2004 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 “Tow/Haul Mode” inTowing
a Trailer on page 4-35.
Check Gages Warning Light
The CHECK GAGES
light will come on briey
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
3-34

Here are things some owners ask about. None of these
indicate a problem with your fuel gage:
At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before
the gage reads full.
The fuel tank will take either a little more or a little
less fuel to ll up than the gage shows.
The gage moves a little when you turn a corner or
speed up.
The gage doesn’t go back to empty when you turn
off the ignition.
Low Fuel Warning Light
The LOW FUEL light
will come on briey
when you are starting
the engine.
This light comes on when the fuel tank is low
on fuel. To turn it off, add fuel to the fuel tank.
SeeFuel on page 5-4.
Audio System(s)
Notice:Before adding any sound equipment to
your vehicle, like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone, or two-way radio, make sure that it can
be added by checking with your dealer. Also,
check federal rules covering mobile radio and
telephone units. If sound equipment can be added,
it is very important to do it properly. Added
sound equipment may interfere with the operation
of your vehicle’s engine, radio, or other systems,
and even damage them. Your vehicle’s systems may
interfere with the operation of sound equipment
that has been added improperly.
Figure out which audio system is in your vehicle, nd
out what your audio system can do, and how to operate
all of its controls.
Your vehicle has a feature called Retained Accessory
Power (RAP). With RAP, the audio system can be
played even after the ignition is turned off. See
“Retained Accessory Power (RAP)” underIgnition
Positions on page 2-18.
3-35

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 is a problem with the anti-lock brake system,
this warning light will stay on. SeeAnti-Lock Brake
System Warning Light on page 3-28.Let us say the road is wet and you are driving safely.
Suddenly, an animal jumps out in front of you. You
slam on the brakes and continue braking. Here is what
happens with ABS:
A computer senses that wheels are slowing down.
If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer
will separately work the brakes at each front wheel
and at both rear wheels. United States
Canada
4-7

Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain
you allow a reasonable following distance. Expect
to move slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the
proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit,
do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up.
Drive on to the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer,
not to your sense of motion. After driving for any
distance at higher speeds, you may tend to think you
are going slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you are ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you are not fresh — such as after
a day’s work — do not plan to make too many miles
that rst part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing
and shoes you can easily drive in.Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it is ready to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course, you
will nd experienced and able service experts in GM
dealerships all across North America. They will be ready
and willing to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
Windshield Washer Fluid:Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades:Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps:Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires:They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inated
to the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts:What is the weather outlook
along your route? Should you delay your trip a
short time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps:Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-20

{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 not 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 does
not collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that is 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 specied
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 5-13for
further details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture if necessary. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-26for 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 5-39for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Ination Check
Visually inspect your tires and make sure tires are inated
to the correct pressures. Do not forget to check your
spare tire. SeeTires on page 5-60for 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.)
6-22

Chains, Tire...................................................5-76
Charging System Light....................................3-26
Check
Engine Light...............................................3-29
Gages Warning Light...................................3-34
Checking Brake Fluid......................................5-41
Checking Coolant............................................5-27
Checking Engine Oil........................................5-13
Checking Things Under the Hood....................... 5-9
Chemical Paint Spotting...................................5-97
Child Restraints
Child Restraint Systems...............................1-43
Infants and Young Children...........................1-38
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)..........................1-51
Older Children.............................................1-35
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System...................................1-54
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center
Seat Position...........................................1-56
Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position...............................1-54
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position...................................1-58
Top Strap...................................................1-47
Top Strap Anchor Location............................1-49
Where to Put the Restraint...........................1-46
Cigarette Lighter.............................................3-16Cleaning
Inside of Your Vehicle..................................5-92
Outside of Your Vehicle................................5-95
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-97
Weatherstrips..............................................5-94
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels..............................5-96
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.......................5-95
Cleaning Fabric/Carpet....................................5-92
Cleaning Glass Surfaces..................................5-94
Cleaning Interior Plastic Components.................5-94
Cleaning Leather............................................5-93
Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel...........5-93
Cleaning the Windshield and
Wiper Blades..............................................5-96
Cleaning Tires................................................5-97
Cleaning Vinyl................................................5-93
Climate Control System...................................3-17
Outlet Adjustment........................................3-19
Rear Air Conditioning System........................3-20
Rear Heating System...................................3-20
Compact Spare Tire........................................5-90
Composite Headlamps.....................................5-54
Control of a Vehicle.......................................... 4-5
Convenience Net............................................2-43
Coolant
Engine Temperature Gage............................3-28
Heater, Engine............................................2-21
Cooling System..............................................5-31
3

E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment.....................................5-100
Fuses and Circuit Breakers.........................5-101
Headlamp Wiring.......................................5-100
Power Windows and Other Power Options....5-100
Windshield Wiper Fuses.............................5-100
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-31
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-21
Battery.......................................................5-44
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-29
Coolant......................................................5-26
Coolant Heater............................................2-21
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-28
Cooling System Inspection............................6-26
Cover........................................................5-17
Drive Belt Routing......................................5-110
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-29
Fan Noise..................................................5-37
Oil .............................................................5-13
Overheating................................................5-29
Starting......................................................2-20
Engine Coolant Level Check.............................6-22Engine Oil Additives........................................5-16
Engine Oil Level Check...................................6-22
Entry Lighting.................................................3-14
Erasing HomeLink®Buttons..............................2-35
Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................7-10
Except Cargo Vans.................................1-38, 1-46
Exit Lighting...................................................3-14
Express-Down Window....................................2-16
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-34
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-12
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-21
Finding a Station....................................3-37, 3-39
Finish Care....................................................5-95
Finish Damage...............................................5-97
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-47
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-7
Flat Tire........................................................5-77
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-78
Fluid
Automatic Transmission................................5-23
Power Steering...........................................5-38
Windshield Washer......................................5-39
5