
Brake Wear
Your Geo has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make
a high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads
are
worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come
and go or be heard all the time your velvcle is moving
(except when you are pushing on the brake pedal
firmly).
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates rSray C2iQSg si brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected. Also, the rear brake drums
should be removed and inspected each time the tires are
removed for rotation or changing. When you have the
front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes inspected,
too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or
if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could be a sign
of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your
rear drum brakes
may need adjustment. Adjust them by
backing up and firmly applying the brakes a few times.
ProCarManuals.com

Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex. Its
many parts have to be
of top quality and work well
together if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-quality GM brake
parts in them, as your Geo does when it is new. When
you replace parts of your braking system
-- for example,
when your brake linings wear down and you have to
have new ones put in
-- be sure you get new genuine
GM replacement parts. If you don’t, your brakes may
no longer work properly. For example, if someone puts
in brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle,
the balance between your front and rear brakes can
change
-- for the worse. The braking performance
you’ve come to expect can change in many other ways
if someone puts in the wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Every new Geo has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one
of these. When it’s time
for
a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom@
battery. Get one that has the replacement number shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, take
off the black, negative (-) cable from the
battery. This will help keep your battery from running
down.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
ProCarManuals.com

Parking Brake and Automatic Ikansmission PARK Underbody Flushing \
(P) Mechanism Check At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from
the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
.-
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot
on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
0 To check the parking brake: With the engine running
and transmission
in NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove
foot pressure from the regular brake pedal.
Do this
until the vehicle is held by the parking brake only.
0 To check the PARK (P) mechanism's holding ability:
Shift to
PARK (P). Then release all brakes. If your
vehicle is four-wheel drive, be sure the transfer case
is not in NEUTRAL (N).
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Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Accelerator and cruise control cables should
not
be lubricated.
Rear Axle (All) and Front Axle
(Four-Wheel Drive) Service
Check the gear lubricant level and add if needed. See
“Rear Axle” and “Four-Wheel Drive”
in the Index. A
fluid loss may indicate a problem. Check the system(s),
and repair the system(s) if needed. Refer
to “Scheduled
Maintenance Services,” earlier
in this section, to
determine when to change the lubricant.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hookup, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing,
etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors for
surface condition. Also inspect drum brake linings for
wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
Check parking brake adjustment.
You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often if your driving habits
or conditions result in frequent braking.
Clutch System Service
Check clutch pedal free travel and adjust as necessary.
See “Clutch Adjustment’’ in
the Index.
7-53
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Gee Section 9 Index
Adding Automatic Transmission Fluid
.................. 6-22
Brake Fluid
................................. 6-32
Electrical Equipment
.................... 2- 10. 6.59
Engine Coolant .............................. 6-26
Engineoil
.................................. 6-13
Manual Transmission Fluid
.................... 6-23
Power Steering Fluid
......................... 6-29
SoundEquipment
............................ 3-18
Windshield Washer Fluid
................. 2-3 1, 6-30
Adjustable Steering Column ...................... 2-27
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-16
Air Cleaner Filter Replacement
.................... 6- 18
Air Conditioning ................................ 3-3
Air Conditioning Controls ......................... 3-3
AirIntakeLever
................................. 3-2
Airflow Lever 3-
I
Alignment and Balance, Tires ..................... 6-46
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning
...................... 6-56
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-25
Anti-Lock ..................................... 4-6
Anti-Lock Brakes
............................... 4-6
Appearance Care ............................... 6-49
Appearance Care and Materials
.................... 6-58
Ashtrays Front
...................................... 2-36
...................................
Antenna ...................................... 3-19 Rear
....................................... 2-37
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-5
Automatic Transmission
......................... 2-11
Drive
(D) Position ............................ 2-13
Low(L)Position
............................. 2-14
Neutral
(N) Position .......................... 2-13
Park (P) Position
............................. 2-11
Reverse (R) Position
.......................... 2-12
Second (2) Position
........................... 2-13
Starting Your Engine
........................... 2-9
Automatic Transmission Fluid
..................... 6-19
Adding .................................... 6-22
Checking
................................... 6-22
Axle, Front
.................................... 6-25
Axle, Rear
.................................... 6-24
Battery
...................................... 6-34
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-3
Bi-Level
....................................... 3-2
Brake Warnings
.................................... 5-2
Blizzard
...................................... 4-38
Adjustment
................................. 6-33
Fluid, Adding
............................... 6-31
Master Cylinder
............................. 6-31
Parking
.................................... 2-20
PedalTravel
................................ 6-33
9-1
--.. p-.. ........ ... _-i-.-_'.-.-- ..... .=_ ___.~~~~-~_.i_i~.---~ ~~~ ..__________I ProCarManuals.com

