Problems on the Road
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery
tank
is boiling, don’t do anything else
until it cools down.
The coolant level should be at or above
“FULL.” If it isn’t, you may have a leak
in the radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump or somewhere else
in the cooling system. I NOTICE:
I
Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant isn’t covered
by your warranty.
[f there seems to be no leak, check to see
if the electric engine fan is running.
If the
mgine is overheating, the fan should be
running. If it isn’t, your vehicle needs
service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery
Tank
[f you haven’t found a problem yet, but
:he coolant level isn’t at or above the
“FULL” mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
:lean water (preferably distilled) and a
xoper antifreeze at
the coolant recovery
:a&. (See “Engine Coolant” in the Index
for more information about the proper
:oolant mix.)
. . .I42
ProCarManuals.com
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 ..............................................
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159
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167
168
169 169
170 170
173
174
174
176 177
181
183
189 195 196
196
196
196
199
200
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ProCarManuals.com
worry if you hear a little pinging noise
when you’re accelerating or driving up a
hill. That’s normal and you don’t have to
buy a higher octane fuel to get rid of
pinging. It’s the heavy, constant knock
that means you have a problem.
What about gasoline
with blending
materials that contain oxygen
(oxygenates), such as MTBE or alcohol?
MTBE
is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.”
Fuel that is no more than
15% MTBE is
fine for your vehicle.
Ethanol
is ethyl or grain alcohol.
Properly-blended fuel that
is no more
than
10% ethanol is fine for your vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
NOTICE:
Fuel that is more than S% methanol
is bad for your vehicle. Don’t use it.
It can corrode metal parts
in your fuel
system and also damage plastic and
rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty. And
even
at 5% or less, there must be
“cosolvents” and corrosion prevent-
ers
in this fuel to help avoid these
problems.
Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with deposit control
additives
will help prevent deposits from
forming
in your engine and fuel system.
That helps keep your engine
in tune and
your emission control system working
properly. It’s good for your vehicle, and
you’ll be doing your part
for cleaner air.
Many gasolines are now blended with
oxygenates. General Motors recommends
that you use gasolines
with these blending
materials, such as MTBE and ethanol. By
doing
so, you can help clean the air,
especially
in those parts of the country
that have high carbon monoxide levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are
now producing reformulated gasolines.
These gasolines are specially designed to
reduce vehicle emissions. General Motors
recommends that you use reformulated
gasoline.
By doing so, you can help clean
the air, especially
in those parts of the
country that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station
operators
if their gasolines contain deposit
control additives and oxygenates, and
if
they have been reformulated to reduce
vehicle emissions.
Fuels in Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country
outside the
U.S. or Canada, unleaded fuel
may be hard to find.
Do not use leaded
gasoline. If you use even one tankful,
your emission controls won’t work well
or at all. With continuous use, spark plugs
can get fouled, the exhaust system can
corrode, and your engine oil can
deteriorate quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen
sensor
will be damaged. All of that means
costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto
club, or contact a major oil company
that
does business in the country where you’ll
be driving.
You can also write us
at the following
address for advice. Just tell us where
you’re going and give your Vehicle
Identification Number
(VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
Corporation
157.. ProCarManuals.com
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
ProCarManuals.com
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.
161 ... ProCarManuals.com
Service and Appearance Care
rhen lift the hood to relieve pressure on
he hood prop. Remove the hood prop
rom the slot
in the hood and return the
Jrop
to its retainer. Then just let the hood
[own and close
it firmly.
. .162
Engine Oil
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil
level every time you get fuel. In order to
get an accurate reading,
the oil must be
warm and the vehicle
must be on level
ground.
Turn off the engine and give
the oil a few
minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If
you don’t, the oil dipstick might not show
the actual level.
To Check Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a
paper towel or cloth, then push it back in
all the way. Remove it again, keeping the
tip lower.
ProCarManuals.com
X-Valve Engine
When to Add Oil:
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark,
you’ll need
to add some oil. But you must
use
the right kind. This section explains
what kind
of oil to use. For crankcase
capacity, see “Capacities and
Specifications”
in the Index.
NOTICE:
Donl add too tnuch oil. If your
engine has
so much oil that the oil
level gets above the upper mark that
shows the proper operating range,
your engine
could be damaged.
IO-Valve Engine
Just fill it enough to put the level
somewhere
in the proper operating range.
Push
the dipstick all the way back in
when you‘re through.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Beginning midyear 1993, oils of the
proper quality for your vehicle will be
identified with this new “starburst”
symbol. The “starburst” symbol indicates
that the
oil has been certified by the
American Petroleum Institute (API), and
is preferred for use in your gasoline
engine.
You should look for this on the front of
the oil container, and use o& oils that
display this new symbol.
You should also use the proper viscosity
oil for your vehicle, as shown in the
following chart:
163 ... ProCarManuals.com
Service and Appearance Care
Recommended SAE Viscosity
Grade Engine Oils
For best fuel economy and cold starting,
select the
lowest SAE viscosity grade oil
for the expected temperature range.
HOT
WEATHER
-80 -27
SAE 5W-30 PREFERRED
COLD
WEATHER
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30 GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30 GRADE
MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES ABOVE 40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C).
DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRAOE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED.
As shown in the chart, SAE SW-30 is best
for your vehicle. However, you can use
SAE IOW-30 if it’s going to be 0°F
(-1 8°C) or above. These numbers on an
oil container show its viscosity, or
thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils,
such
as SAE IOW-40 or SAE 2OW-SO.
If you cannot find oils with the new
“starburst” symbol on the front of the
container,
you should look for and use
oils containing the following three things:
Ski or SG
“SH” or “SG” must be on the oil
container, either
by itself or combined
with other quality designations, such
as
“SHKD,” “SH,SG,CD,” “SGKD,”
etc. These letters show American
Petroleum Institute (API) levels of
quality.
SAE SW-30
Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the container
will help you save fuel.
These three things are usually included in
1 doughnut shaped logo (symbol) on most
Zontainers.
If you cannot find oils with the
“starburst” symbol, you should
look for
lils with the doughnut shaped symbol,
;.ontaining the three things noted above.
NOTICE:
If you use oils that do not have either
the “starburst” symbol or
an API SH
or SG designation, you can cause
engine damage not covered
by your
warranty.
3M Goodwrench” oil (in Canada, GM
Engine Oil) meets
all the requirements
[or your vehicle.
. . .164 ProCarManuals.com