2000 CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN battery

2-52
Don't exceed the maximum vehicle capacity when loading
your vehicle. For more information on vehicle capacity
and loading, see ªLoading Your Vehicleº in the Index.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo as you're driving,
check now and then to make sure the luggage carrier
and cargo are still securely fastened.
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
The cigarette lighter is on the left of the engine
cover console.
To use the lighter, press it in all the way and let go.
When it's done heating, it will pop back by itself.
NOTICE:
Don't hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while it is heating. If you do, it won't be able to
back away from the heating element when it's
ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
NOTICE:
When using the cigarette lighter as an accessory
power outlet, maximum electrical load must not
exceed 20 amps. Always turn off any electrical
equipment when not in use. Leaving electrical
equipment on for extended periods will drain
your battery.
The front ashtray is just above the passenger's side
front cupholder.
To remove the front ashtray, open it and gently pull
it slightly past its stop.
To remove the ashtray on the sliding door, open it,
press down on the inside tab and pull out.
You may have another ashtray on the driver's sidewall.
Press the right side to turn the ashtray around for use.
To remove the ashtray, open it and gently pull it off
the hinge.

2-53
NOTICE:
Don't put papers and other things that burn
into your ashtrays. If you do, cigarettes or
other smoking materials could set them on fire,
causing damage.
Sun Visors
To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You
can also swing them from side to side. Your visors may
have an extension that can be pulled out for additional
glare protection and a strap for holding small items,
such as maps.
Visor Vanity Mirror (If Equipped)
Some visors have mirrors built in, with or without
lamps. Just lift the mirror cover on each visor to turn
the lamps on, if you have them.
Accessory Power Outlets
You can plug auxiliary electrical equipment into accessory
power outlets. Just pull up from the bottom of the door
and follow the proper installation instructions that are
included with any electrical equipment that you install.
Two accessory power outlets are located on the
passenger's side of the engine cover.
Another accessory power outlet is located on the driver's
side behind the third row seating position, near the floor.
These circuits are protected by a fuse and have maximum
current levels.
NOTICE:
When using the accessory power outlets, maximum
electrical load must not exceed 25 amps. Always
turn off any electrical equipment when not in use.
Leaving electrical equipment on for extended
periods will drain your battery.

2-55
Your vehicle's engine should be turned off while
programming the transmitter. Follow these steps to
program up to three channels:
1. If you have previously programmed a transmitter
channel, proceed to Step 2. Otherwise, hold
down the two outside buttons on the HomeLink
Transmitter until the indicator light begins to flash
rapidly (after 20 seconds). Then release the buttons.
This procedure initializes the memory and erases any
previous settings for all three channels.
2. Decide which one of the three channels you want
to program. Hold the end of the hand
-held
transmitter about 2 to 5 inches (5 to 13 cm) away
from the surface of the HomeLink Transmitter so
that you can still see the indicator light.
3. Using both hands, press the hand
-held transmitter
button and the desired button on the HomeLink
Transmitter. Continue to press both buttons
through Step 4.
4. Hold down both buttons until you see the red
light on the HomeLink Transmitter flash rapidly.
The rapid flashing indicates that the HomeLink
Transmitter has been programmed. Release both
buttons once the light starts to flash rapidly.If you have trouble programming the HomeLink
Transmitter, make sure that you have followed the
directions exactly as described and that the battery in the
hand
-held transmitter is not dead. If you still cannot
program it, rotate the hand
-held transmitter end over
end and try again. The HomeLink Transmitter may not
work with older garage door openers that do not meet
current Federal Consumer Safety Standards. If you
cannot program the transmitter after repeated attempts,
refer to ªTraining a Garage Door Opener with Rolling
Codesº later in this section or contact the manufacturer
of the unit at 1
-800-355-3515.
Be sure to keep the original hand
-held transmitter
in case you need to erase and reprogram the
HomeLink Transmitter.
Note to Canadian Owners: During programming,
the hand
-held transmitter may automatically stop
transmitting after one or two seconds. In this case, you
should press and re
-press the button on the hand-held
transmitter every two seconds without ever releasing the
button on the HomeLink Transmitter. Release both
buttons when the indicator light on the HomeLink
Transmitter begins to flash rapidly.

