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 . . .
ProCarManuals.com
Service and Appearance Care
Recommended SAE Viscosity
Grade Engine Oils
For best fuel economy and cold starting,
select the
lowest SAE viscosity grade oil
for the expected temperature range.
HOT
WEATHER
-80 -27
SAE 5W-30 PREFERRED
COLD
WEATHER
IF NEITHER SAE 5W-30 NOR SAE 1OW-30 GRADE OILS ARE AVAILABLE, SAE 30 GRADE
MAY BE USED AT TEMPERATURES ABOVE 40 DEGREES F (4 DEGREES C).
DO NOT USE SAE 1OW-40, SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRAOE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED.
As shown in the chart, SAE SW-30 is best
for your vehicle. However, you can use
SAE IOW-30 if it’s going to be 0°F
(-1 8°C) or above. These numbers on an
oil container show its viscosity, or
thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils,
such
as SAE IOW-40 or SAE 2OW-SO.
If you cannot find oils with the new
“starburst” symbol on the front of the
container,
you should look for and use
oils containing the following three things:
Ski or SG
“SH” or “SG” must be on the oil
container, either
by itself or combined
with other quality designations, such
as
“SHKD,” “SH,SG,CD,” “SGKD,”
etc. These letters show American
Petroleum Institute (API) levels of
quality.
SAE SW-30
Energy Conserving I1
Oils with these words on the container
will help you save fuel.
These three things are usually included in
1 doughnut shaped logo (symbol) on most
Zontainers.
If you cannot find oils with the
“starburst” symbol, you should
look for
lils with the doughnut shaped symbol,
;.ontaining the three things noted above.
NOTICE:
If you use oils that do not have either
the “starburst” symbol or
an API SH
or SG designation, you can cause
engine damage not covered
by your
warranty.
3M Goodwrench” oil (in Canada, GM
Engine Oil) meets
all the requirements
[or your vehicle.
. . .164 ProCarManuals.com
Service and Appearance Care
Then, without shutting off the engine,
follow these steps:
1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a
clean rag or paper towel.
2. Push it back in all the way, wait three
seconds and then pull it back out
again.
. . .I68
~
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and
read the lower level. The fluid level
must be in the “COLD’ area for a
cold check or
in the “HOT” area or
cross-hatched area for a hot check.
4. If the fluid level is in the acceptable
range, push the dipstick back
in all
the way.
How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of transmission fluid
to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
[f the fluid level is low, add only enough
of the proper fluid to bring the level up to
the “COLD” area for a cold check or the
“HOT” area for a hot check. It doesn’t take
much fluid, generally less than a
pint.
Don’t overfill. We recommend you use
only fluid labeled DEXRON@-III
or
DEXRON@-IIE, because fluids with that
label are made especially for
your
automatic transmission. Dama e caused
by fluid other than DEXRON
8 -m or
DEXRON@-IIE is not covered by your
new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid
level as described under “How to
Check.”
obtained, push
the dipstick back in
all the way.
When the correct fluid level is
Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to have it checked is when
the engine oil is changed. Refer to the
Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to change your transmission fluid. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the
Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little
difficult, you may choose to have this
done at your Geo dealership Service
Department.
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
ProCarManuals.com
.
IMPORTANT:
KEEP THE ENGINE OIL
AT THE PROPER
LEVEL AND CHANGE AS
RECOMMENDED
This part covers the
maintenance required
for your
Geo . Your vehicle needs these
services to retain its safety.
dependability and emission
control performance
.
Maintenance Schec
Section
Introduction: A Word about Maintenance ........................
A .
B .
C .
D .
E .
Your Vehicle and the Environment .........................
How This Part Is Organized ............................
Scheduled Maintenance Services ........................
Using Your Maintenance Schedule .......................
Selecting the Right Schedule ............................
Schedule1 .......
Schedule11 ............................................
Owner Checks and Services .........
At Each Fuel Fill .......
At Least Once a Month .................. .......
At Least Twice a Year .........
AtLeastOnceaYear ..................................
Periodic Maintenance Inspections ...........................
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ........................
MaintenanceRecord ......................................
................................
Explanation of Scheduled Maintenance Services ..............
....................
.........................
...................
ule
Protection
Plan
Have you purchased the GM Protection Plan? The Plan
supplements
your new car warranties .
See your GM dealer for details .
204
204
204
205
205
205
206
210
214
218
218 219
219 220
223
225
228
203 ...
ProCarManuals.com
Maintenance Schedule
S ection A: Scheduled Maintenance Services (Cant.)
