
Service & Appearance Care
Loading Your Vehicle
Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight
it may properly carry. The
Tire-Loading Information label found on
the driver’s door lock pillar tells you the
proper size, speed rating and
recommended inflation pressures for the
tires on your vehicle. It also gives you
important information about the number
of people that can be in your vehicle and
the total weight that you can carry. This
weight is called the Vehicle Capacity
Weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options. The other
label is the Certification label,
11
found on the rear edge of the driver’s
door. It tells you the gross weight
capacity of your vehicle, called the
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating).
The GVWR includes the weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
Never exceed the GVWR for your
vehicle, or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for either the front or
rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you
should spread it out. Don’t carry more
than
900 pounds (408 kilograms) in your
rear area.
1
CAUTION
Do not load your vehicle any
heavier than the GVWR or
the
maximum front and rear I
GAWRs. If you do, parts on you]
vehicle can break, or it can chang
the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose
control. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of your vehicle.
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Service & Appearance Care
A
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires are dangerous.
9 Overloading your tires can cause overheating as a result of too much
friction. You could have an air-out and a serious accident. See “Loading
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
resulting accident could cause serious injury. Check all tires frequently to
maintain the recommended pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when
the tires are cold.
Overinflated tires are more likely to be cut, punctured, or broken by a
sudden impact, such as when you hit a pothole. Keep tires at the
recommended pressure.
your tires have been damaged, replace them.
the correct high speed rated tires.
* Underinflated tires pose the same danger as overloaded tires. The
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your tread is badly worn, or if
Don’t drive over 85 mph (135 kmh) even if it’s legal, unless you have
Inflation - Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label
which
is on the driver’s door lock pillar
shows the correct inflation pressures for
your tires, when they’re cold. “Cold”
means your vehicle has been sitting
for
at least three hours or driven no more
than a mile.
9 254
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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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Service & Appearance Care
I
- 256
If your spare wheel does not match your
other wheels, you may want to use this
pattern.
After the tires have been rotated, adjust
the front and rear inflation pressure as
shown
on the Tire-Loading Information
label. Make certain that all wheel nuts
are properly tightened. See “Wheel Nut
Torque’’ in the Index.
CA U TION
A
Rust or dirt on a wheel, or on
the parts
to which it is
fastened, can make the wheel nuts
become loose after a time. The
wheel could come off and cause an
accident. When you change a
wheel, remove any rust or dirt
from places where the wheel
attaches to the vehicle. In an
emergency, you can use
a cloth or
paper towel to
do this; but be sure
to use a scraper or wire brush
later,
if you need to, to get all the
rust or dirt
off. (See “Changing a
Flat Tire” in the Index.)
I
When It’s Time for New Tires
One way to tell when it’s time for new
tires is to check the treadwear
indicators, which will appear when your
tires have only
2/32 inch (1.6 mm) or
less of tread remaining.
You need a new tire if
You can see the indicators at three
You can see cord or fabric showing
The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut
places around
the tire.
through the tire’s rubber.
or snagged deep enough to show cord
or fabric.
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At Least Once a Month
CHECK
OR SERVICE “‘HAT TO DO
Tires
Inflation
Check tire inflation. Make sure they are inflated to the pressures specified on the Tire-Loading
Information label located
on driver’s door. See “Tires” in the Index for further details.
l At least Twice a Year
CHECK
I OR SERVICE I WHAT TO DO
Fluid Level
Check Check
the transfer case, axle differential(s) and automatic or manual transmission fluid levels and
add as needed. See “Transfer Case,
” ‘‘Axle, Rear,” “Axle, Front” and “Automatic
I Transmission” or “Manual Transmission” in the Index. A fluid loss in these systems could I
I indicate a problem. Have the system inspected and repaired at once. I
299 9 =
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In Mud. Sand. Snow. or Ice ...... 155
In the Rain
.................... 160
In Water ...................... 156
Long Distance
................. 167
On Curves
.................... 132
On Grades (With a Trailer)
....... 184
On Off-Road Hills.
............. 145
On Snow or Ice
................ 174
On the Freeway
................ 165
Suggestions.
