1998 CHEVROLET ASTRO warning

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one
of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to
let you know when
there’s
a problem with your vehicle.
When
one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
when you are driving, or when one
of the gages shows
there may be
a problem, check the section that tells you
what
to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to do repairs
can be costly -- and even
dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to RUN or START, a tone will
come
on for about eight seconds to remind people to
fasten their
safety belts, unless the driver’s safety belt is
already buckled.
The safety belt light
will
also come on and stay on
for about 20 seconds,
then it will flash for about
55 seconds.
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR BAG. The system checks the
air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells
you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes
the air bag sensors, the air bag modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the air bag system, see “Air
Bag”
in the Index.
AIR
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and
it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go
out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes
on when you are driving, your air bag
system may
not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The air bag readiness light should flash for a few
seconds when
you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed
so it will be
ready
to warn you if there is a problem. If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither the tone
nor the light will come on.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Charging System Indicator Light
The charging system light
will come
on briefly when
you turn the ignition on, but
the engine is not running, as
a check to show
you the
light is working.
-
Then it should go out once the engine is running. If it
stays on, or comes on while
you are driving, you may
have a problem with the electrical charging system. It
could indicate that you have a loose accessory drive belt,
or another electrical problem. Have it checked right
away. Driving while this light is on could drain
your battery.
If
you must drive a short distance with the light on, be
certain to turn
off all your accessories, such as the radio
and heatedair conditioner.
Voltmeter
When your engine is not
running, but the ignition is
on (in the RUN position),
the gage shows your
battery’s state
of charge in
DC volts.
When the ignition is running, the gage shows the
condition
of the charging system. Readings between the
low and high warning zones indicate the normal
operating range.
Readings in the low warning zone may occur when a
large number
of electrical accessories are operating in
the vehicle and the engine is left at an idle for an
extended period. This condition is normal since the
charging system is not able to provide full power at
engine idle.
As engine speeds are increased, this
condition should correct itself as higher engine speeds
allow the charging system
to create maximum power.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine You can only drive for a short time with the readings in
either warning
zone. If you must drive, turn off all
unnecessary accessories.
Readings in either warning zone indicate a possible
problem in the electrical system. Have the vehicle
serviced as soon as possible.
Brake System Warning Light
When the ignition is on, the brake system warning light
will come
on when you set your parking brake. The light
will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release
fully.
If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it
means
you have a brake problem.
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop
you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there could be a brake
problem. Have
your brake system inspected right away.
BRAKE
This light should come on
briefly when
you turn the
ignition key to
RUN. If it
doesn’t come
on then, have
it fixed so it will be ready to
warn
you if there’s
a problem.
If the light comes on while you are driving, pull off the
road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer
to the floor.
It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the
vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle”
in the Index.)
A CAUi iON:
-
Your brake system may not be working prop( y
if the brake system warning light is on. Driving
with the brake system warning light on can lead
to an accident. If the light
is still on after you’ve
pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have
the vehicle towed for service.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
ANTI -
LOCK
With the anti-lock brake
system, this light will come
on when
you start your
engine and may stay
on for
several seconds.
That’s normal.
If the light stays on, or comes on when you’re driving,
your vehicle needs service.
If the regular brake system
warning light isn’t on,
you still have brakes, but you
don’t have anti-lock brakes.
If the regular brake system
warning light is also on, you don’t have anti-lock brakes
and there’s a problem with your regular brakes. See
“Brake System Warning Light’’ earlier in this section.
The anti-lock brake system warning light should come
on briefly when you turn the ignition key to RUN. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have
it fixed so it will be
ready to warn
you if there is a problem.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
If the gage pointer moves to
the red area, your engine
is
too hot!
It means that your engine coolant has overheated. If you
have been operating your vehicle under normal driving
conditions,
you should pull off the road, stop your
vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible.
The “Problems on the Road” section of this manual
shows
you what to do. See “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light
You will have this light on
:::o
the instrument panel: It goes
on whenever the Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL)
are
on. 0.0
When it begins to get dark, the DRL indicator light is a
reminder to turn on your headlamps.
Check Gages Light
CHECK
GAGES
This light will come on
briefly when you are
starting the engine.
If the light comes on and stays
on while you are driving,
check your various gages
to see if they are in the
warning zones.
Fuel Gage
The fuel gage tells you
approximately how much
fuel you have remaining
FUEL ONLY
when the ignition is on.
When the gage first indicates EMPTY (E), you still have
a little fuel left, but you should get more fuel as soon
as possible.
Here are things some owners ask about. None
of these
indicate a problem with your fuel gage:
0 At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before the
gage reads
FULL (F).
0 The fuel tank will take either a little more or a little
less fuel to fill up than the gage shows.
0 The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
speed up.
The gage doesn’t go back to EMPTY (E) when you
turn
off the ignition.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS). ABS is an
advanced electronic braking system that will help
prevent
a braking skid.
When you start your engine and begin to drive away,
your anti-lock brake system will check itself. You may
hear
a momentary motor or clicking noise while this test
is going on. This is normal.
If there’s a problem with the
anti-lock brake system, this
warning light will stay on.
See “Anti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light” in
the Index.
ANTI -
LOCK
Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet.
You’re driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in
front
of you.
You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens with ABS.
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down. If one
of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will
separately work the brakes at each front wheel and at
both rear wheels.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try
your best
to avoid sudden steering, acceleration or
braking (including engine braking by shifting to
a lower
gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide.
You may not realize the surface
is slippery until your
vehicle is sludding. Learn to recognize warning
clues
-- such as enough water, ice or packed snow on
the road
to make a “mirrored surface’’ -- and slow down
when you have any doubt.
Remember: Any anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps
avoid only the braking skid.
Driving at Night
Night driving is more dangerous than day driving.
One reason is that some drivers are likely to be
impaired
-- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision
problems, or by fatigue.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:
Know the best way to get to where you are
going. Get a city map and plan your trip into an
unknown part of the city just as you would
for a
cross-country trip.
Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most
large cities. You’ll save time and energy. (See the
next part, “Freeway Driving.”)
Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light
is there because the corner is busy enough to need
it.
When a light turns green, and just before you start to
move, check both ways for vehicles that have not
cleared the intersection or may be running the
red light.
Freeway Driving
Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways,
expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the safest
of all roads. But they have their own special rules.
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