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.
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.;
.
. . .
1
.
In this part you’ll find out how to
operate the comfort control
systems and audio systems
offered with your Geo
. Be sure
to read about the particular
system supplied with your
vehicle .
Part 3
Comfort Controls 8t Audio
Systems
Comfort Controls .................................................. 84
Heater Controls
................................................. 85
Air Conditioner Controls
.......................................... 85
Rear Window Defogger ........................................... 86
Flow-Through Ventilation System
................................... 86
Audiosystems
.................................................... 87
AM/FMStereo
.................................................. 88
AM/FM Stereo
with Cassette Tape Player ............................. 89
AM/FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and Compact
Disc Player ............. 93
Understanding Radio Reception .................................... 97
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player ................................... 97
Care of Your Compact Discs ....................................... 98
Antenna ....................................................... 98
Settingtheclock ................................................ 88
83 ...
ProCarManuals.com
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.
ProCarManuals.com
Ventilation
For mild outside temperatures, when little
heating or cooling is needed, you can still
direct outside air through your vehicle.
1. Move the air intake lever to .
2. Move the airflow lever to :$ .
3. Adjust the temperature lever to a
4. Move the fan control lever to # .
comfortable setting.
Defogging and Defrosting
Windows
1. Slide the air intake lever to -.
2. Slide the airflow lever to to
direct air to the windshield vents.
3. Slide the temperature lever toward the
4. Slide the fan lever to # .
When the windshield is clear, turn down
the fan speed.
To defog the side windows, slide the
airflow lever to
,?A . For increased
airflow to
the side vents, close the center
vents
.
right.
4ir Conditioner Controls
The air conditioning system uses the Sam
:ontrols as the heating system. The
unction of each lever is explained under
‘Heater Controls”
in this part. The
ncoming air is cooled and dehumidified
nstead of being heated.
UC: Push this button to change your
:omfort control system from heating to
lir conditioning. A light will come on
when the air conditioning is on. The
‘A/C” button can also control the
wmidity
in your vehicle.
Cooling
The air conditioner works best if you keep
your windows closed.
On very hot days,
open the windows just
long enough for
the hot air to escape.
1. Push the “A/,’, button.
2. Move the air intake lever to-for
normal cooling. For faster cooling
move the lever to&
.
3. Move the airflow lever to *> .
4. Move the temperature control lever
5. Move the fan control lever to # .
toward the left.
Dehumidifying
On days when it is raining or the humidity
is
high, follow these dehumidifying steps
instead of the cooling directions. It will
help clean windows that are cloudy with
moisture.
1. Push the “A/,” button.
2. Move the air intake lever tom.
3. Move the airflow lever to 9.
4. Move the fan control lever toward
3s.
5. Adjust the temperature control lever to
a comfortable setting.
85 ...
ProCarManuals.com
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
?ear Window Defogger
’he rear window defogger uses a
varrning grid to remove fog from the rear
.vindow.
’ress the switch
to turn on the defogger.
9n indicator light n,ill come on below the
;witch
to remind you that the defogger is
m. Press the switch again
to turn the
jefogger off. The rear window defogger
vi11 also turn off if you turn the ignition
;witch
to ”ACC” or “LOCK.”
lo not attach anything like a temporary
xhicle license
or a decal across the
lefogger grid on the rear window.
NOTICE:
Don‘t use a razor blade or something
else sharp on the inside
of the rear
window.
If you do, you could cut or
damage the warming
grid. and the
repairs wouldn‘t
be covcrcd by your
warranty.
Vow- Through Ventilation
system
’our Geo‘s flow-through ventilation
,ystem supplies
outside air into the
whicle when
it is moving. Outside air
vill also enter the vehicle when the heater
)r the ilir conditioning flln is running.
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ProCarManuals.com
Problems on the Road
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage
on your Geo instrument panel.
If Steam Is Coming from Your Engine:
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because
you keep driving with no coolant,
your vehicle can be badly damaged.
The costly repairs would not be cov-
ered by your warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming from Your
Engine:
If you get the overheat warning but see or
hear no steam, the problem may not be
too serious. Sometimes the engine can get
a little too hot when you:
0 Climb a long hill on a hot day.
0 Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no
sign of steam, try this
for a minute or so:
1.
If you have an air conditioner, turn it
off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the
highest fan speed and open the
window as necessary.
(Neutral).
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to “N”
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ProCarManuals.com
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.
171 ..
ProCarManuals.com
~ Service and Appearance Care
r
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive
with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may
cause a brake squeal when the brakes are
first applied or lightly applied. This does
not mean something is wrong with your
brakes.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear
brake rubbing noise, have the rear brake linings inspected. Also, the rear brake
drums should be removed and inspected
each time the tires are removed for
rotation or changing. When you have the front brakes replaced, have
the rear
brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced
as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does
not return to normal height, or if there is a
rapid increase in pedal travel. This could
be a sign
of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your
disc brakes adjust for wear.
If your brake pedal goes down farther
than normal, your rear drum brakes may
need adjustment. Adjust them by backing
up and firmly applying the brakes a few
times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle
is complex. Its many parts have to be of
top quality and work well together
if the
vehicle is
to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have
top-quality GM brake parts in them, as
your Geo does when it is new. When you replace parts
of your braking system -
for example,
when your brake linings
wear down and you have to have new
ones put in
- be sure you get new
genuine
GM replacement parts. If you
don’t, your brakes may no longer work
properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front
and rear brakes can change, for the worse.
The braking performance you’ve come to
expect can change in many other ways if
someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Every new Geo has a Delco Freedoms
battery.
You never have to add water to
one
of these. When it’s time for a new
battery, we recommend a Delco
Freedoma battery. Get one that has the
catalog number shown on the original
battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle
for
25 days or more, take off the black,
negative
(-) cable from the battery. This
. . .I76
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