1994 CHEVROLET TRACKER manual transmission

1. Hold the brake pedal down with your
right foot and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into “P” (Park)
position like this:
0 Hold in the button on the lever,
and push the lever all
the way
toward the front of your vehicle.
3. If you have four-wheel drive, be sure
the transfer case is
in a drive gear -
not in “N” (Neutral).
4. Move the key to “LOCK.”
5. Remove the key and take it with you.
If you can walk away from your
vehicle
with the key in your hand,
your vehicle is
in “P” (Park).
Leaving Your Vehicle with the
Engine Running
(AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION)
A CAUTION:
Xt can be dangerous to leave your
vehicle with the engine running. Your
vehicle could move suddenly if the
shift lever is not fully in “P” (Park)
with the parking brake firmly set.
I€ YOU have four-wheel drive and
your transfer case is in “N” (Neutral),
your vehicle
will be free to roll, even
if your shift lever
is in “F‘” (Park). So
be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear
- not in “N’ (Neutral).
And, if you leave the vehicle with the
engine running, it
could overheat and
even catch
fie. You or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle
with the engine running unless
you
have to.
Torque Lock
(AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t
shift your transmission into “P” (Park)
properly, the weight
of the vehicle may
put too much force
on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult
to pull the shift lever out of “P” (Park).
This is called ”torque lock.” To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into “P“ (Park) properly before
you leave the driver‘s seat. To find out
how, see “Shifting into ’P7 (Park)’‘ in the
Index.
When you are ready
to drive, move the
shift lever
out of “P?’ (Park) BEFORE you
release the parking brake.
If “torque lock” does occur, you may
need
to have another vehicle push yours a
little uphill
to take some of the pressure
from
the transmission, so you can pull the
shift lever out of ’bP’’ (Park).
Shifting out of P (Park)
(AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION)
Your Geo has a brake-transmission shift
interlock. You have
to fully apply your
regular brake before
you can shift from
.‘P’’ (Park) when the ignition is in the
49 ... ProCarManuals.com

Features and Controls
“ON” position. See “Automatic
Transmission”
in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of “P” (Park), ease
pressure on the shift lever
- push the
shift lever all the
way into “P” (Park) and
release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press
the shift lever button and move the shift
lever into the gear you wish.
/-
8
If you ever hold the brake pedal down bul
still can’t shift out of “P’ (Park), try this:
1. Apply And hold the brake until the en(
of step
6.
2. If the engine is running, shut it off.
Turn the key to
“ON” or “ACC.”
3. Find the access hole cover (A) on the
driver’s side
of the console, near the
shift lever.
4. Remove the screw (B) and cover (A).
5. Inside you’ll see the return plate (C).
Using your finger, move the return
plate toward the rear of the vehicle
until it stops.
6. Move the shift lever into the gear you
want.
7. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you
can.
Parking Your Vehitle
(MANUAL TRANSMISSION)
Before you get out of your vehicle,
put your manual transmission in “R”
(Reverse) and firmly apply the parking
brake.
If you have four-wheel drive, be sure
your transfer case is
in a drive gear.
Your vehicle could roll
if it isn’t.
If your vehicle is equipped to tow a
trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in the
Index.
... 50
ProCarManuals.com

I Parking over Things That Burn
A CAUTION;
Things that can bum could touch hot
exhaust
parts under your vehicle and
ignite. Don’t park over papers,
leaves,
dry pss or other things that
can bum.
Engine Exhaust
.I
A CAUTION:
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains
the gas carbon monoxide (CO),
wlch you can’t see or smell. It can I
cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if
Your exhaust system sounds
strange
or different.
a Your vehicle gets rusty
underneath.
a Your vehicle was damaged in a
collision.
* Your vehicle was damaged when
driving over high points on the
road or over
road debris.
Repairs weren’t done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system
had been modified improperly.
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming
into your vehicle:
0 Drive it only with all the
windows down to blow out any
CO; and
immediatelv.
* Have your vehicle fixed
Running Your Engine While
You’re Parked
(AUTOMATlC TRANSMISSION)
It’s better not to park with the engine
running. But if you ever have to, here
some things to know.
A CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the air system
control
off could allow dangerous
exhaust
into your vehicle (see the
earlier Caution under “Engine
Exhaust”).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can
let deadly carbon monoxide
(GO)
into your vehicle even if the fan
switch
is at the highest setting. One
place
this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust - with CO - can come in
easily.
NEVER park in a garage with
the engine running.
Another clased-in place can be a
blizzard. (See “Blizzard”
in the
Index.)
51 ...
ProCarManuals.com

Instrument Panel
1. Air Vent
2. Side Defroster Vent
3. Turn Signalbights Control/Headlight
4. Instrument Cluster
5. Hazard Warning Flasher
6. Windshield Wipermasher Lever
7. Rear Window Wiper Switch
8. Comfort Controls
Beam
Lever
9. Audio System
10. Lighter
11. Assist Grip
12. Glove Box
13. Transmission Shift Lever
14. Coinholder and Bin
15. Transfer Case Shift Lever
16. Parking Brake Lever
17. Ashtray
18. Rear Window Washer Switch
19. Ignition Switch
20. Horn
21. Fuse Block
22. Rear Window Defogger Switch
23. Brightness Control
65 ...
ProCarManuals.com

