Driving Downhill
When off-roading takes you downhill, you’ll want to
consider a number of things:
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How steep is the downhill? Will I be able to maintain
vehicle control?
What’s the surface like? Smooth? Rough? Slippery?
Hard-packed dirt? Gravel?
Are there hidden surface obstacles? Ruts? Logs?
Boulders?
What’s at the bottom
of the hill? Is there a hidden
creek bank or even a river bottom with large rocks?
If you decide you can go down a hill safely, then try to
keep your vehicle headed straight down, and use a low
gear. This way, engine drag can help your brakes and
they won’t have to do all the work. Descend slowly,
keeping your vehicle under control at all times.
Heavy braking when going down a hill can cause
your brakes to overheat and fade.
This could cause
loss
of control and a serious accident. Apply the
brakes lightly when descending a
hill and use a low
gear to keep vehicle speed under control.
&= Are there some things I should not do when
A: Yes! These are important because if you ignore them
driving down a hill?
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you could lose control and have a serious accident.
When driving downhill, avoid turns that take you
across the incline of the hill. A hill that’s not too
steep to drive down may be too steep to drive across.
You could roll over if you don’t drive straight down.
Never
go downhill with the transmission in
NEUTRAL (N), or with the clutch pedal depressed
in a manual shift.
This is called “free-wheeling.”
Your brakes will have to do all the work and could
overheat and fade.
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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. Set the parking brake.
2. Turn the ignition key to ACC to unlock the
steering wheel.
3. Shift your automatic transmission into PARK (P), or
your manual transmission to SECOND (2).
4. Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N).
5. Set the hubs to FREE. See “Four-Wheel-Drive” in
the Index.
6. 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 oil in the
transfer case.
Turn the ignition key to ACC. Now you
can continue towing your Geo.
I 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.
NOTICE:
Make sure that the towing speed does not
exceed
50 mph (80 kmh), or your Geo could be
badly damaged.
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GE4iB Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your Geo. This section begins with service and fuel information, and
then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
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Service
Fuel
Checking Things Under the
Hood
Engine Oil
Air Cleaner
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Manual Transmission Fluid
Clutch Adjustment
Rear Axle
Four-wheel
Drive
Engine Coolant
Radiator Pressure Cap
Windshield Washer Fluid
Brakes
Battery
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Bulb Replacement
Halogen Bulbs
Tires
'
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Geo
Cleaning the Outside of Your Geo
Special Care for Canvas Top and Plastic
Windows
Underbody Maintenance
Chemical Paint Spotting
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN)
Electrical System
Replacement Bulbs
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
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How to Add Fluid Rear Axle
Here’s how to add fluid. Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule
to determine what kind of fluid to use. See
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
1. Remove the filler plug.
2. Add fluid at the filler plug hole. Add only enough
fluid
to bring the fluid level up to the bottom of the
filler plug hole.
3. Install the filler plug. Be sure the plug is fully seated.
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often to check the lubricant and when to change it. See
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” and “Scheduled
Maintenance Services” in the Index.
How to Check Lubricant
Clutch Adjustment
The clutch linkage in your vehicle should be checked as
recommended in your Maintenance Schedule.
To check,
push the clutch pedal down with your hand until you
feel some resistance to movement of the pedal.
If the
pedal moves freely up to
1 inch (25 mm) or so before
you feel resistance to the travel, adjustment isn’t needed.
If there
is no free travel or very little (less than 5/8 of an
inch (16 mm)), see your dealer for adjustment.
If the level
is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you‘ll need to add some lubricant. Add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler plug hole.
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GeGS Section 7 Maintenance Schedule
This section covers the maintenance required for your Geo. Your vehicle needs these services to retain its safety,
dependability and emission control performance.
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Introduction Your Vehicle and the Environment
How This Section is Organized
Part A: Scheduled Maintenance Services
Using Your Maintenance Schedule
Selecting the Right Schedule
Part B: Owner Checks and Services
At Each Fuel Fill
At Least Once a Month
At Least Twice
a Year
At Least Once a Year
Part C: Periodic Maintenance Inspections
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Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal Inspection
Exhaust System Inspection
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Throttle Linkage Inspection Rear Axle (All) and Front Axle (Four-wheel
Drive) Service
Brake System Inspection
Clutch System Service
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Part E: Maintenance Record
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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.
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Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and for damage or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any cables that have high effort or
excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise
control cables.
Rear Axle (All) and Front Axle
(Four-wheel Drive) Service
Check the gear lubricant level and add if needed. See
“Rear Axle” and “Four-wheel Drive” in
the Index. A
fluid loss may indicate a problem. Check the system(s),
and repair the system(s) if needed. Refer to “Scheduled
Maintenance Services,” earlier
in this section, to
determine when to change the lubricant.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
chafing, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Also inspect drum brake linings
for wear and cracks. Inspect other brake parts, including
drums, wheel cylinders, calipers, parking brake, etc.
Check parking brake adjustment. You may need to have
your brakes inspected more often if your driving habits
or conditions result in frequent braking.
Clutch System Service
Check clutch pedal free travel and adjust as necessary.
See “Clutch Adjustment’’ in the Index.
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USAGE ~~~
Manual
Transmission Shift Linkage
Clutch Linkage
Pivot Points
Floor Shift Linkage
Chassis
Lubrication
Front Wheel
Bearings
FLUIDLUBRICANT
Chassis lubricant (GM Part
No. 12377985 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements
of
NLGI # 2, Category LB or
GC-LB.
Chassis lubricant (GM Part
No. 12377985 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements
of
NLGI # 2, Category LB or
GC-LB.
Lubriplate lubricant aerosol (GM
Part
No. 12346293 or equivalent)
or lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI # 2 Category LB or
GC-LB.
Chassis lubricant (GM Part
No. 12377985 or equivalent) or
lubricant meeting requirements
of
NLGI # 2 Category LB or GC-LB.
Wheel bearing lubricant meeting
requirements
of NLGI # 2,
Category GC or GC-LB (GM Part
No. 105 1344 or equivalent).
USAGE
Rear Axle (All)
and Front Axle
(Four-wheel
Drive)
Windshield
Washer Solvent
Hood Latch Assembly,
Pivots, Spring
Anchor and
Release Pawl
Hood and Door
Hinges
Weatherstrip
Conditioning
FLUIDLUBRICANT ~
Axle Lubricant (GM Part
No. 12345977) or SAE SOW-90
GL-5 Gear Lubricant.
GM Optikleen@ Washer Solvent
(GM Part No, 1051515)
or equivalent.
Lubriplate lubricant aerosol (GM
Part
No. 12346293 or equivalent)
or lubricant meeting requirements
of NLGI # 2, Category LB or
GC-LB.
Multi-pu ose lubricant,
Superlube (GM Part
No. 12346241 or equivalent).
%I
Dielectric Silicone Grease (GM
Part No. 12345579 or equivalent).
See “Replacement Parts” in the Index for recommended
replacement filters, valves and spark plugs.
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