2004 CHEVROLET ASTRO CARGO VAN weight

Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads
are a few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch.
Weight-Distributing Hitches and Weight
Carrying Hitches
When using a weight-distributing hitch, the hitch
must be adjusted so that the distance (A) remains the
same both before and after coupling the trailer to the
tow vehicle.If you use a step-bumper hitch, your bumper could be
damaged in sharp turns. Make sure you have ample
room when turning to avoid contact between the trailer
and the bumper.
If you’ll be pulling a trailer that, when loaded, will weigh
more than 2,000 lbs. (900 kg.), be sure to use a
properly mounted, weight-distributing hitch and sway
control of the proper size. This equipment is very
important for proper vehicle loading and good handling
when you’re driving. You should always use a sway
control if your trailer will weigh more than these limits.
You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls.
Will you have to make any holes in the body of your
vehicle when you install a trailer hitch?
If you’re using the wiring provided with the
factory-installed trailering package, you should not
need to make any holes in the body of your vehicle.
However, if you have an aftermarket hitch installed,
you may need to make holes in the body.
If you do, then be sure to seal the holes later when
you remove the hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into
your vehicle as well as dirt and water. See “Carbon
Monoxide” underEngine Exhaust on page 2-29. (A) Body to Ground Distance, (B) Front of Vehicle
4-39

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

Tire Terminology and Denitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height to
its width.
Belt:A rubber coated layer of cords that is located
between the plies and the tread. Cords may be made
from steel or other reinforcing materials.
Bead:The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped by
steel cords that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire:A pneumatic tire in which the plies are
laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Cold Ination Pressure:The amount of air pressure
in a tire, measured in pounds per square inch (psi)
or kilopascals (kPa) before a tire has built up heat from
driving. SeeInation - Tire Pressure on page 5-70.Curb Weight:This means the weight of a motor
vehicle with standard and optional equipment including
the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant, but
without passengers and cargo.
DOT Markings:A code molded into the sidewall of a
tire signifying that the tire is in compliance with the
U.S. Department of Transportation motor vehicle safety
standards. The DOT code includes the Tire Identication
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric designator which can
also identify the tire manufacturer, production plant,
brand and date of production.
GVWR:Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, seeLoading
Your Vehicle on page 4-29.
GAWR FRT:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the front
axle, seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-29.
GAWR RR:Gross Axle Weight Rating for the rear axle,
seeLoading Your Vehicle on page 4-29.
Intended Outboard Sidewall:The side of an
asymmetrical tire, that must always face outward when
mounted on a vehicle.
Kilopascal (kPa):The metric unit for air pressure.
There are 6.9 kPa’s to one psi.
Light Truck (LT-Metric) Tire:A tire used on light duty
trucks and some multipurpose passenger vehicles.
5-68

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

UTQGS:Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards,
a tire information system that provides consumers with
ratings for a tire’s traction, temperature and treadwear.
Ratings are determined by tire manufacturers using
government testing procedures. The ratings are molded
into the sidewall of the tire. SeeUniform Tire Quality
Grading on page 5-74.
Vehicle Capacity Weight:The number of designated
seating positions multiplied by 150 lbs. (68 kg) plus
the rated cargo load. SeeLoading Your Vehicle
on page 4-29.
Vehicle Maximum Load on the Tire:Load on an
individual tire due to curb weight, accessory weight,
occupant weight and cargo weight.
Vehicle Placard:A label permanently attached to
a vehicle showing the original equipment tire size and
recommended ination pressure. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-29.
Ination - Tire Pressure
The Certication/Tire label or Tire and Loading
Information label shows the correct ination pressures
for your tires when they’re cold. “Cold” means your
vehicle has been sitting for at least three hours or driven
no more than 1 mile (1.6 km). SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 4-29.Notice:Don’t let anyone tell you that underination
or overination is all right. It’s not. If your tires
don’t have enough air (underination), you can get
the following:
Too much exing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy
If your tires have too much air (overination),
you can get the following:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazards
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more.
Also, check the tire pressure of the compact spare tire.
It should be at 60 psi (420 kPa).
5-70

Storage Areas................................................2-36
Convenience Net.........................................2-43
Luggage Carrier..........................................2-43
Overhead Console.......................................2-38
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools...............5-89
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow......................4-28
Sun Visors.....................................................2-16
Sunglasses Storage Compartment.....................2-42
T
Taillamps.......................................................5-57
Theft-Deterrent, Radio.....................................3-44
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-17
Passlock
®...................................................2-17
Throttle System Inspection...............................6-27
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-5
Tire Ination Check.........................................6-22
Tire Sidewall Labeling......................................5-61
Tire Size.......................................................5-66
Tire Terminology and Denitions........................5-68
Tires.............................................................5-60
Buying New Tires........................................5-73
Chains.......................................................5-76
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-78
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-90
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-77Tires (cont.)
Ination - Tire Pressure................................5-70
Inspection and Rotation................................5-71
Uniform Tire Quality Grading.........................5-74
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance.................5-75
Wheel Replacement.....................................5-75
When It Is Time for New Tires......................5-72
To Use the Engine Coolant Heater....................2-21
Top Strap......................................................1-47
Top Strap Anchor Location...............................1-49
Torque Lock...................................................2-28
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires..................4-38
Tow/Haul Mode...............................................4-36
Tow/Haul Mode Button.....................................2-24
Tow/Haul Mode Light.......................................3-34
Towing
Recreational Vehicle.....................................4-29
Towing a Trailer..........................................4-35
Your Vehicle...............................................4-29
Trailer Brakes.................................................4-40
Trailer Wiring Harness.....................................4-45
Trailering Package..........................................4-34
Transfer Case................................................5-50
Transmission
Fluid, Automatic...........................................5-23
Transmission Operation, Automatic....................2-22
Transmission, Transaxle, Transfer Case
Unit Repair Manual......................................7-12
14

Transportation Options...................................... 7-8
Trip Odometer................................................3-24
Turn and Lane Change Signals.......................... 3-6
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever........................... 3-6
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer..................4-43
U
Underbody Flushing Service.............................6-25
Underhood Fuse Block...................................5-104
Understanding Radio Reception........................3-47
Uniform Tire Quality Grading............................5-74
United States – Customer Assistance.................. 7-4
Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature
After a Power Loss......................................3-46
Used Replacement Wheels..............................5-76
Using Cleaner on Fabric..................................5-92
Using HomeLink
®...........................................2-35
V
Vehicle
Control........................................................ 4-5
Damage Warnings........................................... iv
Loading......................................................4-29
Symbols......................................................... ivVehicle Data Collection and Event
Data Recorders...........................................7-10
Vehicle Identication
Number (VIN).............................................5-99
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-99
Vehicle Storage..............................................5-44
Ventilation Adjustment......................................3-19
Visor Vanity Mirror..........................................2-16
Visors...........................................................2-16
Voltmeter Gage..............................................3-26
W
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators................3-22
Warnings
Hazard Warning Flashers............................... 3-4
Other Warning Devices.................................. 3-5
Safety and Symbols......................................... iii
Vehicle Damage.............................................. iv
Washing Your Vehicle......................................5-95
Weatherstrip Lubrication...................................6-23
Weight of the Trailer........................................4-36
Weight of the Trailer Tongue.............................4-38
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use........................5-14
What to Do with Used Oil................................5-17
15