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~~ Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
ACID COULD BATTERY
CAUSE
BURNS
SPARK
OR ,\(I,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BAVERY
These symbols are important
for
you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle
is
driven:
DOOR LOCK
UNLOCK
FASTEN SEAT
&,
BELTS
POWER
WINDOW
LR
AIRBAG P@K
These symbols
have to
do with
your
lights:
SIGNALS e
TURN
PyN;
pf
WARNING A
HAZARD
FLASHER
HIGH
LAMPSoR BEAM = =o
FOG LAMPS $0
These symbols
are on some of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
,-/ 'I
WINDSHIELDQ
WASHER 8
wlNDSHIELDw DEFROSTER
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
These symbols are used on
warning and
indicator lights:
COOLANT F-
TEMP --
ENGINE
CHARGING
I-1
BATTERY SYSTEM
BRAKE
(a)
RADIATOR a
COOLANT
FUEL
ENGINE OIL
e,
PRESSURE
TEMP
OIL pk;
ANTIU)CK BRAKE (i)
~
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE -%-
RADIO h
VOLUME a
CONDITIONING AIR 43
LIGHTER
m
SPEAKER
b
V
. ~ ProCarManuals.com
Page 51 of 354

Ignition Switch
I n 1 With the key in the
ignition switch, you
can turn the switch to
four positions:
I I
LOCK (A): The only position in which you can remove
the key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition and
automatic transmission. Press in the ignition switch as
you turn the top
of it toward you.
If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch can't be turned
to LOCK unless the shift lever is
in the
PARK (P) position.
ACC (B): The position that you can operate your
electrical power accessories.
It unlocks the steering
wheel and ignition. Use this position if
your vehicle
must be pushed
or towed.
ON (C): The position that the switch returns to 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): The position that 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.
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Page 76 of 354
Interior Lamps
Dome Lamp
The dome lamp has a
three position switch.
1.
2.
3.
This position is to the left when sitting in the driver's
seat. The dome lamp turns on and stays
on whether
or not
a door is open.
This is the center position. The lamp comes on when
a door is opened.
This position is to the right when sitting in the
driver's seat. The lamp stays off
even when a door is
open.
Brightness Control
I 1 I/
ff
This knob controls
brightness
of your the
instrument panel lights.
Turn the knob to the right to
brighten the lights or to the
left
to dim them.
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Page 86 of 354

Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part 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 come 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 start the
engine 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 this 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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Page 142 of 354

When you drive over obstacles or rough terrain, keep a
firm grip on the steering wheel. Ruts, troughs, or other
surface features can jerk the wheel out
of your hands if
you’re not prepared.
When you drive over bumps, rocks, or other obstacles,
your wheels can leave the ground.
If this happens, even
with one or two wheels, you can’t control the vehicle as
well or at all.
Because you will be on an unpaved surface, it’s
especially important to avoid sudden acceleration,
sudden turns,
or sudden braking.
In a way, off-road driving requires a different lund
of
alertness from driving on paved roads and highways.
There are no road signs, posted speed limits or signal
lights. You have to use your own good judgment about
what
is safe and what isn’t.
Drinking and driving can be very dangerous on any
road. And this
is certainly true for off-road driving. At
the very time you need special alertness and driving
skills, your reflexes, perceptions and judgment can be
affected by even a small amount
of alcohol. You could
have a serious
-- or even fatal -- accident if you drink
and drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking.
(See “Drunken Driving” in
the Index.)
Driving On Off-Road Hills
Off-road driving often takes you up, down, or across a
hill. Driving safely on hills requires good judgment and
an understanding
of what your vehicle can and can’t do.
There are some hills that simply can’t be driven, no
matter how well built the vehicle.
4-17
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Page 153 of 354

You can be temporarily blinded by approaching lights. It
can take a second or two, or even several seconds, for
your eyes to readjust to the dark. When
you are faced
with severe glare (as from
a driver who doesn’t lower
the high beams,
or a vehicle with misaimed headlamps),
slow down a little. Avoid staring directly into the
approaching lights.
Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle
clean
-- inside and out. Glare at night is made much
worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass
can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass makes
lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would,
making the pupils
of your eyes contract repeatedly.
Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a
roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep your
eyes moving; that way, it’s easier to pick
out dimly
lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be
checked regularly for proper aim,
so should your eyes
be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from night
blindness
-- the inability to see in dim light -- and aren’t
even aware of it.
Driving in the Rain
Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet
road
you can’t stop, accelerate or turn as well because
your tire-to-road traction isn’t as good as on dry roads.
And,
if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get
even less traction. It’s always wise to go slower and be
cautious
if rain starts to fall while you are driving, The
surface may get wet suddenly when your reflexes are
tuned for driving on dry pavement.
4-28
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Page 236 of 354

Front Axle Engine Coolant
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to 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. 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:
0 Give freezing protection down to -33°F (-36°C).
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 1825M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825M with a complete coolant flush
and refill. If you use this mixture, you don’t need to add
anything else.
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Fuse Usage
I 1
Main Fuse Block
Fuse
1
2
3
4
Usage
Generator to Battery Circuit
Circuits Only Active When
Ignition Switch is
in ACC,
ON or START
Circuits Always Active
Circuits Always Active
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
Fuse
1
2
3
4
5
6
Usage
Right Headlamp
Left Headlamp; High Beam Indicator Light
Taillamps; Interior Lamp; Sidemarker Lamps; Instrument Cluster Lights
Stop Lamps;
Horn
Hazard Lamps
Door Lock (Option)
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