1995 CHEVROLET TRACKER ECU

Off-Road Driving with Your Geo
Four-wheel Drive Vehicle
This off-road guide is for vehicles that have four-wheel
drive.
Also, see “Anti-Lock Brakes” in the Index.
If your vehicle doesn’t have four-wheel drive, you
shouldn’t drive off-road unless you’re on a level, solid
surface.
Off-road driving can be great fun. But it does have some
definite hazards. The greatest of these is the terrain
itself.
“Off-roading” means you’ve
left the great North
American road system behind. Traffic lanes aren’t
marked. Curves aren’t banked. There are no road signs.
Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill or downhill. In
short, you’ve gone right back to nature.
Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that’s
why it’s very important that you read this guide. You’ll
find many driving tips and suggestions. These will help
make your off-road driving safer and more enjoyable.
Before You Go Off-Roading
There are some things to do before you go out. For
example, be sure to have all necessary maintenance and
service work done. Check to make sure all underbody
shields (if
so equipped) are properly attached. Be sure
you read all the information about your four-wheel drive
vehicle
in this manual. Is there enough fuel? Is the spare
tire fully inflated? Are the fluid levels up where they
should be? What are the local laws that apply
to
off-roading where you’ll be driving? If you don’t know,
you should check with law enforcement people
in the
area. Will you be on someone’s private land? If
so, be
sure to get the.necessary permission.
Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving
There are some important things to remember about
how to load your vehicle.
0 The heaviest things should be on the load floor and
forward
of your rear axle. Put heavier items as far
forward as you can.
0 Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on
the off-road terrain doesn’t toss things around.
4-14
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Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Have your Geo in good shape for winter. Be sure
your engine coolant
mix is correct.
You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your vehicle. Include an
ice scraper, a small brush or broom,
a supply
of windshield washer fluid,
a rag, some winter outer
clothing,
a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth, and a
couple of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will
be driving under severe conditions, include
a small bag
of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags
to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure
these items
in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However,
if there is snow or ice between your tires and
the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You’ll
have
a lot less traction or “grip” and will need to be very
careful.
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nailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes -- and they must be
adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for
the trailer brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
Driving with a Trailer
0
0
0
Don’t tap into your vehicle’s brake system if the
trailer’s brake system will use more than
0.02 cubic
inch
(0.3 cc) of fluid from your vehicle’s master
cylinder.
If it does, both systems won’t work well.
You could even lose your brakes.
Will the trailer brake parts take
3,000 psi
(20 650 kPa) of pressure? If not, the trailer brake
system must not be used with your vehicle.
If everything checks out this far, then make the brake
fluid tap at the port on the master cylinder that sends
fluid to the rear brakes. But don’t use copper tubing
for this.
If you do, it will bend and finally break off.
Use steel brake tubing. Towing
a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll
want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight
of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you
are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle
is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment.
If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes are working. This lets
you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
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Used Replacement Wheels Tire Chains
NOTICE:
Use tire chains only where legal and only when
you must. Use only
SAE Class “S” type chains
that are the proper size for your tires. Install
them on the tires of the drive axle (four-wheel
drive vehicles can use chains on both axles).
Tighten them as tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened. Drive slowly and follow the
chain manufacturer’s instructions.
If you can
hear the chains contacting your vehicle, stop and
retighten them.
If the contact continues, slow
down until it stops. Driving too fast or spinning
the wheels with chains
on will damage your
vehicle.
6-48
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System Parts. Replacing ....................... 6-34
Trailer
..................................... 4-48
Transmission Shift Interlock
............... 2- 12. 7.50
Wear
...................................... 6-33
Brakes. Anti-Lock
............................... 4-6
Brakes. Trailer
................................. 4-48
Braking
........................................ 4-5
Braking. In Emergencies
.......................... 4-8
Break-In. New Vehicle
........................... 2-7
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-33
BTSI (Brake Transmission Shift Interlock)
...... 2- 12. 7-50
Bulb Replacement .............................. 6-63
Front Parking and Turn Signal
.................. 6-37
Headlamps
................................. 6-35
Rear Combination Lamps
...................... 6-39
Rear Sidemarker
............................. 6-39
Sidemarker Lamps
........................... 6-38
System Warning Light
........................ 2-45
Canada. Vehicles First Sold In
-11
Canadian Roadside Assistance ...................... 8-7
Canvas Top Lowering and Raising
......................... 2-56
Preparing for Storage
......................... 2-61
Removing and Installing
....................... 2-60
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-64
CarbonMonoxide
......................... 2.25. 4.38
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3-19
Certificatioflire Label
.......................... 4-43
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-47
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-48
Changing a Flat Tire ............................. 5-2 1
Charging System Light .......................... 2-44
.. ......................
