
At Least Twice a Year Automatic Transmission Check
Restraint System Check
Make sure the safety belt reminder light and all your
belts, buckles, latch plates, retractors and anchorages are
working properly.
Look for any other loose or damaged
safety belt system parts. If you see anything that might
keep a safety belt system from doing its job, have it
repaired. Have any torn or frayed safety belts replaced.
Also look for any opened or broken air bag coverings,
and have them repaired or replaced. (The air bag system
does not need regular maintenance.)
Wiper Blade Check
Inspect wiper blades for wear or cracking. Replace blade
inserts that appear worn
or damaged or that streak or
miss areas of the windshield. Also
see “Wiper Blades,
Cleaning”
in the Index.
Fluid Level Check
Check the transfer case, axle differential(s) and
automatic or manual transmission fluid levels and add as
needed. See “Transfer Case,” “Axle, Rear,”
“Axle, Front” and “Automatic Transmission” or
“Manual Transmission”
in the Index. Check for leaks.
A fluid loss in these systems could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired at once. Check
the transmission fluid level; add if needed. See
“Automatic Transmission” in the Index. A fluid
loss
may indicate a problem. Check the system and repair
if needed.
At Least Once a Year
Key Lock Cylinders Service
Lubricate the key lock cylinders with the lubricant
specified in Part
D.
Body Lubrication Service
Lubricate all body door hinges. Also lubricate all hinges
and latches, including those for the hood, rear
compartment, glove box door, console door and any
folding seat hardware. Part
D tells you what to use.
More frequent lubrication may be required when
exposed to a corrosive environment.
7-50
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Starter Switch Check Brake-Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) Check
(Automatic Transmission)
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the. steps below.
1.
2.
3.
Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle.
Firmly apply both the parking brake (see “Parking Brake” in the Index if necessary) and the regular brake.
NOTE:
Do not use the accelerator pedal, and be
ready to turn
off the engine immediately if it starts.
On automatic transmission vehicles, try to start the
engine in each gear.
The starter should work only in
PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N). If the starter works in
any other position, your vehicle needs service.
On manual transmission vehicles,
put the shift lever
in NEUTRAL (N), push the clutch down halfway
and
try to start the engine. The starter should work
only when the clutch
is pushed down all the way to
the floor.
If the starter works when the clutch isn’t
pushed all the way down, your vehicle needs service.
When you are doing this check, the vehicle
move suddenly.
If it does, you or others could be
injured. Follow the steps below.
1.
2.
3.
Before you start, be sure you have enough room
around the vehicle. It should be parked on a
level surface.
Firmly apply the parking brake (see “Parking Brake’’
in the Tndex
if necessary).
NOTE: Be ready
to apply the regular brake
immediately if the vehicle begins
to move.
With
the engine off, turn the key to the ON position,
but don’t start the engine. Without applying the
regular brake,
try to move the shift lever out of
PARK (P) with normal effort. If the shift lever
moves out of
PARK (P), your vehicle’s BTSI
needs service.
7-51
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Ignition Transaxle Lock Check
While parked, and with the parking brake set, try to turn
the ignition key to
LOCK in each shift lever position.
With an automatic transmission, the key should turn
to LOCK only when the shift lever
is in PARK (P).
With a manual transmission, the key should turn to
LOCK only if you push the key in farther, while
turning it towards
LOCK.
On vehicles with a key release lever, try to turn the key
to LOCK without pressing the lever. The key should
turn to LOCK only when you press the key lever.
On all vehicles,
the key should come out only in LOCK.
Parking Brake and Automatic Transmission
PARK (P) Mechanism Check
A CA "TION:
-
When you are doing this check, your vehicle
could begin to move. You or others could be
injured and property could be damaged. Make
sure there is room in front
of your vehicle in case
it begins to roll. Be ready to apply the regular
brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on a fairly steep hill, with the vehicle facing
downhill. Keeping your foot
on the regular brake, set the
parking brake.
To check the parking brake's holding ability:
With the engine running and transmission in
NEUTRAL
(N), slowly remove foot pressure from
the regular brake pedal.
Do this until the vehicle is
held by the parking brake only.
