
The coolant level should be at or above FULL. If it
isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water
pump or somewhere else in the
cooling system.
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine
if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose
all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
I NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered
by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine fan is running. If the engine is
overheating, the
fan should be running. If it isn’t, your
vehicle needs service.
5-15
ProCarManuals.com

What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
W of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
Engine Coolant
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.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Geo will:
Give freezing protection down to -33 “F (-36°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 258°F (125°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature,
Let the warning lights and gages 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 1825-M, which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming
to
GM Specification 1825-M with a complete coolant flush
and refill. If you use this mixture, you don’t need to add
anything else.
/i CAUTTON:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix
will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant
mix. With
plain water
or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot
but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch
fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and the proper antifreeze.
6-24
ProCarManuals.com

A RI
/t! CAUTION:
lhrning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine
and radiator are hot can allow steam and,
scalding liquids to blow out and burn
you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have to add coolant
at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap -- even a
little -- when the engine and radiator are hot.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill it.
'
A CAUTION:
Radiator Pressure Cap
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn
if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on
a hot engine.
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 13 psi (90 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant
loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC@
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace
your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
6-26
ProCarManuals.com

We don’t make tires. Your new Geo comes with
high-quality tires made by a leading tire manufacturer.
If you ever have questions about your tire warranty and
where to obtain service, see your Geo Warranty booklet
for details.
A CAUTION:
Poorly maintained and improperly used
are dangerous.
0 Overloading your tires can cause tires
0
0
0
overheating as a result of too
much friction.
You could have an air-out and a serious
accident. See “Loading
Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are
cold.
Overinflated tires are more likely to be
cut, punctured or broken by a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
Worn,
old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread
is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
6-40
ProCarManuals.com

Driving City
........................................ 4-34
Defensive
.................................... 4-1
Drunken ..................................... 4-2
Freeway
.................................... 4-35
Guidelines
.................................. 4- 14
InaBlizzard ................................. 4-41
In. Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
In the Rain
.................................. 4-31
Night ...................................... 4-29
Off-Road
................................... 4-14
On Curves.
.................................... 4-9
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-53
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-37
On Snow
and Ice ............................. 4-40
Throughwater
............................... 4-33
WetRoads
.................................. 4-31
Winter
...................................... 4-39
With a Trailer
................................ 4-52
DrunkenDriving
................................ 4-2
Easy Entry Seat ................................ 1-4
Electrical
Equipment. Adding ................. 2-9. 6-57
Electrical System
............................... 6-57
Engine
........................................ 6-8
Coolant
..................................... 6-24
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-47 Coolant Temperature
Gage
. . ......... 2-64
Exhaust
................ ......... 2-25
Identification
...... ........... 6-57
Main Fuse Block ...... ......... 6-60
Oil Level Check ............ ......... 7-47
Overheating
................................. 5-12
Running While Parked
......................... 2-25
Specifications
................................ 6-62
Stating Your
............................. 2-8, 2-9
Engine Compartment
Main Fuse Block .............. 6-60
EngineOil ..................................... 6-9
Adding
.............. ................... 6 -10
Additives ................................... 6-12
Checking ................................... 6-10
Used
....................................... 6-13
When to Change
.............................. 6-12
Ethanol
........................................ 6-3
Exhaust, Engine
.................. .............. 2-25
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-49
Fifth
Gear, Manual Transmission ................... 2-14
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-4
Filter.
Air ..................................... 6-14
Finish Care
.................................... 6-52
FinishDamage
................................. 6-55
First Gear, Manual Transmission ................... 2-14
Flashers, Hazard Warning
......................... 5-1
9-4
ProCarManuals.com