Check Engine Light ............................. 2-46
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-34
Checking Automatic Transmission Fluid
.................. 6-19
BrakeFluid
................................. 6-33
Engine Coolant
.............................. 6-26
Engineoil
.................................. 6-12
Manual Transmission Fluid
.................... 6-22
Power Steering Fluid
......................... 6-28
Restraint Systems
............................ 1-34
Things Under the
Hood ........................ 6-6
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-57
Child Restraints
................................ 1-26
Securing in a Rear Seat Position
................. 1-27
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position
.......... 1-29
WheretoPut
................................ 1-26
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-16
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
........................... 6-56
Canvas Top and Plastic Windows
................ 6-55
Fabric
..................................... 6-50
Glass
...................................... 6-52
Outside of the Windshield and Wiper Blades
....... 6-53
Stains
...................................... 6-51
The Inside of Your Geo
....................... 6-49
The Outside
of Your Geo ...................... 6-53
Tires
...................................... 6-56
Top
of the Instrument Panel .................... 6-52
Vinyl
...................................... 6-51
TopStrap
................................... 1-26
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-36
Special Problems
............................ 6-51
Clock. Setting the
................................ 3-5
9-2
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Recommended Fluids and Lubricants ............... 7-54
Recovery
Hooks. Using the ....................... 5-32
Recreational Vehicle Towing
...................... 4-40
Front
...................................... 4-41
Rear
....................................... 4-40
theCanvasTop
.............................. 2-60
Removing and
Installing
the Side Window ............................. 2-54
Your Rear Window
........................... 2-53
Replacement Bulbs
............................. 6-63
Replacement, Wheel
............................ 6-47
Replacing Safety Belts
........................... 1-35
Restraints, Checking Your
........................ 1-34
Restraints, Child
................................ 1-26
Restraints, Head
................................. 1-4
Restraints, Replacing Parts After a Crash ............ 1-35
Reverse (R) Position, Automatic Transmission
........ 2- 12
Reverse (R) Position, Manual Transmission
.......... 2- 15
Right Front Passenger Position
.................... 1-21
Roadside Assistance
.............................. 8-5
Roadside Assistance, Canadian
..................... 8-7
Rocking Your Vehicle
........................... 5-32
Replacing Seat
and Restraint System Parts After a Crash 1-35
.................................. Rotation, Tire 6-42
Safety Belt Extender
............................ 1-34
Safety Belt Reminder Light
................... 1.9. 2.44
.................................... Safety Belts 1-8
Careof
.................................... 6-52
DriverPosition
................,............. l-14
Extender ................................... 1-34
Adults
...........,......................... l-13
How to
Wear Properly ........................ 1 - 13 Incorrect Usage
.............................. 1 - 16
Lap-Shoulder
............................... 1-14
Questions People
Ask ......................... 1-12
Rear Seat Passengers
......................... 1-21
Replacing After a Crash
....................... 1-35
Right Front Passenger Position
.................. 1-21
Use by Children
............................. 1-24
Use by Larger Children
........................ 1-31
Use by Smaller Children and Babies
............. 1-24
Use During Pregnancy
........................ 1-20
Reporting to General Motors
.................... 8-5
Reporting to the Canadian Government
............ 8-5
Reporting to
the United States Government ......... 8-4
Scheduled Maintenance Services .................... 7-2
................................... Lap Belt 1-22
WhyTheyWork
.............................. 1-9
SafetyChains
.................................. 4-47
Safety Defects 8-4 ..................................
... Safety Warnings and Symbols ....................... 111
Seats .......................................... 1-1
EasyEnt
ry................................... l-4
Folding Rear 1-5
ManualFront
1-1
.................................
................................ Reclining Front ............................... 1-2
Securing a Child Restraint ..................... 1-27
Seats and Restraint Systems
........................ 1-1
Seats and Seat Controls ........................... 1-1
Second (2), Manual Transmission
.................. 2-15
Service and Appearance Care
...................... 6-1
Service and Owner Publications .................... 8-7
Service Bulletins, Ordering ........................ 8-8
Service Manuals, Ordering
........................ 8-8
Second (2), Automatic Transmission ................. 2-13
Service
........................................ 6-1
9-8
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