2004 CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN heating

Driving with a Trailer
{CAUTION:
If you have a rear-most window open and
you pull a trailer with your vehicle, carbon
monoxide (CO) could come into your vehicle.
You can not see or smell CO. It can cause
unconsciousness or death. SeeEngine
Exhaust on page 2-29. To maximize your safety
when towing a trailer:
Have your exhaust system inspected for
leaks, and make necessary repairs before
starting on your trip.
Keep the rear-most windows closed.
If exhaust does come into your vehicle
through a window in the rear or another
opening, drive with your front, main
heating or cooling system on and with the
fan on any speed. This will bring fresh,
outside air into your vehicle. Do not use
the climate control setting for maximum
air because it only recirculates the air
inside your vehicle. See Climate Control
System in the Index.Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving
and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to
be sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that
the load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer
brakes are still working.
4-41

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring (included in the optional trailering package).
The arrows on your instrument panel will ash whenever
you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up,
the trailer lamps will also ash, telling other drivers
you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on your instrument
panel will ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer
are burned out. Thus, you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforeyou
start down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes so much
that they would get hot and no longer work well.
You can tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower
gear selection if the transmission shifts too often
(e.g., under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions).
When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades,
consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower
temperature than at normal altitudes. If you turn your
engine off immediately after towing at high altitude
on steep uphill grades, your vehicle may show signs
similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the
engine run while parked (preferably on level ground)
with the automatic transmission in PARK (P) for a
few minutes before turning the engine off. If you do
get the overheat warning, seeEngine Overheating
on page 5-29.
4-43

Service............................................................5-3
Doing Your Own Service Work.........................5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle...........................................5-4
Fuel................................................................5-4
Gasoline Octane............................................5-4
Gasoline Specications....................................5-5
California Fuel...............................................5-5
Additives.......................................................5-6
Fuels in Foreign Countries...............................5-6
Filling Your Tank............................................5-7
Filling a Portable Fuel Container.......................5-9
Checking Things Under the Hood.....................5-9
Hood Release..............................................5-10
Engine Compartment Overview.......................5-12
Engine Oil...................................................5-13
Engine Cover...............................................5-17
Engine Air Cleaner/Filter................................5-21
Automatic Transmission Fluid.........................5-23
Engine Coolant.............................................5-26
Radiator Pressure Cap..................................5-28
Engine Overheating.......................................5-29
Cooling System............................................5-31
Engine Fan Noise.........................................5-37
Power Steering Fluid.....................................5-38
Windshield Washer Fluid................................5-39Brakes........................................................5-40
Battery........................................................5-44
Jump Starting...............................................5-44
All-Wheel Drive..............................................5-50
Rear Axle.......................................................5-51
Front Axle......................................................5-52
Bulb Replacement..........................................5-53
Halogen Bulbs..............................................5-53
Headlamps..................................................5-53
Front Turn Signal Lamps...............................5-57
Taillamps.....................................................5-57
Replacement Bulbs.......................................5-59
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement..............5-59
Tires..............................................................5-60
Ination - Tire Pressure.................................5-70
Tire Inspection and Rotation...........................5-71
When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-72
Buying New Tires.........................................5-73
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-74
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-75
Wheel Replacement......................................5-75
Tire Chains..................................................5-76
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-77
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-78
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-90
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-1

Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs rst, if you add
only DEX-COOL
®extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, seeEngine Overheating
on page 5-29.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
require changing sooner, at 30,000 miles (50 000 km)
or 24 months, whichever occurs rst. Any repairs
would not be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your vehicle.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-halfclean, drinkable waterand
one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will not damage
aluminum parts. If you use this coolant mixture, you do
not need to add anything else.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and the proper coolant.
5-26

Engine Overheating
You will nd an engine coolant temperature gage on
your vehicle’s instrument panel. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-28.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn
you badly, even if you just open the hood.
Stay away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it off and get
everyone away from the vehicle until it cools
down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re.
You or others could be badly burned.
Stop your engine if it overheats, and get
out of the vehicle until the engine is cool.
Notice:If your engine catches re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not
be covered by your warranty.
5-29

Tires
Your new vehicle comes with high-quality tires made by
a leading tire manufacturer. If you ever have questions
about your tire warranty and where to obtain service,
see your GM Warranty booklet for details. For additional
information refer to the tire manufacturer’s booklet
included with your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual.{CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
Overloading your tires can cause
overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and
a serious accident. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-29.
Underinated tires pose the same danger
as overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
Overinated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact — such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents.
If your tread is badly worn, or if your tires
have been damaged, replace them.
5-60

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