2003 CHEVROLET ASTRO check engine light

Tow/HauI Mode Liaht
TOW / HAUL
J
This light should come on
when the tow/haul mode
has been selected.
For more information, see “Tow/Haul Mode” in
Towing a
Trailer on page 4-31.
Check Gages Warning Light
CHECK
GAGES
The CHECK GAGES light
will come on briefly when
you are starting the engine.
Fuel Gage
I
UNLEADED
United States Canada
The
fuel gage tells you approximately how much fuel
you have remaining when the ignition is on.
When the gage first indicates empty, you still have a
little fuel left, but you should get more fuel as soon
as possible.
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.
3-36

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 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.
ANTI -
LOCK
I I I I
United States Canada
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.
4-7

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 specified to
help ensure the safety, dependability and emission
control performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids 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 fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil
if necessary. See Engine Oil on page 5-15 for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture
if necessary. See Engine Coolant
on page
5-28 for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield
washer tank and add the proper fluid
if necessary.
See
Windshield Washer Fluid on page 5-41 for
further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures.
Don’t forget to check your spare tire. See
Tires on
page
5-63 for 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

Automatic Headlamp System ..................
Automatic Transmission
Fluid
................................................
Automatic Transmission Check ................
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
System Check
...................................
Operation .........................................
......... 3-13
......... 5-25
......... 2-23
......... 6-27
......... 6-28
Backing Up
.................................................... 4-38
Battery
.......................................................... 5-46
Battery Replacement
......................................... 2-6
Battery Run-Down Protection
............................ 3-1 6
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
......................... 4-21
Bench Seat
............................................ 1-1 1, 1-57
Body Lubrication Service
.................................. 6-27
Brake Parking
...................................................... 2-26
System Inspection
....................................... 6-31
System Warning Light
.................................. 3-28
Brake Adjustment
............................................ 5-45
Brake Fluid
.................................................... 5-42
Brake Pedal Travel
......................................... 5-45
Brake Wear
................................................... 5-45
Brakes
.......................................................... 5-42
Braking in Emergencies
..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle
..................................... 2-19
Braking
........................................................... 4-6
Bucket Seats, Rear
......................................... 1-12 Bulb
Replacement
........................................... 5-55
Halogen Bulbs ............................................ 5-55
Headlamps
............................ ......... 5-55
Replacement Bulbs
.............................. 5-61
Taillamps
.................................................... 5-60
Front
Turn Signal Lamps
.............................. 5-59
Buying New Tires
................................... 5-66
C
California Fuel .................................................. 5-6
Canada
........................................................... 7-5
Canadian Owners
................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance ............ ....... 7-7
Cancelling the Sliding Door
Security Lock
.......................................... 2-12
Capacities and Specifications
........................ 5-99
Carbon Monoxide
............... ..... 4-24, 4-31, 2-30
Care of
Safety Belts
.... ~ ~ ~ ~ ..................... 5-86
Care of Your
CD Player
.......... ...., ............ ..... 3-50
CDS
.......................................................... 3-50
Cargo Vans
........................................... 1-41, 1-48
Center Passenger Position, Safety Belts
............. 1-27
Chains, Tires
..................................... ..... 5-70
Charging System Light
....................... ..... 3-27
Engine Light
.............................. , ..... 3-30
Check
Gages Warning Light
................................... 3-36
2

Checking Brake Fluid .................................. 5-43
Checking Coolant ............................................ 5-29
Checking Engine Oil ........................................ 5-15
Checking Things Under the Hood ...................... 5-1 1
Checking Your Restraint Systems ...................... 1-71
Chemical Paint Spotting ................................... 5-89
Child Restraints
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 ................................................... 1-48
Top Strap Anchor Location ............................ 1-50
Where to Put the Restraint ........................... 1-47
Cigarette Lighter ............................................. 3-1 7
Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle
.................................. 5-83
Outside of Your Vehicle ................................ 5-86
Underbody Maintenance ............................... 5-89
Weatherstrips .............................................. 5-86
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses ....................... 5-86
Climate Control System ................................... 3-18
Rear .......................................................... 3-21
Rear Heating System ................................... 3-19
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
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
Customer Assistance Information
Customer Assistance for Text
Customer Assistance
Off ices ........................... 7-4
Customer Satisfaction Procedure ..................... 7-2
GM Mobility Program for Persons with
Disabilities
................................................ 7-5
Reporting Safety Defects to General Motors ....... 7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the
Canadian Government
.............................. 7-11
Reporting Safety Defects to the United States Government
......................... 7-10
Roadside Assistance Program ......................... 7-6
Service Publications Ordering Information ........ 7-11
Rear Air Conditioning System ........................ 3-20
Courtesy Transportation ......... ...... 7-8
Telephone (TTY) Users ............................... 7-4
3

Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) ...................... 3-14
Defensive Driving
............................................. 4-2
Defogging and Defrosting
................................. 3-1 9
Directing the Airflow
........................................ 3-20
Disabling the Theft-Deterrent Feature
................. 3-49
Doing Your Own Service Work
........................... 5-3
Dome Lamps
.......................................... ~ ~~~ 3-16
Door Front Doors
............................................... 2-8
Locks
.......................................................... 2-7
Power Door Locks
......................................... 2-8
Programmable Automatic Door Locks
............... 2-9
Rear Doors
................................................. 2-13
Sliding Side Door
........................................ 2-10
Position, Safety Belt
..................................... 1-1 8
Driver Information System
................................ 2-42
At Night
..................................................... 4-14
City
........................................................... 4-19
Defensive
..................................................... 4-2
Drunken
....................................................... 4-3
Freeway
..................................................... 4-20
Hill and Mountain Roads
.............................. 4-22
In Rain and on Wet Roads ........................... 4-16
Winter
........................................................ 4-24
Driving On Grades
.......................................... 4-39
Driving on Snow or Ice
.................................... 4-24
Driver
Driving Driving
Through Deep Standing Water
............... 4-18
Driving Through Flowing Water
......................... 4-18
Driving with a Trailer
....................................... 4-37
E
Electrical System
Add-on Equipment
...................................... 5-92
Headlamp Wiring
......................................... 5-92
Fuses and
Circuit Breakers
........................... 5-93
Power Windows and Other Power Options
......... 5-92
Windshield Wiper Fuses
............................... 5-92
Emissions Inspection and
Engine Maintenance Programs
................................. 3-33
Air Cleaner/Filter
......................................... 5-24
Battery
....................................................... 5-46
Check and Service Engine Soon Light
............ 3-30
Coolant
...................................................... 5-28
Coolant Heater
............................................ 2-22
Coolant Temperature Gage
........................... 3-30
Cooling System Inspection
............................ 6-30
Cover
........................................................ 5-20
Engine Compartment Overview
...................... 5-14
Exhaust
..................................................... 2-30
Fan Noise
.................................................. 5-39
Oil
............................................................. 5-15
Starting
...................................................... 2-21
Overheating
................................................ 5-31
4

Engine Coolant Level Check ............................. 6-26
Engine Oil Additives
........................................ 5-18
Entry Lighting
................................................. 3-15
Erasing HomeLink@ Buttons
.............................. 2-37
Except Cargo Vans
................................. 1-38, 1-47
Express-Down Window
.................................... 2-1 7
Extender, Safety Belt
....................................... 1-34
Exterior Lamps
............................................... 3-12
Engine
Oil Level Check
................................... 6-26
Exit Lighting
................................................... 3-15
F
FabricKarpet ................................................. 5-83
Filter 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
........................................................ 5-70
Fluid Flat Tire, Changing
......................................... 5-71
Automatic Transmission
................................ 5-25
Power Steering
........................................... 5-40
Windshield Washer
...................................... 5-41
FM
............................................................... 3-50
Following Distance
.......................................... 4-38 Footnotes
..... ................................ 6.7.
6-18
Front Axle
........ ................................... 5-54
Front Doors
..................................................... 2-8
Fuel
............................................................... 5-5
Additives ...................................................... 5-6
California Fuel
.............................................. 5-6
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 Specifications .................................. 5-5
System Inspection
....................................... 6-30
Fuel Regulator
................................................ 2-21
Fuses Low Warning
Light
....................................... 3-37
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
........................... 5-93
Windshield Wiper
......................................... 5-92
G
Gage
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
5