c
When one of the warning lights comes
on and stays on
when you are driving,
or when one of the gages shows there
may be a problem, check the section
that tells you what to do about
it. Please
follow the manual’s advice. Waiting to
do repairs can
be costly - and even
dangerous. So please get to know your
warning lights and gages. They’re a big
help.
Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage shows about how much
fuel
is in your tank. When the gage first
indicates
E, you still have a little fuel
left (about one
or two gallons), but you
need to get more right away.
Here are four concerns some owners
have had about the fuel gage. All these
situations are normal and do not indicate
that anything is wrong
with the fuel
gage.
At the gas station, the gas pump shuts
It takes more (or less) gas to fill up
off before the
gage reads
F.
than the gage reads. For example, the
gage reads
1/2 full, but it took more
(or less) than half of the tank’s
capacity to fill it.
The gage moves a little when you
turn, stop or speed up.
When you turn the engine off, the
gage doesn’t
go back to E.
83. 9
ProCarManuals.com
Your Driving and the Road
Your Geo can tow a trailer. To identify
what the vehicle trailering capacity is for
your vehicle, you should read the
information
in “Weight of the Trailer”
that appears later in
this section. But
trailering is different than just driving
your vehicle by itself. Trailering means
changes in handling, durability, and fuel
economy. Successful, safe trailering
takes correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
That’s the reason for this section.
In it
are many time-tested, important
trailering tips and safety rules. Many of
these are important for your safety and
that of your passengers.
So please read
this section carefully before you pull a
trailer.
9 178
Load-pulling components such as the
engine, transmission, wheel assemblies,
and tires are forced to work harder
against the drag
of the added weight.
The engine is required to operate at
relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat.
What’s more, the trailer adds
considerably to wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.
All
of that means changes in:
Handling
Durability
Fuel economy
If You Do Decide to Pull a Trailer
If you do, here are some important
points.
There are many different laws having
to do with trailering. Make sure your
rig will be legal, not only where you
live but also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for this information
can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control.
You can ask a hitch dealer about sway
controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the
first
500 miles (800 km) your new
vehicle is driven. Your engine, axle
or other parts could be damaged.
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Part 6
Here you wit1 find information
about the care of your Geo
. This
part begins with service and fuel
information. and then it shows
how to check important fluid and
lubricant levels
. There is also
technical information about your
vehicle. and
a section devoted to
its appearance care
.
ii iervice & Appearance Care
Service ............................................................. 222
Fuel ............................................................... 223
Checking Things under the Hood ........................................ 227 .
HoodRelease 227
Engineoil ........................................................ 229
Aircleaner ........................................................ 233
Automatic Transmission Fluid ........................................ 234
Manual Transmission Fluid ........................................... 237
Clutch Adjustment .................................................. 238
RearAxle ......................................................... 238
Four-WheelDrive .................................................. 239
Enginecoolant ..................................................... 240
Power Steering Fluid ................................................ 243
Windshield Washer Fluid ............................................ 244
Brake Master Cylinder ............................................... 245
Battery ........................................................... 247
Bulb Replacement .................................................... 248
LoadingYourVehicle ................................................. 252
Tires ............................................................... 253
Appearancecare ..................................................... 261
Appearance Care and Maintenance Materials .............................. 271
Vehicle Identification Number .......................................... 272
Service Parts Identification Label ........................................ 272
Add-on Electrical Equipment ........................................... 272
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ............................................. 273
ReplacementBulbs ................................................... 276
Capacities and Specifications ........................................... 277
221 .
.
......................................................
ProCarManuals.com
Service & Appearance Care
Filling Your Tank
bA u 1 lU/V
1 Gasoline vapor is highly
and that can cause very bad
injuries. Don’t smoke if you’re
near gasoline
or refueling your
vehicle. Keep sparks,
flames, and
smoking materials away
from
gasoline. flammable.
It bums violently,
The cap is behind a hinged door on the
right side of your vehicle.
To take off the cap, turn
it slowly to the
left (counterclockwise).
... 226
I
I
If you get gasoline on you and
then something ignites it, you
could be badly burned. Gasoline
can spray out on you if you open
the fuel filler cap too quickly. This
spray can happen if your tank is
nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the
fuel filler
cap slowly and wait for any
“hiss” noise to stop. Then
unscrew the cap all the way.
