A CAUTION:
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the key to
LOCK will lock the steering column and result in a
loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could cause a
collision. If you need to turn the engine off while the
vehicle
is moving, turn the key only to ACC. Don’t
push the key in while the vehicle is
moving.
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure it
is all the way in, If it is, then
turn the steering wheel left and right while
you
turn the key hard. But turn the key only with
your hand.~Using
a tool to force it could break
the key or the ignition switch. If none of this
works, then your vehicle needs service.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature. To restart when you’re already moving,
use NEUTRAL (N) only.
NOTICE:
~~
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Geo is
moving. If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to
PARK (P) only when your
vehicle is stopped.
Manual transmission
The geax selector should be in NEUTRAL (N). Hold the
clutch pedal to
the floor and start the engine. Your
vehicle won’t
start if the clutch pedal is not all the way
down -- that’s a safety feature.
ProCarManuals.com
Manual Transmission
5-Speed
L
This is your shift pattern. Here’s
how to operate
your transmission:
FIRST (1): Press the clutch pedal and shift into
FIRST (1). Then, slowly let up on the clutch pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
You can shift into F’IRST (1) when you’re going less
than
20 mph (32 km/h). If you’ve come to a complete
stop and it’s hard to shift into FIRST
(l), put the shift
lever
in NEUTRAL (N) and let up on the clutch. Press
the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into
FIRST (1).
SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then,
slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5): Shift into
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way
you do for
SECOND (2). Slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop, let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press
the
clutch pedal and the brake pedal, and shift to
NEUTRAL (N).
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NEUTRAL (N): Use this position when you start or
idle
your engine.
REVERSE (R): To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
You cannot
go from FIFTH (5) into REVERSE (R).
If you try, you will be locked out. You must first shift
into NEUTRAL
(N), move the lever to the left, back to
the right, and then shift into REVERSE (R). This is a
> safety feature.
Shift Speeds
,L CAUTION:
If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, you could lose control of your vehicle.
And
you could injure yourself or others. Don’t
shift from FIFTH
(5) to SECOND (2) or from
FOURTH
(4) to FIRST (1).
NOTICE: This chart shows when to shift to the next higher gear
for best fuel economy.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped. Shifting
to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving could damage your transmission.
Also, use REVERSE (R) along with the parking brake
for parking
your vehicle.
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I Acceleration Shift Speed I Cruise Shift Speed I
It02 2to3 3to4 4to5 2to3 3to4 4to5
mph 15 25 40 45 20tO 26 30 to 35 39to 45
I km/h I 24 I 40 I 64 1 72 132 to 42148 to 56163 to 721
If your speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), or if the
engine is not running smoothly, you should downshift to
the next lower gear. You may have to downshift two or
more gears to keep the engine running smoothly
or for
good performance.
NOTICE:
If you skip more than one gear when you downshift,
or if you race the engine when you downshift, you
can damage the clutch or transmission.
Four-wheel Drive (Option)
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send
your engine’s driving power to all four wheels for extra
traction.
To shift out of two-wheel drive and into
four-wheel drive, lock the freewheeling hubs (manual
hubs only) and move the transfer case shift lever
to
FOUR-WHEEL HIGH (4H) or FOUR-WHEEL LOW
(4L) (see the following). You should use TWO-WHEEL
HIGH (2H) for most normal driving.
NOTICE:
Driving in FOUR-WHEEL HIGH (4H) or
FOUR-WHEEL LOW (4L) positions for a long
time
on dry or wet pavement could shorten the
life
of your vehicle’s drivetrain.
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Automatic Transfer Case
With automatic freewheeling hubs, you don’t have to get
out &the vehicle to lock or unlock the hubs.
Locking the Hubs
1. Stop your vehicle.
2. Shift the transfer case to FOUR-WHEEL
HIGH (4H) or FOUR-WHEEL LOW (4L).
3, Drive slowly forward and the hubs will lock.
Unlocking the Hubs
1. Stop your vehicle.
2. Drive 7 feet (2 m) in the direction opposite to the
direction
you were driving before you stopped.
3. Then, press the clutch if you have a manual
transmission, and shift the transfer case to
TWO-WHEEL HIGH (2H). The hubs will unlock. The transfer case shift lever is on the floor to the right
of the driver. Use this lever to shift into and out of
four-wheel drive.