0 Is the hill simply too rough‘? Steep hills
often have ruts, gullies, troughs and
exposed rocks because
they are more
susceptible
to the effects of erosion.
Driving Uphill
Once you decide you can safely drive up
the hill,
you need to take some special
steps.
0 Use a low gear and get a firm grip on
the steering wheel.
Get a smooth start up the hill and try
to maintain your speed. Don’t use
more power than
you need, because
you don’t want your wheels
to start
spinning or sliding.
Try to drive straight up the hill if at a1
possible.
If the path twists and turns,
you might want to find another route.
0
0
0
0
Ease up on your speed as you
approach the top
of the hill.
Attach a flag to the vehicle to tnake
you more visible to approaching
traffic on trails
or hills.
Sound the
horn as you approach the
top
of the hill to let opposing traffic
know you’re there.
Use your headlights even during the
day. They make you more visible
to
oncoming traffic.
Q: What should I do if my vehicle
A:
0
0
0
0
stalls, or is about to stall, and I can’t
make
it up the hill?
If this happens, there are some things
you should do, and there are some
things you must not do. First, here’s
what you should do:
Push the brake pedal
to stop the
vehicle and keep
it from rolling
backwards. Also, apply
the parking
brake.
If your engine is still running, shift the
transmission into reverse, release the
parking brake, and slowly back down
the
hill in reverse.
If your engine has stopped running,
you’ll need to restart it. With the brake
pedal depressed and
the parking brake
still applied,
shift the transmission to
“P” (Park) (or, shift to “N” (Neutral)
if your vehicle has a manual
transmission) and restart
the engine.
Then, shift
to reverse, release the
parking brake, and slowly back down
the
hill as straight as possible in
reverse.
As you are backing down the hill, put
your left hand
on the steering wheel at
the
12 o’clock position. This way,
111 . . .
ProCarManuals.com

Your Driving and the Road
you'll be able to tell if your wheels are
stl-aisht and maneuver
as you back
down. It's best thur ~LI i);\c.l; c'lown the
hill with your wheeis straight rather
than
in the left or right direction.
Turning the wheel
too far to the left or
right will increase the possibility of a
rollover.
Here are some things you must
not do if
you stall, or are about to stall, when going
up a
hill.
0
Never attempt to prevent a stall by
shifting
into "N" (Neutral) (or
depressing
the clutch. if you have a
manual transmission) to "rev-up" the
engine and regain forward rnornentum.
This won't work. Your vehicle
will
roll backwards very quickly and you
could
go out of control. Instead. apply
the regular brake to stop the vehicle.
Then apply the parking brake. Shift into reverse, release the parking brake,
and slowly back straight down.
Never attempt
to turn around if you
are about
to stall when going up a hill.
If the hill is steep enough to stall your
vehicle, it's steep enough to cause
you
to roll over if you turn around. If you
can't make
it up the hill, you must
back straight down the
hill.
0: Suppose, after stalling, I try to back
down the hill and decide
I just can't
do it. What should I do?
A: Set the parking brake, put your
transmission
in "P'* (Park) (or the
manual transmission in first gear). and
turn off the engine. Leave the vehicle
and go get some help. Exit on the
uphill side and
stay clear of the path
the vehicle would take
if it rolled
downhill.
Do not shift thc transfer
case
to "N" (Neutral) when you leave
the vehicle. Leave it in some gear.
Driving Downhill
When off-roading takes you downhill,
JOU'II want to consider a number of
hings:
D How steep is the downhill'? Will I be
able
to maintain vehicle control'?
D What's the surfilce like? Smooth?
Rough'! Slippery'? Hard-packed dirt?
Gravel'?
. . .112
ProCarManuals.com

0 Are there hidden surface obstacles?
Ruts? Logs? Boulders?
0 What’s at the bottom of the hill? Is
there a hidden creek bank or even a
river bottom with large rocks?
If you decide you can go down a
hill
safely, then try to keep your vehicle
headed straight down, and use a low gear.
This way, engine drag can help your
brakes and they won’t have to do all the
work. Descend slowly, keeping your
vehicle under control at all times.
Q: Are there some things I should not
do when driving down
a hill?
A: Yes! These are important because if
you ignore them you could lose
control and have a serious accident.
When driving downhill, avoid turns
that take you across the incline
of the
hill.
A hill that’s not too steep to drive
down may be too steep to drive
across. You could roll over if you
don’t drive straight down.
Never go downhill with the
transmission in “N” (Neutral), or with
the clutch pedal depressed in a manual
shift. This is called “free-wheeling.”
Your brakes will have to do all the
work and could overheat and fade.
Avoid braking
so hard that you lock
the front wheels when going downhill.
If your front wheels are locked, you
can’t steer your vehicle. If your
wheels lock up during downhill
braking, you may feel the vehicle
starting to slide sideways.
To regain
your direction, just ease
off the brakes
and steer to keep the front of the
vehicle pointing straight downhill.
Q: Am I likely to stall when going
downhill?
A:
0
0
0
0
It‘s much more likely to happen going
uphill.
But if it happens going
downhill, here’s what to do.
Stop your vehicle by applying the
regular brakes. Apply the parking
brake.
Shift to
“P” (Park) (or to Neutral with
the manual transmission) and, while
still braking, restart the engine.
Shift back to a low gear, release the
parking brake, and drive straight down.
If the engine won’t start, get out and
get help.
Driving Across an Incline
Sooner or later, an off-road trail will
probably go across the incline
of a hill. If
this happeris, you have to decide whether
to try to drive across the incline. Here are
some things to consider:
0 A hill that can be driven straight up
or down may be too steep to drive
across. When you go straight up or
down a hill, the length
of the wheel
base (the distance from the front
wheels to the rear wheels) reduces the
113 :. .
ProCarManuals.com

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.
ILI . . .
ProCarManuals.com