How does an air bag restrain?
In moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal collisions,
even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or
the instrument panel. The air bag supplements the
protection provided by safety belts.
Air bags distribute
the force
of the impact more evenly over the occupant’s
upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But
air bags would not help you in many types of collisions,
including rollovers, rear impacts and side impacts,
primarily because
an occupant’s motion is not toward the
air bag.
Air bags should never be regarded as anything
more than a supplement to safety belts, and then only in
moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal colli.sions.
What will you see after an air bag inflates?
After the air bag inflates, it quickly deflates. This occurs
so quickly that some people may not even realize the air
bag inflated. Some components
of the air bag module in
the steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag,
or the
instrument panel for
the right front passenger’s bag, will
be hot for a short time. The part of the bag that comes
into contact with you may be warm, but it will never be
too hot
to touch. There will be some smoke and dust
coming
from vents in the deflated air bags. Air bag
inflation will not prevent the driver from seeing or from
being able to steer the vehicle, nor will it stop people
from leaving the vehicle.
When an air bag inflates, there is dust in the air.
This dust could cause breathing-problems for
people with a history
of asthma or other
breathing trouble.
To avoid this, everyone in the
vehicle should get
out as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you have breathing problems but can’t get out
of the vehicle after an air bag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or door.
In many crashes severe enough to inflate ;in air bag,
windshields
are broken by vehicle deformation.
Additional windshield breakage
may also occur from the
right front passenger air
bag.
The air bags are designed to inflate only once. After
they inflate, you’ll need some new parts for your air
bag system.
If you don’t get them, the air bag system
won’t be there to help protect you
in ‘another crash.
A new system will include air bag modules and
possibly other
parts. The service manual for your
vehicle covers the need to replace other
parts.
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GeGD Section 2 Features and Controls
I I
Here you can learn about the many standard and optional
features on your Geo, and information on starting, shifting
and braking. Also explained are the instrument panel and
the warning systems that tell you if everything is working
properly
-- and what to do if you have a problem.
Keys
r
Leaving young children in a vehicle with the
ignition key
is dangerous for many reasons. A child
or others could be badly injured or even killed.
They could operate power windows or other
controls
or even make the vehicle move. Don’t
leave the keys in
a vehicle with young children.
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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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Key in the Ignition
If you leave your vehicle with the keys inside, it’s an
easy target for joy riders or professional thieves -- so
don’t do it.
When you park your Geo and open the driver’s door,
you’ll hear a chime reminding you
to remove your key
from the ignition and take it with
you. Always do this.
Your steering wheel will
be locked, and so will your
ignition. If you have an automatic transmission, taking
your key out also locks your transmission. And
remember
to lock the doors.
Parking at Night
Park in a lighted spat, close all windows and lock your
vehicle. Remember to keep your valuables out of sight.
Put them in a storage area, or take them with you.
New Vehicle 46Break-InS’
I
NOTICE:
Your modern Geo doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts,
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t
yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings
can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time
you get new brake linings.
See “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
0 Avoid making hard stops for the first
Don’t tow a trailer during break-in.
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Engine Exhaust tunning Your Engine While You’re
’arked (Automatic Transmission)
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide
(CO), which you can’t see or
smell.
It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.
Repairs weren’t done correctly.
Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
Drive it only with all the windows down to
Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
or different.
modified improperly.
blow out any CO; and
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if you
I ever have to, here are some things to know.
L
Idling the engine with the air system controI off
could allow dangerous exhaust into your vehicle
(see the earlier Caution under “Engine Exhaust”).
Also, idling in
a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide
(CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is
a garage. Exhaust -- with
CO -- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be
a blizzard.
(See “Blizzard” in the Index.)
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Windows
Manual Windows
Use the window crank to open and close each door window.
Power Windows (Option)
With power windows, switches on the driver’s door
control each
of the front side windows when the ignition
is on.
The driver-controlled switches for the rear windows are
located on the center console.
There are individual controls
near each window
The driver’s door also has a lock button for the
passenger window(s). When
you push LOCK, the
passenger window(s) can’t
be raised or l~owered. Push
LOCK again to unlock the window(s).
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Windshield Washer
Pull the wiper/washer lever toward you to spray washer
fluid on the windshield. The spray will continue until
you release the lever. This will also turn on the low
speed wipers. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in
the Index.
A CAUTION:
In freezing weather, don’t use your washer until
the windshield is warmed. Otherwise the washer
fluid can form ice
on the windshield, blocking
your vision.
Rear Window WipedWasher (Option)
{I To turn on your rear wiper,
push the upper button. Push
the same button again to
turn it off.
To spray washer fluid on the rear window, push the
lower button about halfway down. Washer fluid will
spray as long as you hold this button. To wash and wipe
at the same time, push the button all the way in.
The washer
and wiper will run as long as you hold this
button.
To add washer fluid, see “Windshield Washer
Fluid” in the Index.
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Convertible Top (Option)
Your convertible top features a sunroof, a removable
rear
window, removable side windows and a removable
canvas top.
NOTICE:
Never raise or lower the top while the vehicle
is moving, or drive with any part of the top
unfastened or partially removed. The wind
could get under it and cause damage.
Do not take your vehicle through an
automatic car wash.
It could damage your
convertible top.
* Don’t try to lower or raise the convertible
top
or tap or beat on the plastic windows if
your vehicle is out in cold weather,
41 * F
(5T) or below. The cold can cause cracks
and other damage to the windows and to
the top as it is being lowered or raised.
(Continued)
-
NOTICE: (Continued)
Don’t lower the top if it is damp or wet.
After the top
is down, the trapped water
can cause stains, mildew and damage to the
inside
of your car. Be sure to dry off the ton
before
you lower it.
Don’t lower the convertible,top if the rear
flap or side windows are dirty. Dirt could
scratch the side windows.
The convertible top isn’t designed to carry
weight. Never let anyone sit on the top, and
don’t put anything on top of it when it is
up, or it could be damaged.
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