
Are there some things I should not do when
driving down a hill?
A: Yes! These are important because if you ignore them
0
0
you could lose control and have a serious accident.
When driving downhill, avoid turns that take
you
across the incline of the hill. A hill that’s not too
steep to drive down may be too steep to drive across.
You could roll over if you don’t drive straight down.
Never
go downhill with the transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), or with the clutch pedal depressed
in a manual shift. This is called “free-wheeling.”
Your brakes will have to do all the work and could
overheat
and fade.
Unless you have anti-lock: Avoid braking
so hard that
you lock
the wheels when going downhill. If your
wheels
are locked, you can’t steer your vehicle. If your
wheels lock
up during downhill braking, you may feel
the vehicle starting to slide sideways. To regain your
du-ection, just ease
off the brakes and steer to keep the
front
of the vehicle pointing straight downhill.
Am I likely to stall when going downhill?
A: It’s much more likely to happen going uphiLl. But if
it happens going downhill, here’s what to do.
Stop your vehicle by applying the regular brakes.
Shift to PARK (P) (or to NEUTRAL (N) with the
Apply the parking brake.
manual transmission) and, while still braking, restart
the engine.
Shift back to a low gear, release the parlung brake,
If the engine won’t start, get out and get help.
and drive straight down.
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If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle with manual
freewheeling
hubs, it can be towed from the front with
all four wheels on the ground. Follow these steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Set the parking brake.
Turn the ignition key to ACC to unlock the
steering wheel.
Shift your automatic transmission into
PARK (P), or
your manual transmission into SECOND
(2).
Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N).
Set the hubs to FREE. See “Four-wheel Drive” in
the Index.
Release
the parking brake.
Stop towing every
200 miles (300 km) and start
the engine. Leave the transfer case shift lever
in
NEUTRAL (N). Shift your automatic transmission
to DRIVE (D); leave a manual transmission in
SECOND (2) with the clutch engaged. Run the engine
at medium speed for one minute to circulate the oil in
the transfer case. Turn the ignition key to ACC. Now
you can continue towing your Geo.
NOTICE:
The front wheels transmit shocks during towing.
The steering column may not be strong enough to
withstand the shocks. Always unlock the steering
wheel before towing.
I NOTICE:
Make sure that the towing speed does not exceed
50 mph (80 kdh), or your Geo could be badly
damaged.
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Clutch Adjustment
The clutch linkage in your vehicle should be checked as
recommended
in your Maintenance Schedule. To check,
push the clutch pedal down with your hand until you
feel some resistance to movement of the pedal. If the
pedal moves freely up to
1 inch (25 mm) or so before
you feel resistance
to the travel, adjustment isn’t needed.
If there is no free travel or very. little (less than 5/8 of an
inch
(1 6 mm)), see your dealer for adjustment.
Rear Axle
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. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level
to the bottom of 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.
6-21
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Starter Switch Check Brake-Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
(Automatic Transmission)
When
you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly. If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1. Before you start, be sure you have enough room
2. Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking
Brake” in
the Index if necessary) and the regular brake.
NOTE:
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to turn off the engine immediately
if it starts.
3. On automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the
engine in each gear. The starter should work only in
PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the starter works in
any other position, your vehicle needs service.
On manual transmission vehicles, put the shift lever
in NEUTRAL (N), push the clutch down halfway
and try to
start the engine. The starter should work
only when the clutch
is pushed down all the way to
the floor.
If the starter works when the clutch isn’t
pushed all the way down, your vehicle needs service.
around the vehicle.
When you are doing this check,
the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
I. Before you start, be sure you have enough room around
the vehicle. It should
be parked on a level surface
2. Firmly apply the parking brake (see “Parking Brake”
in the Index
if necessary).
NOTE: Be ready to apply the regular brake
immediately if the vehicle begins to move.
3. With the engine off, turn the key to the ON position,
but don’t start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake,
try to move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever moves
out of
PARK (P), your vehicle’s BTSI needs service.
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ProCarManuals.com

Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and for damage or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any cables that have high effort
or
excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise
control cables.
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 hook-up, 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.
7-52
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USAGE
Manual
Transmission
Shift Linkage Clutch Linkage
Pivot Points
Floor Shift
Litikage
Chassis
Lubrication
Zear Axle (All)
md Front Axle
:Four-wheel
Drive)
FLUID/LUBRICANT
Chassis lubricant (GM Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI Grade 2, Category LB
or GC-LB.
Lithium base grease.
Lubriplate Lubricant aerosol
(GM
Part No. 12346293 or equivalent)
OF lubricant meeting requirements
of
NLGI Grade 2 Cat.egory LB or
Chassis lubricant (GM
Part
No. 1052497 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI Grade 2, Category LB
or GC-LB.
Axle Lubricant (GM Part
No. 12345977) or SAE $OW-90
GL-5 Gear Lubricant.
GC-LB.
USAGE
(GM Part No. 105 15 15) or Washer Solvent
GM Optikleen@ Washer Solvent
Windshield
. FLUINLUBRICANT
Hood Latch
Lubriplate lubricant aerosol (GM
Assembly Pivots, Part No. 12346293 or equivalent)
Spring Anchor
or lubricant meeting requirements
and Release
or GC-LB. Pawl
of NLGI Grade 2, Category LB
Hood and Door Multi-purpose lubricant, Superlube@
Hinges (GM
Part No. 12346241 or
equivalent.
equivalent).
Weatherstrip
Part No. 12345579 or equivalent).
Conditioning Dielectric
Silicone Grease (GM
See “Replacement
Parts” in the Index for recommended
replacement filters, valves and spark
plugs.
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Instrument Panel ............................. 6-51
Outside of Your Geo .......................... 6-52
Special Problems
............................. 6-50
Stains
..................... ............. 6-50
Tires
..................................... 6-54
Vinyl
....................................... 6-50
Wheels
..................................... 6-54
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-51
Climate Control System
............................ 3-1
Clock, Setting the
................................ 3-6
Clutch Adjustment
...................... ... 6-21
Coinholder
.................................. 2-40
Comfort Controls
....................... .... 3-1
Compact Disc Care
........................... 3-19
Compact Disc Player
............................ 3-1 1
Control
of a Vehicle ................ ............. 4-5
Convertible Top ................................ 2-42
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-38
Coolant
....................................... 6-24
Levelcheck ................................. 5-15
RecoveryTank
............................... 5-16
Radiator
.................................... 5-19
Temperature Gage
............................ 2-64
Cooling System
................................ 5 - 14
Courtesy Transportation ........................... 8-6 Cruise
Control
.................. .... 2-32
Cruise Light
................................. 2-33
Cupholders
.................................... 2-40
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users
......... 8-3
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8-1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
... .............. 8-1
Damage. Finish
...... ...... 6-55
Damage. Sheet Metal ..... ..... ...... 6-54
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-35
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light
............ 2-69
Dead Battery
................................... 5-2
Defects. Reporting Safety
... ............ 8-8
Defensive Driving ....... ............ 4-1
Defogger. Rear Window
....... .......... 3-5
Defogging
................................... 3-4
Defrosting ..................................... 3-4
Dimensions. Vehicle ............................ 6-64
Dome Lamps
.................................. 2-36
Door
Locks ..... .................... 2-3
Storage
..................................... 2-39
Downshifting ............................. 2- 15, 2- 16
Drive Position. Automatic Transmission
............. 2-12
Driver Position
................................. 1-18
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