Seats and Restraint Systems
First, you’ll want to know which restraint
systems
your vehicle has.
We’ll start with the driver position.
Driver Position
This section describes the driver’s
restraint system.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The driver has a lap-shouldcr bclt. Here‘s
how 10 wear il properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat (to see how, see
“Seats”
in the Index) so you can sit up
straight.
3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the
belt across you. Don’t
let it get
twisted.
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle
until it clicks.
Pull up
on the latch plate to make sure
it is secure. If the belt isn’t long
enough, see “Safety Belt Extender” at
the end of
this section.
Make sure the release button on the
buckle is positioned
so you would be
able
to unbuckle the safety belt
quickly
if you ever had to.
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To unlatch the belt, just push the button
on the buckle. The belt should go back
out of the way.
Before you close
the door, be sure the belt
is out of the way. If you slam the door on
it, you can damage both the belt and your
vehicle.
Safety Belt Use during Pregnancy
Safety belts work for everyone, including
pregnant women. Like all occupants, they
are more likely to be seriously injured if
they don’t wear safety belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a
lap-shoulder belt, and
the lap portion
should be worn as low as possible
throughout the pregnancy.
The best way to protect the fetus is to
protect the mother. When a safety belt
is
worn properly, it’s more likely that the
fetus won’t be hurt in a crash. For
pregnant women, as for anyone, the key
to making safety belts effective is wearing
them properly.
L
1
Passenger Positions
Right Front Passenger Position
The right front passenger’s safety belt
works the same way as
the driver’s safety
belt. See “Driver Position,’’ earlier in this
part.
When the shoulder belt is pulled out all
the way, it will lock.
If it does, let it go
back all the way and start again.
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Here you can learn about the
many standard and optional
features on your Geo. and
information on starting. shifting
and braking
. Also explained are
the instrument panel and the
warning systems that tell you
if
everything is working properly -
and what to do if you have a
problem
.
Part 2
Features & Controls
Keys ........................................................... 36
DoorLocks ...................................................... 37
Theft
........................................................... 39
New Vehicle “Break-In” ........................................... 39
Ignitionswitch ................................................... 39
Starting
Your Engine .............................................. 40
Automatic Transmission ................. ...................... 42
Manual Transmission
............... ...................... 44
Four-wheel Drive ................................................ 46
Parking ......................................................... 48
EngineExhaust
.................................................. 51
Windows ....................................................... 52
Horn
........................................................... 53
Adjustable Steering Column ........................................ 53
Interior Lights
................................................... 57
Windshield WiperjWasher Lever
..................................... 57
Rear Window Wiperwasher
........................................ 59
Mirrors ......................................................... 59
Storage and Compartments
....................................... 60
Sun Visors
................................... .. ..... 61
Passenger Assist Grips
............................................. 62
Ashtray and Lighter
............................................... 62
Instrument Panel and Cluster
........................................ 66
The Turn Signalbights Control/Headlight Beam Lever ................... 54
ConvertibleTop
.................................................. 72
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Door Locks
There are several ways to lock and unlock
your vehicle:
From the outside, use your key. To lock
the door,
turn the key toward the front of
the vehicle.
To unlock the door, turn the
key toward the rear.
/
To lock the door from the inside, push
down the button on the door.
To unlock it,
pull up on the button.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your
key, open your door and set the
locks
from inside. Then get out and close the
door.
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Theft
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in
some cities. Although your Geo has a
number of theft deterrent features, we
know that nothing we
put on it can make
it impossible to steal. However, there are
ways you can help.
Key in the Ignition
If you walk away from your vehicle with
the keys inside, it’s an easy target for joy
riders or professional thieves
- so don’t
do
it.
When you park your Geo and open the
driver’s door, you’ll hear a chime
reminding you to remove your key from
the ignition and take
it with you. Always
do this. Your steering wheel will be
locked, and
so will your ignition. If you
have
an automatic transmission, taking
your key out
also locks your transmission.
And remember to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows
and lock your vehicle. Remember
to keep
your valuables out
of sight. Put them in a
storage area, or take them with you.
New Vehicle
"Break-in"
NOTICE:
Your modern Geo doesn‘t need an
elaborate “break-in.” But
it will per-
form better
in the long run if you fol-
low these guidelines:
0 Keep your speed at 55 mph
(88 km/h) or less for the first
500 miles (804 km).
0 Don’t drive at any one speed
- fast or slow - for the first
500 miles (804 km). Don’t
make full-throttle starts.
0 Avoid making hard stops for
the first
200 miles (322 km) or
so. During this time your new
brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops
with new linings
can mean premature wear and
earlier replacement. Follow this
“breaking-in“ guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
C
I Ignition Switch
Vith the key in the ignition switch, you
an
turn the switch to four positions:
,OCK (A): The only position in which
‘ou can remove the key. This locks your
teering wheel, ignition and automatic
ransmission. Press
in the ignition switch
s you turn the top of it toward you.
f you have an automatic transmission, the
gnition switch can’t be turned
to
,LOCK” unless the shift lever is in the
‘P’ (Park) position.
LCC (B): Position in which you can
bperate your electrical power accessories.
t unlocks the steering wheel and ignition.
Jse this position
if your vehicle must be
mhed or towed.
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Features and Controls
ON (C): Position to which the switch
returns after
you start your engine and
release the switch. The switch stays in the
“ON’ position when the engine is
running. But even when the engine is not
running, you can use
“ON’ to operate
your electrical power accessories and to
display some instrument panel warning
and indicator lights.
START (D): Starts the engine. When the
engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch will return to
“ON’ for normal
driving.
When the engine is not running, “ACC”
and
“ON’ allow you to operate your
electrical accessories, such as the radio
and ventilation fan.
A warning chime will sound if you open
the driver’s door when the ignition is in
“ACC” or “LOCK” and the key is in the
ignition.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in “LOCK”
and you can’t
turn it, be sure it is all
the way in. If it is, then turn the steer-
ing wheel left and right while you
turn the key hard. But turn the key
only with your hand. Using a tool to
force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works,
then your vehicle needs service.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic transmission: Move your
shift lever to
“P” (Park) or “N’ (Neutral).
Your engine won’t start in any other
position
- that’s a safety feature. To
restart when you’re already moving, use
“N’ (Neutral) only.
NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to “P’ (Park) if your
Geo is moving.
If you do, you could
damage the transmission. Shift to
“P”
(Park) only when your vehicle is
stopped.
Manual transmission: The gear selector
should be in neutral. Hold the clutch
pedal to the floor and start the engine.
Your vehicle won’t start if the clutch
pedal is
not all the way down - that’s
a safety feature.
To start your engine:
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal,
turn your ignition key
to “START.”
When the engine starts, let
go of the
key.
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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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Service and Appearance Care
Filling Your Tank
The cap is behind a hinged door on the
right side of your vehicle.
I’o take off the cap, turn it slowly to the
left (counterclockwise).
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean
gasoline from painted surfaces as soon as
possible. See “Cleaning
the Outside of
Your Geo” in the Index.
When you put the cap back on,
turn it
to the right until you hear at least three
:licks.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get
the right type.
Your dealer can get
one for you. If you get the wrong
type, it
may not fit or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and
emissions system might be damaged.
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