These symbols are on some of your
controls:
Windshield Wiper
Windshield Washer
Windshield Defroster
Rear Window Wiper
and Washer
Rear Window Wiper
Rear Window Defogger Ventilating Fan Recirculate
Inside
Air
Circulate
Outside Air
Bi-Level
Vent
Heater
These symbols are used on warning and
indicator
lights:
Engine Coolant Temperature
Battery Charging System
Fl
Fuel
Engine Oil Pressure
Brake (Canada) Daytime Running Lights
.***to
(Canada) **e
f ...
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Features and Controls
NOTICE:
After you’ve used the coolant heater,
be sure to store the cord as
it was
before to keep
it away from moving
engine parts. If you don’t, it could be
damaged.
How long should you keep the coolant
heater plugged
in? The answer depends
on the weather, the kind
of oil you have,
and some other things. Instead of trying
to list everything here, we ask that you
contact a Geo dealer in the area where
you’ll be parking your vehicle. The dealer
can give
you the best advice for that
particular area.
Automatic
Transmission
There are several different positions for
your
shift lever.
0 P (Park)
This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your
engine because your vehicle can’t move
easily.
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I1 1
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light)
A computer monitors operation of your
fuel, ignition and emission control
1 systems. This 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.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on. after
a while the ernis-
sion 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.
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
ILJbricated and
cool. The engine could be
low on oil, or 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
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Features and Controls
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.
If you make a hard stop, the light may
come on for a moment. This is
normal.
A CAUTION:
Don't keep driving if the oil pressure
is low, If' you do, your engine can
be~ome so hot that it catches fae.
You UT ol;krers could be burned.
Check your oil as SQOD as possible
and have yaw vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from
neglected oil problems can be costly
and is not covered by your warranty.
laytime Running Lights (DRL)
ndicator Light (Canada)
F your vehicle was first sold, when new,
I Canada, you will have this light on the
xtrument panel.
It goes on whenever the
laytime Running Lights are on.
Convertible Top (OPTION)
Your convertible top features a sunroof, a
removable rear window and a removable
canvas top.
A CAlJTtON:
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Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
Clean your tape player with a
wiping-action, non-abrasive cleaning
cassette, and
follow the directions
provided
with it.
Cassettes are subject to wear and the
sound quality may degrade over time.
Always make sure that the cassette tape is
in good condition before you have your
tape player serviced.
Care of Your Compact Discs
Handle discs carefully. Store them in thei
original cases or other protective cases
and away from direct sunlight and dust.
11
the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a
clean, soft cloth
in a mild, neutral
detergent solution and clean
it, wiping
from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch the signal surface
when handling discs. Pick up discs
by
the hole and the outer edge.
c grasping the outer edges or the edge of
InteQna
Jse the knob on the end of the antenna to
aise the antenna or to push
it back down.
:eep the antenna mast clean
for good
erformance.
dways lower the antenna before entering
car wash. If you have the convertible
~p, also lower the antenna before
:moving or installing the top.
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0
0
Wiper Blades: Are they in good
shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:
Have you checked all levels?
Lights: Are they all working? Are the
lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a
safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread
good enough for long-distance
driving? Are the tires all inflated to
the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the
weather outlook along your route?
Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date
maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as
“highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain
falling asleep at the wheel? Call
it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch
of road with
the same scenery, along with
the hum of the tires
on the road, the drone
of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t let it happen
to you! If it
does, your vehicle can leave the road in
less than a second, and
you could crash
and be injured.
What can you do about highway
hypnosis? First, be aware that
it can
happen.
Then here are some tips:
0 Make sure your vehicle is well
ventilated, with a comfortably cool
interior.
0 Keep your eyes moving. Scan the
road ahead and to
the sides. Check
your mirrors and your instruments
frequently.
0 If you get sleepy, pull off the road into
a rest, service, or parking area and
take a nap, get some exercise,
or both.
For safety, treat drowsiness on the
highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain
Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is
different from driving
in flat or rolling
terrain. If you drive regularly in steep
country, or
if you’re planning to visit
there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.
(See “Off-Road Driving” in the Index
for information about driving off-road.)
Keep your vehicle in good shape.
Check all fluid levels and also the
brakes, tires, cooling system and
transmission. These parts can work
hard
on mountain roads.
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When You Are Ready to Leave after
Parking
on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold
the pedal down while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear
4. Stop and have someone pick up and
of the chocks.
store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often
when you're pulling
a trailer. See the
Maintenance Schedule for more
on this.
rhings that are especially important in
:railer operation are automatic
.ransmission lluid (don't overfill), engine
oil? axle lubricant, belts, cooling system,
and brake adjustment. Each of these
is
covered in this manual, and the Index will
help you find them quickly. If you're
trailering, it's a good idea to review these
sections before you start
your trip.
Check periodically
to see that all hitch
nuts and bolts are tight.
I
I
Recreational Vehicle
To wing
There may be times when you want to
:ow your Geo behind another vehicle for
Jse at your destination. Be sure to use the
proper towing equipment designed for
-ecreational towing. Follow the Instructions for the towing equipment.
rowing Your Geo from the Rear
rhe best way to tow your Geo is from the
-ear. Follow these steps:
1. Put the rear wheels on a dolly.
I NOTICE:
I
Do not tow your Geo with the rear
wheels
in contact with the ground. or
the transmission could be damaged. 1
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Your Driving and the Road
2. Set the parking brake.
3. If your Geo is a four-wheel-drive
vehicle, set your manual freewheeling
hubs
to ”FREE” or unlock your
automatic I‘reewheeling hubs. See “Four-wheel Drive”
in the Index.
4. Turn the ignilion key to ”ACC’‘ to
unlock the steering wheel.
5. Clamp the steering wheel in a
straight-ahead position, with a
clamping device designed for towing.
6. Release the parking brake.
I NOTICE:
I
Make sure that the towing speed does
not exceed
55 mph (90 km/h), or
your Geo could be badly damaged.
~~
Towing Your Geo from the Front
NOTICE:
If your vehicle has automatic free-
wheeling hubs
or two-wheel drive,
do not tow
it on all four wheels. If
you do, your transmission could be
damaged.
If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle
with manual freewheeling hubs, it can be
towed from the front with
all four wheels
on the ground. Follow these steps:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition key to “ACC” to
unlock the steering wheel.
3. Shift your automatic transmission into
“P” (Park), or your manual
transmission into “2” (Second).
4. Shift the transfer case to “N”
(Neutral).
“Four-wheel Drive”
in the Index.
5. Set the hubs to “FREE.” See
6. Reledse the parking brake,
Stop towing every 200 miles
(300 km)
and start the engine. Leave the transfer
case shift lever
in ”N” (Neutral). Shift
your automatic transmission
to “D”
(Drive); leave a manual transmission
in
“2” (Second) and release the clutch. Run
the engine
at medium speed for one
minute to circulate the oil in the transfer
case. Turn the ignition key to
“ACC.”
Now, you can continue towing your Geo.
I
NOTICE:
I
Make sure the towing speed does not
exceed
SO mph (80 km/h), or your
Geo could be badly damaged.
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