2004 CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN ECO mode

Then, during the rst 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
See also “Driving on Grades” later in this section.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Tow/Haul Mode
Tow/haul is designed to assist while your vehicle is
pulling a large or heavy load or trailer. Tow/haul is
most useful while pulling such a load in rolling terrain,
in stop-and-go traffic, or when you need improved
low-speed control, such as when parking. The purpose
of the tow/haul mode is to:
Reduce the frequency and improve the predictability
of transmission shifts,
provide the same solid shift feel when pulling a
heavy load as when the vehicle is unloaded, and
improve control of vehicle speed while requiring
less throttle pedal activity.Press the button on the end of the shift lever to turn
tow/haul mode on and off. While activated, the indicator
light on the instrument panel will be on. Tow/haul
mode will turn off automatically when the ignition is
turned off. SeeTow/Haul Mode Light on page 3-34.
Tow/haul is most effective when the vehicle and trailer
combined weight is at least 75% of the vehicle’s
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). See “Weight
of the Trailer” later in this section.
Driving with tow/haul activated without a heavy load
will cause reduced fuel economy and unpleasant engine
and transmission driving characteristics, but will not
cause damage.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig.
For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to
pull a trailer are all important. And, it can also
depend on any special equipment that you have
on your vehicle.
4-36

Load Index:An assigned number ranging from
1 to 279 that corresponds to the load carrying capacity
of a tire.
Maximum Ination Pressure:The maximum air
pressure to which a cold tire may be inated. The
maximum air pressure is molded onto the sidewall.
Maximum Load Rating:The load rating for a tire at the
maximum permissible ination pressure for that tire.
Maximum Loaded Vehicle Weight:The sum of curb
weight; accessory weight; vehicle capacity weight;
and production options weight.
Normal Occupant Weight:The number of occupants
a vehicle is designed to seat multiplied by 150 pounds
(68 kg). SeeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-29.
Occupant Distribution:Designated seating positions.
Outward Facing Sidewall:The side of a asymmetrical
tire that has a particular side that faces outward
when mounted on a vehicle. The side of the tire that
contains a whitewall, bears white lettering or bears
manufacturer, brand and or model name molding that
is higher or deeper than the same moldings on the
other sidewall of the tire.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:A tire used on
passenger cars and some light duty trucks and
multipurpose vehicles.Recommended Ination Pressure:Vehicle
manufacturer’s recommended tire ination pressure and
shown on the tire placard. SeeInation - Tire Pressure
on page 5-70andLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-29.
Radial Ply tire:A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords
that extend to the beads are laid at 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Rim:A metal support for a tire and upon which the tire
beads are seated.
Sidewall:The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead.
Speed Rating:An alphanumeric code assigned to
a tire indicating the maximum speed at which a tire
can operate.
Traction:The friction between the tire and the road
surface. The amount of grip provided.
Tread:The portion of a tire that comes into contact
with the road.
Treadwear Indicators:Narrow bands, sometimes
called “wear bars,” that show across the tread of a tire
when only 2/32 inch of tread remains. SeeWhen It
Is Time for New Tires on page 5-72.
5-69

Emergency Tow:Tow to the nearest dealership
for warranty service or in the event of a
vehicle-disabling accident. Assistance when the
vehicle is mired in sand, mud or snow.
Flat Tire Change:Installation of a spare tire will be
covered at no charge. (The customer is responsible
for the repair or replacement of the tire if not
covered by a warrantable failure.)
Jump Start:No-start occurrences which require
a battery jump start will be covered at no charge.
Dealer Locator Service
In many instances, mechanical failures are covered
under Chevrolet’s Bumper-to-Bumper warranty.
However, when other services are utilized, our
Roadside Assistance Representatives will explain
any payment obligations you might incur.
For prompt and efficient assistance when calling,
please provide the following to the Roadside
Assistance Representative:
Your name, home address, and home
telephone number
Telephone number of your location
Location of the vehicle
Model, year, color, and license plate number
Mileage, Vehicle Identication Number and
delivery date of the vehicle
Description of the problem
While we hope you never have the occasion to use
our service, it is added security while traveling for you
and your family. Remember, we are only a phone
call away. Chevrolet Roadside Assistance:
1-800-CHEV-USA (1-800-234-8872), text telephone
(TTY) users, call 1-888-889-2438.
Chevrolet reserves the right to limit services or
reimbursement to an owner or driver when, in
Chevrolet’s judgement, the claims become excessive
in frequency or type of occurrence.
Roadside Assistance is not part of or included in the
coverage provided by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Chevrolet reserves the right to make any changes or
discontinue the Roadside Assistance program at
any time without notication.
Canadian Roadside Assistance
Vehicles purchased in Canada have an extensive
roadside assistance program accessible from anywhere
in Canada or the United States. Please refer to the
Warranty and Owner Assistance Information book.
7-7

