2004 CHEVROLET ASTRO Owners Manual

Torque Lock
If you are parking on a hill and you don't shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl
in the transmission. You may ®nd it difficult to pull the
shift lever out of PARK (P). This is called ªtorque
lock.º To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave
the driver's seat. To ®nd out how, see
Shifting Into
Park (P) on page 2-25.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)
beforeyou release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission, so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
Shifting Out of Park (P)
Your vehicle has an automatic transmission shift lock
control system. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition is in RUN. See
Automatic Transmission
Operation on page 2-21.
If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever and push the shift lever all the way up into
PARK (P) as you maintain brake application. Then,
move the shift lever into the gear you want.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can't shift
out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the system ®xed as soon as you can.
2-27

Parking Over Things That Burn
{CAUTION:
Things that can burn could touch hot exhaust
parts under your vehicle and ignite. Do not
park over papers, leaves, dry grass or other
things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide (CO), which you can not see
or smell. It can cause unconsciousness and
death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
·Your exhaust system sounds strange or
different.
·Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
·Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
·Your vehicle was damaged when driving
over high points on the road or over road
debris.
·Repairs were not done correctly.
·Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
modi®ed improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
·Drive it only with all the windows down to
blow out any CO; and
·Have your vehicle ®xed immediately.
2-28

Running Your Engine While You
Are Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if
you ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier Caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-28.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust Ð with CO Ð can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-24.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake ®rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set your
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. See
Shifting Into Park (P) on page 2-25.
If you are pulling a trailer, see
Towing a Trailer on
page 4-35.
2-29

Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror
You can adjust the mirror for day or night driving. Press
the tab forward (away from you) for day driving. Pull
the tab back (toward you) for night driving.
Outside Manual Mirror
Adjust your outside rearview mirrors so you can see a
little of the side of your vehicle and the area beside and
behind your vehicle, from a comfortable driving
position.
You can fold the mirrors inward before entering a car
wash. Pull the mirrors toward the vehicle. Push the
mirrors back out when ®nished. After pushing the mirror
out, the adjustment will be maintained.
Outside Power Mirrors
Your vehicle may have this feature.
To adjust the outside rearview mirror, move the selector
switch in the middle of the control to L for the driver's
side mirror or to R for the passenger's side mirror. Then
use the arrows located on the four-way control pad to
move the mirror in the desired direction. To make
sure you do not accidentally move a mirror, return the
selector switch to the middle position (off) after adjusting
the mirrors.
2-30

Outside Convex Mirror
Your passenger's side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror's surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver's seat.
{CAUTION:
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder
before changing lanes.
HomeLinkžTransmitter
HomeLink, a combined universal transmitter and
receiver, provides a way to replace up to three
hand-held transmitters used to activate devices such as
gate operators, garage door openers, entry door
locks, security systems and home lighting. Additional
HomeLink information can be found on the internet
at www.homelink.com or by calling 1-800-355-3515.
If your vehicle is equipped with the Homelink
ž
transmitter, it complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired
operation.
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)
this device may not cause interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of the
device.
Changes and modi®cations to this system by other than
an authorized service facility could void authorization
to use this equipment.
Programming the HomeLinkž
Transmitter
Do not use the HomeLinkžTransmitter with any garage
door opener that does not have the ªstop and reverseº
feature. This includes any garage door opener model
manufactured before April 1, 1982. If you have a newer
garage door opener with rolling codes, please be
sure to follow steps 6 through 8 to complete the
programming of your HomeLink
žTransmitter.
Read the instructions completely before attempting to
program the HomeLink
žTransmitter. Because of the
steps involved, it may be helpful to have another person
available to assist you in programming the transmitter.
2-31

