2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN check engine light

Tow/Haul Mode Light
This light should come on
when the tow/haul mode
has been selected.
For more information, see ªTow/Haul Modeº in
Towing a
Trailer on page 4-31.
Check Gages Warning Light
The CHECK GAGES light
will come on brie¯y when
you are starting the
engine.
If the light comes on and stays on while you are driving,
check your coolant temperature and engine oil
pressure gages to see if they are in the warning zones.
Fuel Gage
The fuel gage tells you approximately how much fuel
you have remaining when the ignition is on.
When the gage ®rst indicates empty, you still have a
little fuel left, but you should get more fuel as soon
as possible.
United StatesCanada
3-36

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in
spurts Ð heavy acceleration followed by heavy
braking Ð 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 Brake System
Your vehicle has anti-lock brakes. 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 on page 3-29. United States
Canada
4-7

{CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your
vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon
monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could
overcome you and kill you. You can't see it or
smell it, so you might not know it is in your
vehicle. Clear away snow from around the
base of your vehicle, especially any that is
blocking your exhaust pipe. And check around
again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn't collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that's away from the wind. This will
help keep CO out.Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little
faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator
slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and
it keeps the battery charged. You will need a
well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly
for signaling later on with your headlamps. Let the
heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine
again and repeat this only when you feel really
uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as
possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To help
keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and do
some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so until
help comes.
4-27

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals speci®ed to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any ¯uids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
perform these underhood checks at each fuel ®ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-15for further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOLž
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-28for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer ¯uid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper ¯uid if necessary.
See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-41for further
details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire In¯ation Check
Make sure tires are in¯ated to the correct pressures.
Don't forget to check your spare tire. SeeTires on
page 5-63for further details.
At Least Twice a Year
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages
are working properly. Look for any other loose or
damaged safety belt system parts. If you see anything
that might keep a safety belt system from doing its
job, have it repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts
replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag
system does not need regular maintenance.)
6-26

Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-43
Checking Coolant............................................5-29
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-15
Checking Things Under the Hood......................5-11
Checking Your Restraint Systems......................1-71
Check...........................................................3-30
Engine Light...............................................3-30
Gages Warning Light...................................3-36
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-89
Child Restraints..............................................1-44
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-44
Infants and Young Children...........................1-38
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-52
Older Children.............................................1-35
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System........................................1-54
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Seat
Position..................................................1-57
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear Outside
Seat Position...........................................1-54
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position...........................................1-59
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-50
Top Strap...................................................1-48
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-47
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-17
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-88
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-86Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-83
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-85
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-85
Cleaning Leather............................................5-85
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-85
Cleaning the Windshield and Wiper Blades.........5-87
Cleaning Tires................................................5-88
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-85
Cleaning........................................................5-83
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-83
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-86
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-89
Weatherstrips..............................................5-86
Climate Control System...................................3-18
Rear Air Conditioning System........................3-20
Rear Heating System...................................3-19
Rear..........................................................3-21
Compact Disc Messages..................................3-45
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-82
Composite Headlamps.....................................5-56
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-6
Convenience Net............................................2-45
Coolant.........................................................3-30
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-30
Heater, Engine............................................2-22
Cooling System..............................................5-33
Cruise Control................................................3-10
Current and Past Model Order Forms................7-12
3

Electrical System (cont.)
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-92
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-92
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-33
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-26
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-18
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-26
Engine..........................................................5-24
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-24
Battery.......................................................5-46
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-30
Compartment Overview................................5-14
Coolant Heater............................................2-22
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-30
Coolant......................................................5-28
Cooling System Inspection............................6-30
Cover........................................................5-20
Exhaust.....................................................2-30
Fan Noise..................................................5-39
Oil .............................................................5-15
Overheating................................................5-31
Starting......................................................2-21
Entry Lighting.................................................3-15
Erasing HomeLink
žButtons..............................2-37
Except Cargo Vans.................................1-38, 1-47
Exit Lighting...................................................3-15Express-Down Window....................................2-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-34
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
F
Filter.............................................................5-24
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-24
Finding a Station....................................3-39, 3-41
Finish Care....................................................5-87
Finish Damage...............................................5-88
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-50
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-7
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-71
Flat Tire........................................................5-70
Fluid.............................................................5-25
Automatic Transmission................................5-25
Power Steering...........................................5-40
Windshield Washer......................................5-41
FM ...............................................................3-50
Following Distance..........................................4-38
Front Axle......................................................5-54
Front Doors..................................................... 2-8
Fuel Regulator................................................2-21
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
5

Fuel (cont.)
Filling a Portable Fuel Container....................5-10
Filling Your Tank........................................... 5-8
Fuels in Foreign Countries.............................. 5-7
Gage.........................................................3-36
Gasoline Octane........................................... 5-5
Gasoline Speci®cations.................................. 5-5
Low Warning Light.......................................3-37
System Inspection.......................................6-30
Fuses...........................................................5-93
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-93
Windshield Wiper.........................................5-92
G
Gage............................................................3-36
Check Gages Warning Light..........................3-36
Engine Coolant Temperature.........................3-30
Fuel..........................................................3-36
Oil Pressure...............................................3-34
Speedometer..............................................3-25
Voltmeter Gage...........................................3-28
Garage Door Opener.......................................2-34
Gasoline......................................................... 5-5
Octane........................................................ 5-5
Speci®cations............................................... 5-5Gasoline (cont.)
Gate Operator and Canadian Programming........2-36
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities.................................................... 7-5
H
Hatch Release................................................2-15
Hazard Warning Flashers................................... 3-4
Head Restraints............................................... 1-5
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................... 3-7
Headlamp Wiring............................................5-92
Headlamps....................................................5-55
Bulb Replacement.......................................5-55
Front Turn Signal Lamps..............................5-59
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-55
Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-22
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-22
Hitches..........................................................4-36
HomeLink
žTransmitter, Programming................2-35
HomeLinkžTransmitter....................................2-34
Hood............................................................5-11
Checking Things Under................................5-11
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-5
6

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank............................................5-34
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-37
How to Add Fluid............................................5-27
How to Check Lubricant...................................5-53
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-40
How to Check........................................5-25, 5-64
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-24
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-18
Hydroplaning..................................................4-18
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-32
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-31
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-32
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-32
If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-28
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-32
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-26
Ignition Positions.............................................2-19
Ignition Transmission Lock Check......................6-29
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-38
In¯ation Ð Tire Pressure.................................5-64
Inspection......................................................6-31
Brake System.............................................6-31
Engine Cooling System................................6-30Inspection (cont.)
Exhaust System..........................................6-30
Fuel System...............................................6-30
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-30
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal.........................................6-30
Throttle System...........................................6-31
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive)......................................6-31
Installing a Garage Door Opener.......................2-40
Instrument Panel Brightness Control..................3-15
Instrument Panel Fuse Block............................5-93
Instrument Panel.............................................3-24
Cluster.......................................................3-24
Overview..................................................... 3-2
Interior Lamps................................................3-15
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-47
K
Key Lock Cylinders Service..............................6-27
Keyless Entry System....................................... 2-4
Keys............................................................... 2-2
7