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Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the filler plug.
2, Check that the lubricant level is up to
the bottom of the filler plug hole.
How to Add Fluid:
Here’s how to add fluid. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to see what kind
of fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
1 . Remove the filler plug.
2. Add fluid at the filler plug hole. Add
only enough fluid to bring the fluid
level
up to the bottom of the filler
plug hole.
plug is fully seated.
3. Install the filler plug. Be sure the
Clutch Adjustment
The clutch linkage in your vehicle
should be checked as recommended in
your Maintenance Schedule. To check,
push the clutch pedal down with your
hand until you feel some resistance to
movement of the pedal. If the pedal
moves freely up to an inch
(25 mm) or
so before you feel resistance to the
travel, adjustment isn’t needed.
If there is no free travel or very little
(less than
5/8 of an inch), see your
dealer for adjustment.
Rear Axle
When to Check and Change
Lubricant:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine how often
to check the
lubricant and when to change it. See
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” and
“Scheduled Maintenance Services” in
the Index.
How to Check Lubricant:
If the level is below the bottom of the
filler plug hole, you’ll need to add some
lubricant. Add enough lubricant to raise
the level to the bottom of the filler plug
hole.
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What to Use:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of lubricant to use.
See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
Four- Wheel Drive
Most lubricant checks in this section
also apply to four-wheel-drive vehicles.
However, they have two additional
systems that need lubrication.
Transfer Case
When to Check
and Change
Lubricant:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine how often to check the
lubricant and when
to change it. See
‘ ‘Scheduled Maintenance Services’ ’ in
the Index.
How to Check Lubricant: If the level
is below the bottom of the filler plug
hole, you’ll need to add some lubricant.
Add enough lubricant to raise the level
to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
What to Use:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of lubricant to use.
See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
Front Axle
When
to Check and Change
Lubricant:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine how often to check the
lubricant, and when to change it. See
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” and
“Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in
the Index.
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Service & Appearance Care
How to Check Lubricant:
If the level is below the bottom of the
filler plug hole, you’ll need to add some
lubricant.
If the differential is at operating
temperature (warm), add enough
lubricant to raise the level to the bottom
of the filler plug hole.
If the differential
is cold, add enough
lubricant to raise the level to
1/2 inch
(12 mm) below the filler plug hole.
What to Use:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of lubricant to use.
See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling
system and how to add coolant when it
is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine
Overheating” in the Index.
The proper coolant for your Geo will:
Give freezing protection down to
Give boiling protection up to 258°F
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
Let the warning lights work as they
-34°F (-37°C).
(125°C).
temperature. should.
What to Use:
Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze or approved recycled coolant
that meets “GM Specification 6038M,”
which won’t damage aluminum parts.
Also use GM Engine Coolant
Supplement (sealer) with a complete
coolant change. If you use these, you
don’t need to add anything else.
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Page 246 of 339
Service & Appearance Care
1
Windshield Washer Fluid
To Add:
Open the cap with the washer symbol on
it. Add washer fluid until the bottle is
full.
When the engine compartment is hot,
the level should be at the
MAX mark.
When the engine compartment is cool,
the level should be at the
MIN mark.
What to Add:
Refer to the Mainten lance Schedule to
determine what kind
of fluid to use. See
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in
the Index.
When adding power steering fluid
or making a complete fluid
change, always use the prope:
fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage
hoses and seals.
244
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Service & Appearance Care
CA U TlON
R
d
fl
I1
A If you have too much brake
L,,E;ine. The fluid will burn
if the
engine is hot enough.
You or
others could be burned, and your
vehicle could be damaged. Add
brake fluid only when work
is
done on the brake hydraulic
system.
L fluid, it can spill on the
Lefer to
the Maintenance Schedule to
etermine when to check your brake
hid. See ‘‘Periodic Maintenance
Ispections” in the Index.
’ To Check Brake Fluid:
1
You can check the brake fluid without
taking
off the cap. Just look at the
windows on the brake fluid reservoir.
The fluid levels should be above
MIN.
If they aren’t, have your brake system
checked to see
if there is a leak.
After work is done
on the the brake
hydraulic system make sure the levels
are above
MIN and below the top of
each window.
What to Add:
When you do need brake fluid, use
only DOT-3 brake fluid
- such as
Delco-Supreme
II@ (GM Part No.
I DOT-5 silicone brake fluid can
damage your llehicle. Don’t use
it.
I D0n.t so1 : put In tf
wrong mnd 01 kd. For
example, just a few drops
mineral-based oil,
such as
engine oil,
in your brake systt
can damage brake system part
so badly that they’ll have to b
replaced.
Brake fluid
I Ige paint,
be careful not to spill
fluid
on your vehicle
1052535). Use new brake fluid from a
sealed container only.
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Page 257 of 339
NO TIC€
I Don’t let anyone tell you that
underinflation
or overinflation is
If your tires have too rnllrh air
(overinflation), y
Unusual wear
Bad handling When
to Check: Check your tires once
a month or more.
How to Check: Use a good quality
pocket-type gage to check tire pressure.
Simply looking at the tires will not tell
you
the pressure, especially if you have
radial tires
- which may look properly
inflated even
if they’re underinflated.
If your tires have valve caps, be sure to
put them back on. They help prevent
leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
Tire Inspection and Rotation
To make your tires last longer, have
them inspected and rotated at the mileages recommended
in your
Maintenance Schedule. See “Scheduled
Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
Use this rotation pattern.
255 - -
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Page 283 of 339

IMPORTANT:
KEEP ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
I
This part covers the maintenance
required for your Geo
. Your vehicle
needs these services to retain its
safety. dependability and emission
control performance
.
Part 7
Maintenance Schedule
Section
Introduction: A Word about Maintenance ........................... 282
Your Vehicle and the Environment
............................ 282
How This Part Is Organized
................................. 283
Using Your Maintenance Schedules
........................... 285
Selecting the Right Schedule
................................. 285
Schedule1
................................................ 286
Schedule11
............................................... 288
Explanation
of Scheduled Maintenance Services ................. 290
Other Emission Related Maintenance Service
................... 295
Other Non-Emission Related Maintenance Service
............... 296
At Each Fuel Fill 298
At Least Twice a Year ...................................... 299
At Least Once a Year ....................................... 300
A . Scheduled Maintenance Services ............................... 285
B . OwnerChecksandServices ................................... 298
AtLeastOnceaMonth
..................................... 299
C . Periodic Maintenance Inspections .............................. 303
D . Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ........................... 305
E . MaintenanceRecord ......................................... 308
..........................................
u1 Protection I . Plan
281 9 9
L
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan ? 7he Plan
supplements your new car warranties
.
See your GM dealer for details .
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1 How This Part 1s Organized
I The remainder of this part is divided into five sections:
“Section
A: Scheduled Maintenance Services” shows what
to have done, and how often. Some
of these services can be
complex,
so unless you are technically qualified and have
the necessary equipment, you should let your dealer’s
service department or another qualified service center do
these jobs.
CAUTION
I-
I
Performing maintenance work on a vehicle can be
6 - dangerous. In trying to do some jobs, you can be I
seriously injured. Do your own maintenance work only
if you have the required know-how and the proper
tools and equipment for the job.
If you have any
doubt, have a qualified technician
do the work.
If you are skilled enough to do some work on your vehicle,
you
will probably want to get the service information GM
publishes.
You will find a list of publications and how to get
them
in this manual. See “Service Publications” in the
Index.
“Section
B: Owner Checks and Services” tells you what
should be checked whenever you stop for fuel. It also
explains what you can easily
do to help keep your vehicle in
good condition.
283 9
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