2-63
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you
start your vehicle, it means the air bag system
may not be working properly. The air bags in
your vehicle may not inflate in a crash, or they
could even inflate without a crash. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle
serviced right away if the air bag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
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.
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 heater/air conditioner.

2-64 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 engine 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.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.

2-69
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs
Some state/provincial and local governments have or may
begin programs to inspect the emission control equipment
on your vehicle. Failure to pass this inspection could
prevent you from getting a vehicle registration.
Here are some things you need to know in order to help
your vehicle pass an inspection:
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the
SERVICE ENGINE SOON or CHECK ENGINE
light is on or not working properly.
Your vehicle will not pass this inspection if the OBD
(on
-board diagnostic) system determines that critical
emission control systems have not been completely
diagnosed by the system. The vehicle would be
considered not ready for inspection. This can happen
if you have recently replaced your battery or if your
battery has run down. The diagnostic system is designed
to evaluate critical emission control systems during
normal driving. This may take several days of routine
driving. If you have done this and your vehicle still does
not pass the inspection for lack of OBD system
readiness, see your dealer or qualified service center to
prepare the vehicle for inspection.
Oil Pressure Gage
The oil pressure gage shows
the engine oil pressure in
psi (pounds per square inch)
when the engine is running.
Canadian vehicles indicate pressure in kPa (kilopascals).
Oil pressure may vary with engine speed, outside
temperature and oil viscosity, but readings above the
low pressure zone indicate the normal operating range.
A reading in the low pressure zone may be caused by a
dangerously low oil level or other problems causing low
oil pressure.

3-28 Theft-Deterrent Feature (If Equipped)
THEFTLOCK
is designed to discourage theft of your
radio. It works by using a secret code to disable all radio
functions whenever battery power is removed.
The THEFTLOCK feature for the radio may be used or
ignored. If ignored, the system plays normally and the
radio is not protected by the feature. If THEFTLOCK is
activated, your radio will not operate if stolen.
When THEFTLOCK is activated, the radio will display
LOC to indicate a locked condition anytime battery
power has been interrupted. If your battery loses power
for any reason, you must unlock the radio with the secret
code before it will operate.
Activating the Theft
-Deterrent Feature
The instructions which follow explain how to enter your
secret code to activate the THEFTLOCK system. It is
recommended that you read through all nine steps
before starting the procedure.
If you allow more than 15 seconds to elapse between
any steps, the radio automatically reverts to time and
you must start the procedure over at Step 4.1. Write down any three or four
-digit number from
000 to 1999 and keep it in a safe place separate from
the vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition to ACCESSORY or RUN.
3. Turn the radio off.
4. Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down
until
--- shows on the display. Next you will use the
secret code number which you have written down.
5. Press MN and 000 will appear on the display.
6. Press MN again to make the last two digits agree
with your code.
7. Press HR to make the first one or two digits agree
with your code.
8. Press AM
-FM after you have confirmed that the
code matches the secret code you have written down.
The display will show REP to let you know that you
need to repeat Steps 5 through 7 to confirm your
secret code.
9. Press AM
-FM and this time the display will show
SEC to let you know that your radio is secure. The
LED indicator by the volume control will begin
flashing when the ignition is turned off.

3-30
When battery power is removed and later applied to a
secured radio, the radio won't turn on and LOC will
appear on the display.
To unlock a secured radio, see ªUnlocking the
Theft
-Deterrent Feature After a Power Lossº earlier in
this section.
Understanding Radio Reception
AM
The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM,
especially at night. The longer range, however, can
cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick
up noise from things like storms and power lines. Try
reducing the treble to reduce this noise if you ever get it.
FM Stereo
FM stereo will give you the best sound, but FM signals
will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). Tall
buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing
the sound to come and go.
Tips About Your Audio System
Hearing damage from loud noise is almost undetectable
until it is too late. Your hearing can adapt to higher
volumes of sound. Sound that seems normal can be loud
and harmful to your hearing. Take precautions by
adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe
sound level before your hearing adapts to it.
To help avoid hearing loss or damage:

Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting.

Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably
and clearly.