Flash-to-Pass Feature .....
Flat Tire. Changing ...............
Fluid Capacities ......................
Fluids and Lubricants ................
Fourth Gear. Manual Transmission . .
Four-wheel Drive .............
French Language Manual . .
Front Axle ................
Foreign Countries. Fuel ...........
..... 2-30
..... 5-22
... 6-63
..... 7-53
...... 6-4
........ 2-14
..... 2.16. 6.22
.......... 6-23
.. ............. 11
Front Seat Side Pockets .......................... 2-39
Front Sidemarker Lamp Bulb Replacement
........... 6-37
FrontTowing
................................... 5-9
Fuel .......................................... 6-2
Front
Turn Signal Lamp Bulb Replacement
.......... 6-36
Canada
...................................... 6-3
DoorLock
................................... 6-5
Filling
Your Tank ............................... 6-4
Gage
....................................... 2-69
.Fuses and Circuit Breakers
....................... 6-58
In Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
Gages Engine Coolant Temperature
............ ... 2-64
..................................... Fuel 2-69
GAWR ....................................... 4-46
Gear Positions, Automatic Transmission ............. 2- 10 Gear
Positions. Manual Transmission
............... 2-14
GloveBox
.................................... 2-39
Gross Axle Weight Rating
.... ................ 4-46
Guide en FranGais
, 11
GVWR ................ .................. 4-46
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...................... 4-46 .. ......... .....................
Halogen Bulbs ..................... .... 6-34
Hazard Warning Flashers
.............. . . 5-1
Head Restraints
..................... ....... 1-3
Headlamps
....................... ......... 2-29
High/Low Beam Changer
.................... 2-29
Highway Hypnosis
.............................. 4-37
Bulb
Replacement
............ ......... 6-34
Hearing Impaired, Customer Assistance
.............. 8-3
Heating ........................................ 3-3
Hill and Mountain Roads
......................... 4-37
Hitches, Trailer
........ ..................... 4-51
Hood Checking Things Under
............... ....... 6-6
Prop
..................... ............... 6-7
Release
...................................... 6-6
Horn
......................................... 2-28
Hubs. Freewheeling ............................. 2-17
Hydroplaning
.................................. 4-33
9-5
ProCarManuals.com

Odometer .................................... 2-59
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-59
Off-Road Driving
.............................. 4- 14
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4- 11
Oil. Engine
...................................... 6-9
Oil Pressure Light
.............................. 2-67
Overdrive. Automatic Transmission ................ 2- 13
Overdrive
Off Light ............................. 2-69
Overheating Engine ............................. 5- 12
Owner Checks and Services ....................... 7-47
Owner Publications. Ordering
...................... 8-9
..... Paint Spotting. Chemical . . ... 6-55
Park
Automat.ic Transmission
..................... 2-10
Shifting Into ................................. 2-21
Shifting out
of .......... ... ... 2-23
Parking
AtNight
..................................... 2-6
Brake
...................................... 2-20
Brake Mechanism Check ....................... 7-50
Over Things That Bum ............ ..... 2-24
With a Trailer ................................ 4-54
Your Vehicle. Manual Transmission .............. 2-24
Parking Lamp Bulb Replacement .................. 6-36
Passenger Position .............................. 1-3 1 Passing
....................... ... .... 4-11
Power Periodic Maintenance Inspections
................ 7-51
Door Locks .............. .......... . .2-3
Remote Control Mirror ........................ 2-38
Steering
..................................... 4-9
Steering
Fluid ................................ 6-27
Windows ................................... 2-27
Power Mode Selector Switch
...................... 2-13
Pregnancy. Use
of Safety Belts .................... 1-31
Preparing Your Canvas
Top for Storage ............. 2-54
Problems
on the Road ............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner
................ 8-9
Radiator. Coolant .............................. 5-19
Radiator Pressure Cap ........................... 6-26
Radios ........................................ 3-6
Rain. Driving
In ................................ 4-31
Rear
Axle ....................................... 6-21
Combination Lamp Bulb Replacement ............ 6-38
Seat Passengers .............................. 1-31
Sidemarker Lamp Bulb Replacement ............. 6-38
Radio Reception ................................ 3-17
Door Security Locks ........................... 2-4
Towing
..................................... 5-10
ProCarManuals.com