These symbols are on some of your
controls:
Windshield Wiper
Windshield Washer
Windshield Defroster
Rear Window Wiper
and Washer
Rear Window Wiper
Rear Window Defogger Ventilating Fan Recirculate
Inside
Air
Circulate
Outside Air
Bi-Level
Vent
Heater
These symbols are used on warning and
indicator
lights:
Engine Coolant Temperature
Battery Charging System
Fl
Fuel
Engine Oil Pressure
Brake (Canada) Daytime Running Lights
.***to
(Canada) **e
f ...
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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
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4. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to
the
"FULL" murk. Put the
cap back
on the coolant
recovery tank,
but leave the radiator
pressure cap
off.
6.
0
Start the engine and let it run until
you can feel the upper radiator hose
getting hot. Watch out for the engine
fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside
the radiator filler neck may be lower.
If the level is lower, add more of the
proper
mix through the filler neck
until the level reaches the base of the
filler neck.
145 ... ProCarManuals.com
Problems on the Road
7, Then replace the pressure cap. At any
time during this procedure,
if coolant
begins
to flow out of the filler neck,
reinstall
the pressure cap. Be sure the
arrows on
the pressure cap line up like
this.
. .I46
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while
you’re driving, especially
if you maintain
your tires properly.
If air goes out of a
tire, it’s much more likely to leak out
slowly.
But if you should ever have a
“blowout.” here are a few tips about what
to expect and what to do:
If a front tire Fails, the flat tire will create
a drag that pulls the vehicle toward that
side. Tdke your foot off
the accelerator
pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer
to maintain lane position, then
gently brake to a stop well out
of the
traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve,
acts much like
a skid and may require the
same correction you’d use
in a skid. In
any rear blowout, remove your foot from
the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by steering
the way you
want the vehicle to go. It rnay be very
bumpy and noisy, but
you can still steer.
fently brake to a stop, well off the road
if possible.
If a tire goes tlat, the next section shows
how to use your jacking equipment
to
:hange a tlat tire safely.
Changing a Flat Tire
If a tire goes tlat, avoid further tire and
wheel damage by driving slowly
to a
level place.
Turn on your hazard warning
flashers.
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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 ..............................................
156
156
159
159
162
165
167
168
169 169
170 170
173
174
174
176 177
181
183
189 195 196
196
196
196
199
200
155 ...
ProCarManuals.com
~~
~~ ~ ~~~~ ~ 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
. . .I70
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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.
171 ..
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Maintenance Schedule
Section A: Scheduled Maintenance Services (Cont.)
&planation of Scheduled
Maintenance Services
?allowing are explanations of the services
isted in Schedule
I and Schedule II.
he proper fluids and lubricants to use are
.isted
in Section D. Make sure whoever
rervices your vehicle uses these. All parts
should be replaced and all necessary
repairs done before you or anyone else
~ives the vehicle.
NOTE: To determine your engine’s
displacement and code, see
“Engine Identification” in the
Index.
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
1 -e Oil and Filter Change* -
Always use SH or SG Energy
Conserving
II oils of proper
viscosity. The
“SH” or “SG”
designation may be shown
alone, or in combination with
others, such as “SHKD,”
“SH,
SG, CD,” “SG/CD,” etc.
* An Emission Control Service.
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
2
3
4
To determine the preferred
viscosity for your vehicle’s
engine (e.g.,
SAE 5W-30 or SAE
10W-30), see “Engine Oil” in
the Index.
Tire Wheel Rotation and
Jnspectioq
- For proper wear and
maximum tire life, rotate your
tires following the instructions
in this manual. See
“Ties,
Inspection and Rotation’’ in the
Index. Check the tires for
uneven wear or damage.
If you
see irregular or premature wear,
check the wheel alignment.
Check for damaged wheels also.
Fan (Water Pump) Drive Belt
Servk
- Inspect and adjust if
necessary at
30,000 mile
(50 000 km), or 30 month
intervals. Replace the belt at
60,000 miles (100 000 km) and
120,000 miles (200 000 km).
-shaft Timin? Belt
Replacemeat”
- Replace every
60,000 miles (100 000 km) and
ITEM NO.
SERVICE
then inspect after 30,000 miles
(50 000 km).
Drain, flush and refill the system
with new or approved recycled
coolant conforming to
GM
Specification 182SM. Keep
coolant at the proper mixture
as
specified. See “Coolant” in the
Index. This provides proper
freeze and boil protection,
corrosion inhibitor level and
maintains proper engine
operating temperature.
Inspect hoses and replace
if
they are cracked, swollen or
deteriorated. Tighten screw-type
hose clamps. Clean the outside
of the radiator and air
conditioning condenser. Wash
the pressure cap and neck.
To help ensure proper operation,
we recommend a pressure test
of
both the cooling system and the
nressure cap.
5 Coolin? Sys&nSemice* -
. . ,214
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