1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO PASSENGER air conditioning

3-
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Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section, you'll find out how to operate the comfort control and audio systems offered with your vehicle. Be
sure to read about the particular systems supplied with your vehicle.
3
-2 Comfort Controls
3
-2 Heating/Air Conditioning System
3
-3 Heating System
3
-4 Rear Heating System (Option)
3
-5 Rear Air Conditioning System (Option)
3
-5 Air Conditioning
3
-6 Heating
3
-6 Defrosting
3
-6 Ventilation System
3
-8 Rear Window Defogger (Option)
3
-9 Audio Systems
3
-9 Setting the Clock for Systems with SET
Button
3
-9 Setting the Clock for Systems with HR and
MN Buttons
3
-9AM-FM Stereo3
-11 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player
(If Equipped)
3
-13 AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and
Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)
3
-18 AM-FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player and
Automatic Tone Control (If Equipped)
3
-22 Rear Seat Audio (If Equipped)
3
-23 Remote Compact Disc Player (If Equipped)
3
-26 Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped)
3
-28 Understanding Radio Reception
3
-28 Tips About Your Audio System
3
-29 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
3
-31 Care of Your Compact Discs
3
-31 Care of Your Compact Disc Player
3
-31 Fixed Mast Antenna

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Comfort Controls
This section tells you how to make your air system
work for you. Your comfort control system uses
ozone
-friendly R-134a refrigerant.
With these systems, you can control the heating, cooling
and ventilation in your vehicle. Your vehicle also has a
flow
-through ventilation system described later in
this section.
Heating/Air Conditioning System
If your vehicle has air conditioning, your heating/air
conditioning controls will look like this.Fan Knob
This control has four positions. To increase airflow, turn
the knob toward HI. To decrease airflow, move it
toward LO.
Temperature Knob
This knob is next to the fan knob. It controls the
temperature of the air flowing into your vehicle. Turn
the knob clockwise for warmer air. Turn the knob
counterclockwise for cooler air.
Function Knob
This knob is next to the temperature knob.
OFF: This setting turns the system off.
MAX A/C: This cools the air the fastest, by
recirculating the inside air. Turn the temperature knob
all the way to MAX A/C.
A/C: This setting brings in outside air and cools it.

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BI-LEVEL: This setting brings in outside air and
blows it out through the heater floor vents and the instrument
panel vents. If you move the temperature knob between hot
and cold, cooler air will come out of the upper vents while
warmer air comes out of the floor vent. The air conditioning
compressor may operate in this setting to cool the air.
VENT: The air comes out at the vents on your
instrument panel. The air conditioning compressor will
not run in this position. Adjust the temperature knob for
warmer or cooler air.
HEATER: Most of the air comes out near the
floor. The rest comes out from the defroster vents under
the windshield and at the front side windows.
BLEND: With this setting, the heated outside air
comes out of both the heater vents and defroster vents.
Adjust the temperature knob for warmer or cooler air.
The air conditioning compressor may operate in this
setting to dehumidify the air.
DEFROST: This setting operates the defroster.
Most of the air comes out near the windshield, with
some going to the floor vents and front side windows.
The air conditioning compressor may operate in this
setting to dehumidify the air.
Heating System
If your vehicle does not have air conditioning, your
heater controls will look like this.
Fan Knob
This control has four positions. To increase airflow,
turn the knob toward HI. To decrease airflow, move it
toward LO.
Temperature Knob
This knob is next to the fan knob. It controls the
temperature of the air flowing into your vehicle. Turn
the knob clockwise for warmer air. Turn the knob
counterclockwise for cooler air.

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3-5 Rear Air Conditioning System (Option)
You may have rear air conditioning. The rear air
conditioning switch is located to the right of the heater
controls. Turn the switch toward HIGH for higher
airflow in the rear area. Turn the switch to the OFF
position to turn the system off.
Air Conditioning
Before using your vehicle's air conditioning, open the
windows to clear the vehicle of hot air. This reduces the
time it takes for your vehicle to cool down. Then keep
your windows closed for the air conditioner to work at
its best.
You can use MAX A/C with the temperature knob in the
blue area when it's really hot outside and you need to
cool the inside air quickly. MAX A/C lets in only a little
air from the outside.
If you first use MAX A/C, you can then use A/C with
the temperature knob in the blue area as soon as the
vehicle has cooled down, so outside air will be going
through your vehicle.

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If your vehicle has rear air conditioning, setting it on
LOW 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 ªEngine Coolant Heaterº 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 valve.
Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the heater or
the air conditioning fan is running.

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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.
Move the dial on 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

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.

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Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Filling Your Tank
6
-7 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-11 Engine Oil
6
-15 Engine Cover
6
-19 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-20 Automatic Transmission Fluid
6
-24 All-Wheel Drive
6
-25 Rear Axle
6
-26 Radiator Pressure Cap
6
-27 Thermostat
6
-27 Engine Coolant
6
-30 Power Steering Fluid
6
-31 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-32 Brakes6
-35 Battery
6
-36 Bulb Replacement
6
-42 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-43 Tires
6
-51 Appearance Care
6
-52 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-55 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-57 Cleaning Tires
6
-57 Finish Damage
6
-57 Underbody Maintenance
6
-58 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-59 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-59 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-60 Electrical System
6
-67 Capacities and Specifications
6
-68 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6
-69 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

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6-68 Front Axle Capacity
Front Axle 2.6 pint (1.2 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Axle Capacity
Standard Rear Axle 3.5 pint (1.7 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Locking Rear Axle 3.5 pint (1.7 L). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same.
If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant is used.
If you're not sure, ask your dealer.
Refrigerant should be added only by a qualified
A/C technician.
Air Conditioning Refrigerant Capacity
Type System Quantity*
R
-134a C-60**2.0 lbs. (0.91 kg)
R
-134a C-69***3.0 lbs. (1.36 kg)
*All quantities are approximate.
**Front A/C only.
***Front and Rear A/C.
NOTICE:
R-134a refrigerant is not compatible with R-12
refrigerant in an air conditioning system. R
-12 in
an R
-134a system will cause compressor failure,
refrigerant oil sludge or poor air conditioning
system performance.