A Few More Night . . 159
Uphill
........................ 147
Winter
....................... 173
With a Trailer
................. 182
Drunken Driving
................ 123
Easy Entry Seats
................. 14
Electrical Equipment. Add-on
...... 272
Emergencies. Braking
in .......... 132
Emergencies. Steering
in ......... -134
Engine
Coolant
...................... 240
Coolant Temperature Gage
........ 85
Exhaust
....................... 64
Identification
.................. 272
Oil
.......................... 229
Oil Pressure Light
............... 86
Overheating
................... 200
Specifications
................. 277
Starting Your
................... 49
Through
Deep Standing Water
..... 50 Environment.
Your Vehicle and the
. 282
Exhaust. Engine
.................. 64
Extender. Safety Belt
.............. 39
Fabric Protection
.................... 264
Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on
... 263
Features and Controls
.............. 43
Filling Your Tank (Fuel)
.......... 226
Filter Replacement. Air
........... 234
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......... 190
Flat Tire. Changing a
............. 208
Flat. If a Tire Goes
............... 208
Fluid Using Foam-Type
Cleaner on
..... 263
Five-Speed Manual Transmission
.... 54
Flow-Through Ventilation System
... 106
Automatic Transmission
......... 234
Manual Transmission
........... 237
Recommended
............ 27 1. 305
Windshield Washer
............. 244
Fog. Tips
on Driving in ........... 163
Folding Rear Seats
................ 15
Following Distance (With
a Trailer)
..................... 183
Foreign Countries. Fuels
in ........ 225
Four-wheel Drive
........... .57. 239
Power
Steering
................ 243
Fog. Mist and Haze. Driving
in ..... 162
Foreign Material Paint Damage
..... 269 Four-Wheel-Drive
Vehicle.
Freeway Off-Road
Driving with Your Geo
. . 140
Driving
...................... 165
Driving on the
................. 165
Entering the
................... 165
Leaving the
................... 165
Free-Wheeling Hubs
.............. 58
Automatic
..................... 59
Manual
........................ 59
Fuel
........................... 223
FuelGage
....................... 83
Fuel Tank Filling
................ 226
Fuels
in Foreign Countries ......... 225
Fuse Block. Instrument Panel
...... 275
Fuse Block. Main
................ 274
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
......... 273
Gage. Engine Coolant Temperature
. . 85
Gage. Fuel
...................... 83
Gages and Indicators. Warning
Lights
......................... 82
Gasolines for Cleaner Air
.......... 224
Glass Cleaning
.................. 266
GloveBox
....................... 75
GM Participation
in Better
Business Bureau Mediation/
Arbitration Program
............ 315
Grips. Passenger Assist
............ 76
Guidelines. Utility Vehicle Driving
. . 140
327 9
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Halogen Bulbs .................. 248
Halogen Headlight Bulb
Replacement
.................. 248
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......... 190
Haze. Driving in Fog. Mist and ..... 162
Head Restraints
................... 14
Headlights Halogen Bulb Replacement
....... 248
High/Low Beam
................ 70
Lever. Turn Signal/Lights
ControVHeadlight Beam
........ 67
Lights On Reminder
............. 69
Heater Controls ................. 102
Heating
........................ 103
Heating. Bi-Level
................ 103
High Beams
..................... 159
High/Low Beam. Headlight
......... 70
Highway Hypnosis
............... 168
Hill and Mountain Roads
.......... 169
Hill. Approaching a
.............. 146
Hills. Parking
on ................. 171
Hills. Driving on Off-Road
........ 145
Hitches (Trailer)
................. 180
Hood Release
................... 227
Hook-Ups. Front Towing
.......... 198
Hook-Ups. Rear Towing .......... 199
Hooks. Recovery
................ 2 18
Horn ........................... 67 Hubs. Free-Wheeling
.............. 58
Automatic
..................... 59
Manual
........................ 59
Hydroplaning
................... 16.1
Hypnosis. Highway .............. 168
Ice. Driving on Snow or .......... 174
Identification
Engine
....................... 272
Label. Service Parts
............ 272
Number. Vehicle
............... 272
Ignition Switch
................... 48
Incline. Driving across an
......... 152
Incline. Stalling on an
............. 154
Indicators. Warning Lights. Gages and
..................... 82
Inflation
- Tire Pressure .......... 254