Schedule 11
Follow Schedule I1 ONLY if none of
the drivinp conditions specified in
Schedule
I apply.
* An Emission Control Service.
t The US. Environmental Protection Agency
or the California Air Resources Board has
determined that the-failure to pevform this
I I I
WHAT TO SERVICE
See “Explanation of Scheduled
Schedules
I and II.
ITEM NO. Maintenance Services” following
WHEN TO PERFORM
Miles (kilometers) or Months
(whichever occursFrst).
1 Engine Oil and Filter Change* Every 7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 7.5 months.
2 Tire and Wheel Rotation and Inspection Every 7,500 miles (12 500 km).
maintenance item will not nuh& the emission
warranty or limit recall liability prior to the
completion
of vehicle useful life. General
Motors, however, urges that all recommended
maintenance services be pevformed at the
indicated intervals and the maintenance be
recorded in “Section
E: Maintenance
Record.
’’
I.. 210
ProCarManuals.com
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
6 Wheel Bearin? InsDection -
Inspect for wear and proper
adjustment. Relubricate the
bearings if grease is
contaminated.
7 Transmission (All) and
Transfer Case Differential
(Four-wheel Drive) Service
-
For the manual transmission and
transfer case differential, check
the fluid level every time the
oil is changed. See “Manual
Transmission Fluid” and
“Transfer Case” in the Index.
Inspect for damage and leaks
and change the fluid every
15,000 miles
(25 000 km) or
15 months for Schedule
I
conditions and every 30,000
miles (50 000 km) or 30 months
for Schedule
II conditions.
For the automatic transmission,
check the fluid level every time
the oil is changed. See
“Automatic Transmission
Fluid” in the Index. Inspect for
damage and leaks and change
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
8
9
the fluid every 15,000 miles
(25 0o0 km) or 15 months for
Schedule
I conditions and
100,000 miles ( 166 000 km) for
Schedule
I1 conditions. Replace
the automatic transmission cooler hoses every
45,000 miles
(75 000 km).
Propeller Shafts and U-Joints
Inspection
- Inspect for
looseness and damage.
Do this
every,.l5 months, or at 15,000
mile
(25 000 km) intervals, more
frequently if used off-road
or for
pulling a trailer. Tighten U-joint
flange bolts if necessary.
Freewheeling Hubs InsDection
/If Equipped) - Inspect the
locking front hubs for correct
operation. Repair or replace if
necessary. (Both hubs must
operate correctly for the front
axle to power the front wheels.)
ITEM
NO. SERVICE
10
11
Spark Plug Replacement” -
Replace spark plugs with the
proper type. See “Replacement Pans” in the Index.
Spark Plup Wire Replacement”
-
Replace wires. Check the boot fit
at the distributor and
at the spark
plugs. Operation in extreme cold
and/or on salted roads may require
more frequent replacement.
* An Emission Control Service.
t The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
or the California Air Resources Board has
determined that the failure to perform this
maintenance item will not null@ the emission
warranty
or limit recall liability prior to the
completion
of vehicle useful life. General
Motors, however, urges that all recommended
maintenance services be pegormed at the
indicated intervals and the maintenance be
recorded
in “Section E: Maintenance
Record.
’’
215 ...
ProCarManuals.com
Maintenance Schedule
Section D: Recommended Fluids & Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name, part number or specification may be obtained from your GM Dealer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
Hydraulic Brake
System
Parking Brake Guides
Power Steering
System
Manual Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
FLUID/LUBRICANT
API service SH or SG Energy Conserving I1 oils of the proper viscosity. The “SH” or “SG”
designation may be shown alone or in combination with others, such as
“SH/CD,” or “SH, SG,
CD,” “SGKD,” etc. To determine the preferred viscosity for your vehicle’s engine, see “Engine
Oil”
in the Index.
50/50 mixture of water (preferably distilled) and good quality ethylene glycol base antifreeze
(GM Part
No. 1052753 or equivalent) conforming to GM Specification 1825M or approved
recycled coolant conforming to GM Specification
1825M.
Delco-Supreme 11’” Brake Fluid (GM Part No. 1052535 or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid).
Chassis lubricant (GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent) or lubricant meeting requirements of
NLGI Grade
2, Category LB or GC-LB.
DEXR0N’-IIE Automatic Transmission Fluid.
SAE
75W-90 GL-4 (GM Part No. 12346074 Castrol‘ Syntorq GL-4 or equivalent) or SAE
75W-90 GL-5 Gear Lubricant.
DEXRON3-III
or DEXRON”-IIE Automatic Transmission Fluid.
225. . . ProCarManuals.com