Page 65 of 339

Shifling out of P (Park)
(AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION)
Your Geo has a brake-transmission shift
interlock. You have to fully
apply your
regular brake
before you can shift from
P (Park) when the ignition is in the ON
position. See “Automatic Transmission”
in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of P (Park), ease
pressure on the shift lever
- push the
shift lever all the way into P (Park) and
also release
the shift lever button on
floor shift console models as you
maintain brake application. Then move
the shift lever into the gear you wish.
(Press
the shift lever button before
moving
the shift lever.)
I
If you ever hold the brake pedal down
but still can’t shift out of
P (Park), try
this:
1. Apply and hold the brake until the
end
of step 3.
2. Start the vehicle if it’s not already
running.
3. Pull the knob near the parking brakc
handle and then shift
to the drive
gear you want.
4. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as
you can.
Parking Your Vehicle
(MANUAL TRANSMISSION)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put
your manual transmission in
R (Reverse)
and firmly apply the parking brake.
If you have four-wheel drive, be sure
your transfer case is in a drive gear.
Your vehicle could roll
if it isn’t.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 71 of 339

r
Opentiun of Lights
Although your vehicle's lighting system
(headlamps, parking lamps, fog lamps,
side marker lamps and taillamps) meet
all applicable Federal lighting
requirements, certain States and
Provinces may apply their own lighting
regulations that may require special
attention before you operate these
lamps. For example, some jurisdictions may
require that you operate your low
beam lamps with fog lamps at all times,
or that headlamps be turned on
whenever you must use your windshield
wipers. In addition, most jurisdictions
prohibit driving solely with parking
lamps, especially at dawn or dusk.
It is
recommended that you check with your
own State or Provincial highway
authority for applicable lighting
regulations. Turn
the outside portion of the lever to
control the lights. There are three
positions for the light switch.
In OFF, all lights are turned off.
The middle position turns on the
parking lights, taillights, license plate
light and the instrument panel
lighting; the headlights are
off.
The third position turns on the
headlights.
Lights On Reminder
If you turn the ignition off, remove the
key and leave the lights on, a chime will
sound to remind you to turn off your
lights.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 72 of 339

Features & Controls
Headlight High/Low Beam
First, you must have the headlights on.
(See “Lights”
in the Index.) Then, pull
the turn signal lever toward you for low
beams. For high beams, push the lever
away from you. When the high beams
are on, a blue light on the instrument
panel also will be on. It will go off
when you switch
to low beam.
Passing Signal
With the lever in the low beam position,
pull the lever toward you to
momentarily switch to high beam (to
signal that you are going to pass). When
you release the lever, the headlights will
return to low beam operation.
Daytime Running fights (DM)
lndicator Light (Canada)
If your vehicle was first sold, when
new,
in Canada, you will have this light
on the instrument panel. It goes on whenever the Daytime Running Lights
are on.
Daytime Running f ights
(Canada)
The Canadian Federal Government has
decided that “Daytime Running Lights”
(DRL) are a useful feature, in that DRL
can make your vehicle more visible to
pedestrians and other drivers during
daylight hours. DRL are required
on
new vehicles sold in Canada.
The low beam headlights will come on
at reduced brightness
in daylight when:
The ignition is on
The headlight switch is off, and
The parking brake is released.
When you turn on your headlights, the
DRL will switch off and the exterior
lights wil come on. When you turn off
ProCarManuals.com
Page 81 of 339
Instrument Panel
1. Air Vent
2. Side Defroster Vent
3. Turn SignaULights
4. Instrument Cluster
5. Hazard Warning Flasher
6. Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever
7. Rear Window Wiper Switch
8. Comfort Controls
9. Audio System ControVHeadlight Beam
Lever
10. Lighter
1 1. Assist Grip
12. Glove Box
13. Transmission Shift Lever
14. Coinholder and Bin
15. Transfer Case Shift Lever
16. Parking Brake Lever
17. Ashtray
18. Rear Window Washer Switch
19. Ignition Switch
20. Horn
21. Fuse Block
22. Rear Window Defogger Switch
23. Brightness Control
79. =
ProCarManuals.com
Page 84 of 339

