IC CA UTlON
A
Don’t keep driving if the oil
pressure is low. If you do,
your engine can become so hot
that it catches
on fire. You or
others could be burned. Check
your oil as soon as possible
and
have your vehicle serviced.
NOTlCE
Damage to your engine from
neglected oil problems can
costly
and is not covered by your
I
Convertible Top (OPTION)
Your convertible top features a sunroof,
a removable rear window and a
removable canvas top.
I- ~-
A Don’t change the center
- pillars or horizontal roof
support. These parts are designed
to help protect you and passengers
in a crash. Don’t
add anything,
like light bars or roll bars, to these
parts, either. If the center pillars
or horizontal roof support
are ever
damaged, be sure to have them
repaired
as soon as possible so
they’ll be able to protect you in a
crash.
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Service & Appearance Care
This doughnut-shaped logo (symbol) is
used on most oil containers to help you
select the correct oil.
You should look for this
on the oil
container, and use
only those oils that
display the logo.
GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM
‘
Engine Oil) meets all the requirements
for your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives: Don’t add
anything to
your oil. Your Geo dealer is
ready to advise if you think something
should be added.
When to Change Engine Oil: See if
any
one of these is true for you:
Most trips are less than 4 miles
(6 km).
It’s below freezing outside and most
trips are less than
10 miles (16 km).
The engine is at low speed most of
the time (as in door-to-door delivery,
or
in stop-and-go traffic).
You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places.
The vehicle is frequently operated
off-road.
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, you
need to change your oil
and filter
every 3,000 miles (5 000 km)
or 3 months - whichever comes first.
If none of them is true, change oil and
filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or
7.5 months - whichever comes first.
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What to Do with Used Oil:
CAUTION
Used engine oil contains
D things that have caused skin
Gancer in laboratory animals.
Don’t let used oil stay on your
skin for very long. Clean your
skin
and nails with soap and water
or a good hand cleaner. Wash or
properly throw away clothing or
rags containing
used engine oil. Used
oil can be
a real threat to the
environment. If you change your own
oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t
ever dispose of it by pouring it on
the
ground, into sewers, or into streams or
bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by
taking
it to a place that collects used oil.
If you have a problem properly
disposing of your used oil, ask your
dealer, a service station or a local
recycling center for help.
-m
Air Cleaner
Refer to your Maintenance Schedule to
determine when to replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the Index.
A Operating the engine with the
L air cleaner off can cause you
or others to be burned. The air
cleaner not only cleans the air, it
stops flame if the engine backfires.
If it isn’t there, and the engine
backfires, you could be burned.
Don’t drive with
it off, and be
careful working,on the engine with
the air cleaner off.
233 - =
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Service & Appearance Care
c
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire
can cause a damaging engine fire.
And, dirt can easily get into your
engine, which will damage it.
Always have
the air cleaner in
place when you're driving.
... 234
Air Filter Replacement
To check or replace the filter, remove
the screws and lift up the cover.
Automatic Tmnsmissian Fluid
When to Check and Change:
A good time to check your automatic
transmission
fluid level is when the
engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine
when to change your fluid. See
"Scheduled Maintenance Services"
in
the Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a Geo dealership Service
Department.
If you do
it yourself, be sure to follow
all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading
on the dipstick.
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After adding fluid, recheck the fluid
level as described under “How to
Check.
”
obtained, push the dipstick back in all
the way.
When the correct fluid level is
Manual Transmiisioon Fluid
When to Check and Change:
A good time to have it checked is when
the engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to find out
when
to change your transmission fluid. See
‘ ‘Scheduled Maintenance Services’ ’ in
the Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a Geo dealership Service
Department.
If you do
it yourself, be sure to follow
all the instructions here, or you could
get
a false reading.
90 much or too little fluid can
...anage your transmission.
Too
much can mean that some of the
fluid could come
out and fall on I
hot engine parts, starting a fire.
I sure to get an accurate reading if
you check your transmission fluid.
I
Check the fluid level only when your
engine is off, the vehicle is parked on a
level place and the transmission
is cool
enough
for you to rest your fingers on
the transmission case.
237 8
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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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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
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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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