the passenger compartment in
cold weather. See “Engine Coolant Heater” in the Index.
Defrosting
Use DEFROST to remove fog or ice from the
windshield quickly in extremely cold conditions. The
temperature knob should be in the red area and the fan
control toward high. The air conditioning compressor
may operate in this setting to dehumidify the air.
The
BLEND setting is useful for cold weather with a
large number of passengers or very humid conditions to
help keep the windshield clear.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures when little heating or
cooling is needed, use VENT to direct outside air
through your vehicle. Air will flow through the
instrument panel vents.
Your vehicle’s flow-through ventilation system supplies
outside air to the inside
of your vehicle when it is
moving. With the side windows closed, air will flow into
the front air inlet grilles at the base
of the windshield,
through
the vehicle and out the rear air exhaust valves.
Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the heater or
the air conditioning fan is running.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your vehicle has air vents near the center and on the
sides
of the instrument panel that allow you to adjust the
direction and
the amount of airflow inside the vehicle.
Push the vent up or down to direct airflow
to your
preference. Increase or reduce the amount of airflow by
opening and closing the louvers. The vents rotate to
direct
the airflow from side to side. When
you close a vent,
it will increase the flow of air
coming out
of any vents that are open.
If you have rear heating or rear air conditioning, you
will have adjustable vents in the rear of the vehicle to
help direct the airflow. The rear air conditioning vents
are located
in the headliner at the rear of the vehicle.
The rear heating vents are located
next to the second and
third seat
on the driver’s side of the vehicle, near the
floor. You can move the vents to direct the flow
of air, or
close
the vents altogether. When you close a vent, it will
increase the flow of air coming out of any vents that
are open.
Ventilation Tips
0
0
0
Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such
as leaves). The heater
and defroster
will work far better, reducing the
chance of fogging the inside
of your windows.
When you enter a vehicle
in cold weather, turn the
blower fan to
HIGH for a few moments before
driving off. This helps clear the intake ducts
of snow
and moisture, and reduces the chance of fogging the
inside of your windows.
Keep the air path under
the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.
3-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes
-- and they must be
adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for
the trailer brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
Your trailer brake system can tap into your vehicle’s
hydraulic brake system, except:
0
0
0
Don’t tap into your vehicle’s brake system if the
trailer’s brake system will use more than
0.02 cubic
inch
(0.3 cc) of fluid from your vehicle’s master
cylinder. If
it does, both braking systems won’t work
well.
You could even lose your brakes.
Will the trailer parts take
3,000 psi (20 650 kPa) of
pressure? If not, the trailer brake system must not be
used with your vehicle.
If everything checks out this far, then make the brake
fluid tap at the port on the master cylinder that sends
fluid
to the rear brakes. But don’t use copper tubing
for this. If you do,
it will bend and finally break off.
Use steel brake tubing.
Driving with a Trailer
- -
If you have a rear-most window open and you
pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon monoxide
(CO) could come into your vehicle. You can’t see
or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness or
death. (See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.) To
maximize your safety when towing a trailer:
0 Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
0 Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle.
Do not use
MAX A/C because it only recirculates the
air inside your vehicle. (See
‘‘ Comfort
Controls” in the Index.)
4-35

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring (included
in the optional trailering package).
The green arrows
on your instrument panel will flash
whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you’re about
to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows
on your
instrument panel will flash for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned
out. Thus, you may think drivers
behind you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down,
you might have to use your brakes so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade,
shift down and reduce your
speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility
of engine and transmission overheating.
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a
lower temperature than at normal altitudes. If
you turn
your engine
off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating.
To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in
PARK (P) for a few
minutes before turning
the engine off. If you do get the
overheat warning, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
4-37

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5-2
5-3
5-3
5-7
5- 13
5-15
Hazard Warning Flashers
Other Warning Devices
Jump Starting
Towing Your Vehicle
Engine Overheating Cooling System 5-22
5-22
5-23
5-35
5-36
Engine Fan Noise
If
a Tire Goes Flat
Changing a Flat Tire
Compact Spare Tire
If You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Overheating
You will find an engine coolant temperature gage on
your vehicle’s instrument panel. See “Gages” in
the Index.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
“‘ON:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even
if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from
it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign
of steam or coolant before you
open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned.
Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get
out of the vehicle until the
engine
is cool.
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered
by your warranty.
5-13

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Rear Axle What to Use .
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often
to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need
to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise
the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL
J engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL’ extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when
it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating”
in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL@ coolant for
your vehicle
will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
6-25

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Radiator Pressure Cap
I 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.
6-29