Vehicle Data Collection and
Event Data Recorders
Your vehicle, like other modern motor vehicles,
has a number of sophisticated computer systems that
monitor and control several aspects of the vehicle’s
performance. Your vehicle uses on-board vehicle
computers to monitor emission control components to
optimize fuel economy, to monitor conditions for air bag
deployment and, if so equipped, to provide anti-lock
braking and to help the driver control the vehicle
in difficult driving situations. Some information may be
stored during regular operations to facilitate repair
of detected malfunctions; other information is stored only
in a crash or near crash event by computer systems
commonly called event data recorders (EDR).
In a crash or near crash event, computer systems, such
as the Air Bag Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM)
in your vehicle may record information about the
condition of the vehicle and how it was operated, such
as engine speed, brake applications, throttle position,
vehicle speed, safety belt usage, air bag readiness,
air bag performance data, and the severity of a collision.
This information has been used to improve vehicle
crash performance and may be used to improve crash
performance of future vehicles and driving safety.
Unlike the data recorders on many airplanes, these
on-board systems do not record sounds, such as
conversation of vehicle occupants.To read this information, special equipment is needed
and access to the vehicle or the SDM is required.
GM will not access information about a crash event or
share it with others other thanwith the consent of the vehicle owner or, if the
vehicle is leased, with the consent of the lessee,
in response to an official request of police or similar
government office,
as part of GM’s defense of litigation through the
discovery process, or
as required by law.
In addition, once GM collects or receives data, GM may
use the data for GM research needs,
make it available for research where appropriate
condentiality is to be maintained and need is
shown, or
share summary data which is not tied to a
specic vehicle with non-GM organizations for
research purposes.
Others, such as law enforcement, may have access to
the special equipment that can read the information
if they have access to the vehicle or SDM.
7-10

M
Maintenance, Normal Replacement Parts..........5-109
Maintenance Schedule
At Each Fuel Fill.........................................6-22
At Least Once a Month................................6-22
At Least Once a Year..................................6-23
At Least Twice a Year..................................6-22
Brake System Inspection..............................6-27
Engine Cooling System Inspection.................6-26
Exhaust System Inspection...........................6-26
Fuel System Inspection................................6-26
How This Section is Organized....................... 6-3
Introduction.................................................. 6-2
Long Trip/Highway Scheduled
Maintenance............................................6-16
Maintenance Requirements............................. 6-2
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services......... 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services.............6-22
Part C - Periodic Maintenance Inspections......6-26
Part D - Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants...............................................6-28
Part E - Maintenance Record........................6-30
Selecting the Right Schedule.......................... 6-5
Short Trip/City Scheduled Maintenance............. 6-6Maintenance Schedule (cont.)
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive
Axle Boot and Seal Inspection...................6-26
Throttle System Inspection............................6-27
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive) Inspection.......................6-27
Using Your................................................... 6-4
Your Vehicle and the Environment................... 6-2
Maintenance When Trailer Towing.....................4-44
Making Turns.................................................4-42
Malfunction Indicator Light................................3-29
Manual Lumbar Controls.................................... 1-4
Manual Seats................................................... 1-3
Manual Windows............................................2-15
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-6
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean
Islands/Countries (Except Puerto Rico and
U.S. Virgin Islands) – Customer Assistance....... 7-5
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-31
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-32
Outside Manual Mirror..................................2-31
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-31
Model Reference................................................ vi
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-4
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