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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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NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics
in your vehicle. If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the
way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part
of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Automatic Transmission Operation
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your rear wheels. It’s the best
position
to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
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1 A CAUJON:
It is 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.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to.
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, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK
(P).
If you have four-wheel drive, your vehicle will
be free to roll
-- even if your shift lever is in
PARK
(P) -- if your transfer case is in
NEUTRAL
(N). So, be sure the transfer case is in
a drive gear, two-wheel high (2H) or four-wheel
high
(4H) or four-wheel low (4L) -- not in
NEUTRAL
(N). See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in
the Index. If you’re pulling
a trailer, see “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index.
Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range before
starting the engine. 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 key
is in the ON position. 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. See “Shifting Out of
PARK
(P)” in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your
transmission. Shift to REVERSE (R) only after
your vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transmission, see
“Stuck:
In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index.
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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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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).
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Manual
To lock or unlock the hubs, you must parK your vehicle
(see “Shifting into
PARK (P)” or “Parking Your
Vehicle” in the Index) and get out.
To lock the hubs, turn
the hub dials to
LOCK.
NOTICE:
Don’t drive in TWO-WHEEL HIGH (2H) with
the manual locking hubs in
LOCK. If you do, you
could damage your front driveshaft parts.
To unlock the hubs, turn the hub dials to FREE.
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Automatic
With automatic freewheeling hubs, you don’t have to get
out
of the vehicle to lock or unlock the hubs.
Locking the Hubs
1. Stop your vehicle.
2. Shift the transfer case to FOUR-WHEEL
HIGH
(4H) or FOUR-WHEEL LOW (4L).
3. Drive slowly forward and the hubs will lock.
Unlocking the Hubs
1. Stop your vehicle.
2. Then, press the clutch if you have a manual
transmission, and shift the transfer case to
TWO-WHEEL HIGH (2H). The hubs will unlock.
3. Drive 7 feet (2 m) in the direction opposite to the
direction you were driving before you stopped.
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Remember that driving in FOUR-WHEEL HIGH (4H)
or FOUR-WHEEL LOW (4L) may reduce fuel
economy. Also, driving in four-wheel drive on dry
pavement could cause your tires to wear faster and make
your transfer case harder to shift.
You can shift from TWO-WHEEL HIGH (2H) to
FOUR-WHEEL HIGH
(4H) or from FOUR-WHEEL
HIGH (4H) to TWO-WHEEL HIGH (2H) at any speed
if your hubs are locked and your wheels are straight
ahead. Your front axle will engage faster if you take
your foot off the accelerator pedal for a few seconds as
you shift.
Shifting Into or Out of FOUR-WHEEL LOW (4L)
1. Stop your vehicle and shift your transmission to
NEUTRAL (N).
2. Shift the transfer case in one continuous motion.
Don’t pause in NEUTRAL
(N) as you shift into
FOUR-WHEEL
HIGH (4H), or your gears could clash.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down and
pull
up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is on,
the brake system warning light will come on.
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