Chevrolet 2003 Astro User manual

The 2003 Chevrolet Astro Owner Manual
Seats and Restraint Systems ........................... I-!
Front Seats ............................................... 1-2
Rear Seats
............................................... 1-7
Safety Belts
............................................. 1-13
Child Restraints
....................................... 1-35
AirBagSystem
....................................... 1-62
RestraintSystemCheck
............................ 1-71
Keys
........................................................ 2-2
DoorsandLocks
....................................... 2-7
Windows
................................................. 2-16
Theft-DeterrentSystems
............................ 2-18
Mirrors
.................................................... 2-32
HomeLink@Transmitter
............................. 2-34
FeaturesandControls ..................................... 2-1
Starting and Operating Your Vehicle
........... 2-19
StorageAreas
InstrumentPanel .
Instrument Panel
Climate Controls
......................................... 2-38
........................................... 3-1
Overview .......................... 3-2
...................................... 3-18
WarningLights.Gagesand Indicators
......... 3-23
Audio System(s)
....................................... 3-38
Driving Your Vehicle ....................................... 4-1
YourDriving,theRoad, and Your Vehicle
........ 4-2
Towing
................................................... 4-29
Service and Appearance Care .......................... 5-1
Service ..................................................... 5-3
Fuel
......................................................... 5-5
All-Wheel Drive
........................................ 5-52
RearAxle ............................................... 5-53
Front Axle
............................................... 5-54
Bulb Replacement
.................................... 5-55
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement ......... 5-62
Tires
...................................................... 5-63
AppearanceCare
..................................... 5-83
Vehicle Identification
................................. 5-91
Electrical System
...................................... 5-92
Capacities and Specifications
..................... 5-99
NormalMaintenanceReplacement Parts
...... 5-1 01
Maintenance Schedule ..................................... 6-1
MaintenanceSchedule
................................ 6-2
Customer Assistance Information .................... 7-1
Customer Assistance Information
.................. 7-2
Reporting Safety Defects ........................... 7-10
CheckingThingsUnder the Hood
............... 5-11
Index ................................................................ 1

GENERAL MOTORS, GM, the GM Emblem,
CHEVROLET, the CHEVROLET Emblem and the name
CHEVY ASTRO are registeredtrademarks of General
Motors Corporation.
This manual includesthe latest information at the time it
was printed. We reservethe right to make changes
after that time without further notice. For vehicles first
sold in Canada, substitutethe name ”General Motors of
Canada Limited” for Chevrolet Motor Divisionwhenever
it appears inthis manual.
Please keep this manual in your vehicle,
so it will be
there
if you ever need it when you’re on the road. If you
sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it
so the
new owner can use it.
Canadian Owners
You can obtain a Frenchcopy of this manual from your
dealer or from:
Helm, Incorporated
P.O. Box 07130
Detroit, MI
48207
How to Use This Manual
Many peoplereadtheirowner’s manual frombeginningto
endwhenthey first receivetheir new vehicle.
If you do
this, itwill helpyou learnabout thefeaturesand controls
for yourvehicle. Inthis manual,you’llfind that pictures
andwords worktogetherto explainthings.
Index
A good place to look for what you need is the Index in
back of the manual. It’s an alphabeticallist of what’s
in the manual, and the page number where you’ll find it.
Litho in U.S.A. @CopyrightGeneralMotorsCorporation06/19/02
Part
No. C2310 A First Edition All Rights Reserved
II

Safety Warnings and Symbols
You willfind a number of safety cautions in thisbook.
We useabox and the wordCAUTIONtotell you about
things thatcouldhurt
you if YOU were to ignore the
warning.
These mean there is something that could hurt
you or other people.
I 1
In the caution area, we tell you what the hazard is.
Then we tell you what to do to help avoid or reduce
the hazard. Please read these cautions.
If you don’t,
you or others could be hurt.
L
You will also find a circle
with a slash through it in
this book. This safety
symbol means “Don’t,’’
“Don’t do this” or “Don’t
let
this happen.”
...
Ill

Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these notices:
Notice: These mean there is somethingthat could
damage your vehicle.
A noticewill tell youaboutsomething that candamage
your vehicle. Many times,this damage wouldnot be
coveredby yourwarranty,and it could becostly. Butthe
notice will tell you whatto do to help avoid thedamage.
When you read other manuals, you might see CAUTION
and NOTICE warnings in different colors or in different
words.
You’ll also see warning labels on your vehicle. They use
the same words, CAUTION or NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
Your vehicle has components and labelsthat use
symbols insteadof text. Symbols, used on your vehicle,
are shown along with the text describingthe operation
or information relatingto a specificcomponent, control,
message, gage or indicator.
If you need help figuring out a specific name of a
component, gage or indicator referencethe following
topics:
Seatsand RestraintSystems in Section 1
Featuresand Controlsin Section 2
Instrument PanelOverview in Section 3
Climate Controls in Section 3
Warning Lights, Gagesand Indicatorsin Section 3
Audio System(s) inSection 3
EngineCompartmentOverview in Section 5
iv

These are some examples of vehicle symbols you may find on your vehicle:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT
EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
BATTERY
KIDCOULD
CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK OR
COULD
EXPLODE
FLAME
\\I/'
BAlTERY
I
LATCH BOTH LAP AND
SHOULDER BELTS TO
PROTECTOCCUPANT
*&: @
DONOTTWISTSAFETY
BELT WHENAlTACHING
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
MOVE SEAT
FULLY
\!$!
REARWARD /a
SECURE
CHILD
SEAT
PULL BELT
COMPLETELY
rHEN SECURE
CHILD SEAT
POWER
WINDOW
DO NOT INSTALL
A REAR-FACING
CHILD RESTRAINT
IN THIS SEATING
POSITION
DO NOT INSTALL A
'ORWARD-FACING
CHILD RESTRAINT
IN THIS SEATING
POSITION
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
LIGHTING
-
MASTER SWITCH u- 0 , \
SIGNALS
TURN
LAMPS
Pf
RUNNING
***o
DAYTIME
0.0
LAMPS
ea.
LAMPS $0
ENGINE
COOLANT
cc
TEMP
CHARGING
I-1
BATTERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE (a)
ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE
Wb
ANTI-LOCK (@)
BRAKES
COOLANT
FAN
OWNERS
MANUAL
SERVICE
MANUAL
V

Model Reference
This manual covers these models:
Cargo Van PassengerVan
vi

Section 1
Seats and Restraint Systems
Front Seats ...................................................... 1-2
ManualSeats
................................................ 1-2
Power Seat
................................................... 1-3
Manual Lumbar
.............................................. 1-3
Reclining Seatbacks
........................................ 1.4
Head Restraints
............................................. 1.5
Seatback Latches
........................................... 1.6
Rear Seats ....................................................... 1-7
Rear Seat Operation
....................................... 1-7
Bench Seat
.................................................. 1-11
Bucket Seats ............................................... 1-1 2
Safety Belts ................................................... 1-1 3
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone
................ 1-13
Questions andAnswersAbout Safety Belts
...... 1-17
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
................. 1-18
Driver Position
.............................................. 1.18
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
.................. 1-26
Right Front Passenger Position
....................... 1.27
Center Passenger Position
............................. 1.27
RearSeatPassengers
................................. -1-29
Rear Safety Belt ComfortGuidesfor
Children andSmall Adults
...................... 1.32
SafetyBelt Extender
..................................... 1-34
ChildRestraints ............................................. 1-35
Older Children
.............................................. 1-35
Child Restraint Systems
................................. 1.44
InfantsandYoung Children
.......... ....... 1.38
Where to Put the Restraint
............................. 1-47
Top Strap
.................................................... 1-48
Top Strap Anchor Location ............................. 1-50
LowerAnchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)
........................... 1-52
Securing a Child Restraint Designedfor
the LATCH System
.................................... 1-54
Securing a Child Restraint in aRear
Outside Seat Position
............................ 1-54
Securing a Child Restraint in a Center
Seat Position
............................................ 1-57
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position
................................... -1 -59
Air Bag System .............................................. 1-62
WhereAre the AirBags?
............... ..... 1-64
WhenShouldanAir Bag Inflate?
.................... 1-66
WhatMakesanAir Bag Inflate?
..................... 1-67
HowDoesanAir Bag Restrain?
..................... 1-67
What Will YouSeeAfteran
AirBag Inflates?
....................................... 1.68
Servicing YourAirBag-Equipped Vehicle
......... 1.69
AddingEquipment to Your
Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle
........................... 1.70
Restraint System Check ................................. -1-71
CheckingYour Restraint Systems ... ..... 1-71
Replacing Restraint System Parts
After a Crash
............................................ 1-71
1-1

