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If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle with manual
freewheeling
hubs, it can be towed from the front with
all four wheels on the ground. Follow these steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Set the parking brake.
Turn the ignition key to ACC to unlock the
steering wheel.
Shift your automatic transmission into
PARK (P), or
your manual transmission into SECOND
(2).
Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N).
Set the hubs to FREE. See “Four-wheel Drive” in
the Index.
Release
the parking brake.
Stop towing every
200 miles (300 km) and start
the engine. Leave the transfer case shift lever
in
NEUTRAL (N). Shift your automatic transmission
to DRIVE (D); leave a manual transmission in
SECOND (2) with the clutch engaged. Run the engine
at medium speed for one minute to circulate the oil in
the transfer case. Turn the ignition key to ACC. Now
you can continue towing your Geo.
NOTICE:
The front wheels transmit shocks during towing.
The steering column may not be strong enough to
withstand the shocks. Always unlock the steering
wheel before towing.
I NOTICE:
Make sure that the towing speed does not exceed
50 mph (80 kdh), or your Geo could be badly
damaged.
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When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on
a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system and brake adjustment. Each of these
is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
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When you open the hood, you’ll see the following:
c
A. Windshield Washer Reservoir
B. Engine Coolant Reservoir
C. Main Fuse Box
D. Battery
E. Engine Oil Dipstick
E Automatic Transmission Dipstick (if equipped)
G. Oil Fill Cap
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Air Cleaner
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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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Manual Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change
A good time to have it checked is when the engine
oil is changed. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine when to change your transmission fluid.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you
may choose to have this done at your Geo dealership
Service Department.
If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the
instructions
here, or you could get a false reading.
NOTICE:
Too much or too little fluid can damage your
transmission.
Too much can mean that some of
the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts or exhaust system parts, starting
a fire. Be
sure to get an accurate reading if
you check your
transmission fluid.
Check the fluid level only when your engine is off, the
vehicle is parked on a level place and the transmission is
cool enough for
you to rest your fingers on the
transmission case.
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Capacities (Approximate)
The following approximate capacities are given in
English and metric conversions.
label under the hood and “Air Conditioning
Refrigerants” at the end of this section.
Air Conditioning?
... See the refrigerant information
Please refer to “Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index
for more information.
Automatic Transmission Drain and Refill
...... . 3.0 quarts (2.8 L)**
Overhaul
Two-Door Convertible
...... 5.4 quarts (5.1 L)
Four-Door Hardtop
........ 7.3 quarts (6.9 L)
Automatic Transmission ....... 5.5 quarts (5.2 L)
Manual Transmission
....... 5.6 quarts (5.3 L)
With Filter Change ........ 4.5 quarts (4.2 L)*
Front Differential ............ 1.1 quarts (1.0 L)
Fuel Tank
Two-Door Convertible
....... 11.1 gallons (42 L)
Four-Door Hardtop ......... 14.5 gallons (55 L)
Cooling System
Crankcase Manual Transmission
Four-wheel Drive
........ 1.6 quarts (1.5 L)**
Two-Wheel Drive .......... 2.0 quarts (1.9 L)**
Rear Differential ............. 2.3 quarts (2.2 L)
Transfer Case ............... 1.8 quarts (1.7 L)
* When changing the oil filter, additional oil may be
needed. Recheck the oil level after filling. See “Engine
Oil” in the Index.
** Recheck fluid level after filling. See “Automatic
Transmission Fluid” or “Manual Transmission Fluid” in
the Index.
Wheel Nuts
Wheel Nut Torque ............. 60 lb-ft (80 N-m)
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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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Maintenance Schedule
Lo'ng Trip/Highway Definition I
Follow this maintenance schedule only if none of the
conditions from the
Short TripjCity Maintenance
Schedule
is true.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed engine under
highway conditions causes engine oil to break
down slower.
Long Trip/Highway Intervals
Every 7,500 Miles (12 500 km): Engine Oil and Filter
Change (or every
7.5 months, whichever occurs first).
Free-Wheeling Hubs Inspection
(if equipped)
(or every 3 months, whichever occurs first).
Tire Rotation.
Every 15,000 Miles (25 000 km): 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): Engine Accessory
Drive Belt Inspection
(or every 24 months, whichever
occurs first). Cooling System Service (or every
30 months, whichever occurs first). Spark Plug
Replacement. Air Cleaner Filter Replacement.
Fuel
Tank, Cap and Lines Inspection. Manual
Transmission Fluid Change
(or every 30 months,
whichever occurs first). Fuel
Filter Replacement
(or every
30 months, whichever occurs first).
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