An indicator light comes on when the
transfer
case is in FOUR-WHEEL HIGH (4H) or
FOUR-WHEEL LOW (4L).
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Cruise Control (Option)
" I
With cruise control, you can maintain a speed of about
25 mph (40 kmh) or more without keeping your foot on
the accelerator.
This can really help on long trips. Cmise
control does not work at speeds below about 25 mph
(40 kw-h).
When you apply your brakes, or push the clutch pedal
if you have a manual transmission, the cruise control
shuts off.
A CAUTION:
II-
Cruise control can be dangerous where you
can't drive safely
at a steady speed. So,
don't use your cruise control on winding
roads or in heavy traffic.
slippery roads. On such roads, fast changes
in tire traction can cause needless wheel
spinning,
and you could lose control. Don't
use cruise control on slippery roads.
Cruise control can be dangerous on
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Using Cruise Control on Hills
How well your cruise control will work on hills depends
upon your speed, load and the steepness
of the hills.
When going up steep hills, you may have to step on the
accelerator pedal to maintain your speed. When going
downhill, you may have to brake or shift to a lower gear
to keep your speed down. Of course, applying the brake
takes you out of cruise control. Many drivers find this to
be too much trouble and don't use cruise control on
steep hills.
Getting Out of Cruise Control
There are three ways to turn off cruise control:
Step lightly on the brake pedal, or push the clutch
pedal if you have a manual transmission.
Push in the CANCEL button on the end of the cruise
control lever.
0 Press OFF on the cruise control switch.
Erasing Speed Memory
When you turn off the cruise control or the ignition,
your cruise control set speed memory is erased.
Lamps
Daytime Running Lamps
Daytime Running Laps (DRL) can make it easier for
others to see the front of your vehicle during the day.
DRL can be helpful in many different driving
conditions, but they can be especially helpful
in the
short periods after dawn and before sunset.
The DRL system will make your low-beam headlamps
come on at a reduced brightness when:
0 The ignition is on,
0 The headlamp switch is off, and
The parking brake is released.
When you turn on the headlamp switch, your DRL will
go out, and your headlamps will come on.
The other lamps that come on
with your headlamps will
also come on.
When you turn off the headlamp switch, the regular
lamps will go
off, and your low-beam headlamps come
on at the reduced brightness of DRL.
To idle your vehicle with the DRL off, set the parking brake.
The
DRL will stay off until you release the parking brake.
As with any vehicle, you should turn on the regular
headlamp system when you need
it.
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What should I do if my vehicle stalls, or is about
to stall,
and I can’t make it up the hill?
A: If this happens, there are some things. you should
0
0
0
0
do, and there are some things you must not do.
First, here’s what you
should do:
Push the brake pedal to stop the vehicle and keep it
from rolling backwards.
Also, apply the parking brake.
If your engine is still running, shift the transmission
to REVERSE (R), release the parking brake, and
slowly back down the hill in
REVERSE (R).
If your engine has stopped running, you’ll need to
restart it. With the brake pedal depressed and the
parking brake still applied,
shift the transmission to
PARK (P) (or, shift to
NEUTRAL (N) if your
vehicle has
a manual transmission) and restart the
engine. Then, shift to REVERSE
(R), release the
parking brake, and slowly back down the hill as
straight as possible in REVERSE (R).
As you are backing down the hill, put your left hand
on the steering wheel at the 12 o’clock position. This
way, you’ll be able to tell
if your wheels are straight and maneuver
as you back down. It’s best that you
back down the hill with your wheels straight rather
than in the left or right direction. Turning the wheel
too far to the left or right will increase the possibility
of a rollover.
Here are some things you
must not do if you stall, or
are about to stall, when going up a hill.
NEUTRAL (N) (or depressing the clutch,
if you
have a manual transmission) to “rev-up” the engine
and regain forward momentum. This won’t work.
Your vehicle will roll backwards very quickly and
you could go out of control.
Never attempt to prevent a stall by shifting into
Instead, apply the regular brake to stop the vehicle. Then
apply the parking brake. Shift to REVERSE (R), release
the parking brake, and slowly back straight down.
a Never attempt to turn around if you are about to stall
when going up
a hill. If the hill is steep enough to
stall your vehicle, it’s steep enough to cause you to
roll over
if you turn around. If you can’t make it up
the hill, you must back straight down the hill.
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