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Tailgate Lock Release
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.
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 spot, 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.
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ACC (B): The position in which you can operate your
electrical power accessories. It unlocks the steering
wheel and ignition. Use this position if your vehicle
must
be pushed or towed.
ON (C): The position that the switch returns to after you
start your engine and release the switch. The switch
stays in the
ON position when the engine is running. But
even when the engine is not running, you can use
ON to
operate your electrical power accessories and to display
some instrument panel warning and indicator lights.
START (D): The position that starts the engine. When
the engine starts, release the key. The ignition switch
will return to
ON for normal driving.
When the engine is not running,
ACC and ON allow you
to operate your electrical accessories, such as the radio
and ventilation fan.
A warning chime will sound if you open the driver’s
door when the ignition is in
ACC or LOCK and the key
is in the ignition.
I A CAUTION:
On manual transmission vehicles, turning the key
to
LOCK will lock the steering column and result
in
a loss of ability to steer the vehicle. This could
cause
a collision. If you need to turn the engine
off while the vehicle is moving, turn the key only
to
ACC. Don’t push the key in while the vehicle
is moving.
I
NOTICE:
If your key seems stuck in LOCK and you can’t
turn it, be sure you are using the correct key; if
so, is it all the way in? If it is, then turn the
steering wheel left and right while you turn the
key hard. But turn the key only with your hand.
Using
a tool to force it could break the key or the
ignition switch. If none of this works, then your
vehicle needs service.
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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 lowered. Push
LOCK again to unlock the window(s).
Horn Turn SignaVMultifunction
Lever
The lever on the left
side of the steering column
includes your:
Turn Signal and Lane Change Indicator
Headlamp HigwLow Beam Changer and Passing Signal
0 Lighting Operation
To sound the horn, press one of the horn symbols on the
sides of your steering wheel.
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Convex Outside Mirror
Your passenger’s side mirror is convex. A convex
mirror’s surface is curved so you can see more from the
driver’s seat.
L
A convex mirror can make things (like other
vehicles) look farther away than they really are.
If you cut too sharply into the right lane, you
could hit a vehicle on your right. Check your
inside mirror or glance over your shoulder before changing lanes.
Storage Compartments
Glove Box
To open the glove box, pull the latch toward you. Use
your key to lock and unlock the glove box.
Door Storage
Each door has a storage compartment.
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Loading Your Vehicle
TIRE PLACARD
I GWVR IGWR FRT~ GAWR RR 1
LB/Kg
TI RES
I RIMS
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label
found
on the driver’s door lock pillar tells you the
proper size, speed rating and recommended inflation
pressures for the tires on your vehicle. It also gives
you
important information about the number of people that
can be in your vehicle and the total weight that you can
carry. This weight is called the Vehicle Capacity Weight
and includes the weight of all occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory-installed options.
MFD BY CAM1 AUTOMOTIVE
DATE
GVWR GAWR FRT
CANADA
GAWR RR
The other label is the Certification label, also found on
the driver’s door lock pillar. It tells
you the gross weight
capacity
of your vehicle, called the GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating). The GVWR includes the weight
of the vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo. Never
exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the
Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the front or rear axle.
And,
if you do have a heavy load, you should spread it
out. Don’t carry more than
400 lbs. (181 kg) in your rear
area when four people are in your two-wheel-drive
vehicle. If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, don’t
carry more than
200 Ibs. (91 kg) in your rear area when
four people are in your vehicle.
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A B
If you’re using a weight-cauying hitch, the trailer
tongue
(A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B). If you’re using a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 12 percent of
the total loaded trailer weight (B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to
see if the weights are
proper.
If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the upper
limit for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers
on the
Tire-Loading Information label at the rear edge of the
driver’s door lock pillar or see “Tire Loading” in the
Index. Then be sure you don’t go over the
GVW
limit for your vehicle, including the weight of the
trailer tongue.
Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are a
few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are
some rules to follow:
If you use a step-bumper hitch, your bumper could
be damaged in sharp turns. Make sure you have
ample room when turning to avoid contact between
the trailer and the bumper.
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The cap is behind a hinged door on the passenger’s side
of your vehicle. On four-door models, use the key to the
vehicle to unlock the
fuel door.
To take off the cap, turn it slowly
to the left
(counterclockwise).
1 /1 CAUTION:
If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you
if you open the
fuel filler cap
too quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait for any “hiss” noise
to stop. Then unscrew
the cap all the
way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces
as soon as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside of Your Geo”
in the Index. When you
put the cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise)
until you hear at least three clicks. Make
sure you
fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can
determine
if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere. See “Malfunction Indicator Lamp”
in
the Index.
I
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you. If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit or have proper
venting. This may cause
your malfunction
indicator lamp to light and your fuel tank and
emissions system may be damaged. See
“Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in the Index.
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Inflation -- Tire Pressure
The Tire-Loading Information label, which is on the
driver’s door lock pillar, shows
the correct inflation
pressures for your tires when they’re cold. “Cold”
means your vehicle has been sitting for at least
three hours or driven
no more than 1 mile ( 1.6 km).
I NOTICE:
Don’t let anyone tell you that underinflation or
overinflation is all right. It’s not.
If your tires
don’t have enough air (underinflation), you can
get the following:
Too much flexing
Too much heat
Tire overloading
Bad wear
Bad handling
Bad fuel economy.
NOTICE: (Continued) NOTICE:
(Continued)
If your tires have too much air (overinflation),
you can get the following:
Unusual wear
Bad handling
Rough ride
Needless damage from road hazards.
When to Check
Check your tires once a month or more. Also, check
the tire pressure of the spare tire.
How to Check
Use a good quality pocket-type gage to check tire
pressure. You can’t tell
if your tires are properly inflated
simply by looking at them. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they’re underinflated.
Be sure to put the valve caps back on the valve stems.
They help prevent leaks by keeping out dirt and moisture.
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