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~~ NOTICE:
~~~
In cold weather, water
can freeze and
crack the engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
Use the recom-
mended coolant. When
the coolant in the
coolant recovery
tank is at or above the
"FULL" mark.
start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there's
ope more thing you can try. You can add
the proper coolant mix directly to the
radiator, but be sure the coolink 7 . 4: y. stem
is cool before you
do it.
A CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out and
burn you badly. They
are under pres-
sure, and
if you turn the radiator
pressure cap
- even a little - they can
come out
at high speed. Never turn
the cap when the
cooling system,
including the radiator pressure cap, is
hot. Wait for the cooling system and
radiator pressure
cap to cool if you
ever have to turn the pressure cap.
I
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Page 145 of 258
Problems on the Road
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
1. You can remove the radiator pressure
cap when the cooling system,
including the radiator pressure cap an(
upper radiator hose, is
no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly
to the
left
until it first stops. (Don’t press
down while turning the pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop
A hiss means there is still some
pressure left.
. . .I44
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap,
but now push down
as you turn it.
Remove the pressure cap.
3. Fill the radiator with the proper mix,
up to the base of the filler neck.
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Page 146 of 258
4. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to
the
"FULL" murk. Put the
cap back
on the coolant
recovery tank,
but leave the radiator
pressure cap
off.
6.
0
Start the engine and let it run until
you can feel the upper radiator hose
getting hot. Watch out for the engine
fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside
the radiator filler neck may be lower.
If the level is lower, add more of the
proper
mix through the filler neck
until the level reaches the base of the
filler neck.
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Page 147 of 258

Problems on the Road
7, Then replace the pressure cap. At any
time during this procedure,
if coolant
begins
to flow out of the filler neck,
reinstall
the pressure cap. Be sure the
arrows on
the pressure cap line up like
this.
. .I46
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while
you’re driving, especially
if you maintain
your tires properly.
If air goes out of a
tire, it’s much more likely to leak out
slowly.
But if you should ever have a
“blowout.” here are a few tips about what
to expect and what to do:
If a front tire Fails, the flat tire will create
a drag that pulls the vehicle toward that
side. Tdke your foot off
the accelerator
pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer
to maintain lane position, then
gently brake to a stop well out
of the
traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve,
acts much like
a skid and may require the
same correction you’d use
in a skid. In
any rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by steering
the way you
want the vehicle to go. It rnay be very
bumpy and noisy, but
you can still steer.
fently brake to a stop, well off the road
if possible.
If a tire goes tlat, the next section shows
how to use your jacking equipment
to
:hange a tlat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes tlat, avoid further tire and
wheel damage by driving slowly
to a
level place.
Turn on your hazard warning
flashers.
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Here you will 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
.
Service & Appearance Care
Service ........................................................
Fuel ..........................................................
Checking Things under the Hood ...................................
HoodRelease .................................................
Engineoil ...................................................
Aircleaner ...................................................
Automatic Transmission Fluid ....................................
Manual Transmission Fluid ......................................
Clutch Adjustment .............................................
RearAxle ....................................................
Four-WheelDrive .............................................
Enginecoolant ................................................
Power Steering Fluid ...........................................
Windshield Washer Fluid ........................................
Brake Master Cylinder ..........................................
Bulb Replacement ...............................................
Loading Your Vehicle ..........................................
Tires ........................................................
Appearance Care Materials Chart ...................................
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ................................
Service Parts Identification Label ...................................
Add-on Electrical Equipment ......................................
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ........................................
Capacities and Specifications .......................................
Battery ......................................................
Appearancecare ................................................
ReplacementBulbs ..............................................
156
156
159
159
162
165
167
168
169 169
170 170
173
174
174
176 177
181
183
189 195 196
196
196
196
199
200
155 ...
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Service and Appearance Care
6% CAUTION:
When you open the hood, you’ll see on
the 8-valve engine:
1. Battery
2. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
3. Oil Fill Cap
4. Brake Fluid Reservoir
5. Air Cleaner
6. Engine Coolant Reservoir
(if equipped)
7. Power Steering Reservoir
8. Radiator Pressure Cap
9. Electric Engine Fan
IO. Engine Oi I Dipstick
11. Windshield Washer Rescrvoir
12. Main Fuse Box
Things that burn can get on hot engine
parts and start a fire. These include
liquids like gasoline, oil, coolant,
brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and pXastic OT rubber.
You or others could be burned. Be
careful not to drop or spill things that
will burn onto a hot engine.
Before closing the hood, be sure all
the filler caps are on.
. . .160
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When you open the hood, you’ll see on
the 16-valve engine:
1. Battery
2. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
3. Oil Fill Cap
4. Brake Fluid Reservoir
5. Air Cleaner
6. Engine Coolant Reservoir (if equipped)
7. Power Steering Reservoir
8. Radiator Pressure Cap
9. Electric Engine Fan
IO. Engine Oil Dipstick
11. Windshield Washer Reservoir
12. Main Fuse Box
A CAUTION:
Things that bm can get on hot engiae
parts and start a fxe. These include
liquids like gasoline, oil, coolant,
brake fluid, windshield
washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber.
You
or others could be burned. Be
careful not to drop or spill things that
will bum onto a hot engine.
Before closing the hood, be sure all
the filler caps are on.
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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 (1 6 km).
The engine is at low speed most of the
time (as
in door-to-door delivery, or
stop-and-go traffic).
You tow a trailer often.
Most trips are through dusty places.
The vehicle is frequently operated
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your
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 (1 2 500 km) or
7.5 months - whichever comes first.
off-road.
Engine
Coolant Heater (Engine Block
Heater)
An engine coolant heater can be a big
help
if you have to park outside in very
cold weather,
0°F (-I 8°C) or colder. If
your vehicle has this option, see “Engine
Coolant Heater”
in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil
contains elements that may be unhealthy
for your skin and could even cause
cancer? 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. (See the manufacturer’s warnings
about
the use and disposal of oil products.)
Used oil can
be a real threat to the
environment.
If you change your own oil,
be sure
to drain all free-tlowing oil from
the filter before disposal. Don’t ever
dispose of oil by putting
it in the trash,
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.
Air Cleaner
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
detertnine when to replace the
air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services“
ir
the Index.
A CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the 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.
165.
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