
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
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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.
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Features and Controls
If 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 “P’ (Park). So, be sure the
transfer case
is in a drive gear - not in
“N’ (Neutral).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your
vehicle won’t move. See “Shifting into
‘P’ (Park)” in the Index.
If you’re parking on a
hill and if you’re
pulling a trailer,
also see “Towing a
Trailer’’ in the Index.
Windows
Manual Windows
Use the window crank to open and close
each door window.
Rear Swing-Out Side Windows
To open this window, pull the latch out
and forward.
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Features and Controls
-- I
-- a1
Headlight HighlLow Ream
First, you must have the headlights on.
For high beams, push the turn signal lever
away from you. When
the high beams are
on, a blue light on the instrument panel
also will be
on. It will go off when you
switch to low beam. To switch back
to
low beams, pull the lever toward you.
Passing Signal
With the lever in the low beam position,
pull the lever toward you
to momentarily
switch to high beam (to signal that
you
are going to pass). When you release the
lever, the headlights will return
to low
beam operation.
Daytime Running Lights (Canada)
The Canadian Federal Government has
decided that “Daytime Running Lighls”
(DRL) are
a useful feature, in that DRL
can make your vehicle more visible to
pedestrians and other drivers during
daylight hours. DRL are required
on new
vehicles sold
in Canada.
The low beam headlights will come on at
reduced brightness in daylight when:
0 The ignition is on
0 The headlight switch is off, and
The parking brake is released.
When
you turn on your headlights, the
DRL will switch
off and the exterior
lights will come on. When
you turn off
the headlights, the exterior lights will go
out and the low beams will change
to the
reduced brightness of DRL again.
The DRL indicator light on the instrument
panel will go on whenever the DRL are
on. This light means that only the DRL
are on. When you turn on your exterior
lights, this light will go
out.
Of course, you may still turn on the
headlights
or passing signal any time you
need to.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set
the parking brake. The DRL will stay off
until you release the parking brake.
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Features and Controls
For a single wiping cycle, push the lever
to “MIST.” Hold it there until the wipers
start, hen let
go. The wipers will stop
after one cycle. If you want more cycles,
hold the lever
on “MIST.” longer.
Washers
Pull the wiper/washer lever toward you to
spray washer fluid’on
the windshield. The
spray will continue
until you release the
lever. This will also turn on the low speed
wipers.
Heavy snow or ice can overload your
wipers.
A circuit breaker will stop them
until the motor cools. Clear away snow or
ice to prevent an overload.
NOTICE:
0
0
0
0
When using concentrated washer
fluid, follow the manufacturer’s
instructions for adding water.
Don’t
mjx water with
ready-to-use washer fluid. Water
can cause the solution
to freeze
and damqge your washer fluid
tank and other parts of the
washer system. Also, water
doesn’t clean as well as washer
fluid.
Fill your washer fluid
tank only
3/4 full when it’s very cold. This
allows
for expansion, which
could damage the tank
if it is
compldtel) full.
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in
your wipdshield washer. It can
damage your paint.
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Features and Controls
3utside Manual Adjust Mirrors
The mirrors should be adjusted by hand
io that you can just see the side of your
Iehicle, when you are sitting in a
:omfortable position.
Storage and
Compartments
Glove Box
To open the glove box, pull the latch
toward you. Use
your key to lock and
unlock the glove
box.
loor Storage Compartments
lach door has a storage compartment.
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Features and Controls
If the light comes on while you are
driving,
pull off the road and stop
carefully. You may notice that the pedal is
harder
to push. Or, the pedal may go
closer to the floor. It may take longer to
stop. If the light is still on. have the
vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing
Your Vehicle“
in the Index.)
p CAUTION:
Your brake system may not be work-
ing properly if the brake system
warning light is on, Driving with the
brake system warning light on can
lead
to an accident. If the light is still
on after you’ve pulled off the road
and stopped carefully, have the
vehicle towed
for service.
The brake system warning light will also
come
on when you set your parking
brake, and
it will stay on if your parking
brake doesn’t release
fully. If it stays on
after your parking brake is fully released.
it means you have a brake problem.
‘ngine Coolant Temperature Gage
rhis gage shows the engine coolanl
emperature.
If the gage pointer moves to
he
”H” (red) side. your engine is too hot!
t means that your engine coolant has
)verheatcd and you should
stop your
ehicle and
turn off the engine HS soo~
Iossible.
1 as
HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU
BADLY!
In “Problems on the Road.” this manual
shows what to do. See ”Engine
Overheating”
in the Index.
Charging System Light
This light will come on briefly when you
turn on the ignition, but the engine is not
running, as
a check to show you it is
working. Then
it should go out when the
engine starts. If it stays on or comes on
while you are driving, you may have a
problem with the electrical charging
system.
It could indicate that you have a
loose generator drive
belt or another
electrical problem. Have
it checked right
away. Driving while this light is on could
drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with
this light on,
be certain to turn off all your
accessories. such as
the radio and air
conditioner.
. . .70
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Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
Comfort Controls
With this system, you can control the
heating and ventilation
in your Geo. If
you have the air conditioning option, you
can also control cooling.
Your vehicle also has the flow-through
ventilation system described later
in this
section.
Heater Controls
Airflow Lever
&J : This position directs the airflow
through
the instrument panel vents.
+ &* : This position directs air through the
mstrument panel vents and toward the
floor.
floor.
: This position directs air toward the
-9 : This position directs air toward the Q.
floor, the windshield and side windows.
9 : This position directs air to the
windshield.
Fan Control Lever
Slide the lever away from “OFF’ to turn
the heating system on. Move the lever
toward
3f to increase the fan’s speed.
Temperature Control Lever
Slide the lever to change the temperature
of the air flowing from the system. Move
it to the right for warmer air and to the
left for cooler air. The air temperature
can’t be less than the outside air
temperature.
Air Intake Lever
s: Choose this position to
recirculate the inside air through the
comfort control system.
B: Choose this position to circulate
outside air through the comfort control
system.
Heating
1. For the quickest results, move the
2. Move the airflow lever to wi .
3. Move the temperature lever toward
4. Move the fan lever toward .
5. You should switch tomonce in a
while to avoid stale
air and cloudy
windows.
air
intake lever to
a,.
the right for warmer air.
Bi-Level
You may want to use bi-level on cool,
but sunny days. This setting directs
outside air toward your body and
warmer air toward your feet.
1. Move the air intake lever to B.
2. Move the airflow lever to ,‘j .
3. Move the temperature lever to the
4. Move the fan lever toward .
center.
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