How to Use This Manual
NOTICE:
These mean there is something that
could damage
your vehicle.
Vehicle Damage Warnings
Also, in this book you will find these
notices.
In the notice area, we tell you about
something that
can darnage your vehicle.
Many times, this damage would not be
covered by your warranty. and
it could be
costly. But
the notice will tell you what to
do to help avoid the damage.
When
you read other manuals. you might
see CAUTION and NOTICE warnings
in
different colors or in different words.
You’ll also see warning labels
on your
vehicle. They use yellow for cautions. bluc
for notices and the words CAUTION or
NOTICE.
Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you will
find on your vehicle. For example. these
symbols are used on an original battery:
Caution Possible Injury A
Protect Eyes by Shielding
@
Caustic Battery Acid
Could Cause Burns
Avoid Sparks or Flames
Sparks
or Flame Could
Explode Battery
8
These symbols are important for you and
your passengers whenever your vehicle is
driven:
Fasten Safety Belts
These symbols have to do with your lights:
Master lighting Switch
Turn Signal Direction
Hazard Warning Flashers
-0 -
- Headlight High Beam
Headlight Low Beam Parking Lights
Brightness Control
0
g0
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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
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(Canada) **e
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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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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
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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Instrument Panel
1. Air Vent
2. Side Defroster Vent
3. Turn Signalbights Control/Headlight
4. Instrument Cluster
5. Hazard Warning Flasher
6. Windshield Wipermasher Lever
7. Rear Window Wiper Switch
8. Comfort Controls
Beam
Lever
9. Audio System
10. Lighter
11. Assist Grip
12. Glove Box
13. Transmission Shift Lever
14. Coinholder and Bin
15. Transfer Case Shift Lever
16. Parking Brake Lever
17. Ashtray
18. Rear Window Washer Switch
19. Ignition Switch
20. Horn
21. Fuse Block
22. Rear Window Defogger Switch
23. Brightness Control
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Features and Controls
Tachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).
You can use it while driving to
select correct shift points. The tachometel
may not return to zero when the engine
is
not running.
NOTICE:
Do not operate the engine with the
tachometer in
the red area, or engine
damage may occur.
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and Indicators
This section describes the warning lights
and gages that may be on your vehicle.
The pictures will help you locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that
something
is wrong before it becomes
serious enough to cause
an expensive
repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also
save you or others from injury.
Warning lights go
on when there may be
or is a problem with one
of your vehicle’s
functions.
As you will see in the details
on the next few pages, some warning
lights come
on briefly when you turn the
ignition key just to let you know they’re
working. If you are familiar with this
section, you should not be alarmed when
this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or
is a problem with one of your vehicle’s
functions. Often gages and warning lights
work together to
let you know when
there’s a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes
on
and stays on when you are driving, or
when one
of the gages shows there may be
a problem, check the section that
tells
you what to do about it. Please follow the
manual’s advice. Waiting to
do repairs
can be costly
- and even dangerous. So
please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.
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1s I FUELONLY UNLEADED [I
UNLEADED-
J
FUEL ONLY
Fuel Gage
Your fuel gage shows about how much
fuel is in your tank. When the gage first
indicates “E,” you still have a little fuel
left (about one or two gallons), but you
need to get more right away.
Here are four concerns some owners have
had about the fuel gage. All these
situations are normal and do not indicate
that anything is wrong with the
fuel gage,
At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts
off before the gage reads
“F.”
It takes more (or less) fuel to fill up
than
the gage reads. For example, the
gage reads half full, but it took more
(or less) than half
of the tank’s
capacity to fill it.
J
0
0
The gage moves a little when you
turn, stop
or speed up.
When you turn the engine
off, the
gage doesn’t go back to “E.”
~~
Brake System Warning Light
four Geo’s hydraulic brake system is
livided into two parts. If one part isn’t
vorking, the other part can still work and
;top you. For good braking, though, you
leed both parts working well.
four vehicle also has rear-wheel anti-lock
)rakes. If the warning light comes on,
here could be a brake problem with eithel
[our regular or rear-wheel anti-lock
)rakes, or both. Have your brake system
nspected right away.
rhis light should come on as you start the
lehicle.
If it doesn’t come on then, have ii
ixed
so it will be ready to warn you if
here’s a problem.
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