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Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Service Engine Soon Light)
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
Your Geo is equipped with
a computer which monitors
operation of the fuel,
ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD I1 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended
to
assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
(In Canada, OBD I1 is replaced by
Enhanced Diagnostics.) The SERVICE ENGINE
SOON
light comes on to indicate that there is a problem and
service
is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated
by the system before any problem is apparent, which
may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This
system is also designed to assist your service technician
in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.
NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after
a while, your emission controls may not
work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be
covered
by your warranty.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine
is not
running.
If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:
0 Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected, A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission tontrol system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and service is required.
0 Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected
on your vehicIe.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required.
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If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicIe:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard accelerations.
@ Avoid steep uphill grades.
If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being
hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Put your vehicle in PARK (P). Turn the
key
off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the engine.
If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On
Steady” following.
If the light is still flashing follow the
previous steps, and drive the vehicle to
your dealer or
qualified service center for service.
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction
by considering the following:
Did you
just put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap.
The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly installed. This will
allow fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere. A few
driving trips should
turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out.
A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Are you low on fuel?
As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts
of
air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire. The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct
this
condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap properly. It
will take a few driving trips to turn the light off.
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Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see
“Fuel” in the Index). Poor fuel quality
will cause your
engine not to mn
as efficiently as designed. You may
notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when you
put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on
acceleration or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the light
to turn on.
Oil Pressure Light
If you have a problem with
your oil, this light may stay
on after you start your
engine, or come
on when
you are driving.
If you experience this condition, change the fuel brand
you use. It will require at least one full tank of the
proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn off, your engine properly lubricated and cool. The engine
have your dealer or qualified service center check the could be low on oil, or have some other oil related
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and problem. Have it fixed right away.
diagnostic
tools to fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed. This indicates
that there
is not enough pressure to keep
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The oil light could also come on in three other situations.
When the ignition is on but the engine is not running,
&e light. wLU come on as a test to show you it is
working, but the light will go out when
you turn the
engine to START.
If it doesn’t come on with the
ignition on, you may have a problem with the fuse
or
bulb. Have it fixed right away.
light
may blink on and off. This is normal.
Sometimes when the engine is idling at a stop, the
If you make a hard stop, the light may come on for a
moment. This is normal.
Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you
do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches
fire. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon
as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems
can be costly and is not covered by
your warranty.
Power Indicator Light (Option)
POWER
- This light comes on
when the power mode
selector switch is turned to
P (power) with the ignition
switch
in the.ON position.
-
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Overdrive Off Light (Option) Fuel Gage
O/D OFF
This light comes on
when the automatic four-speed transmission
has been converted to the
three-speed mode and
overdrive
is turned off.
Daytime Running Lamps .(DRL)
Indicator Light
This light goes on whenever
the daytime running lamps are on. Your
fuel gage shows about
how much fuel is in your
tank. When the gage first
indicates
EMPTY (E), you
still have a little fuel left
(about one or two gallons)
(4 to 8 L), but you need to
get more right away.
Here are four concerns some owners have had about the
fuel gage. All these situations are normal and do not
indicate that anything is wrong with the fuel gage.
At the gas station, the fuel pump shuts off before the
0 It takes more (or less) fuel to fill up than the gage
gage reads
FULL (F).
reads. For example, the gage reads half full, but it took
more (or less)
than half of the tank’s capacity to fii it.
The gage moves a little when you turn, stop or
When you turn the engine off, the gage doesn’t go
speed
up.
back to
EMPTY (E).
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w2 FLOOR: This position directs air toward the floor.
wy DEFOG: This position directs air toward the
floor, the windsheld and side windows.
DEFROST: This position directs air to the
windshield and side windows.
Fan Control Lever
Slide the lever away from OFF to turn the system on.
Move the lever toward the fan symbol to increase the
fan’s speed.
Temperature Control Lever
Slide the lever to change the temperature of the air
flowing from the system. Move it to the right for
warmer
air and to the left for cooler air. Without
optional air conditioning, the air temperature cannot
be
less than the outside air temperature.
Air Intake Lever
RECIRCULATE: Choose this position to recirculate
the inside
air through the comfort control system.
CIRCULATE: Choose this position to circulate outside
air through the comfort control system.
Air Conditioner Controls (Option)
The air conditioning system
uses the same controls as
described previously. The
function
of each lever is
explained under “Climate
Control System” in this
part.
The incoming air is
cooled and dehumidified
instead
of being heated.
Push the
A/C button to change your comfort control
system
from heating to air conditioning. A light will
come on when the air conditioning is on. The A/C
button can also control the humidity
in your vehicle.
The
air conditioner works best if you keep your
windows closed. On very hot days, open the windows
just long
enough for the hot air to escape.
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Rear Window Defogger (Option)
The rear window defogger
uses a warming grid to
remove
fog from the
rear window.
Press the switch to
turn on the defogger. An indicator
light will come on below the switch to remind you that
the defogger is on. Press the switch again to turn the
defogger
off. The rear window defogger will also turn
off if you turn the ignition switch to ACC or LOCK, but
will turn back on when the ignition is turned back on.
Do not attach anything like a temporary vehicle license
or a decal across the defogger grid
on the rear window.
1 NOTICE:
Don’t use a razor blade or something else sharp
on the inside
of the rear window. If you do, you
could cut or damage the warming grid, and the
repairs wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
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AM-FM Stereo (Option)
To Play the Radio'
Turn the ON-VOL knob to turn the system on or off.
VOL: Turn this knob to adjust the volume.
RCL: Press this button to see the station being played
for a moment. Or, press it
if you want to see the time
when the ignition is off.
Finding a Station
AM-FM: Press this button to get AM or FM. The
lighted display shows your selection.
TUNE: Press the right or left arrow to go to a higher or
lower station. Press and hold to continue tuning and
release when you find your station. The display will
show the frequency of each station tuned.
SEEK: Press the right or left arrow and the radio will
tune to the next higher
or lower station and stay there.
PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons let
you return to your previously played stations.
You can
set up to
12 stations (six AM and six FM).
1. Tune in the desired station.
2. Press one of the six pushbuttons, for at least
3. The sound will mute and then return when, the station
is stored. Whenever you press that numbered button,
the station you set will return.
two seconds.
4. Repeat
the steps for each pushbutton.
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