2002 CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN Owners Manual

5-14 How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
You can remove the
radiator pressure cap
when the cooling
system, including
the radiator pressure
cap and upper
radiator hose, is
no longer hot.
1. Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise
until it first stops. (Don't press down while turning
the pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss
means there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the
pressure cap, but now
push down as you
turn it. Remove the
pressure cap.

5-15
3. Fill the radiator with the proper DEX-COOL

coolant mixture, up to the base of the filler neck. See
ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for more information
about the proper coolant mixture.
4. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the ADD mark.
5. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the pressure cap off.

5-16
6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fan.
7. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
filler neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX
-COOL
coolant mixture
through the filler neck until the level reaches the
base of the filler neck.
8. Then replace the
pressure cap. At any
time during this
procedure if coolant
begins to flow out of
the filler neck, reinstall
the pressure cap.
Be sure the arrow on the pressure cap lines up like this.

5-17
Engine Fan Noise
This vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When
the clutch is engaged, the fan spins faster to provide
more air to cool the engine. In most everyday driving
conditions, the clutch is not fully engaged. This
improves fuel economy and reduces fan noise. Under
heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing and/or high outside
temperatures, the fan speed increases when the clutch
engages. So you may hear an increase in fan noise.
This is normal and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making extra shifts. It is merely
the cooling system functioning properly. The fan will
slow down when additional cooling is not required and
the clutch disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the
engine. It will go away as the fan clutch disengages.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It's unusual for a tire to ªblow outº while you're driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it's much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a ªblowout,º here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you'd use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop
-- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.

5-18
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage
by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your hazard
warning flashers.
CAUTION:
Changing a tire can cause an injury. The vehicle
can slip off the jack and roll over you or other
people. You and they could be badly injured.
Find a level place to change your tire. To help
prevent the vehicle from moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever in PARK (P).
3. Turn off the engine.
4. Put the wheel blocks at the front and
rear of the tire farthest away from the
one being changed. That would be the
tire on the other side of the vehicle, at
the opposite end.The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and
change a tire.

5-19 Removing the Spare Tire and Tools
The jacking equipment you'll need is stored by your
vehicle's rear doors, along the passenger's side wall.
1. Remove the jack cover by pulling it away from the
side wall and down to release the tabs securing the
top of the cover.
2. Remove the wheel blocks by turning the top nut
counterclockwise. Remove the nut and washer, then
pull the wheel blocks off the bolt.
3. Push down on the bolt and remove the hooked end
from the slot. Slide the jack toward the front of the
vehicle and lift it from the mounting. Remove the
extension and the ratchet from the pouch.

5-20
Your compact spare tire is stored underneath the rear of
your vehicle. You will use the ratchet and extension to
lower the compact spare tire.
The ratchet has an UP side.
It also has a DOWN side.
4. Attach the ratchet, with the DOWN side facing you,
to the extension. The extension has a socket end and
a flat chisel end.

5-21
5. Put the flat end of the extension on an angle through
the hole in the rear door frame, above the bumper.
Be sure the flat end connects into the hoist shaft.
6. Turn the ratchet counterclockwise to lower the
compact spare tire to the ground. Keep turning the
ratchet until the spare tire can be pulled out from
under the vehicle.
7. When the tire has been
lowered, tilt the retainer
plate at the end of the
cable and pull it through
the wheel opening.
8. Pull the tire out from under the vehicle.
NOTICE:
To help avoid vehicle damage, do not drive the
vehicle before the cable is restored.