What Kind of Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the “Starburst” symbol. This symbol
indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
If you change your own
oil, be sure you use oil that
has the Starburst symbol on the front
of the oil
container. If you have
your
oil changed for you,
be sure the oil put into
your engine
is American
Petroleum Institute certified
for gasoline en~es.
I I U v
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown
in the following chart:
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL
FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
’m)
LOOK
FOR MIS
SYMBOL
+loo- - +38
+EO- - +27
+60- - +16
+40- - +4
+20---7
0---18
I- --I SAE 1OW-30
SAE 5W-30 PREFERRED
/
caul
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
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As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use SAE
1OW-30 if it’s going
to be 0°F (-1 8 “C) or above. These numbers on an oil
container
show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such
as SAE 20W-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
“Starburst”
symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage
not covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Geo dealer is ready
to advise if
you think something should‘be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
0
e
e
0
e
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).
You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or
off-road frequently.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine
oil to
break down sooner.
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your
oil and filter
every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
If none of them is true, change oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 7.5 months -- whichever
occurs first.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warned
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
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3. Pull out the filter.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid
level is when the engine oil is changed.
Change both the fluid and filter every
50,000 miles
(83 000 km) if the vehicle is mainly driven under one or
more of these conditions:
0 In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches
90°F (32” C) or higher.
In hilly or mountainous terrain.
When doing frequent trailer towing.
Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid and filter do not
require changing.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
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What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
W of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when
it is low. If you have a problem
with engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Geo will:
Give freezing protection down to -33 “F (-36°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 258°F (125°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature,
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half antifreeze that meets
GM
Specification 1825-M, which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming
to
GM Specification 1825-M with a complete coolant flush
and refill. If you use this mixture, you don’t need to add
anything else.
/i CAUTTON:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix
will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant
mix. With
plain water
or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot
but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch
fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and the proper antifreeze.
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Capacities and Specifications
Engine
Type ....................... . . L4
Compression Ratio ........ . . 9.5:l
Firing Order .......................... 1-3-4-2
Horsepower
.............................. 95
Fuel Delivery .................... Fuel Injection
Piston Displacement
............... 97 CID (I .6L)
Valve Arrangement ............ ~n-~ead T? Type
AC Belt Tension ....... Deflect Belt 0.24-0.3 inch
(6-9 mm) @ 22 lbs. (10 kg) Pressure
Fan Belt Tension
Inspection
........... Deflect Belt 0.24-0.32 inch
Replacement
.......... Deflect Belt 0.20-0.28 inch
(4-8 mm)'@ 22 lbs. (10 kg) Pressure
(5-7 mm) @ 22 lbs. (10 kg) Pressure
Specification
........... , . 180°F (82°C)
Thermostat Temperature,
Replacement Parts
Air Cleaner Filter ................. 13780-58B20
GM Part No. 96068629 or equivalent
Engine Oil Filter
.......... GM Part No. 25014441
GM Part No. 96058022 or equivalent
PCV Valve .... GM Part No. 96058079 or equivalent
Radiator Pressure Cap
............ 13 psi (90 kPa)
0.028-0.032 inch gap
(0.7 to 9.8 mm)
Battery ............................. 26R-50s
Fuel Filter
..................... AC Type GF571
Spark Plug ................... AC Type R43XLS
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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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Driving City
........................................ 4-34
Defensive
.................................... 4-1
Drunken ..................................... 4-2
Freeway
.................................... 4-35
Guidelines
.................................. 4- 14
InaBlizzard ................................. 4-41
In. Foreign Countries ........................... 6-4
In the Rain
.................................. 4-31
Night ...................................... 4-29
Off-Road
................................... 4-14
On Curves.
.................................... 4-9
On Grades While Towing a Trailer ............... 4-53
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................... 4-37
On Snow
and Ice ............................. 4-40
Throughwater
............................... 4-33
WetRoads
.................................. 4-31
Winter
...................................... 4-39
With a Trailer
................................ 4-52
DrunkenDriving
................................ 4-2
Easy Entry Seat ................................ 1-4
Electrical
Equipment. Adding ................. 2-9. 6-57
Electrical System
............................... 6-57
Engine
........................................ 6-8
Coolant
..................................... 6-24
Coolant Level Check
.......................... 7-47 Coolant Temperature
Gage
. . ......... 2-64
Exhaust
................ ......... 2-25
Identification
...... ........... 6-57
Main Fuse Block ...... ......... 6-60
Oil Level Check ............ ......... 7-47
Overheating
................................. 5-12
Running While Parked
......................... 2-25
Specifications
................................ 6-62
Stating Your
............................. 2-8, 2-9
Engine Compartment
Main Fuse Block .............. 6-60
EngineOil ..................................... 6-9
Adding
.............. ................... 6 -10
Additives ................................... 6-12
Checking ................................... 6-10
Used
....................................... 6-13
When to Change
.............................. 6-12
Ethanol
........................................ 6-3
Exhaust, Engine
.................. .............. 2-25
Fabric Cleaning
............................... 6-49
Fifth
Gear, Manual Transmission ................... 2-14
FillingYourTank
................................ 6-4
Filter.
Air ..................................... 6-14
Finish Care
.................................... 6-52
FinishDamage
................................. 6-55
First Gear, Manual Transmission ................... 2-14
Flashers, Hazard Warning
......................... 5-1
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