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Checking Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
LOW,
or a little higher. When your engine is warm, the
level should be
up to FULL, or a little higher.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper coolant
mixture
at the coolant recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill it.
A CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn
you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have to add coolant at the radiator. Never
turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a little --
when the engine and radiator are hot.
You can be burned
if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
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Radiator Pressure Cap Power Steering Fluid
I NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 13 psi (90 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube
on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC@
cap is recommended. 'I
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When
you replace your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise.
A fluid loss in this system
could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
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Page 265 of 388
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, wipe the cap and
the top of the reservoir clean, then unscrew the cap and
wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten it. Then remove the cap again and
look at the fluid level
on the dipstick.
When the engine compartment
is hot, the level should be
at the MAX mark.
When the engine
compartment
is cool,
the level should be at
the MIN mark.
What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, see
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure to read
the manufacturer’s instructions before use. If you will be
operating your vehicle in an area where the temperature
may fall below freezing, use
a fluid that has sufficient
protection against freezing.
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Page 267 of 388

Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is here. It is filled
with DOT-3 brake fluid.
There
are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
the reservoir might go down. The first is that the brake
fluid goes down to an acceptable level during normal
brake lining wear. When new linings are put in, the fluid
level
goes back up. The other reason is that fluid is
leaking out of the brake system. If it is, you should have your brake system fixed,
since a leak means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well, or won’t work
at all.
So, it isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your brake fluid.
Adding brake fluid won’t correct a leak. If you add fluid
when your linings
are worn, then you’ll have too much
fluid when you get new brake linings. You should add
(or remove) brake fluid, as necessary, only when work is
done on the brake hydraulic system.
If you have too much brake fluid, it can spill on
the engine. The fluid will burn if the engine is
hot enough.
You or others could be burned,
and your vehicle could be damaged. Add brake
fluid only when work is done on the brake
hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
check your brake fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections” in the Index.
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Page 269 of 388

Brake Wear
NOTICE:
0
0 Using the wrong fluid can badly damage
brake system parts. For example, just
a few
drops of mineral-based oil, such as engine
oil, in your brake system can damage brake
system parts
so badly that they’ll have to be
replaced. Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind
of fluid.
If you spill brake fluid on your vehicle’s
painted surfaces, the paint finish can be
damaged. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle.
If you do, wash it off
immediately. See “Appearance Care” in
the Index. Your Geo has
front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and go or
be heard
all the time your vehicle is moving (except when
you are pushing on the brake
pedal firmly).
I
The brake wear warning sound means that soon
your brakes won’t work well. That could lead to
an accident. When
you hear the brake wear
warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
I
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Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
II
I CODE +.- MODEL YEAR -PLANT I
This is the legal identifier for your Geo. It appears on a
plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver’s side. You can see it if
you look through the
windshield from outside your vehicle. The
VIN also
appears on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help you identify your engine, specifications
and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label inside the glove box on the door.
It’s very helpful
if you ever need to order parts. On this
label is:
0 your VIN,
0 the model designation,
0 paint information and
0 a list of all production options and special
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
equipment
.
Electrical System
Add-on
Electrical Equipment
I NOTICE:
Don’t add anything electrical to your Geo unless
you check with your dealer
first. Some electrical
equipment can damage your vehicle and the
damage wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Some add-on electrical equipment can keep other
components from working as they should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your Geo, see “Servicing Your
Air Bag-Equipped Geo” in the Index.
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Page 297 of 388

Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by fuses, circuit breakers and thermal links
in the wiring itself.
This greatly reduces the chance of
fires caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse.
If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the correct size.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don’t
have a spare fuse, you can “borrow” one. Just pick
some feature of your vehicle that you can get along
without
-- like the radio or cigarette lighter -- and
use its fuse, if it is the size you need. Replace it as
soon as you can.
Before replacing
a fuse, turn every vehicle electrical
switch
off.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
This fuse box is under the left side of the instrument
panel. The fuses here protect each separate circuit
There are two fuse blocks
in your vehicle: the instrument
including headlamps. If you have failure,
panel fuse block and the engine compartment fuse block.
check here
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Main Fuse Block
The main fuse box in your engine compartment protects
all electrical loads.
For access
to the main fuses, pull off the cover. A spare
fuse
is also inside the fuse box.
Fuse
BATT
ABS
IG
LAMP
H/L,
R
H/L, L
FI
AIC
Usage
All Electrical Load
Anti-Lock Brake System
Ignition, Lighter, Radio, Wipermasher,
Rear Defogger, Turn Signals, Back-up
Lamps, Heater
Taillamps, Dome Lamps, Stop Lamps, Horn,
Hazard Lamps
Right Side Headlamp
Left Side Headlamp
Fuel Injection System
Air Conditioning
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