
Flash-to-Pass
With the lever in the low-beam position, pull the lever
towad you to momentarily switch to high beam (to
signal that you are going to pass). When you release the
lever, the headlamps will return
to low-beam operation.
Windshield WipedWasher Lever
The lever on the right side of the steering column
controls the windshield wipers
and washers. Move the wiper switch
to the position
you want:
OFF: The wipers are off.
INT Intermittent wiper operation. In light rain or snow,
you might want to use this position rather than
continuous wiping.
LO: The wipers will run continuously at low speed.
HI: The wipers will run continuously at high speed.
For a single wiping cycle, pull the lever toward
you.
Hold it there until the wipers start, then let go. The
wipers will stop after one cycle. If you want more
cycles, hold the lever longer.
Be sure
to clear ice and snow from the wiper blades
before
using them. If they’re frozen to the windshield,
carefully loosen or thaw them.
If your blades do become
damaged, get new blades
or blade inserts.
Heavy snow or ice
can overload your wipers. A circuit
breaker will stop them until the motor cools. Clear away
snow or ice
to prevent an overload.
2-30
ProCarManuals.com

Y 1 1 . 111 Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet
road, you can’t stop, accelerate or turn as well because
your tire-to-road traction isn’t as good
as on dry roads.
And, if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get
even less traction. It’s always wise to go slower and be
cautious if rain starts to fall while
you are driving. The
surface may get wet suddenly when your reflexes are
tuned for driving on dry pavement.
The heavier the rain, the harder it
is to see. ETIen if your
windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy rain
can make it harder to see road signs and traffic signals,
pavement markings, the edge of the road and even
people walking.
It’s wise to keep your wiping equipment in good shape
and keep your windshield washer tank filled with
washer fluid. Replace your windshield wiper inserts
when they show signs
of streaking or missing areas on
the windshield, or when strips
of rubber start to separate
from the inserts.
ProCarManuals.com

Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think
you are going
slower than
you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you’re not fresh
-- such as after a day’s
work
-- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes
you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go. If it needs
service, have
it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced
and able service experts in Geo
dealerships all across North America. They’ll be ready
and willing to help if you need it. Here are
some things you can check before a trip:
a
0
0
a
a
0
Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full?
Are all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip.
Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your
route?’Should you delay your trip a short
time to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
4-36
ProCarManuals.com

Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
- J not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, i
Glass
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner (GM
Part No. 1050427) or a liquid household glass cleaner
will remove normal tobacco smoke and dust films.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners
on glass, because they may
cause scratches. Avoid placing decals on the inside rear
window, since they may have to be scraped off later. If
abrasive cleaners
are used on the inside of the rear
window, an electric defogger element may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be attached across the
defogger grid.
1
Cleaning the Outside of
the Windshield, Backglass
may severely weaken them. In a crash, they
might not be able to provide adequate protection. and Wiper Blades
lukewarm water. Clean safety belts only with mild
soap and
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or
if the wiper blade chatters when running, wax
or other material
may be on the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with
GM Windshield
Cleaner, Bon-Ami Powder@ (GM
Part No. 1050011).
The windshield is clean if beads do not form when you
rinse it with water.
ProCarManuals.com

Clean the blade by wiping vigorously with a cloth
soaked
in full-strength windshield washer solvent. Then
rinse the blade with water.
Wiper blades should be checked on a regular basis and
replaced when worn.
Weatherstrips
Silicone grease on weatherstrips will make them last
longer, seal better, and not stick or squeak. Apply
silicone grease with a clean cloth. at least every six
months. During very cold, damp weather more frequent
application
may be required. (See “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.)
Cleaning the Outside of Your Geo
The paint finish on your vehicle provides beauty, depth
of color, gloss retention and durability.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s finish is to keep
it clean by washing it often with lukewarm or cold water.
Don’t wash your vehicle in the direct rays
of the sun.
Don’t use strong soaps or chemical detergents. Use
liquid
hand, dish or car washing (mild detergent) soaps.
Don’t use cleaning agents that
are petroleum based, or that
contain acid or abrasives. All cleaning agents
should be flushed promptly and not allowed to dry on
the surface, or they could stain. Dry the
finish with a
soft, clean chamois or a 100% cotton towel to avoid
surface scratches and water spotting.
High pressure vehicle washes may cause water to enter
your vehicle.
Finish Care
Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your Geo by
hand may be necessary to remove residue from the paint
finish. You can get GM-approved cleaning products
from your dealer. (See “Appearance Care and Materials”
in the Index.)
Your Geo has a “basecoat/clearcoat” paint fish.
The clearcoat gives more depth and gloss to the colored
basecoat. Always use waxes and polishes that are
non-abrasive and made for a basecoat/clearcoat paint finish.
NOTICE:
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing on
a basecoatklearcoat paint finish
may dull the
finish or leave swirl
marks.
6-52
ProCarManuals.com

Instrument Panel ............................. 6-51
Outside of Your Geo .......................... 6-52
Special Problems
............................. 6-50
Stains
..................... ............. 6-50
Tires
..................................... 6-54
Vinyl
....................................... 6-50
Wheels
..................................... 6-54
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-51
Climate Control System
............................ 3-1
Clock, Setting the
................................ 3-6
Clutch Adjustment
...................... ... 6-21
Coinholder
.................................. 2-40
Comfort Controls
....................... .... 3-1
Compact Disc Care
........................... 3-19
Compact Disc Player
............................ 3-1 1
Control
of a Vehicle ................ ............. 4-5
Convertible Top ................................ 2-42
Convex Outside Mirror
.......................... 2-38
Coolant
....................................... 6-24
Levelcheck ................................. 5-15
RecoveryTank
............................... 5-16
Radiator
.................................... 5-19
Temperature Gage
............................ 2-64
Cooling System
................................ 5 - 14
Courtesy Transportation ........................... 8-6 Cruise
Control
.................. .... 2-32
Cruise Light
................................. 2-33
Cupholders
.................................... 2-40
Customer Assistance for Text Telephone Users
......... 8-3
Customer Assistance Information
................... 8-1
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
... .............. 8-1
Damage. Finish
...... ...... 6-55
Damage. Sheet Metal ..... ..... ...... 6-54
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-35
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator Light
............ 2-69
Dead Battery
................................... 5-2
Defects. Reporting Safety
... ............ 8-8
Defensive Driving ....... ............ 4-1
Defogger. Rear Window
....... .......... 3-5
Defogging
................................... 3-4
Defrosting ..................................... 3-4
Dimensions. Vehicle ............................ 6-64
Dome Lamps
.................................. 2-36
Door
Locks ..... .................... 2-3
Storage
..................................... 2-39
Downshifting ............................. 2- 15, 2- 16
Drive Position. Automatic Transmission
............. 2-12
Driver Position
................................. 1-18
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