NOTICE:
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution
to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts of the washer system.
Also,
water doesn’t clean as well as washer fluid.
three-quarters full when it’s
very cold. This
allows for expansion, which could damage
the tank
if it is completely full.
windshield washer.
It can damage your
washer system and paint.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
0 Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level
in the
reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake fluid
goes down to
an acceptable level during normal brake
lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid level
goes back up.
The other reason is that fluid is leaking out
of the brake system.
If it is, you should have your brake
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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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What to Add
When you do need brake fluid, use only DOT-3 brake
fluid
-- such as Delco Supreme 11 @ (GM Part
No. 1052535). Use new brake fluid from a sealed
container only, and alvir-ays clean the brake fluid
reservoir cap before removing
it.
I d!L CAUTION:
1
With the wrong kind of fluid in your brake
system, your brakes may not work well, or they
may not even work at all. This could cause
a
crash. Always use the proper brake fluid.
NOTICE:
e Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index.
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Brake Wear
Your Geo has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are
wor~ and new pads are needed.
The sound may come and
go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except
when you are pushing
on the brake pedal firmly).
The brake wear warning sound means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work
well. That could
lead
to an accident. When you hear the brake
wear warning
sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE: I
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result
in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly applied.
This does not mean something is wrong with
your brakes,
Free movement of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake pulsation.
When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers for
movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque wheel
nuts
in the proper sequence to GM specifications.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but
if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake
linings inspected. Also, the rear brake drums
should be removed and inspected each time the tires are
removed for rotation or changing. When you have the
front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes inspected,
too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height,
or if there is a rapid increase in pedal
travel. This could
be a sign of brake trouble.
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Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your disc brakes
adjust for wear.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle is complex.
Its many parts have to be
of top quality and work well
together
if the vehicle is to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have top-quality
GM brake
parts in them, as your Geo does when it
is new. When
you replace parts
of your braking system -- for example,
when your brake
linings wear down and you have to have
new ones put in
-- be sure you get new genuine GM
replacement parts. If you don’t, your brakes may no
longer work properly. For example,
if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your vehicle, the balance
between your front and rear brakes can change
-- for the
worse. The braking performance you’ve come to expect
can change
in many other ways if someone puts in the
wrong replacement brake parts.
Battery
Every new Geo has a Delco Freedom@ battery. You
never have to add water to one of these. Men it’s time
for a new battery, we recommend a Delco Freedom
battery. Get one that has the replacement number
shown
on the original battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
Tf you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or
more, take
off the black, negative (-) cable from the battery.
This will help keep your battery from running down.
CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas that
can explode. You can be badly hurt if you aren’t
careful. See “Jump Starting”
in the Index for tips
on working around
a battery without getting hurt.
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also,
for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature”
in the Index.
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Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced
carefully at the factory
to give you the longest tire life
and best overall performance.
In most cases, you will not need to have your wheels
aligned again. However, if you notice unusual tire wear
or your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the
alignment may need
to be reset. If you notice your
vehicle vibrating when driving
on a smooth road, your
wheels may need
to be rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded.
If wheel nuts keep corning loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts
and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks
air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which
can sometimes be repaired). See your
Geo dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind
of wheel you need.
Each new wheel
should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset
and be mounted the
same way as
the one it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new
GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure to have the
right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your
Geo model.
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous. It
could affect the braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air and make
you lose
control.
You could have a collision in which you or
others could be injured. Always use the correct
wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle
ground clearance and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and
chassis.
~~
See “Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index for more
information.
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Main Fuse Block
The main fuse box in your engine compartment protects
all electrical loads.
For access
to the main fuses, pull off the cover. A spare
fuse is
also inside the fuse box.
Fuse
BATT ......
ABS .........
Usage
............ All Electrical Load
....... Anti-Lock Brake System
LAMP
...
IG . . ................. Ignition, Lighter, Radio,
Wiperwasher, Rear Defogger,
Turn Signals, Backup Lamps, Heater
Stop Lamps, Horn, Hazard Lamps
H/L, R ................... Right Side Headlamp
H/L, L ................. Left Side Headlamp
FI ....... .......... Fuel Injection System
A/C
.... ... ........ Air Conditioning
......... Taillamps, Dome Lamps,
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Maintenance Schedule
I Short TriplCity Definition
Follow the Short. Trip/City Maintenance Schedule if any
one of these conditions is true for your vehicle:
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
your vehicle.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
If the vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
One of the reasons you should follow this schedule if ,
you operate your vehicle under any of these conditions
is that these conditions cause engine oil to break
down sooner.
Short TriplCity Intervals
Every 3,000 Miles (5 000 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change
(or 3 months, whichever occurs first).
Free-Wheeling
Hubs Inspection (if equipped)
(or
3 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 6,000 Miles (10 000 km): Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Inspection, if driving in dusty conditions. Front
Wheel Bearing Repack (or at each brake relining,
whichever occurs first). Manual Transmission Fluid
Change
(or every 15 months, whichever occurs first).
Engine
Idle Speed Check. Valve Lash (Clearance),
Adjustment. Propeller Shafts
and U-Joints Inspection
(or every
15 months, whichever occurs first).
Every 30,000 Miles (50 000 km): Air Cleaner Filter
Replacement. Spark Plug Replacement. Engine
Accessory Drive Belt Inspection (or every
24 months,
whichever occurs
first). C.ooling System Service
(or every 30 months, whichever occurs first). Fuel
Filter Replacement (or every
30 months, whichever
occurs
first).
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