1998 CHEVROLET ASTRO Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Hatch
I
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.
Turn 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.
Hatch Release (Option)
You can use your key to unlock the hatch and all the
other doors from the outside. Insert the key into the
hatch release button and turn it to the left. All doors
will unlock.
You may also use the Keyless Entry System
described earlier.
The hatch can be opened or closed without a key
if the
door lock system is unlocked.
To open the hatch, unlock it, press the button and lift the
handle located in the center of the door.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine To lock the power lock system from the outside, insert
the key in the hatch release button and turn it
to the
right. All doors will lock.
Also, see the Caution following “Hatch,” located in
this section.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your vehicle has a number
of theft-deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there
are ways you
can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves
-- so
don’t do it.
When
you park your vehicle and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and
so will your
ignition and transmission. And remember to lock
the doors.
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 key? Do not leave
valuables in your vehicle, since there is no locking area
in which
to secure them. Lock all doors except
the driver’s.
Passlock@
Your vehicle is equipped with the Passlock
theft-deterrent system.
Passlock is a passive theft-deterrent system. The system
is armed once the key is removed from
the ignition.
Passlock enables fuel if the ignition lock cylinder
is
turned with a valid key. If a correct key is not used, fuel
is disabled.
During normal operation, the SECURITY light will go
off after the engine is started.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the engine stalls and the SECURITY light flashes,
wait until the light stops flashing before trying to restart
the engine. Remember to release the key from the
START position as soon as the engine starts.
If you are driving and the SECURITY light comes on,
you will be able to restart the engine if you turn the
engine
off. However, your Passlock system is not
working properly and must be serviced by your dealer.
Your vehicle is not protected by Passlock at this time.
You may also want
to check the fuses (see “Fuses and
Circuit Breakers”
in the Index). See your dealer
for service.
If the SECURITY light comes on while the engine is
running, a problem has been detected and the system
may need service. See your dealer for service.
In an emergency, call
the GM Roadside Assistance
Center.
See “Roadside Assistance” in the Index.
New Vehicle “Break-In”
NOTICE:
Your vehicle doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
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Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 kmh) or
less for the first
500 miles (805 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ignition Positions
Use your ignition key to start your vehicle. The
ignition key lets you turn the ignition switch to
five different positions.
C
I
A i E
ACCESSORY (A): This position lets you use things
like
the radio and the windshield wipers when the
engine is off. To get into ACCESSORY, push in the key
and turn it toward you. Your steering wheel will remain
locked, just
as it was before you inserted the key.
NOTICE:
Don’t operate accessories in the ACCESSORY
position for long periods of time. Prolonged
operation of accessories in the ACCESSORY position could drain your battery and prevent
you from starting your vehicle.
LOCK (B): This position locks your ignition, steering
wheel and transmission shift lever in PARK
(P). It’s a
theft-deterrent feature. You will only be able to remove
your key when the ignition is turned
to LOCK.
OFF (C): This position lets you turn off the engine but
still turn the steering wheel. Use
OFF if you must have
your vehicle
in motion while the engine is off (for
example,
if your vehicle is being towed).
RUN (D): This is the position for driving.
START (E): This starts your engine.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key;
if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using
a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch.
If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
Starting Your Engine
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your vehicle is
moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK
(P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key
to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go
down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in
START. If it doesn’t start in 10 seconds, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down for five more
seconds, unless
it starts sooner.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), wait
15 seconds and start over.
When the engine starts, let go
of the key and the
accelerator pedal.
I NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer. If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part
of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Fuel Regulator
You have a fuel regulator that shuts the fuel off when the
engine reaches
5,600 rpm.
Engine Coolant Heater (If Equipped)
In very cold weather,
0°F (-18°C) or colder,
the engine coolant heater
can help. You’ll get easier
starting and better
fuel
economy during engine
warm-up. Usually, the
coolant heater should
be
plugged in a minimum of
four hours prior to starting
your vehicle.
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.
The engine coolant heater cord is located on the
driver’s side
of the engine compartment, near the
power steering fluid reservoir.
3. Plug it into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUTION:
Plugging the cord iL-_ 1 an ungrounded outlet
could cause an electrical shock.
Also, the wrong
kind
of extension cord could overheat and cause
a fire. You could
be seriously injured. Plug the
cord into a properly grounded three-prong
110-volt
AC outlet. If the cord won’t reach, use a
heavy-duty three-prong extension cord rated
for
at least 15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and
store the cord as it was before to keep it away from
moving engine parts.
If you don’t, it could
be damaged. How long should
you keep the coolant heater
plugged
in? The answer depends on
the outside temperature, the
kind of oil you have, and some other things. Instead of
trying to list everything here, we ask that you contact
your dealer in the area where
you’ll be parking your
vehicle. The dealer can give
you the best advice for that
particular area.
Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
II II
PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine A CAUhON:
It is 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 have 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).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index.
Ensure the shift lever
is fully in PARK (P) before starting
the engine. Your vehicle has a brake-transmission shift
interlock. You have to fully apply your regular brakes
before you can shift from
PARK (P) when the ignition key is in the
RUN position. If you cannot shift out of
PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever
-- push the
shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) as you maintain
brake application. Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish. See “Shifting Out of PARK
(P)” in this section.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle
is moving forward could damage your
transmission. Shift to
REVERSE (R) only
after your vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission, see
“Stuck: In Sand, Mud,
Ice or Snow” in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn’t
connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re
already moving, use NEUTRAL
(N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL
(N) when your vehicle is being towed. ’
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