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
. ProCarManuals.com

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) ................ 4-43
Gear Positions
................................. 2- 12
GloveBox
..................................... 2-5
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) .............. 4-43
Halogen Bulbs
................................ 6-35
Hazard Warning Flashers
.......................... 5-1
Head Restraints
................................. 1-4
Headlamp High-Low Beam Changer
............... 2-30
Headlamps
.................................... 2-30
Headlamps. Bulb Replacement
.................... 6-35
Hearing or Speech Impaired. Customer Assistance
...... 8-2
Heater Controls
................................. 3-1
Heating
........................................ 3-2
High Beam Lamps. How
to Change ................ 2-30
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-33
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-34
Glass. Cleaning
................................ 6-52
Hitches. Trailer
................................. 4-47
HoodProp
..................................... 6-7
Hood Release
................................... 6-6
Horn ......................................... 2-27
Hubs. Freewheeling
............................. 2- 17
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-30
If You’re Stuck: In Sand. Mud. Ice or Snow ......... 5-31
Ignition Key Positions
............................ 2-8
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror
................. 2-34
Inside Rearview Mirror
.......................... 2-34
Inspections
Brakesystem
............................... 7-53
Ignition Switch
.................................. 2-8 Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-52
Restraint Systems
............................ 7-52
Steering. Suspension and Front-Wheel-Drive
Axle Boot and Seal
......................... 7-52
Throttle Linkage
............................. 7-53
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-38
Cleaning
................................... 6-52
Cluster. Optional
............................. 2-41
Cluster. Standard
............................. 2-40
Fuse Block
................................. 6-62
InteriorLamps
................................. 2-33
.................................... J ack. Tire 5-23
Jump Starting
................................... 5-2
Key Lock Cylinders ............................ 7-49
Keys
.......................................... 2-1
Lamps Daytime Running
............................ 2-32
Dome
..................................... 2-33
Interior
.................................... 2-33
Lamp. Malfunction Indicator
...................... 2-46
LampsOnReminder
............................ 2-30
Larger Children. Safety Belt Use
................... 1-31
Leaving Your Vehicle
............................. 2-3
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine Running
....... 2-22
Lever AirIntake
................................... 3-2
Airflow ..................................... 3-1
Fancontrol
.................................. 3-2
9-5
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Front ....................................... 5-8
Rear ....................................... 5-10
Towing. Recreational Vehicle ..................... 4-40
Trailer Tongue Weight ........................... 4-46
Trailer Towing
................................. 4-44
Brakes
..................................... 4-48
Driving on Grades
............................ 4-50
Driving with a Trailer
......................... 4-48
Hitches
.................................... 4-47
Maintenance
................................ 4-51
Parking on Hills
............................. 4-50
Safety Chains
............................... 4-47
Turn Signals ................................ 4-49
Total Weight
on Your Vehicle’s Tires ............. 4-47
Towing a Trailer
............................. 4-44
Weight
of a Trailer ........................... 4-46
Transmission Fluid. Automatic
.................... 6- 19
Transmission Fluid. Manual ....................... 6-22
Transfer Case
.................................. 2- 19
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator ............. 2-28
Turn SignalLamps Control/Headlamp Beam Lever
.... 2-28
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
................ 4-49
Trip Odometer
................................. 2-42
Underbody Flushing
........................... 7-5 1
Underbody Maintenance ......................... 6-57
Using the Recovery
Hooks ....................... 5-32
Vehicle Damage Warnings
......................... iv
Vehicle Dimensions Chart ........................ 6-66
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ............... 6-59
Vehicle Loading ................................ 4-42
Vehicle Storage ................................ 6-34
Vehicle Symbols ................................... v
Vehicle. Control of a ............................. 4-5
Vehicle. Leaving Your
............................ 2-3
Vehicles First Sold
in Canada 11
Ventilation System. Flow-Through .................. 3-4
Ventilation Tips
................................. 3-4
Vision. Night
.................................. 4-27
Visors. Sun
.................................... 2-35
.. ........................
warning Devices ............................... 5-2
Warning Lights. Gages and Indicators
............... 2-43
Washing Your Vehicle
........................... 6-53
Water. Driving Through Deep Standing ............. 2-11
Wheel
Nut Torque ......................... 5-29. 6-66
Wheel Replacement
............................. 6-47
Wheel Replacement. Used
........................ 6-48
Windows
..................................... 2-26
Windows. Manual
.............................. 2-26
Windows. Rear Swing-Out Side
................... 2-26
Windshield Washer Fluid
.................... 2-3 1. 6-30
Windshield Washers ............................. 2-31
Windshield WasherlWiper Lever
................... 2-30
Windshield Wipers
.............................. 2-30
Winter. Driving
in .............................. 4-36
WiperNasher. Rear Window
...................... 2-32
Warning Flashers. Hazard
......................... 5-1
Warnings. Battery ................................ 5-2
Weatherstrips
.................................. 6-53
WreckerTowing
................................. 5-6
9-10 .. ~ .. . .. ---~‘-.”.‘- ^1 ___.-___-__ ProCarManuals.com