Page 254 of 387
Checking the Fluid Hot or Cold
0 Park your vehicle on a level place. Keep the
engine running.
0 With the parking brake applied, place the shift lever
in PARK (P).
With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift
lever through each gear range, pausing for about
three seconds
in each range. Then, position the shift
lever
in PARK (P).
Let the engine run at idle for three minutes or more. Then,
without shutting
off the engine, follow
these steps:
1.
2.
Pull out the dipstick
and wipe it with
a clean
rag or paper towel.
Push it back
in all the
way, wait three seconds
and then pull it back
out again.
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Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to have it checked is when the engine
oil is changed. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine when to change your transmission fluid.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at your Geo dealership
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions
here, or you could get a false reading.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission.
Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust system parts, starting
a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if
you check your
transmission fluid.
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transmission is
cool enough for
you to rest your fingers on the
transmission case.
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Page 262 of 387
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered by
your
warranty. Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
NOTICE:
r
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
LOW, or
a little higher. When your engine is warm, the
level should be
up to FULL, or a little higher.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
coolant recovery tank.
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Page 264 of 387
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering fluid
unless you suspect there
is a leak in the system or you hear
an unusual noise. A fluid loss in this system could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected and repaired.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, unscrew the cap
and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap
and completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again
and look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
0 When the engine compartment is hot, the level
@ When the engine compartment is cool, the level
should
be at the
MAX mark.
should be at the
MIN mark.
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Page 267 of 387

system fixed, since a leak means that sooner or later your
brakes won’t work well, or won’t work at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak.
If you add fluid
when your linings
are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when
you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work ’is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
A CAUTION:
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is hot
enough.
You or others could be burned, and your
vehicle could be damaged. Add brake fluid only
when work
is done on the brake hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections” in the Index.
Checking Brake Fluid
You can check the
brake fluid without taking
off the cap.
Just look at the windows on the brake fluid reservoir.
The fluid levels should be above
MIN, If they aren’t,
have your brake system checked
to see if there is a leak.
After work is done on the brake hydraulic system, make
sure the levels
are above MIN and below the top of
each window.
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Page 294 of 387

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- - ..
c
I. ’ m. SAMPLE4UXTM072675 . 1
ENGINEAG $. ASSEMBLY
-
CODE MODEL YEAR PLANT
This is the legal identifier for your Geo. It appears on a
plate
in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver’s side. You can see it
if you look through the
windshield
from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears
on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in your VIN is the engine code.
This code will help
you identify your engine,
specifications and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label inside the glove box on the door.
It’s very helpful if you ever need to order parts. On
this label is:
0
0
0
0
your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information, and
a list
of all production options and special equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
Electrical System
Add-on Electrical Equipment
NOTICE:
Don’t add anything electrical to your Geo unless
you check with your dealer first. Some electrical
equipment can damage your vehicle and the
damage wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Some add-on electrical equipment can keep other
components from working
as they should.
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Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your
Geo, see “Servicing Your
Air Bag-Equipped Geo” in the Index.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits
by fuses, circuit breakers and thermal links
in the wiring itself. This greatly reduces the chance of
fires caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the correct size.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don’t have a
spare fuse,
you can borrow one. Just pick some feature
of your vehicle that you can get along without -- like the
radio or cigarette lighter
-- and use its fuse, if it is the
size you need. Replace it as soon as you can.
Before replacing
a fuse, turn every vehicle electrical
switch
off.
There are two fuse blocks in your vehicle: the
instrument panel fuse block and the engine compartment
fuse block.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
This fuse box is under the left side of the instrument
panel.
The fuses here protect each separate circuit
including headlamps.
If you have electrical failure,
check here first.
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Page 300 of 387

Capacities (Approximate)
The following approximate capacities are given in
English and metric conversions.
label under the hood and “Air Conditioning
Refrigerants” at the end of this section.
Air Conditioning?
... See the refrigerant information
Please refer to “Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index
for more information.
Automatic Transmission Drain and Refill
...... . 3.0 quarts (2.8 L)**
Overhaul
Two-Door Convertible
...... 5.4 quarts (5.1 L)
Four-Door Hardtop
........ 7.3 quarts (6.9 L)
Automatic Transmission ....... 5.5 quarts (5.2 L)
Manual Transmission
....... 5.6 quarts (5.3 L)
With Filter Change ........ 4.5 quarts (4.2 L)*
Front Differential ............ 1.1 quarts (1.0 L)
Fuel Tank
Two-Door Convertible
....... 11.1 gallons (42 L)
Four-Door Hardtop ......... 14.5 gallons (55 L)
Cooling System
Crankcase Manual Transmission
Four-wheel Drive
........ 1.6 quarts (1.5 L)**
Two-Wheel Drive .......... 2.0 quarts (1.9 L)**
Rear Differential ............. 2.3 quarts (2.2 L)
Transfer Case ............... 1.8 quarts (1.7 L)
* When changing the oil filter, additional oil may be
needed. Recheck the oil level after filling. See “Engine
Oil” in the Index.
** Recheck fluid level after filling. See “Automatic
Transmission Fluid” or “Manual Transmission Fluid” in
the Index.
Wheel Nuts
Wheel Nut Torque ............. 60 lb-ft (80 N-m)
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