Features & Conrrols
Tachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands
of revolutions per minute
(rpm).
You can use it while driving to
select correct shift points. The
tachometer may not return to zero when
the engine is not running.
NOTICE
Do not operate the engine with the
tachometer in the red area
engine damage may occur
9 82
Wanting Lights, Gages
and
Indicators
This section describes the warning lights
and gages that may be on your vehicle.
The pictures will help
you locate them.
Warning lights can signal that something
is wrong before it becomes serious
enough to cause an expensive repair or
replacement. Paying attention to your
warning lights and gages could also save
you or others from injury. Warning
lights go on when there may be
or is a problem with one
of your
vehicle’s functions.
As you will see in
the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when
you turn the ignition key just to let you
know they’re working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should
not be alarmed when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be
or is a problem with one of your
vehicle’s functions. Often’ gages
and
warning lights work together to let you
know when there’s a problem with your
vehicle.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 87 of 339

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine coolant
temperature. If the gage pointer moves
to the “H” (red) side, your engine is
too hot! It means that your engine
coolant has overheated and you should
stop your vehicle and turn off the engine
as soon as possible.
HOT
COOLANT CAN BURN YOU
BADLY!
In “Problems on the Road, ” this
manual shows what to do. See “Engine
Overheating’’
in the Index.
-I
I L
Charging System Light
This light will come on briefly when
you turn on
the ignition, but the engine
is not running, as a check to show you it
is working. Then it should go out when
the engine starts. If it stays on, or
comes on while you are driving, you
may
have a problem with the electrical
charging system. It could indicate that
you have a loose generator drive belt, or
another electrical problem. Have
it
checked right away. Driving while this
light
is on could drain your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with
the light
on, be certain to turn off
all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light)
A computer monitors operation of your
fuel, ignition and emission control
systems. The light should come on when
the ignition is on, but the engine is not
running, as a check to show you
it is
working. If
it does not come on at all,
have it fixed right away. If it stays
on,
or comes on while you are driving, the
computer is indicating that you have
a
problem. You should take your vehicle
in for service soon.
85.9.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 88 of 339

If you keep driving your vehicle
with this light on, after a while the
emission controls won’t work as
well, your fuel economy won’t be
as good and your engine may not
run as smoothly. This could lead
to costly repairs not covered by
your warranty.
-8.86
Engine Oil Pressure Light
If you have a problem with your oil,
this light may stay on after you start
your engine, or come on when you are
driving. This indicates that there is not
enough pressure to keep your engine
properly lubricated and cool. The engine
could be low on oil, or could have some
other oil related problem. Have it fixed
right away.
The oil light could also come on in three
other situations.
When the ignition is on but the engine
is not running, the light will come on
as a test to show you it is working,
but the light will
go out when you
turn the engine
to START. If it
doesn’t come on with the ignition on,
you may have a problem with the fuse
or bulb. Have it fixed right away.
Sometimes when the engine is idling
at a stop, the light may blink on and
off. This is normal.
may come on for a moment. This is
normal.
If you make a hard stop, the light
ProCarManuals.com
Page 107 of 339

Dehumidifying
On days when it is raining or the
humidity is high, follow these
dehumidifying steps instead of the
cooling directions. It will help clean
windows that are cloudy with moisture.
1. Push the A/C button.
2. Move the air intake lever tom.
3. Move the airflow lever to .
4. Move the fan control lever toward
5. Adjust the temperature control lever
s-
to a comfortable setting.
Rear Window Defogger (OPTIO~V) I
Don’t use a razor blade
The
rear window defogger uses a
warming grid to remove fog from the
rear window.
Press the switch to turn on the defogger.
An indicator light will come on below
the switch to remind you that the
defogger is on. Press the switch again to
turn the defogger off. The rear window
defogger will also turn off if you turn
the ignition switch to
ACC or LOCK.
Do not attach anything like a temporary
vehicle license or a decal across the
defogger grid on the rear window. something
else sharp on the
inside
of the
rear window. If you do, yc
could cut or damage
the warming
grid, and the repairs would1 be
covered by your warranty.
ProCarManuals.com