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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Ensure the shift lever is fully in “F‘”
(Park) range before starting the engine.
Your Geo has a brake-transmission shift
interlock.
You have to fully apply your
regular brakes before you can shift from
“P” (Park) when the ignition key is in the
“ON’ position. 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. See “Shifting out of ‘P’ (Park)”
in
the Index.
0 R (Reverse)
Use this gear to back up.
I NOTICE:
Shifting to “R” (Reverse) while your
vehicle is moving forward could
damage your transmission. Shift to
“R” only after your vehicle is
stopped.
~~
To rock your vehicle back and forth to gel
out of snow, ice or sand without
damaging your transmission, see “Stuck:
In Sand,
Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
t
0 N (Neutral)
In this position, your engine doesn’t
connect with the wheels. To restart when
you’re already moving, use
“N’ (Neutral)
only. Also, use “N” when your vehicle is
being towed.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transmission caused
by shifting out of “P” (Park) or
“N’
(Neutral) with the engine racing isn’t
covered by your warranty.
0 D (Drive)
This position is for normal driving. If you
need more power for passing, and you’re:
- Going less than about 15 mph
(25
km/h), push your accelerator peda
about halfway down.
- Going about 15 mph (25 km/h) or
more, push your accelerator pedal all
the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and
have more power.
0 2 (Second Gear)
This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use “2” on
hills.
It can help control your speed as
you go down steep mountain roads, but
then you would also want to use your
brakes off and on.
Don’t shift into “2” unless you are
going slower than
65 mph
( 105 km/h) with the transfer case in
“4H’ or 35 mph (55 km/h) with the
transfer case in “4L,” or you can
damage your transmission.
43.
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I1 1
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check
Engine Light)
A computer monitors operation of your
fuel, ignition and emission control
1 systems. This light should come on when
the ignition is
on, but the engine is not
running, as a check to show you it is
working.
If it does not come on at all,
have it fixed right away. If it stays on. or
comes on while
you are driving, the
computer
is indicating that you have a
problem.
You should take your vehicle in
for service soon.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with
this light on. after
a while the ernis-
sion controls won't work as well,
your
fuel economy won't be as good
and your engine may
not run as
smoothly. This could lead to costly
repairs
not covered by your warranty.
Engine Oil Pressure Light
If you have a problem with your oil? this
light may stay
on after you start your
engine, or come
on when you are driving.
This indicates that there is not enough
pressure
to keep your engine properly
ILJbricated and
cool. The engine could be
low on oil, or have some other oil related
problem. Have
it fixed right away.
The oil light could also come
on in three
other situations.
When the ignition is on but the engine
is not running, the light will come on
as a test to show you it is working, but
the light will
go out when you turn the
engine to
"START." If it doesn't come
on with the ignition
on, you may have
71
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0
0
Wiper Blades: Are they in good
shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids:
Have you checked all levels?
Lights: Are they all working? Are the
lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a
safe, trouble-free trip. Is the tread
good enough for long-distance
driving? Are the tires all inflated to
the recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the
weather outlook along your route?
Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date
maps?
Highway Hypnosis
Is there actually such a condition as
“highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain
falling asleep at the wheel? Call
it
highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or
whatever.
There is something about an easy stretch
of road with
the same scenery, along with
the hum of the tires
on the road, the drone
of the engine, and the rush of the wind
against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t let it happen
to you! If it
does, your vehicle can leave the road in
less than a second, and
you could crash
and be injured.
What can you do about highway
hypnosis? First, be aware that
it can
happen.
Then here are some tips:
0 Make sure your vehicle is well
ventilated, with a comfortably cool
interior.
0 Keep your eyes moving. Scan the
road ahead and to
the sides. Check
your mirrors and your instruments
frequently.
0 If you get sleepy, pull off the road into
a rest, service, or parking area and
take a nap, get some exercise,
or both.
For safety, treat drowsiness on the
highway as an emergency.
Hill and Mountain
Roads
Driving on steep hills or mountains is
different from driving
in flat or rolling
terrain. If you drive regularly in steep
country, or
if you’re planning to visit
there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable.
(See “Off-Road Driving” in the Index
for information about driving off-road.)
Keep your vehicle in good shape.
Check all fluid levels and also the
brakes, tires, cooling system and
transmission. These parts can work
hard
on mountain roads.
ILI . . .
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Service and Appearance Care
rhen lift the hood to relieve pressure on
he hood prop. Remove the hood prop
rom the slot
in the hood and return the
Jrop
to its retainer. Then just let the hood
[own and close
it firmly.
. .162
Engine Oil
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil
level every time you get fuel. In order to
get an accurate reading,
the oil must be
warm and the vehicle
must be on level
ground.
Turn off the engine and give
the oil a few
minutes
to drain back into the oil pan. If
you don’t, the oil dipstick might not show
the actual level.
To Check Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a
paper towel or cloth, then push it back in
all the way. Remove it again, keeping the
tip lower.
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Service and Appearance Care
Inflation - Tire Pressure
The Certificatioflire label which is on the driver’s door shows the correct inflation
pressures for your tires, when they’re cold. ‘Told” means your vehicle has been
sitting for at least three hours or driven no more than
a mile.
NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation PI: overinflation is all right. It’s not.