Keep the original transmitter for use in other vehicles as
well as for future HomeLinkžprogramming. It is also
recommended that upon the sale of the vehicle,
the programmed HomeLink
žbuttons should be erased
for security purposes. Refer to ªErasing HomeLinkž
Buttonsº or, for assistance, contact HomeLinkžon the
internet at: www.homelink.com or by calling
1-800-355-3515.
Be sure that people and objects are clear of the garage
door or gate operator you are programming. When
programming a garage door, it is advised to park outside
of the garage.
It is recommended that a new battery be installed in
your hand-held transmitter for quicker and more
accurate transmission of the radio frequency.
Your vehicle's engine should be turned off while
programming the transmitter. Follow these steps to
program up to three channels:
1. Press and hold down the two outside buttons,
releasing only when the indicator light begins to
¯ash, after 20 seconds. Do not hold down the
buttons for longer than 30 seconds and do not
repeat this step to program a second and/or third
transmitter to the remaining two HomeLink
žbuttons.
2. Position the end of your hand-held transmitter about
1 to 3 inches (3 to 8 cm) away from the HomeLink
ž
buttons while keeping the indicator light in view.3. Simultaneously press and hold both the desired
button on HomeLink
žand the hand-held transmitter
button. Do not release the buttons until Step 4
has been completed.
Some entry gates and garage door openers may
require you to substitute Step 3 with the procedure
noted in ªGate Operator and Canadian
Programmingº later in this section.
4. The indicator light will ¯ash slowly at ®rst and then
rapidly after HomeLink
žsuccessfully receives the
frequency signal from the hand-held transmitter.
Release both buttons.
5. Press and hold the newly-trained HomeLink
žbutton
and observe the indicator light.
If the indicator light stays on constantly,
programming is complete and your device should
activate when the HomeLink
žbutton is pressed and
released.
To program the remaining two HomeLink
žbuttons,
begin with Step 2 under ªProgramming HomeLinkž.º
Do not repeat Step 1 as this will erase all of the
programmed channels.
If the indicator light blinks rapidly for two seconds
and then turns to a constant light, continue with
Steps 6 through 8 following to complete the
programming of a rolling-code equipped device
(most commonly, a garage door opener).
2-32

6. Locate in the garage, the garage door opener
receiver (motor-head unit). Locate the ªLearnº
or ªSmartº button. This can usually be found where
the hanging antenna wire is attached to the
motor-head unit.
7. Firmly press and release the ªLearnº or ªSmartº
button. The name and color of the button may
vary by manufacturer.
You will have 30 seconds to start Step 8.
8. Return to the vehicle. Firmly press and hold the
programmed HomeLink
žbutton for two seconds,
then release. Repeat the press/hold/release
sequence a second time, and depending on the
brand of the garage door opener (or other rolling
code device), repeat this sequence a third time
to complete the programming.
HomeLink
žshould now activate your rolling-code
equipped device.
To program the remaining two HomeLink
žbuttons,
begin with Step 2 of ªProgramming HomeLinkž.º Do not
repeat Step 1.
Gate Operator and Canadian
Programming
Canadian radio-frequency laws require transmitter
signals to ªtime outº or quit after several seconds of
transmission. This may not be long enough forHomeLink
žto pick up the signal during programming.
Similarly, some U.S. gate operators are manufactured to
ªtime outº in the same manner.
If you live in Canada, or you are having difficulty
programming a gate operator by using the
ªProgramming HomeLink
žº procedures (regardless of
where you live), replace Step 3 under ªProgramming
HomeLink
žº with the following:
Continue to press and hold the HomeLinkžbutton while
you press and release every two seconds (cycle)
your hand-held transmitter until the frequency signal has
been successfully accepted by HomeLink
ž. The
indicator light will ¯ash slowly at ®rst and then rapidly.
Proceed with Step 4 under ªProgramming HomeLink
žº
to complete.
Using HomeLinkž
Press and hold the appropriate HomeLinkžbutton for at
least half of a second. The indicator light will come
on while the signal is being transmitted.
Erasing HomeLinkžButtons
To erase programming from the three buttons do the
following:
1. Press and hold down the two outside buttons until
the indicator light begins to ¯ash, after 20 seconds.
2. Release both buttons. Do not hold for longer than
30 seconds.
2-33

HomeLinkžis now in the train (learning) mode and can
be programmed at any time beginning with Step 2
under ªProgramming HomeLink
ž.º
Individual buttons can not be erased, but they can be
reprogrammed. See ªReprogramming a Single
HomeLink
žButtonº next.
Reprogramming a Single HomeLinkž
Button
To program a device to HomeLinkžusing a HomeLinkž
button previously trained, follow these steps:
1. Press and hold the desired HomeLinkžbutton. Do
not release the button.
2. The indicator light will begin to ¯ash after
20 seconds. While still holding the HomeLink
ž
button, proceed with Step 2 under ªProgramming
HomeLinkž.º
Resetting Defaults
To reset HomeLinkžto default settings do the following:
1. Hold down the two outside buttons for about
20 seconds until the indicator light begins to ¯ash.
2. Continue to hold both buttons until the HomeLink
ž
indicator light turns off.
3. Release both buttons.
For questions or comments, contact HomeLink
žat
1-800-355-3515, or on the internet at
www.homelink.com.
Storage Areas
Your front storage compartment/glove box is at the
center of the engine cover. To open the compartment,
press the two tabs together and pull.
2-34