To check the PARK (P) mechanism's holding ability:
With the engine running, shift to PARK
(P).
Then release all brakes. If your vehicle is four-wheel
drive, be sure the transfer case is not in
NEUTRAL
(N).
Underbody Flushing Service
At least every spring, use plain water to flush any
corrosive materials from the underbody. Take care
to
clean thoroughly any areas where mud and other debris
can collect.
7-52
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Part D: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
NOTE: Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number or specification may be obtained from your
GM dealer.
USAGE
Engine Oil
Engine Coolant
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Engine oil with the American
Petroleum Institute Certified For
Gasoline Engines “Starburst”
symbol of the proper viscosity. To
determine the preferred viscosity for your vehicle’s engine, see
“Engine Oil” in the Index.
50150 mixture of clean water
(preferably distilled) and good
quality ethylene
glycol base
coolant (GM Part
No. 1052753 or
equivalent) conforming to GM
Specification 1825M or approved
recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825M. See
“Engine Coolant” in
the Index.
USAGE
Hydraulic Brake
System
Parking Brake Cable Guides
Power Steering System
Manual
Transmission (All) and
Transfer Case
(Four- Wheel
Drive)
Automatic
Transmission
Key Lock
Cylinders
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Delco Supreme 11 @ Brake Fluid
(GM Part No. 12377967 or
equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid).
Chassis lubricant (GM
Part
No. 12377985 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements
of
NLGI # 2, Category LB or
DEXRON@-111 Automatic.
Transmission Fluid.
GM Goodwrench Synthetic
Manual Transmission Gear Oil
(GM Part No. 12346190
- 1 quart)
or equivalent
SAE 75W-90 GL-4
gear oil.
DEXRON@-I11 Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
Multi-Pur ose lubricant, Superlube
& (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
GC-LB.
ProCarManuals.com

Chevrolet/Geo Roadside
Assistance Program
mn me
To enhance Chevrolet/Geo's strong commitment to
customer satisfaction, Chevrolet/Geo is excited to
announce the establishment
of the Chevrolet/Geo
Roadside Assistance Center. As the owner
of a 1997
Chevrolet/Geo, membership in Roadside Assistance
is free. Roadside Assistance
is available
24 hours a day,
365 days a year, by calling 1-800-CHEV-USA
(1 -800-243-8872). This toll-free number will provide
you over-the-phone roadside assistance with minor
mechanical problems. If your problem cannot be
resolved over the phone, our advisors have access to
a nationwide network
of dealer recommended service
providers. Roadside membership
is free, however some
services may incur costs.
Roadside offers two levels of service to the customer,
Basic Care and CourtesyT" Care:
Toll-free number, 1 -800-CHEV-USA
Free towing for warranty repairs
0 Basic over-the-phone technical advice
Available dealer services at reasonable costs (ie.,
wrecker services, locksmitldkey service, glass
repair, etc.)
8-5
1
ProCarManuals.com

ROADSIDE Courtesy TM Care PROVIDES:
Roadside Basic Care services (as outlined above)
Plus:
FREE Non-Warranty Towing (to the closest dealer
from a legal roadway)
0 FREE Locksmith/Key Service (when keys are lost
on the road
or locked inside)
0 FREE Flat Tire Service (spare installed on the road)
FREE Jump Start (at home or on the road)
FREE Fuel Delivery ($5 of fuel delivered on
the road)
ChevroletIGeo offers Courtesy Transportation
for
customers needing wamanty service. Courtesy
Transportation will be offered in conjunction with
the coverage provided by the Bumper to Bumper
New Vehicle Limited Warranty to eligible purchasers
of 1997 Chevrolet/Geo passenger car and light duty
trucks. (Please see your selling dealer for details.) Note:
Courtesy Care is available to Retail
and Retail Lease
Customers operating 1997 and newer Chevrolet/Geo vehicles for a period
of 3 years/36,000 miles (60 000 km),
whichever occurs first. All Courtesy Care services must
be pre-arranged by Chevrolet/Geo Roadside or dealer
Service Management.
Basic Care and Courtesy Care are not part of or
included in the coverage provided by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. ChevroletIGeo reserves the right to
modify or discontinue
Basic Care and Courtesy Care
at any time.
For complete program details, see your Chevrolet/Geo
dealer to obtain a Roadside Assistance Center brochure.
The Roadside Assistance Center uses companies that
will provide you with quality and priority service. When
roadside services are required, our advisors will explain
any payment obligations that may be incurred for
utilizing outside services.
8-6
ProCarManuals.com

Gem Section 9 Index
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your Vehicle ..... 6-3
AirBag
....................................... 1-25
Adding Equipment
............................ 1-3 1
How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-29
How it Works
................................ 1-27
Location
.................................... 1-27
Readiness Light
......................... 1-26. 2-63
Servicing ................................... 1-30
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-28
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-29
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-28
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-14
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-3
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
..................... 6-64
Alignment and Balance. Tire
...................... 6-46
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-55
Antenna
...................................... 3-19
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-23
Anti-Lock Brake System Active Light
................. 2-66. 4-9
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-65. 4-7
Brakes
...................................... 4-7
Appearance Care
............................... 6-48
Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-57 Arbitration
Program
.............................. 8-9
Ashtrays ...................................... 2-43
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-6
Automatic
Overdrive
................................... 2-14
Overdrive Off Switch
.......................... 2-14
Automatic Transmission
.......................... 2-9
Check
...................................... 7-50
Fluid
....................................... 6-16
Operation
................................... 2-10
Park Mechanism Check ........................ 7-52
Shifting
..................................... 2-10
Starting Your Engine
........................... 2-9
Axle. Front .................................... 6-23
Axle. Rear
.................................... 6-21
Battery
...................................... 6-33
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Warnings
................................ 5-3, 5-5
BBB Auto Line
................................. 8-9
Better Business Bureau Mediation ................... 8-9
Blizzard ...................................... 4-42
9-1
ProCarManuals.com

Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-32
Fluid
....................................... 6-29
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-29
Parking
..................................... 2-21
PedalTravel
................................. 6-32
Replacing System
Parts ........................ 6-32
System Warning Light
......................... 2-64
Trailer
...................................... 4-53
Transmission Shift Interlock
.................... 2-25
Transmission Shift Interlock Check
............... 7-5 1
Wear
....................................... 6-31
Brakes, Anti-Lock
............................... 4-7
Braking
........................................ 4-6
Braking
in Emergencies ........................... 4-9
Break-In, New Vehicle
........................... 2-7
Brightness Control
.............................. 2-38
BTSI
......................................... 2-25
BTSICheck
................................... 7-51
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-33
Canadian Roadside Assistance
.................... 8-7
Canvas Top Lowering and Raising
......................... 2-50
Preparing for Storage
.......................... 2-56
Removing and Installing
....................... 2-55
Capacities and Specifications
...................... 6-62
Carbon Monoxide
..................... 2-5,2-27, 4-43
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-49
Cassette Tape Player
........................ 3-8, 3-11
Cassette Tape Player Care
........................ 3- 1 8
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature ................. 3 - 15 Center
High-Mounted Stoplamp Bulb Replacement
.... 6-39
Certification Label
.............................. 4-47
Chains. Safety
................................. 4-53
Chains. Tire
................................... 6-48
Changing a Flat Tire
............................. 5-23
Charging System Light
.......................... 2-63
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-45
Chemical Paint Spotting
.......................... 6-56
Child Restraints
........................... 1-35. 1-36
Securing in a Rear Seat Position
................. 1-37
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position
.......... 1-39
TopStrap
................................... 1-37
WheretoPut
................................ 1-36
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-59
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-14
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
............................ 6-55
Canvas Top and Plastic Window
................. 6-54
Exterior LampsLenses
........................ 6-53
Fabric
...................................... 6-49
Glass Surfaces
............................... 6-52
Inside of Your Ceo
............................ 6-49
Instrument Panel
............................. 6-51
Outside of Your Geo .......................... 6-53
Stains
...................................... 6-50
Tires
....................................... 6-55
Vinyl
....................................... 6-51
Wheels
..................................... 6-55
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-43
Special Problems
............................. 6-50
Windshield and Wiper Blades
................... 6-52
Climate Control System
........................... 3-2
9-2
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