Inspections. Periodic Maintenance
. . 303
Instrument Panel And Clusters
................... 80
Bins .......................... 75
Cleaning the Top of the
.......... 266
Fuse Block
.................... 275
Interior Lights
.................... 7 1
Jump Starting .................. 19 1
Keys ................ .... 44
Label. Certification
.............. 252
Label. Tire-Loading Information
.... 252 Lamp. Malfunction Indicator
. . ... 85
Lane Change Indicator. Turn
Signal and
..................... 68
Lap-Shoulder Belt (Safety Belt)
...... 24
Leather Cleaning
................ 265
Leaving the Freeway
............. 165
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
................. 62
Levers Controls (Comfort Control System)
.................... 102
Turn SignaULights ControUHeadlight Beam
........ 67
Windshield Wiper/Washer
........ 72
Lighter. Cigarette
................. 77
Lights Brake System Warning
........... 84
Charging System
................ 85
Check Engine
.................. 85
Dome ......................... 71
Engine Oil Pressure
............. 85
Interior ........................ 71
Malfunction Indicator
............ 85
Oil Pressure. ................... 86
On Reminder ................... 69
Operation of ................... 69
Safety Belt Reminder ............ 23
Traffic
....................... 120
Warning. Gages and Indicators
.... 82
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9 9 330
Parking Brake
......................... 60
Downhill ..................... 172
Manual Transmission ............ 63
On a Hill with a Trailer.
When
You Are Ready to
Leave After ................. 185
On Hills ...................... 171
On Hills (With a Trailer) ........ 184
Over Things That Bum ........... 64
Uphill ........................ 172
Your Vehicle ................... 63
Parking and Turn Signal Light
Bulb Replacement. Front
........ 249
Parts, Replacement ............... 277
Passenger
Assist Grips
.................... 76
Positions (Safety Belt) ............ 28
Rear Seat (Safety Belt) ........... 28
Right Front Position (Safety Belt) . . 28
Passing ........................ 136
Passing (With a Trailer) ........... 183
Passing Signal .................... 70
Pavement Markings .............. 12 1
Pedal Travel. Brake .............. 13 1
Periodic Maintenance Inspections ... 303
Pockets. Front Seat Side ............ 75
Power Steering .................. 132
Power Steering Fluid ............. 243
Pregnancy. Safety Belt Use during ... 27
Pressure. Tire ................... 254
Problems on the Road ............. 189
Product Service Publications
(PSP’s)
....................... 32 1
Publications. Service ............. 320
Radiator Pressure Cap ........... 243
Radiator. How to Add Coolant ...... 206
Radio Reception. Understanding .... 115
Radio. To Play the
AM/FM Stereo
................ 108
AM/FM Stereo with
Cassette Tape Player
.......... 1 10
Rain. Driving in the .............. 160
Rainy Weather Tips. Some Other ... 161
RearAxle ...................... 238
Rear Drum Brakes ............... 13 1
Rear Vent Windows ............... 66
Rear Window
Defogger
..................... 105
Opening and Closing Your ........ 90
Removing and Installing Your ..... 91
Wiper/Washer .................. 73
Rearview Mirror. Inside ............ 74
Rearview Mirror. Inside Day/Night . . 74
Reception. Understanding Radio .... 1 15
Reclining Front Seatback ........... 13
Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants
................ 27 1. 305
Recovery Hooks. Using the ........ 218
Recovery. Off-Road .............. 135
Recreational Towing ............. 186
Towing Your Geo from the Front . . 187
Towing Your Geo from the Rear . . 186
Release. Hood ................... 227
Remote Areas. Traveling to ........ 142
Replacement Bulbs ............... 276
Replacement Parts ............... 277
Replacing Safety Belts after a Crash . . 39
Reporting Safety Defects
To General Motors
............. 318
To the Canadian Government ..... 318
To the United States Government . . 3 17
Restraint Systems. Checking Your ... 39
Restraint. Where to Put the Child .... 32
Restraints. Child .................. 34
Restraints. Head .................. 14
Road Signs ..................... 118
Color of ...................... 118
Shapeof ...................... 119
Symbols on ................... 120
Road. On the .................... 168
Road. Problems On the ............ 189
Roads. Hill and Mountain ......... 169
Roadside Assistance Program.
Chevrolet/Geo
............. - - .. 319
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