2004 CHEVROLET ASTRO parking brake

Starter Switch Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake and the regular
brake. See
Parking Brake on page 2-24if
necessary.
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be ready to
turn off the engine immediately if it starts.
3. Try to start the engine in each gear. The starter
should work only in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
If the starter works in any other position, your
vehicle needs service.
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock
Control System Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this inspection, the
vehicle could move suddenly. If the vehicle
moves, you or others could be injured.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a level
surface.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. See
Parking Brake
on page 2-24if necessary.
Be ready to apply the regular brake immediately if
the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the RUN
position, but do not start the engine. Without
applying the regular brake, try to move the shift
lever out of PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift
lever moves out of PARK (P), your vehicle needs
service.
6-26

Ignition Transmission Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
·The key should turn to LOCK only when the
shift lever is in PARK (P).
·The key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic
Transmission Park (P) Mechanism
Check
{CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front of your vehicle in
case it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the
regular brake at once should the vehicle begin
to move.Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
·To check the parking brake's holding ability: With
the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal. Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
·To check the PARK (P) mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK (P). Then
release the parking brake followed by the regular
brake.
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to ¯ush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
6-27

Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts
as needed. Replace any components that have high
effort or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator
and cruise control cables.
Transfer Case and Front Axle
(All-Wheel Drive) Inspection
Every 12 months, or at engine oil change intervals,
check front axle and transfer case and add lubricant
when necessary. A ¯uid loss could indicate a problem.
Check and have it repaired, if needed. Check vent
hose at transfer case for kinks and proper installation.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
cha®ng, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect other brake parts,
including calipers, parking brake, etc. Check parking
brake adjustment. You may need to have your brakes
inspected more often if your driving habits or
conditions result in frequent braking.
6-29

Part D: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identi®ed below by name, part
number or speci®cation may be obtained from your
dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine OilEngine oil which meets GM
Standard GM6094M and displays
the American Petroleum Institute
Certi®ed for Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. To determine the
proper viscosity for your vehicle's
engine, see
Engine Oil on
page 5-13.
Engine Coolant50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable
water and use only
DEX-COOL
žCoolant. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-24.
Hydraulic Brake
SystemDelco Supreme 11 Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT-3 brake ¯uid.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Windshield
Washer SolventGM Optikleen
žWasher Solvent.
Parking Brake
Cable GuidesChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2, Category
LB or GC-LB.
Power Steering
SystemGM Power Steering Fluid (GM Part
No. U.S. 89021184, in Canada
89021186).
Automatic
TransmissionDEXRON
ž-III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Key Lock
CylindersMulti-Purpose Lubricant, Superlube
(GM Part No. U.S. 12346241, in
Canada 10953474).
Chassis
LubricationChassis Lubricant (GM Part No.
U.S. 12377985, in Canada
88901242) or lubricant meeting
requirements of NLGI #2, Category
LB or GC-LB.
6-30

Audio System(s) (cont.)
Setting the Time for Radios with HR and
MN Buttons.............................................3-38
Setting the Time for Radios with the
Set Button..............................................3-38
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-47
Understanding Radio Reception.....................3-50
Automatic Headlamp System............................3-13
Automatic Transmission
Fluid..........................................................5-22
Operation...................................................2-21
Automatic Transmission Check..........................6-25
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control
System Check.............................................6-26
B
Backing Up....................................................4-42
Battery..........................................................5-42
Battery Replacement......................................... 2-5
Battery Run-Down Protection............................3-16
Before Leaving on a Long Trip.........................4-21
Bench Seat............................................1-11, 1-58
Body Lubrication Service..................................6-25
Brake
Parking......................................................2-24Brake (cont.)
System Inspection.......................................6-29
System Warning Light..................................3-28
Brake Adjustment............................................5-41
Brake Fluid....................................................5-39
Brake Pedal Travel.........................................5-41
Brake Wear...................................................5-41
Brakes..........................................................5-39
Braking........................................................... 4-6
Braking in Emergencies..................................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle.....................................2-17
Bucket Seats, Rear.........................................1-12
Bulb Replacement...........................................5-49
Front Turn Signal Lamps..............................5-53
Halogen Bulbs............................................5-49
Headlamps.................................................5-50
Replacement Bulbs......................................5-55
Taillamps....................................................5-54
Buying New Tires...........................................5-70
C
California Fuel.................................................. 5-5
Canada ± Customer Assistance.......................... 7-4
Canadian Owners................................................ ii
Canadian Roadside Assistance........................... 7-7
2

Manual Seats................................................... 1-2
Manual Windows............................................2-14
Matching Transmitter(s) to Your Vehicle............... 2-4
Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Islands/
Countries (Except Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin
Islands) ± Customer Assistance....................... 7-5
Mirrors
Manual Rearview Mirror................................2-30
Outside Convex Mirror.................................2-31
Outside Manual Mirror..................................2-30
Outside Power Mirrors..................................2-30
Model Reference................................................ vi
MyGMLink.com................................................ 7-3
N
New Vehicle Break-In......................................2-17
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts...........5-104
O
Odometer......................................................3-25
Off-Road Recovery..........................................4-11
Oil
Engine.......................................................5-13
Pressure Gage............................................3-34Older Children, Restraints................................1-35
Online Owner Center........................................ 7-3
Operation Tips................................................3-20
Other Warning Devices...................................... 3-5
Outlet Adjustment............................................3-20
Outside
Convex Mirror.............................................2-31
Manual Mirror.............................................2-30
Power Mirrors.............................................2-30
Overhead Console..........................................2-36
Overseas ± Customer Assistance........................ 7-4
Owners, Canadian............................................... ii
Owner's Information........................................7-12
P
Park (P)
Shifting Into................................................2-25
Shifting Out of............................................2-27
Parking
Brake........................................................2-24
Over Things That Burn.................................2-28
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission
Park (P) Mechanism Check...........................6-27
Parking on Hills..............................................4-43
Part A - Scheduled Maintenance Services............ 6-4
Part B - Owner Checks and Services................6-24
10