1996 CHEVROLET TRACKER engine

Gem The 1996 Geo Tracker Owner’s Manual
Seats and Restraint Systems .............................................................
This section tells you how to use your seats and safety belts properly. It also explains the air bag system.
FeaturesandControls ..................................................................
,This section explains how to start and operate your Geo.
This section tells you how to adjust the ventilation and comfort controls and how to operate your
audio system.
Comfort Controls and Audio Systems .....................................................
YourDrivingandtheRoad ..............................................................
Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.
ProblemsontheRoad ..................................................................
This section tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or overheated
engine, etc.
Here
the manual tells you how to keep your Geo running properly and looking good. <
This section tells you when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.
This section tells you how to contact Chevrolet/Geo for assistance and how to get service and owner
publications.
It also gives you information on “Reporting Safety Defects” on page 8-8.
Here’s an alphabetical listing of almost every subject in this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
ServiceandAppearanceCare. ...........................................................
.MaintenanceSchedule....................................................\
..............
Customer Assistance Information ........................................................
Index ........................................................................\
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Vehicle Symbols
These are some of the symbols you may find on your vehicle.
For example,
these symbols
are used on an
original battery:
POSSIBLE A
CAUTION
INJURY
PROTECT EYES BY
SHIELDING
CAUSTIC
ACIbTELi CAUSE
BURNS
AVOID
SPARKS OR
FLAMES
SPARK
OR ,\I/,
COULD FLAME
EXPLODE BATTERY
These symbols are important
for you and
your passengers
whenever your
vehicle
is
driven:
FASTEN
SEAT
BELTS
These symbols
have
to do with
your lights:
SIGNALS e e3
TURN
PARKING
0
LAMPS pq
RUNNING 0
DAYTIME *
LAMPS '**
FOG LAMPS $0
These symbols
are on some
of
your controls:
WINDSHIELD
WIPER
WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER
VENTILATING
&?
FAN
These symbols are used
on
warning and
indicator lights:
ENGINE t
COOLANT - t-
TEMP -
CHARGING BAllERY
SYSTEM
BRAKE
(0)
R
COOLANT
ENGINE OIL
w,
PRESSURE
ANTI-LOCK
(@)
BRAKES
Here are some
other symbols
you may see:
FUSE *
P
LIGHTER
HORN
)tr
SPEAKER
b
FUEL B
vi
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Tailgate Tailgate Lock Release
It can be dangerous to drive with the tailgate
window open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas
can come into your vehicle.
You can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the tailgate window open
or if electrical wiring or other cable connections
must
pass through the seal between the body and
the tailgate window:
Make sure all windows are shut.
Wrn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on
CIRCULATE. That will force outside air
into your vehicle. See “Comfort Controls” in
the Index.
instrument panel, open them all the way.
If you have air outlets on or under the
See
“Engine Exhaust’’ in the Index.
Use your key to lock or
unlock your tailgate.
If you have a convertible, you can still open or close the
tailgate
with the rear window closed.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business? especially in some cities.
Although
your Geo has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that
nothing we put on it can make it
impossible
to steal. However, there are ways you can help.
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Ignition Positions
4
With the key in the ignition
switch, you can
turn the
switch to four positions.,
LOCK (A): The only position in which you can remove
the key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition and
automatic transmission.
If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch can’t be turned to LOCK unless the shift lever is
in the
PARK (P) position.
ACC (B): The position that you can operate your
electrical power accessories. It unlocks the steering
wheel and ignition. Use this position if your vehicle
must be pushed or towed.
ON (C): The position in which the switch returns to
after you start your engine and release the switch. The
switch stays in the
ON position when the engine is
running. But even when the engine is not running, you
can use ON to operate your electrical power accessories
and to display some instrument panel warning and
indicator lights.
START (D): The position in which the engine starts.
When the engine starts, release the key. The ignition
switch
will return to ON for normal driving.
When the engine is not running, ACC and
ON allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such as the radio
and ventilation fan.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver’s
door when the ignition is in ACC or LOCK and the key
is in the ignition.
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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.
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Starting Your 1.6 Liter Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key.
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to
be drained much sooner. And the excessive heat
can damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in
START for about three seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about
15 seconds between each
try to help avoid draining your battery.
If your engine still won’t start, call your dealer for help.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
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Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position
to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t
move easily.
A CAUTION:
~~ ~~~ ~~~~~ ~~
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless
you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured. To be sure your
vehicle
won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle
will be free to roll
-- even if your shift lever
is in
PARK (P) -- if your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL (N). So, be sure the transfer case is in
a drive gear, two-wheel high (2H), four-wheel
high
(4H) or four-wheel low (4L) e- not in
NEUTRAL (N). See ‘(Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index. If you’re pulling
a trailer, see “Towing
a ”railer” in the Index.
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Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range before
starting the engine. Your Geo has a brake-transmission
shift interlock. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition key
is in the ON position. If you cannot shift
out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever -- push
the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) and release the
shift lever button
as you maintain brake application.
Then press the shift lever button and move the shift
lever into the gear you wish. See “Shifting Out of
PARK
(P)” in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving forward could damage your
transmission. Shift to
REVERSE (R) only after
your vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission, see
“Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine doesn’t
connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re already
moving, use NEUTRAL
(N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL
(N) when your vehicle is being towed.
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) vhile
your engine is “racing” (running
at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal,
your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don’t shift out of
PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
b i
NOTICE:
Damage to your transmission caused by shifting
out of
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the
engine racing isn’t covered by your warranty.
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