Page 107 of 387
13. Lower the folded canvas behind the rear
seatback(s). Make sure that the rear seat belts
around the shoulder anchor are clear from the
folded top.
14. Fasten the upper top
bow with the belt
on the driver’s
side
seat belt shoulder
anchor bracket.
Reverse the steps
to raise your canvas top.
After raising the canvas top,
make sure that the canvas
extension is located outside the roof rail.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 115 of 387
Warning Lights, Gages and Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages that
may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you
locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an
expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
your warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.
Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you
will see in the details on the next few pages, some
warning lights come on briefly when
you start the
engine just
to let you know they’re working. If you are
familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed
when this happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with
one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and
warning lights work together to let you know when
there’s
a problem with your vehicle. When
one of the warning lights comes
on and stays on
when you
are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells YOU
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s advice.
Waiting to
do repairs can be costly -- and even
dangerous.
So please get to know your warning lights
and gages. They’re a big help.
Safety Belt Reminder Light
When the key is turned to
ON or STAFtT, a light will
come on for about eight
seconds to remind people to
fasten their safety belts.
Unless the driver’s safety
belt is already buckled, a
chime will also sound.
2-60
ProCarManuals.com
Page 116 of 387
Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows AIR
BAG. The system checks the
air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions. The light
tells you if there is an electrical problem. The system
check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag modules,
the wiring and the crash sensing and diagnostic module.
For more information on the air bag system, see “Air
Bag” in the Index.
AIR
BAG
You will see this light flash
for a few seconds when you
turn your ignition to
ON or
START. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the
air bag readiness light doesn’t come on when you
start your vehicle, or stays on, or comes on when you
are driving, your
air bag system may not work properly.
Have your vehicle serviced right away.
Charging System Light
This light will come on
briefly when you turn on the
ignition, but the engine is
not running, as a check to
show you it is working.
Then it should go out when
the engine starts.
If the light stays
on or comes on while you are driving,
you
may have a problem with the electrical charging
system. It could indicate that you have a loose generator
drive belt
or another electrical problem. Have it checked
right away. Driving while this light
is on could drain
your battery.
If you must drive a short distance with this light on, be
certain to
turn off all your accessories, such as the radio
and air conditioner.
2-61
ProCarManuals.com
Page 144 of 387
Cleaning may be done with a scrubbing action,
non-abrasive cleaning cassette with pads which scrub
the tape head as the hubs
of the cleaner cassette turn. It
is normal for the cassette to eject while cleaning. Insert
the cassette at least three times to ensure thorough
cleaning.
A scrubbing action cleaning cassette is
available through your Geo dealer.
You may also choose a non-scrubbing action, wet-type
cleaner which uses a cassette with a fabric belt to clean
the tape head. This type
of cleaning cassette will not
eject. It may not clean as thoroughly as the scrubbing
type cleaner.
Cassettes are subject to'wear and the sound quality may
degrade over time. Always make sure that the cassette
tape is in good condition before you have your tape
player serviced.
Care of Your Compact Discs
Handle discs carefully. Store them in their original cases
or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight
and dust.
If the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a
clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution
and
clean it, wiping from the center to the edge.
Be sure never to touch
the signal surface when handling
discs. Pick up discs by grasping the outer edges or the
edge of the
hole and the outer edge.
Antenna
Use the knob on the end of the antenna to raise the
antenna.
To lower it, hold the antenna mast near the roof
and feed it into the holder. Do not try to lower the
antenna using the knob. Keep the antenna mast clean for
good performance.
Always lower the antenna before entering
a car wash.
If you have the convertible top, also lower the antenna
before removing or installing the
top.
3-19
ProCarManuals.com
Page 146 of 387
GeGB Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
Defensive Driving
The best advice anyone can give about driving is:
Drive defensively.
Please start with a very important safety device in your
Geo: Buckle up. (See “Safety Belts” in the Index.)
Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.’’
On city streets, rural roads
or freeways, it means
“always expect the unexpected,”
Assume that pedestrians
or other drivers are going to be
careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might
do. Be ready for their mistakes.
Here you’ll find information about driving on different
kinds
of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve
also included many other useful tips
on driving. Rear-end
collisions are about
the most preventable of
accidents. Yet they
are common. Allow enough
following distance. It’s the best defensive driving
maneuver, in both city and rural driving. You never
know when the vehicle in front of you is going to brake
or turn suddenly.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 155 of 387
Steering in Emergencies
There are times when steering can be more effective
than braking. For example, you come over a hill and
find
a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls
out from nowhere, or a chlld darts out from between
parked cars and
stops right in front of you. You can
avoid these
problems by braking -- if you can stop
in time, But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room.
That’s the time for evasive action -- steering around
the problem.
Your Geo can perform very well in emergencies
like
these. First apply your brakes -- but, unless you have
anti-lock, not
enough to lock your wheels. (See
“Braking in Emergencies’’ earlier in this section.) It
is
better to remove as much speed as you can from a
possible collision. Then steer
around the problem, to the
left or right depending
on the space available, An
emergency like this requires close attention
and a
quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at
the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can
turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing
either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and
just as quickly straighten the wheel once
you have
avoided the object.
The fact that such emergency situations
are always
possible
is a good reason to practice defensive driving at
all times and
wear safety belts properly.
4-10
ProCarManuals.com
Page 162 of 387
Controlling your vehicle is the key to successful
off-road driving. One
of the best ways to control your
vehicle is to control your speed. Here are some things to
keep in mind.
At higher speeds:
you approach things faster and you have less time to
scan the terrain for obstacles.
0 you have less time to react.
you have more vehicle bounce when you drive
you’ll need more distance for braking, especially
over
obstacles.
since you’re on an unpaved surface.
~~
~
When you’re driving off-road, bouncing and
quick changes in direction can easily throw you
out of position. This could cause
you to lose
control and crash.
So, whether you’re driving on
or off the road,
you and your passengers should
wear safety belts.
Scanning the Terrain
Off-road driving can take you over many different
kinds
of terrain. You need to be familiar with the
terrain and its many different features. Here are some
things to consider.
Surface Conditions. Off-roading can take you over
hard-packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass, sand, mud, snow
or ice. Each of these surfaces affects the steering,
acceleration and braking
of your vehicle in different
ways. Depending upon the kind of surface you
are
on, you may experience slipping, sliding, wheel
spinning, delayed acceleration, poor traction and
Surface Obstacles. Unseen or hidden obstacles can
be hazardous. A rock, log, hole, rut or bump can
startle you if you’re not prepared for them. Often
these obstacles are hidden
by grass, bushes, snow or
even the rise and fall of the terrain itself. Here are some
things to consider:
I longer braking distances.
0 Is the path ahead clear?
0 Will the surface texture change abruptly up ahead?
I Does the travel take you uphill or downhill? (There’s
more discussion of
these subjects later.)
4-17
1. ProCarManuals.com
Page 200 of 387
When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on
a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system and brake adjustment. Each of these
is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
4-55
ProCarManuals.com