If your tires don’t have enough air (underinflation) you can get:
i Too much flexing
0 Too much heat
0 Tire overloading
0 Bad wear
0 Bad handling
0 Bad fuel economy.
If your tires have too much air (overinflation), you can get:
0 Unusual wear
0 Bad handling
0 Rough ride
0 Needless damage from road hazards.
When to Check: Check your tires
once a month or more. Also, check the
tire pressure
of the spare tire.
How to Check: Use a good quality
pocket-type gage to check tire
I
1
t
7
xessure. Simply looking at the tires
will not tell
you the pressure,
:specially if you have radial tires
-
which may look properly inflated even
.f they’re underinflated.
[f your tires have valve caps, be sure to
Jut them back on. They help prevent
leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
. . .I84
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Service and Appearance Care
..........
Capacities and Specifications
Engine
Type .......................................... . * L4
Compression Ratio 8-Valve Engine
................................................. 8.9: 1
16-Valve Engine ................................................ 9.5: 1
Fuel Delivery
............................................. Fuel Injection
Piston Displacement
........................................ 97 CID (1.6L)
Valve Arrangement
.................................... In-Head “V” Type
Firingorder
.................................................. 1-342
AC Belt Tension ... Deflect
Belt 0.24-0.35 in. (6-9 mm) @I 22 lbs. (10 kg.) Pressure
Fan Belt Tension
Inspection
...... Deflect Belt 0.24-0.32 in. (6-8 mm) @ 22 lbs. (10 kg.) Pressure
Replacement
.... Deflect Belt 0.20-0.28 in. (5-7 mm) @ 22 lbs. (10 kg.) Pressure
Thermostat Temperature Specification
......................... 180°F (82°C)
Replacement Parts
Air Cleaner Filter
8-Valve Engine
.......................................... 13780-6 1 AAO
16-Valve Engine ......................................... 13780-58B20
Engine
Oil Filter .............................................. 9606241 5
Radiator Pressure Cap ............................................ 13 psi
Spark Plug ................................. R43XLS (0.028” - 0.032” Gap)
Battery
....................................................... 26-60s
Fuel Filter
.............................................. AC Type GF571
PCVValve
.................................................. 96058079
.. .200
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Index
Fluid Automatic Transmission
....... 167
Brake
...................... 174
Manual Transmission
.......... 168
Power Steering ............... 173
Recommended
............... 225
Windshield Washer
........... 174
Foreign Countries. Fuels
in ....... 1.57
Foreign Material Paint Damage
.... 194
Four-wheel Drive
.............. 46
Four-wheel Drive (Service) ....... 170
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle. Off-Road
Driving With Your Geo
........ 108
Freeway Driving ............... 120
Freewheeling Hubs
Automatic
................. 47
Manual
..................... 46
Ashtray
..................... 63
Axle
....................... 170
Seat ........................ 10
Seat Side Pockets ............. 61
Seatbacks. Reclining .......... IO
Towing Hook-ups ............. 138
Fuel ......................... 156
FuelGage
..................... 69
Fuels in Foreign Countries ........ 157
Fuse Block, Instrument Panel ..... 198
Fuse Block, Main ............... 198
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ....... 196
Folding Rear
Seat
............... 13
Front Gages
Engine Coolant Temperature
.... 70
Fuel
....................... 69
Warning Lights and Indicators ... 68
Gasolines for Cleaner Air ........ 157
Glass
......................... 19 1
Glove Box .................... 60
GM Participation
in RBB Auto Line .
Alrernative Dispute Resolution
Program
.................. 235
Grips . Passenger Assist .......... 62
Guidelines. Driving ............. 107
Halogen Bulbs
............... 177
Hazard Warning Flashers
......... 132
Head Restraints
................ I1
Headlights .................... 177
Heater Controls
................ 84
Heater. Engine Coolant
(Block) .... 41
Heating ....................... 84
Highway Hypnosis
.............. 12 1
Hill and Mountain Roads ......... 121
Hill. Approaching a ............. 1 IO
Hitches ....................... 126
Hood Release .................. IS9
Hood . Checking Things under the . . 159
Hook.Ups . Front Towing ......... 138
Hook.Ups. Rear Towing
......... I39
Horn ......................... 53
Headlight High/Low Beam ....... 56
How to Add Coolant to the
How
to Add Coolant to the
Hubs. Freewheeling
Coolant
Recovery Tank
........ 142
Radiator
............... . .144
Automatic
................... 47
Manual
..................... 46
Hydroplaning .................. 118
Hypnosis. Highway
............. 121
Identification Number. Vehicle .... 196
Identification. Engine ............ 196
If a Tire Goes Flat .............. 146
If You’re Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice
or Snow .................... 153
Ignition Switch
................. 39
Incline
. Driving Across an ........ 113
Incline. Stalling on
an ........... 114
Intlation - Tire Pressure .......... 184
Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror
...................... 59
Inside Rearview Mirror
.......... 59
Instrument Cluster .............. 66
Instrument Panel ............... 64
Instrument Panel Bins
........... 61
Instrument Panel Fuse Block ...... 198
Instrument Panel
. Cleaning the
Topof
..................... 191
Interior Lights ................. 57
Jump Starting
................. 133
... 246
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