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
35 I ..
ProCarManuals.com
Features and Controls
Keys
-
c
d
F
d
k
1
Y
tc
S
b
U
)ne key is used for the ignition, the
.oors, and all other locks.
Yhen a new Tracker is delivered, the
ealer removes
the metal plate from the
.ey ring and gives
it to the first owner.
'he metal plate has a code on it that tells
'our dealer or a qualified locksmith
how
3 make extra keys. Keep the code in a
afe place. If you lose your keys, you'll
le able to have new ones made easily
sing this code.
NOTICE:
Your Geo has a number of features
that can help prevent theft. But
you
can have a lot of trouble getting into
your vehicle if you ever lock your
keys inside.
You may even have to
damage your vehicle
to get in. So be
sure
you have an extra key.
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ProCarManuals.com
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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ProCarManuals.com
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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ProCarManuals.com
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.
ProCarManuals.com
Features and Controls
Parking
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake: Hold the brake
pedal down and pull up
on the parking
brake lever. If the ignition is
on, the brake
system warning light will come
on.
To release the parking brake: Hold the
brake pedal down. Pull the parking brake
lever up until you can push in the release
button. Hold the release button in
as you
move the lever all the way down.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on
can cause your rear brakes to over-
heat.
You may have to replace them,
and you could also damage other
parts
of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer, see“Towing a
Trailer”
in the Index.
Shifting into “P” (Park)
(AUTOMATIC TRANSMlSSlON)
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ProCarManuals.com
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your
right foot and set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into “P” (Park)
position like this:
0 Hold in the button on the lever,
and push the lever all
the way
toward the front of your vehicle.
3. If you have four-wheel drive, be sure
the transfer case is
in a drive gear -
not in “N” (Neutral).
4. Move the key to “LOCK.”
5. Remove the key and take it with you.
If you can walk away from your
vehicle
with the key in your hand,
your vehicle is
in “P” (Park).
Leaving Your Vehicle with the
Engine Running
(AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION)
A CAUTION:
Xt can be dangerous to leave your
vehicle with the engine running. Your
vehicle could move suddenly if the
shift lever is not fully in “P” (Park)
with the parking brake firmly set.
I€ YOU have four-wheel drive and
your transfer case is in “N” (Neutral),
your vehicle
will be free to roll, even
if your shift lever
is in “F‘” (Park). So
be sure the transfer case is in a drive
gear
- not in “N’ (Neutral).
And, if you leave the vehicle with the
engine running, it
could overheat and
even catch
fie. You or others could
be injured. Don’t leave your vehicle
with the engine running unless
you
have to.
Torque Lock
(AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t
shift your transmission into “P” (Park)
properly, the weight
of the vehicle may
put too much force
on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult
to pull the shift lever out of “P” (Park).
This is called ”torque lock.” To prevent
torque lock, set the parking brake and
then shift into “P“ (Park) properly before
you leave the driver‘s seat. To find out
how, see “Shifting into ’P7 (Park)’‘ in the
Index.
When you are ready
to drive, move the
shift lever
out of “P?’ (Park) BEFORE you
release the parking brake.
If “torque lock” does occur, you may
need
to have another vehicle push yours a
little uphill
to take some of the pressure
from
the transmission, so you can pull the
shift lever out of ’bP’’ (Park).
Shifting out of P (Park)
(AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION)
Your Geo has a brake-transmission shift
interlock. You have
to fully apply your
regular brake before
you can shift from
.‘P’’ (Park) when the ignition is in the
49 ... ProCarManuals.com
A green arrow on the instrument panel
will flash in the direction of the turn or
lane change.
To signal a lane change, just raise or
lower the lever
until the green arrow starts
to flash. Hold
it there until you complete
your lane change. The lever
will return by
itself
when you release it.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if
the arrows don’t flash but just stay on, a
signal bulb may be burned out and other
drivers
won’t see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace
it to help
avoid an accident. If the green arrows
don’t go on at all when you signal a turn,
check the fuse (see “Fuses and Circuit
Breakers” in the Index) and for
burned-out bulbs.
Operation of Lights
Although your vehicle’s lighting system
(headlights, parking lights, fog lamps,
sidemarker lights and taillights) meets all
applicable federal lighting requirements,
certain states and provinces may apply
their own lighting regulations that may
require special attention before you
operate these lights.
For example, some jurisdictions may
require that you operate your fog lamps
only when your lower beam headlights
are also
on, or that headlights be turned
on whenever you must use your
windshield wipers. In addition, most
jurisdictions prohibit driving solely
with
parking lights, especially at dawn or dusk.
It is recommended that you check with
your own state or provincial highway
authority for applicable lighting
regulations. Turn the
outside part
of the lever to
control the lights. There are three
positions
for the light switch.
OFF: All lights are off.
-300:: The parking lights, taillights,
license plate light and the instrument
panel lighting come on. The
headlights are
off.
/, , :The headlights and all other
operating lights come on. . ‘8’’-
Lights On Reminder
If you turn the ignition off, remove the
key, open the door and leave
the lights on,
a chime will remind you to turn off your
lights.
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