1994 CHEVROLET TRACKER Owners Manual

Service and Appearance Care
Then, without shutting off the engine,
follow these steps:
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a
clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three
seconds and then pull it back out
again.
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3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and
read the lower level. The fluid level
must be in the “COLD’ area for a
cold check or
in the “HOT” area or
cross-hatched area for a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable
range, push the dipstick back
in all
the way.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of transmission fluid
to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
[f the fluid level is low, add only enough
of the proper fluid to bring the level up to
the “COLD” area for a cold check or the
“HOT” area for a hot check. It doesn’t take
much fluid, generally less than a
pint.
Don’t overfill. We recommend you use
only fluid labeled DEXRON@-III
or
DEXRON@-IIE, because fluids with that
label are made especially for
your
automatic transmission. Dama e caused
by fluid other than DEXRON
8 -m or
DEXRON@-IIE is not covered by your
new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid
level as described under “How to
Check.”
obtained, push
the dipstick back in
all the way.
When the correct fluid level is
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to have it checked is when
the engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to change your transmission fluid. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the
Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at your Geo dealership Service
Department.
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If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all
the instructions here, or you could get a
false reading.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can
darnage your transmission.
Too much
can mean that some of the tluid could
come out and Pall on hot engine parts
or exhaust system parts, starting a
fire. Be sure to get an accurate read-
ing
if you check your transmission
fluid.
Check the fluid level only when your
engine is
off, the vehicle is parked on a
level place and the transmission is cool
enough for
you to rest your fingers on the
transmission case.
Then, follow these steps:
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Check that the lubricant level is up to
the bottom
of the filler plug hole.
3. If the fluid level is good, install the
plug and
be sure it is fully seated. If
the fluid level is low, add more fluid
as described in the next steps.
How to Add Fluid:
Here’s how to add tluid. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of tluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index.
1. Rernove the filler plug.
2. Add tluid at the filler plug hole. Add
only enough fluid to bring the fluid
level
LIP to the bottom of the filler
plug hole.
3. Install the filler plug. Be sure the plug
is
fully seated.
CIutch Adjustment
The clutch linkage in your vehicle
should be checked
as recommended in
your Maintenance Schedule. To check,
push the clutch pedal down
with your
hand
until you feel some resistance to
movement of the pedal.
If the pedal
moves freely up to an inch
(25 mm) or
so before you feel resistance to the travel,
adjustment isn’t needed.
If there is no free travel or very little
(less than
S/8 of an inch), see your dealer
for adjustment.
Rear Axle
WheR to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine how often to check
the
lubricant and when to change it. See
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” and
“Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the
Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the
filler plug hole, you’ll need to add some
lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise
the level
to the bottom of the filler plug
hole.
What to Use:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what
kind 01‘ lubricant to use.
See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
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~~ ~ ~~~~ ~ Service and Appearance Care
Four- Wheel Drive
Most
lubricant checks in this section also
apply to four-wheel-drive vehicles.
However, they have
two additional
systems that need lubricatiog.
Transfer Case
When to Check qnd Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change
it. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the
Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the
filler plug hole, you’ll need to add some
lubricant. Add enough lubricant to raise
the level to the bottom of the filler plug
hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of lybricant to use.
See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
Front Axle
When
to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to a
determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change it. See
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” and
“Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the
Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the
filler plug hole, you’ll need to add some
lubricant.
If the differential is at operating
temperature (warm), add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler
plug hole.
If the differential
is cold, add enough
lubricant to raise the level to
1/2 inch (12
mm) below the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine
what kind of lubricant to use.
See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling
system and how to add coolant when it is
low. If you have a problem with engine
overheating, see “Engine Overheating”
in
the Index.
The proper coolant for your Geo will:
Give freezing protection down to
-20°F (-29”C), or -34°F (-37°C)
in
Canada and for vehicles with the cold
climate option.
Give boiling protection up to 258°F
(125°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
temperature.
Let the warning lights work as they
should.
What to Use:
Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets “GM Specification
6038-M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts.
You can also use a recycled coolant
conforming to
“GM Specification
6038-M”
with a complete coolant flush
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and refill. If you use this mixture. you
don't need to add anything else.
A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your
cooling system can
be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other
liquid like
alcohol, can
boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle's
cool-
ant warning system is set for the
proper coolant
mix. With plain water
or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn't get the
overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be
burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and a proper antifreeze.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix,
your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost
wouldn't be covered by your war-
ranty.
