1997 CHEVROLET ASTRO Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What to Add
Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the brake fluid without taking off the cap.
Just look at the window on the brake fluid reservoir. The
fluid level should be above MIN. If
it isn’t, have your
brake system checked to see
if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system,
make sure the level
is above MIN and below the top
of the window. When
you do
need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 12377967). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only.
Always clean the brake fluid reservoir cap and the area
around the cap before removing it. This will help keep
dirt from entering the reservoir.
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except
when
you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly). NOTICE:
0
0
Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops
of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
Brake Wear
Your vehicle has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake
pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and
A CAUThN:
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions
or climates may cause a brake
squeal when
the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean somethim
is wrong with
your brakes.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Properly torqued wheel nuts are necessary to help
prevent brake pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect
brake pads for wear and
evenly torque wheel nuts in the
proper sequence
to GM specifications.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but
if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected. Also,
the rear brake drums
should be removed and inspected each time the tires are
removed for rotation or changing. When
you have the
front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
See “Brake System Inspection’’ in Section
7 of this
manual under Part
C “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections.”
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your
rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by
backing up and firmly applying the brakes a few times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be
of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Your vehicle was designed and tested with top-quality
GM brake parts. When
you replace parts of your braking
system
-- for example, when your brake linings wear
down and you have to have new ones put
in -- be sure
you get new approved GM replacement parts. If you
don’t, your brakes may
no longer work properly. For
example,
if someone puts in brake linings that are wrong
for your vehicle,
the balance between your front and
rear brakes can change
-- for the worse. The braking
performance you’ve come to expect can change
in many
other ways
if someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Battery
Every new vehicle has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one of these. When it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom
battery. Get one that has
the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days
or more, take off the black, negative
(-) cable from
the battery. This will help keep your battery from
running down. Also,
for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature” in the Index.
Bulb Replacement
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your
GM dealer service department.
Before replacing any bulbs, make sure all lamps are
off
and the vehicle is not running. See “Replacement Bulbs”
in the Index.
Halogen Bulbs
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode.
You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around a battery without getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how
to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
I A CAUTION:
I
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb.
You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Headlamps
Sealed Beam Lamps
1. Remove the four retainer
screws and
the retainer.
2. Pull the connector out
and unplug the lamp.
3. Install the new bulb into the connector.
4. Reverse Steps 1 and 2 to reinstall the headlamp.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Composite Headlamps
1. Open the hood.
3. Completely remove the sidemarkedturn signal lamp
by pulling out the assembly and disconnecting the
sidemarkedturn signal lamp sockets from the lamp.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 4. Remove the screw
located behind the
corner reflector in order
to remove the entire
corner reflector.
5. Remove the remaining three screws; the first one
from the corner reflector pocket and the two
remaining from the composite assembly.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 6. Remove the
composite assembly.
7. Turn the halogen bulb counterclockwise to remove
8. Install the new bulb into the composite assembly by
turning
it clockwise until it is completely tightened.
tightening all
of the screws previously removed.
from the assembly.
9. Replace the composite assembly by installing and
Front Turn Signal Lamps
1. Remove the two screws at the inside edge of the
parking/turn signal lamp assembly.
2. Remove the
lamp assembly.
3. Squeeze the tab on the
side
of the lamp socket
while turning the socket
counterclockwise.
4. Pull the socket out of the lamp assembly.
5. Pull the bulb from the socket.
6. Gently push the new bulb into the socket.
7. Put the socket back into the lamp assembly and turn
it clockwise until it locks.
8. Put the parkinghrn signal lamp assembly back into
the vehicle and tighten the screws.
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