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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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Coinholder and Bin
Your console has a coinholder and a small storage bin.
Cupholder
Two cupholders are on the center console next to the
parking brake lever.
Ashtrays and Lighter
To use the lighter, push the lighter in all the way and let
go. When it’s ready, it will pop back by itself.
NOTICE:
Don’t hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand
while
it is heating. If you do, it won’t be able to
back away from the heating element when it’s
ready. That can make
it overheat, damaging the
lighter and the heating element.
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Anti-Lock Brake’ System Active
Light (Option)
ABS
ACTIVE
When your anti-lock system
is adjusting brake pressure
to help avoid
a braking skid,
the
anti-lock brake system
active light will
come on.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature. If the
gage pointer
moves to the
H (red) side, your engine is
I/
Slippery road conditions may exist if this light comes
on, so adjust your driving accordingly. The light will
stay on for a few seconds after the system stops
adjusting brake pressure. It
means that your engine coolant
has overheated and
you should stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as
soon as possible.
In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to
do. See
“Engine Overheating” in the Index.
The anti-lock brake system active light also comes on
briefly when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the light
doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be there to
tell you when the system is active.
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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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Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal.
Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring (included in the optional trailering package).
The green arrows on your instrument panel will
flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop. When towing
a trailer, the green arrow’s on your
instrument panel
will flash for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may thlnk drrvers
behind you are seeing your signal when they
are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility
of engine and transmission overheating.
If you are towing a trailer and you have a manual
transmission with FIFTH
(5) gear, you may prefer not to
use FIFTH
(5). Just drive in FOURTH (4) (or, as you
need
to, a lower gear).
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Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your Geo
instrument panel.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign
of steam or coolant before
opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the
engine
is cool.
I NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant,
your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered
by your warranty.
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