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1998 Astro
1998 Product Information Guide 7
EXTERIOR FEATURES (contd.)
Other Features Include:
• Astro Passengers models with YF7 and
standard trim have a smooth front fascia
and rear bumper, painted body-color
• Dramatic styling is provided by body-side
cladding (standard on LS and LT; optional
on Cargo Van models with YF7 Upfitter
Package)
• Standard Solar-Ray tinted glass improves
interior comfort and enhances protection
against ultraviolet and infrared solar rays
(deep tint on LS and LT models)
• The spare tire is mounted under the body
to increase interior room and includes a
winch-type carrier to help lower or raise
the spare easily into its storage position.
Exterior Paint
Standard basecoat/clearcoat paint on
Astro resists fading and provides a high-gloss
shine for long-lasting exterior beauty.
• Astro now features etch-
resistant clearcoat paint
(interim availability) that helps
reduce damage caused by
water-spotting, acid
rain and environmental etch. This
clearcoat finish is used with all colors —
solids and metallics.
Exterior Colors
New Paint Colors For ’98:
• Medium Cadet Blue Metallic
• Dark Copper Metallic
• Dark Forest Green Metallic.
Other Colors:
• Light Autumnwood Metallic
• Ivory White
• Teal Blue Metallic
• Cherry Ice Metallic
• Dark Purple Metallic
• Silvermist Metallic
• Light Carmine Red Metallic.
DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING
Astro is manufactured at a General Motors
assembly plant in Baltimore, Maryland
There, a precise combination of design tech-
nology, sophisticated assembly and statistical
process control team up to assure Astro quali-
ty. Extensive use of robotics in welding, paint-
ing and other areas provide a high degree of
production consistency. A computerized
torque monitoring system, which verifies the
correct tightening of critical nuts and bolts in
the assembly process, is one of many
advanced automated processes. These and
other high-tech production methods translate
into snug fits throughout the body, strong,
seamless welds and a rich, superb-quality
paint finish.
BODY STRUCTURE
• Astro has a unibody (integral frame)
structure that incorporates a partial front
ladder-type stub-frame with the floor
panels, adding rigidity without excessive
weight. This design maximizes strength
and payload capacity.
• The underbody, right- and left-side panels,
roof panel and front end are made from
single-piece stampings, for increased
structural rigidity.
• Single-piece construction of the front-
door frames, window frames, side- and
rear-door openings protects against
corrosion by eliminating vulnerable
seams.
• Some parts — such as the radiator coolant
reservoir, the windshield washer reservoir
and the fuel tank shield — are composed
primarily of plastic resin and are labeled
to facilitate recycling.
ENGINE
Not Enough Time On
Your Hands?
Let Astro help give you
some of your time back. The
standard Vortec 4300 V6 SFI
offers a variety of time-saving
(and cost-reducing), extended
maintenance features that
make owning Astro easy.
• Platinum-tip spark plugs
give Astro the ability to
travel up to 100,000 miles
before the first scheduled
tune-up.*
• Extended-life coolant doesn’t
need to be changed up to 5
years or 150,000 miles,
whichever comes first.*
• There is no need to
check engine timing.
• A single accessory drive belt
helps reduce replacement
costs over traditional belt
designs.
Other Astro “Easy-To-Own”
Features Include:
• An aluminized stainless-
steel muffler and tailpipe
that provide long-lasting
durability
• Long-life automatic trans-
mission fluid will not need
to be replaced for at least
100,000 miles under normal
operating conditions*
• Scotchgard™ Protector that
helps resist stains on cloth
and floor carpeting to make
cleanups quick and easy
• Genuine Customer Care —
Bumper to Bumper 3-year/
36,000-mile limited
warranty, 24-hour Roadside
Assistance and, at
participating dealerships,
Courtesy Transportation.
*Maintenance needs vary with different
uses and driving conditions. See owner’s
manual for more information.