Page 49 of 354
Front Seat Side Pockets Coinholder and Bin
On the outside
of each front seat is a storage pocket.
Instrument Panel Bins
On the top center of the instrument panel is a storage
bin.
II
Your console has a coinholder and a small storage bin.
Cupholder
Two cupholders are on the center console next to the
parking brake lever.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 50 of 354

Theft New Vehicle LLBreak-In”
Vehicle theft is big business, especially in some cities.
Although your Geo has
a number of theft deterrent
features, we know that nothing we put on it can make it
impossible to steal. However, there are ways
you can
help.
Key in the Ignition
If you walk away from your vehicle with the keys
inside, it’s an easy target for joy riders or professional
thieves
-- so don’t do it.
When you park your
Geo and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear
a chime reminding you to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will be locked, and
so will your
ignition. If you have an automatic transmission, taking
your key out also
locks your transmission. And
remember
to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spot, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out
of sight.
Put them in
a storage area, or take them with you.
NOTICE:
Your modern Geo doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run
if you follow these guidelines:
0
0
0
0
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the
first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this “breaking-in” guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow a trailer during “break-in.” See
“Towing a Trailer” in the Index for more
information.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 58 of 354

You can shift into F'IRST (1) when you're going less
than
20 mph (32 km/h). If you've come to a complete
stop and it's hard to shift into FIRST
(1) put the shift
lever in NEUTRAL
(N) and let up on the clutch. Press
the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST
(1).
SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND
(2). Then.
slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
THIRD, FOURTH, FIFTH (3,4 and 5): Shift into
THIRD
(3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way
you do for SECOND
(2). Slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
TO STOP: Let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to
NEUTRAL (N).
NEUTRAL (N): Use this position when you start or
idle your engine.
REVERSE (R): To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
You cannot
go from FIFTH (5) into REVERSE (R). If
you
try, you will be locked out. You must first shift into
NEUTRAL
(N), move the lever to the left, back to the
right, and then shift into REVERSE
(R). This is a safetv
feature.
NOTICE:
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped. Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving could damage your
transmission.
Also, use REVERSE (R) along with the parking brake
for parking your vehicle.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 63 of 354
You can shift from TWO-WHEEL HIGH (2H) to
FOUR-WHEEL HIGH (4H) or from FOUR-WHEEL
HIGH
(4H) to TWO-WHEEL HIGH (2H) at any speed
if your hubs are locked and your wheels are straight
ahead. Your front axle will engage faster if
you take
your foot
off the accelerator pedal for a few seconds as
you shift.
To shift into or out of FOUR-WHEEL LOW (4L):
1. Stop your vehicle and shift your transmission to
2. Shift the
transfer case in one continuous motion.
NEUTRAL (N).
Don’t pause in NEUTRAL (N) as you shift into
FOUR-WHEEL HIGH (4H), or your gears could clash.
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.
2-20
ProCarManuals.com
Page 64 of 354
Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Transmission
Models Only)
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.
I 1
I NOTICE: I
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes
to overheat. 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.
2-21
ProCarManuals.com
Page 65 of 354

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
Move the shift lever into PARK
(P) position like this
by holding
in the button on the lever and pushing the
lever all the way toward the front of your vehicle.
If you have four-wheel drive, be sure the transfer
case is in a drive gear
-- not in NEUTRAL (N).
Move the key to LOCK.
Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
walk away
from your vehicle with the key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission Models
Only) Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you
are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission
into PARK (P) properly, the weight of the
vehicle may put too much force
on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out
of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK (P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To find out how, see “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK (P)
before you release the parking brake.
If “torque lock” does occur, you may need to have
another vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of
the pressure from the transmission,
so you can pull the
shift lever out of PARK
(P).
2-22
ProCarManuals.com
Page 67 of 354
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual mansmission)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual
transmission in
REVERSE (R) and firmly apply the
parking brake.
If you have four-wheel drive, be sure your transfer case
is in a drive gear. Your vehicle could roll
if it isn’t.
If your vehicle is equipped to tow a trailer, see “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index.
Parking Over Things That Burn
2-24
ProCarManuals.com
Page 69 of 354
Windows
If you have four-wheel drive and your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL
(N), your vehicle will be free to roll, even if
your shift lever is in
PARK (P). So, be sure the transfer
case
is in a drive gear -- not in NEUTRAL (N). Always
set your parking brake. Follow the proper steps to be
sure your vehicle won’t move. See “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in the
Index.
Manual Windows
Use the window crank to open and close each door
window.
Rear Swing-Out Side Windows
To open this window, pull the latch out and forward.
ProCarManuals.com