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Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
In this section you’ll find out how to operate the comfort
control and audio systems offered with your Geo. Be
sure to read about the particular systems supplied with
your vehicle.
Comfort Controls
With this system, you can control the heating and
ventilation
in your Geo. If you have the air conditioning
option, you can also control cooling.
Climate Control System
Your vehicle also has the flow-through ventilation
system described later in this section.
Airflow Lever
dm 9 VENT This position directs the airflow through
the instrument panel vents.
*+ BI-LEVEL: This position directs air though the
instrument panel vents and toward the floor.
Am
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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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For normal cooling, push the A/C button and move the air
intake lever to CIRCULATE. For faster cooling, move the
lever to RECIRCULATE. Then move
the airflow lever to
VENT, the temperature control lever toward the left and
the fan control lever toward the fan symbol.
On days when it is raining or the humidity is high,
follow these dehumidifying steps
to help clean windows
that are cloudy with moisture. Push the A/C button.
Move the air intake lever
to CIRCULATE. Move the
airflow lever
to DEFROST and the fan control lever
toward the fan symbol, Adjust the temperature control
lever to a comfortable setting.
Heating
For the quickest results, move the air intake lever to
RECIRCULATE. Move the aifflow lever to FLOOR, the
temperature control lever toward the right for warmer
air and the fan control lever toward the fan symbol.
You
should switch to CIRCULATE once in a while to avoid
stale air and cloudy windows.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures, .when little heating or
cooling is needed, you can still direct outside air through
your vehicle.
Move the air intake lever
to CIRCULATE and the
aifflow lever to BI-LEVEL. Adjust the temperature
control lever
to a comfortable setting and move the fan
control lever toward the fan symbol.
Your Geo’s flow-through ventilation system s6pplies
outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside
air will also enter the vehicle when the fan is running
and the air intake lever is at CIRCULATE.
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Your vehicle has air outlets that allow you to adjust the
direction and amount of airflow inside
the vehicle. Push
the outlet up
or down to direct airflow to your
preference. Increase
or reduce the amount of airflow by
opening and closing the louvers.
Ventilation Tips
Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or
any other obstruction (such
as leaves). The heater
and defroster will work
far better, reducing the
chance
of fogging the inside of your windows.
When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, move the
fan control lever toward the fan symbol for a few
moments before driving off. This helps clear the
intake ducts of
snow and moisture, and reduces the
chance of fogging the inside of your windows.
0 Keep the air path under the front seats clear of
objects. This helps air to circulate throughout
your vehicle.
Defogging and Defrosting
Slide the air intake lever to CIRCULATE and the
airflow lever to DEFROST to direct air to the
windshield vents. Then slide the temperature control
lever toward the right and the fan lever toward the fan
symbol. When the windshield is clear, turn down the
fan
speed.
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Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it
go a little faster
than just idle. That
is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery
to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for awhile.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But do it as little
as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can.
To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
There may be times when you want to tow your Geo
behind another vehicle for use at your destination. Be
sure to use the proper towing equipment designed for
recreational towing. Follow the instructions for the
towing equipment.
Towing Your Vehicle from the Rear
The best way to tow your Geo is from the rear. Follow
these steps:
1. Put the rear wheels on a dolly.
I I
NOTICE:
Do not tow your Geo with the rear wheels in
contact with the ground, or the transmission
could be damaged.
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2.
3.
4.
5,
Set the parking brake.
If your Geo is a four-wheel-drive vehicle, set your
manual free-wheeling hubs
to FliEE or unlock your
automatic freewheeling hubs.
See “Four-wheel
Drive” in the Index.
Turn the ignition key to ACC to unlock the
steering wheel.
Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position, with
a clamping device designed
for towing.
Release the parking brake.
NOTICE:
Make sure that the towing speed does not
exceed 55 mph (90 km/h), or your Geo could be
badly damaged.
Towing Your Ve- ‘cle from the Front
NOTICE:
If your vehicle has automatic freewheeling hubs
or two-wheel drive, do not tow it on all four
wheels. If you do, your transmission could be
damaged.
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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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Towing a Trailer
A CAUTION:
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose controlwhen you pull a
trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes
may not work well -- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull
a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps in this section.
Ask your Geo dealer for
advice and information about towing
a trailer
with your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your Geo dealer
for important information about
towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify what the
vehicle trailering capacity is for
your vehicle, you
should read the information in “Weight of the
Trailer”
that appears later in this section. But trailering is
different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes
in handling, durability and
fuel
economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
That’s the reason for this section. In
it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety des.
Many
of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers. So please read this section carefully
before you pull
a trailer.
Load-pulhg components such as the engine,
transmission, wheel assemblies and tires are forced to
work harder against the drag of the added’weight. The
engine is required to operate at relatively higher speeds
and under greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s
more, the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance,
increasing the pulling requirements.
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