When you put the cap back on, turn it to
the right until you hear a clicking noise.
NU I ILt
If you need a new cap, be sure to
get the right type.
Your dealer can
get one
for you. If you get the
wrong type, it may not fit
or have
proper venting, and your fuel
tank
and emissions system IT ‘It be
damal ‘ ~
‘
ProCarManuals.com
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.
ProCarManuals.com
Capacities and Specifictu?ons
Engine
Type ....................................................................L4
Compression Ratio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8.9: 1
Firing Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l-3-4-2
Fuel Delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fuel Injection
Piston Displacement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97 CID (1.6L)
Valve Arrangement . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .In-Head “V” Type
AC Belt Tension.
. . . .Deflect Belt 0.31-0.47 in. (8-12 mm) @ 22 Ibs. (10 kg.) Pressure
Fan Belt Tension
. . . . .Deflect Belt 0.20-0.32 in. (5-8 mm) @ 22 Ibs. (10 kg.) Pressure
Thermostat Temperature Specification.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180”F (82°C)
Replacement Parts
Air Cleaner Filter ................................................... 96057994
Battery
..............................................................26-60s
Engineoil Filter .................................................... 96062415
Fuel Filter
................................................... AC TypeGE571
PCVValve
........................................................96058079
Radiator Pressure Cap . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 psi
Spark Plug.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .R43XLS (0.028”- 0.032” Gap)
277 9
ProCarManuals.com
Service & Appearance Care
Capacities (Approximate)
The following approximate capacities are given in U.S. and metric conversions.
Automatic Transmission Air
Conditioning?.
................ .See the refrigerant information label under hood.
.............................................
................................................... Drain and Refill .3.0 qt. (2.8 L)**
Overhaul .4.9 qt. (4.6 L)
Cooling System
Automatic Transmission. ...................................... S.5 qt. (5.2 L)
I Manual Transmission. ........................................ S.6 qt. (5.3 L)
FuelT ank....................................................llgal.(42.0L) .
Crankcase
..........................................
........................................
With Filter Change. .4.5 qt. (4.2 L)*
Without Filter Change .4.2 qt. (4.0 L)*
Front Differential ............................................... 1 1 qt. (1 .O L)
Manual Transmission. .1.6 qt. (1.5 L)**
Rear Differential. .2.3 qt. (2.2 L)
Transfer Case .................................................. 1 .8 qt. (1.7 L)
..........................................
..............................................
Wheel Nuts
Wheel Nut Torque .60 lb. ft. (80 N-m)
? Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same. If the air conditioning system in
your vehicle needs refrigerant, be sure
the proper refrigerant is used. If you’re not
sure, ask your Geo dealer.
after filling.
See “Engine Oil” in the Index.
Transmission Fluid” in the Index.
.........................................
*.When changing the oil filter, additional oil may be needed. Recheck the oil level
** Recheck fluid level after filling. See “Automatic Transmission Fluid” or “Manual
9 278
ProCarManuals.com
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
11 Fuel Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection** -
Inspect fuel tank, cap, lines and hoses for damage or
leaks. Inspect fuel cap gasket for an even filler neck
imprint or any damage at
30,000 miles (50 OOO km).
Replace parts as needed. Replace the cap and gasket
at
60,OOO mile (100 OOO km) intervals.
12 Oxygen Sensor Replacement* - Replace at 80,000
miles (133 OOO km).
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
13 Charcoal Canister Replacement* - Replace at
100,OOO mile
(166 OOO km) intervals.
14 Engine Control Module (ECM) and Associated
Sensors Inspection*
- Inspect at 100,OOO mile
(166 OOO km) intervals.
15 Fuel Injector Inspection* - Inspect at 100,OOO
mile (166 OOO km) intervals.
*An Emission Control Service.
*The
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the failure to pe~orm this maintenance item will not nullify the emission
warranty or limit recall liability prior to the completion
of vehicle useful life. General Motors, however, urges that all recommended
maintenance services be pe~ormed at the indicated intervals and the maintenance be recorded in “Section
E: Maintenance Record. ”
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