Front Seats
Manual Seats
1
I
The bucket seats can be
adjustedforward or
rearwardusingthe lever
locatedunder the front
You can lose control of the vehicle if you try to
adjust a manual driver’s seat while the vehicle
is moving. The sudden movement could startle
and confuseyou, or make you push a pedal
when you don’t want to. Adjust the driver’s
seat only when the vehicle
is not moving.
Move the seat adjustmentlever toward the ouboard side
of the seat to unlock it. Slidethe seat to where you
want it. Then releasethe lever and try
to move the seat
with your body, to make sure that the seat is locked
into place.
1 -2

Power Seat
If your vehicle has this feature, there will be controls
locatedon the inboardside of the driver’s seat.
Manual Lumbar
To raise or lowerthe front of the seat cushion, raise or
lowerthe lever locatedtoward the front of the vehicle.
To raiseor lower the rearof the seat cushion, raise
or lower the lever locatedtoward the rear of the vehicle.
To move the entire seat backwards, forward, or up or
down, move the center knob.
If your vehicle has this feature, there will be a knob
located on the inboard side of the driver’s and
passenger’s bucket seats.
Turn the knob toward the front of the vehicle
to increase
lumbar support. Turn the knob toward the rear of the
vehicle to decrease lumbar support.
1 -3

Reclining Seatbacks
There is a lever located on the inside of the seat to
adjust the seatback.
You can adjust the
seatback by lifting the
lever and leaning back.
Release the lever to
lock the seatback where
you wantit. Pull up on the
lever, lean forward and
the seatback will
go to an
upright position.
But don’t have a seatback reclined
if your vehicle
is moving.
1 -4

Head Restraints
Sitting in a reclined position when your vehicle
is in motion can be dangerous.Even if you
buckle up, your safety belts can't do their job
when you're reclined like
this.
The shoulder belt can't do its job because it
won't be against your body. Instead, it will be
in front ofyou.
In a crash you could go into it,
receiving neck or other injuries.
The lap belt can't
do its job either. In a crash
the belt could go up over your abdomen.
The belt forces would be there, notat your
pelvic bones. This could cause serious internal
injuries.
For proper protection when the vehicle
is in
motion, have the seatback upright. Then sit
well back in theseat and wear your safety
belt properly.
Adjust your head restraint
so that the top of the restraint
is closest to the top
of your head. This position
reduces the chance
of a neck injury in a crash.
1-5

Seatback Latches
The seatback lever is
located on the right rear
of your seat.
0
To fold your non-touring
bench seatback forward,
pull up on the latch release
lever while pulling the
seatback toward the rear
RELEASE
of the vehicle.
After the latch has been released, push the seatback
toward the front of the vehicle until it locks into place.
To raise the seatback, unlock the seatbacklatch
by pushing up on the lever while pushingdown on the
upper edge
of the seatback. Move the seatback into
the upright position. Make sure the seatback is locked
whe
t isback in the uprightposition.
If the seatback isn’t locked, it could move
forward in a sudden stop or crash.That could
cause injury to the person sitting there. Always
press rearward on the seatback tobe sure it
is locked.
1-6

Rear Seats
Rear Seat Operation
Removing the Rear Seats
To remove the rear seats, do the following:
1. If youare removing the
center seat, remove
the right lap-shoulder
belt.
To do this, press
the release hole of the
safety belt attachment
while pulling up on
SEATREMOVAL the tip of a key into
I INSERT KEY thesafety belt.
2. If you have a safety
belt guide on your
seat, pull the safety
belt all the way
out through the guide.
3. To store the safety belt while the second row bench
seat is removed, pull the belt out and put both
buckles in the passenger’s side rear storage bin.
Route the belt out of the forward edge of the
storage bin. Close the cover to retain the belt.
4. Pull up on the seatback latch on the right rear of
the seat. Push the seatback down until it locks
into place.
1 -7

