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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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Gem Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you’ll find what to do about some problems that
can occur on the road.
Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps ,will flash on and
off.
Press the button on top
of the steering column to
make your front and rear
turn signal lamps flash
on and
off.
Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position
your key is in, and even if the key isn’t in.
To turn off the flashers, push the button again.
When the hazard warning flashers are
on, your turn
signals won’t work.
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U‘l’lOR’
A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t
adequately secured. This can cause
a collision, ‘
serious personal injury and vehicle damage. The
vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or
steel cables before
it is transported.
Don’t
use substitutes (ropes, leather straps,
canvas webbing,
etc.) that can be cut by sharp
edges underneath the towed vehicle.
When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition key
turned to the OFF position. The steering wheel should
be clamped in a straight-ahead position, with a clamping
device designed for towing service. Do not use the
vehicle’s steering column lock for this.
The transmission
and
transfer case, if you have one, should be in
NEUTRAL (N) and the parking brake released.
Don’t have your vehicle towed
on the drive wheels
unless
you must. If the vehicle &ust be towed on the
drive wheels, be sure to follow any speed and distance
restrictions later
in this section, or your transmission
will be damaged. If these limitations must be exceeded,
then the drive wheels have to be supported on a dolly.
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The spare tire is mounted on your tailgate. Pull the cover
off of the spare tire. Insert
your key into
the wheel lock on the spare tire and
pull the wheel lock off.
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The cap is behind a hinged door on the passenger’s side
of your vehicle. On four-door models, use the key to
the vehicle to unlock the fuel door.
To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). When
you put the cap
back on, turn it to the right until
you hear at least three clicks. Make sure you fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine
if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. See
“Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in the Index.
If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites
it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you if you open the
fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap
all the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon
as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside of Your Geo” in the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type, it may
not fit or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and emissions system
might be damaged.
,
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Page 351 of 387

At Least Twice a Year Automatic Transmission Check
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts.
If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have
any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag covers, and
have them repaired or replaced.
(The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Fluid Level Check
Check the transfer case, axle differential(s) and
automatic
or manual transmission fluid levels and add as
needed. See “Transfer Case,” “Axle, Rear,” “Axle,
Front” and “Automatic Transmission” or “Manual
Transmission”
in the Index. A fluid loss in these systems
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected and
repaired
at once.
Check the transmission fluid level; add if needed. See
“Automatic Transmission”
in the Index. A fluid IOSS may
indicate
a problem. Check the system and repair if needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified
in Part D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges. Also lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the hood, rear
compartment, glove box door, console door and any
folding seat hardware.
Part D tells you what to use.
More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed
to a corrosive environment.
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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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Steering Column Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the
key to LOCK in each shift lever position.
With an automatic transmission, the key should turn
to LOCK only when the shift lever is in PARK (P).
With a manual transmission, the key should turn to
LOCK only if you push the key in farther, while
turning it towards
LOCK.
On vehicles with a key release lever, try to turn the key
to LOCK without pressing the lever. The key should
turn to LOCK only when you press the key lever.
On all vehicles, the key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission
PARK (P) Mechanism Check
/d CAUTION:
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to
move. You or others could be
injured and property
could be damaged. Make
sure there
is room in front of your vehicle in case
it begins
to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake: With the engine running
and transmission in NEUTRAL (N), slowly remove
foot pressure from the regular brake pedal.
Do this
until the vehicle is held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism’s holding ability:
Shift to
PARK (P). Then release all brakes. If your
vehicle is four-wheel
drive, be sure the transfer case
is not in NEUTRAL (N).
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
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