1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO warning light

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2-68 Service AWD Light (If Equipped)
This light should come on
briefly when you turn on the
ignition, as a check to show
you it is working.
The SERVICE AWD light comes on to indicate that
there may be a problem with the drive system and
service is required. Malfunctions can be indicated by the
system before any problem is apparent, which may
prevent serious damage to the vehicle. This system is
also designed to assist your service technician in
correctly diagnosing a malfunction.
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light
You will have this light on
the instrument panel. It goes
on whenever the Daytime
Running Lamps (DRL)
are on.
When it begins to get dark, the DRL indicator light is a
reminder to turn on your headlamps.
Check Gages Light
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.

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Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts
-- heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking
-- rather than keeping pace with traffic.
This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to
cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out
much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. If you
keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic following
distances, you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary
braking. That means better braking and longer
brake life.
If your engine ever stops while you're driving, brake
normally but don't pump your brakes. If you do, the
pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine
stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But
you will use it when you brake. Once the power assist is
used up, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal
will be harder to push.
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.
United States Canada
If there's a problem with the anti
-lock brake system, this
warning light will stay on. See ªAnti
-Lock Brake
System Warning Lightº in the Index.

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City Driving
One of the biggest problems with city streets is the
amount of traffic on them. You'll want to watch out for
what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to
traffic signals.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, ªFreeway Driving.º)

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.

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Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:

Have your vehicle in good shape for winter.

You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your vehicle.Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply
of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer
clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth and
reflective warning triangles. And, if you will be driving
under severe conditions, include a small bag of sand, a
piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags to help
provide traction. Be sure you properly secure these
items in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and
the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You'll
have a lot less traction or ªgripº and will need to be
very careful.

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Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
vehicle. But please follow the numbered steps to do
it safely.
CAUTION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:

They contain acid that can burn you.

They contain gas that can explode or ignite.

They contain enough electricity to
burn you.
If you don't follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.
NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly
damage to your vehicle that wouldn't be
covered by your warranty.
The ACDelco Freedom battery in your vehicle
has a built
-in hydrometer. Do not charge, test or
jump start the battery if the hydrometer looks
clear or light yellow. Replace the battery when
there is a clear or light yellow hydrometer and a
cranking complaint.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling
it won't work, and it could damage your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn't a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.

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Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX
-COOL
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 ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX
-COOL
coolant will:

Give freezing protection down to
-34F (-37C).

Give boiling protection up to 265F (129C).

Protect against rust and corrosion.

Help keep the proper engine temperature.

Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use only DEX
-COOL (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first. Damage caused by the
use of coolant other than DEX
-COOL is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.

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6-34
NOTICE:

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 ªAppearance Careº 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 go or
be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except when
you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
CAUTION:
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.
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 something is wrong with
your brakes.
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.

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9-1
Section 9 Index
A
ccessory Power Outlet 2-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Add-On Equipment 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Bag 1-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adding Equipment 1-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How Does it Restrain 1-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How it Works 1-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Location 1-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Readiness Light 1-28, 2-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Servicing 1-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What Makes it Inflate 1-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What Will You See After it Inflates 1-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When Should it Inflate 1-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Cleaner Filter 6-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning 3-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning Refrigerants 6-68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alignment and Balance, Tire 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All-Wheel Drive 2-29, 6-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Antenna, Fixed Mast 3-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Antifreeze 6-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Lock
Brake System Warning Light 2-63, 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brakes 4-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Theft, Radio 3-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appearance Care 6
-51 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appearance Care Materials 6-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Arbitration Program 8-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ashtrays 2-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audio Equipment, Adding 3-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audio Systems 3-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic
Transmission Check 7
-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmission Operation 2-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmission Fluid 6-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AWD, Service Light 2-68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Axle
Front 6
-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Locking Rear 2-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear 6-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery 6-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jump Starting 5-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement, Remote Keyless Entry 2-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warnings 5-3, 5-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
BBB Auto Line 8-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Better Business Bureau Mediation 8-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Blizzard 4-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .