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NEUTRAL (N): In this position, your engine
doesn’t connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re
already moving, use
NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
I
Shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is “racing” (running
at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control and hit people or
objects. Don’t
shift out of PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL (N) while your engine is racing.
NOTICE:
Damage to your transmission caused by shifting
out
of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the
engine racing isn’t covered by your warranty.
DRIVE (D): This position is for normal driving.
If you need more power for passing, and you’re:
Going less than about 15 mph (25 km/h), push your
0 Going about 15 mph (25 km/h) or more, push your
accelerator pedal
about halfway down.
accelerator pedal all the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use
SECOND (2) on hills.
It can help control your speed
as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want
to use
your brakes off and on.
NOTICE:
Don’t shift into SECOND (2) unless you are going
slower than
65 mph (105 km/h) with the transfer
case in
FOUR HIGH (4H), or 35 mph (55 km/h)
with the transfer case in FOUR LOW (4L) or you
can damage your transmission.
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You can shift into FIRST (1) when you’re going less
than
20 mph (32 kdh). If you’ve come to a complete
stop and
it’s hard to shift into FIRST (l), put the shift
lever in NEUTRAL (N) and let up on the clutch. Press
the clutch pedal back down. Then shift into FIRST
(1).
SECOND (2): Press the clutch pedal as you let up on
the accelerator pedal and shift into SECOND (2). Then,
slowly let up on the clutch pedal as you press the
accelerator pedal.
THIRD (3), FOURTH (4), FIFTH (5): Shift into
THIRD
(3), FOURTH (4) and FIFTH (5) the same way
you do for SECOND
(2). Slowly let up on the clutch
pedal as
you press the accelerator pedal.
To stop let up on the accelerator pedal and press the
brake pedal. Just before the vehicle stops, press the
clutch pedal
and the brake pedal, and shift to
NEUTRAL (N).
NEUTRAL (N): Use this position when you start or
idle your engine.
REVERSE (R): To back up, press down the clutch
pedal and shift into REVERSE (R). Let up on the clutch
pedal slowly while pressing the accelerator pedal.
You cannot go from FIFTH
(5) into REVERSE (R). If
you try, you will be locked out. You must first shift into
NEUTRAL (N), move
the lever to the left, back to the
right, and then shift into REVERSE (R). This is a
safety feature.
I NOTICE: 1
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle is
stopped. Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your
vehicle is moving could
damage your
transmission.
~~
Also, use REVERSE (R) along with the parking brake
for parking your vehicle.
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Shift Speeds
I A CAUTION:
If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, you could lose control of your vehicle.
And you could injure yourself or others. Don’t
shift from
FIFTH (5) to SECOND (2) or
FOURTH (4) to FIRST (1).
This chart shows when to shift to the next higher gear
for best fuel economy.
~ ~~
If your speed drops below 20 mph (32 km/h), or if the
engine is not running smoothly, you should downshift to
the next lower gear.
You may have to downshift two or
more gears
to keep the engine running smoothly or for
good performance.
ICE:
If you skip more than one gear when you
downshift, or if you race the engine when you
downshift, you can damage the clutch
or
transmission.
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Page 71 of 388
Four-wheel Drive (If Equipped)
If your vehicle has four-wheel drive, you can send your
engine’s driving power to all four wheels for extra
traction.
To shift out of two-wheel drive and into
four-wheel drive, lock the freewheeling hubs (manual
hubs only) and move the transfer case shift lever to
FOUR-WHEEL HIGH (4H) or FOUR-WHEEL
LOW (4L) (see the following). You should use
TWO-WHEEL
HIGH (2H) for most normal driving.
NOTICE:
Driving in FOUR-WHEEL HIGH (4H) or
FOUR-WHEEL
LOW (4L) positions for a long
time on dry or wet pavement could shorten the
life of your vehicle’s drivetrain.
Freewheeling Hubs
Your vehicle may have either manual or automatic
freewheeling hubs. You must
lock the hubs before you
use FOUR-WHEEL HIGH (4H) or FOUR-WHEEL
LOW
(4L).
2-17
,
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Shifting Into PARK (P) (Automatic
Tran ~ nission Models Only)
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow.
If you have four-wheel drive and
your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL (N), your
vehicle will be free to roll, even
if your shift lever
is in
PARK (P). So, be sure the transfer case is in
a drive gear -- not in NEUTRAL (N). If you’re
pulling a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in
the Index.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
2. Move the shift lever into PARK (P) by holding in the
button
on the lever and pushing the lever all the way
toward the front
of your vehicle.
set
the parking brake.
3. If you have four-wheel drive, be sure the transfer
case
is in a drive gear -- not in NEUTRAL (N).
4. Move the key to LOCK.
5. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the key
in your hand, your
vehicle is in
PARK (P).
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Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running (Automatic Transmission
Models Only)
I
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with the
engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P)
with the parking brake firmly set. If you have
four-wheel drive and your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL (N), your vehicle will be free to roll,
even if your shift lever is in
PARK (P). So be sure
the transfer case is
in a drive gear -- not in
NEUTRAL (N). And, if you leave the vehicle with
the engine running, it could overheat and even
catch fire. You or others could be injured. Don’t
leave your vehicle with the engine running unless
you have to.
Torque Lock (Automatic Transmission)
If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your
transmission into PARK (P) properly, the weight
of the
vehicle may put too much force
on the parking pawl in
the transmission. You may find it difficult to pull the
shift lever out
of PARK (P). This is called “torque lock.”
To prevent torque lock, set the parking brake and then
shift into PARK
(P) properly before you leave the
driver’s seat. To find out how, see “Shifting Into
PARK (P)” in the Index.
When you are ready to drive, move the shift lever out of
PARK
(P) before you release the parking brake.
If torque lock does occur, you may need to have another
vehicle push yours a little uphill to take some of the
pressure from the parking pawl in the transmission,
so
you can pull the shift lever out of PARK (P).
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Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transmission)
Your Geo has a brake-transmission shift interlock. You
have to fully apply your regular brakes before you can
shift from PARK
(P) when the ignition is in the ON
position. See “Automatic Transmission” in the Index.
If you cannot shift out of PARK. (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK (P) and release the shift lever button as you
maintain brake application. Then press the shift lever
button and move the shift lever into the gear you wish.
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of PARK
(P), try this:
1. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 6.
2. If the engine is running, shut it off. Turn the key to
ON or ACC.
3. Find the access hole cover (A) on the driver’s side of
the console, near the shift lever.
4. Remove the screw (B) and cover (A).
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Engine Fxhauct
Engine exhaust can kill. It contains the gas
carbon monoxide
(CO), which you can’t see or
smell. It can cause unconsciousness and death.
You might have exhaust coming in if:
Your exhaust system sounds strange
Your vehicle gets rusty underneath.
Your vehicle was damaged in a collision.
0 Your vehicle was damaged when driving over
high points on the road or over road debris.
0 Repairs weren’t done correctly.
0 Your vehicle or exhaust system had been
If you ever suspect exhaust is coming into
your vehicle:
0 Drive it only with all the windows down to
Have your vehicle fixed immediately.
or
different.
modified improperly. blow out any
CO; and
Running Your Engine While You’re
Parked (Automatic Transmission)
It’s better not to park with the engine running. But if
ever have to, here are
some things to know.
A CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the air system control off
could allow dangerous exhaust into your vehicle
(see the earlier Caution under “Engine
Exhaust”).
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide
(CO) into your vehicle even if
the fan switch is at the highest setting. One place
this can happen is
a garage. Exhaust -- with
CO -- can come in easily. NEVER park in a
garage with the engine running.
Another closed-in place can be
a blizzard. (See
“Blizzard” in the Index.)
~~ 2-27
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