Too much water in the mix can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator,
heater core and other parts. Some conditions, such
as air
trapped in
the cooling system, can af't'ect the coolant
level
in the radiator. Check the coolant
level when the engine is cold and follow
the steps under "Adding Coolant" for the
proper way
to add coolant.
If you have to add coolant Inore than four
times
a year. have your dealer check your
cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant. you
don't have to add extra inhibitors
or
additives which claim to improve thc
system. These can
be harmful.
%-Valve Engine
Adding Coolant
To Check Coolant: When your engine is
cold.
the coolant level should be at
"LOW," or a little higher. When your
engine
is warm. the level should be up to
"FULL." or a little higher.
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Service and Appearance Care
Radiator Pressure Cap
16-Valve Engine
To Add Coo1ant:If you need to add more
coolant, add the proper mix
qt the coolant
recovery tank. Add
coolant
mix at the recovery tank, but
be careful not to spill it.
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 13 psi (90 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss and
possible engine damage
from over-
heating.
Be sure the amows on the
cap line up with the overflow tube
on the radiator filler neck.
When you replace
your radiator pressure
zap, an
AC@ cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled
by a thermostat in the engine coolant
system. The thermostat stops the
flow of
coolant through the radiator until the
coolant reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat,
an
Ace' thermostat is recommended.
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Power Steering FJuid
How to Check Power Steering Fluid:
Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick
with
a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten
it. Then remove the
cap again and look at the fluid level on
the dipstick.
D When the engine compartment is hot,
the level should
be at the “MAX”
mark.
D When the engine compartment is cool
the level should be at
the “MIN”
mark.
‘hat to Add:
:fer to the Maintenance Schedule to
terrnine what kind of fluid to use. See
[ecornmended Fluids and Lubricants”
in
2 Index.
NOTICE:
When adding power steering fluid or
making
a complete fluid change,
always use
the proper fluid. Failure
to use the proper fluid can cause
leaks and damage hoses and seals.
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Service and Appearance Care
Windshield Washer Fluid
To Add:
Open the cap with the washer symbol on
it. Add washer fluid until the bottle is full.
NOTICE:
When using concentrated washer
tluid, follow the manuficturer’s
instructions for adding water.
Don’t mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid. Water
can cause the solution to freeze
and damage
your washer fluid
tank and other parts
of the washer
system. Also, water doesn’t clean
as well
as washer tluid.
Fill your washer tluid tank only
3/4 full when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion, which could
damage the
tank if it is completely
full.
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in
your windshield washer. It can
damage your washer system and
paint.
Brake Master Cylinder
Your brake master cylinder is here. It is
‘illed with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
I‘here are
only two reasons why the brake
fluid level
in your master cylinder might
go down. The first is that the brake fluid
goes down
to an acceptable level during
lormal brake lining wear. When new
iinings are put
in, the fluid level goes
mck
up. The other reason is that tluid is
leaking out of the brake system.
If it is,
you should have your brake system fixed,
;ince a leak means that sooner or later
your brakes won’t work well,
or won’t
work
at all.
So, it isn‘t a good idea to “top off’ your
brake fluid. Adding brake tluid won’t
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correct a leak. If you add fluid when your
linings are worn, then you’ll have too
much fluid when you get new brake
linings. You should add (or remove)
brake fluid, as necessary, only when work
is done on the brake hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedple to
determine when to check
yoqr drake
fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections” in the Index.
To Check Brake Fluid:
You can check the brake fluid without
taking
off the cap. Just look at the
windows on the brake fluid reservoir. The
fluid levels should be above “MIN.” If
they aren’t, have your brake system
checked to see if there is a leak.
After work is done
on the brake hydraulic
system, make sure the levels are above
“MIN’ and below the top
of each
window.
What to Add:
When you do need brake fluid, use only
DOT-3 brake fluid
- such as Delco-
Supreme 11s (GM Part
No. 1052535).
Use new brake fluid from a sealed container
only, and always clean the brakl
fluid reservoir cap before removing it.
NOTICE:
Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid. For example,
just a few drops of mineral-based
oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system parts
so badly that they’ll
have to be replaced.
Brake fluid can damage paint, so
be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it
off immediately. See “Appearance
Care” in the Index.
Brake Wear
Your Geo has front disc brakes and rear
drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The
sound may come and
go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving (except
when you are pushing on the brake pedal
firmly).
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