5. Lift up on the left and the right seat release levers
at the same time. The latches are near the floor on
the rear legs
of the seat.
6. Lift up on the rear of the seat to remove the seat
assembly from the rear latch pins. Then, pull back
and
lift the seat out of the vehicle.
Your seat releaselatch lever is operated with
a two-stage mechanism.
To fully release the
latch,two levels of
lift effort will be required.
First, a low effort to overcome the first stage and
then
a moderate effortto fully release the latch.
1 -8

Replacing the Rear Seats
1. Lower the seat into position. Make sure the front
retainers are hookedonto the anchor pins.
2. Pull the seat down to latch the rear retainers.
Make sure the seat
is locked in by pulling up
and down on the seat.
A seat that isn’t locked into place properly can
move around in a collision or sudden stop.
People in the vehicle could be injured. Be sure
to lock the seat into place properly when
installing it.
1-9

3. To raisethe seatback, do the following:
3.1. Unlock the seatback latch by pulling upon
the latch release lever at the right rear
of the
seat, while pushing down on the upper
edge of the seatback.
3.2. Move the seatback into the upright position.
Make sure the seatback is locked when it is
back in the upright position.
If you are replacingthe center seat, connect the right
lap-shoulder belt to the attachment on the seat cushion.
If you have a safety belt guide
on your seat, pull the
belt through the guide before reattachingthe
lap-shoulder belt to the side
of the seat. The release
hole should be facing outward.
If you installedthe safety belt withthe releaseholefacing
inward(towardthe seat), slidethe plasticcover up
so you
can seethe buckle. Disconnectthe seat belt.Slidethe
coverback downand reinstallthe beltcorrectly.
Asafety
--It that __ impropc routed,not
properly attached, or twisted won’t provide the
protection needed in a crash.The person
wearing the belt could be seriously injured.
After raising therear seatback, always check
to be sure that the safety belts are properly
routed and attached, andare not twisted.
1-10

Bench Seat
Each bench seat can carry up to three passengers.
They can also be removed to increasestorage space.
Only the rear bench seat can be adjustedforward
or rearwardusing the lever at the front of the seat.
Move the seat adjustment
lever locatedat the front
of the seat toward the
passenger’sside to
unlock it. Slide the seat
to where you want it.
Then releasethe lever
and try to move the seat
with your body, to make
sure the seat is locked
into place.
The optional bench seats come with moveable armrests,
individual reclining seatbacks, adjustable headrests
and a fold-down center armrest console.
The center bench seat has a pivoting right armrest. To adjust your seatback, pull up on the lever located on
the outboard side of the seat cushion.
1-1 1

If your vehicle has the
optional touring package,
your vehicle will have
a center console.
To raise
or lower the center
console, press the button
located between the
beverage holders. Sit in
the center seating position
only when the console
is in an upright and
locked position.
For details about headrests, see
Head Restraints
on page 1-5.
Bucket Seats
Your vehicle may have rear bucket seats withan
adjustment release bar locatedunder the front
of the
seats. These seats can be adjustedforward or rearward
with the releasebar. Pullthe releasebar up to release
the seat bottom. Slide the seat where you want it
and then let go of the releasebar. Then try to move the
seat with your body to make sure the seat is locked
into place.
1-12

Safety Belts
Safety Belts: They Are for Everyone
This part of the manual tells you how to use safety
belts properly. It also tells you some things you should
r-+ do with safety belts.
Don’t let anyone ride where he or she can’t
wear a safety
belt properly. If you are in a
crash and you’re not wearing a safety belt,
your injuries canbe much worse. You can
hit
things inside the vehicle or be ejected from it.
You can be seriously injured or killed. In the
same crash, you might notbe, if you are
buckled up. Always fasten your safety belt,
and check that your passengers’ belts are
fastened properlytoo.
it is extremely dangerous to ride in a CN~G
area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a
collision, people riding in these areas are more
likely to be seriously injured or killed.
Do not
allow people to ride
in any area of your vehicle
that
is not equipped with seats and safety
belts. Be sure everyone
in your vehicle is in
a seat and using a safety belt properly.
Your vehicle has a light
that comes
on as a
reminderto buckle up.
See
Safety Belt Reminder
Light on page 3-26.
1-13