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Air Conditioner Controls (Option)
The air conditioning system
uses the same controls as
described previously. The
function
of each lever is
explained under “Climate
Control System” in this
part. The incoming air is
cooled and dehumidified
instead of being heated.
Push the
A/C button to change your comfort control
system from heating to air conditioning.
A light will
come
on when the air conditioning is on. The A/C
button can also control the humidity in your vehicle.
The air conditioner works best if you keep your
windows closed. On very hot days, open the windows
just long enough for the hot air to escape.
For normal cooling, push the
A/C button and move the
air intake lever to CIRCULATE. For faster cooling,
move the lever to RECIRCULATE. Then move the
airflow lever to VENT, the temperature control lever
toward the left and the fan control lever toward the
fan symbol.
On days when
it is raining or the humidity is high,
follow these dehumidifying steps to help clean windows
that are cloudy with moisture. Push the A/C button.
Move the air intake lever to CIRCULATE. Move the
airflow lever to DEFROST and
the fan control lever
toward the fan symbol. Adjust
the temperature control
lever to
a comfortable setting.
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Heating
For the quickest results, move the air intake lever to
RECIRCULATE. Move the airflow lever to FLOOR,
the temperature control lever toward the right for
warmer air and the
far, control lever toward the fan
symbol.
You should switch to CIRCULATE once in a
while to avoid stale air and cloudy windows.
Ventilation System
For mild outside temperatures, when little heating or
cooling is needed, you can still direct outside air through
ymr vehicle.
Move the air intake lever to CIRCULATE and the
airflow lever
to BI-LEVEL. Adjust the temperature
control lever to
a comfortable setting and move the fan
control lever toward the fan symbol.
Your Geo’s flow-through ventilation system supplies
outside air into the vehicle when
it is moving. Outside
air will also enter the vehicle when the fan is running
and the air intake lever is at CIRCULATE. Your
vehicle has air outlets that allow you to adjust the
direction and amount
of airflow inside the vehicle. Push
the outlet
up or down to direct airflow to your
preference. Increase or reduce the amount
of airflow by
opening and closing the louvers.
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Ventilation Tips
Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or any
other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater and
defroster will work far better, reducing the chance of
fogging the inside
of your windows.
When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, move the fan
control lever toward the fan symbol for a few moments
before driving off. This helps clear the intake ducts of
snow and moisture, and reduces the chance
of fogging
the inside of your windows.
Keep the air path under the front seats clear of objects.
This helps air to circulate throughout your vehicle.
Defogging and Defrosting
Slide the air intake lever to CIRCULATE and the
airflow lever to DEFROST to direct air to the
windshield vents.
Then slide the temperature control
lever toward the right and the fan lever toward the fan
symbol. When the windshield
is clear, turn down the
fan speed.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger uses a warming grid
to
remove fog from the
rear window.
Press the switch to turn
on the defogger. An indicator
light will come on below the switch to remind you that
the defogger is on. Press the switch again to turn the
defogger
off. The rear window defogger will also turn
off
if you turn the ignition switch to ACC or LOCK, but
will turn
back on when the ignition is turned back on.
Do not attach anything like a temporary vehicle license
or
a decal across the defogger grid on the rear window.
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Gem Section 4 Your Driving and the Road
I
Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also
included many other useful tips
on driving.
4-2
4-2
4-6
4-6
4- 10 4-12
4-12
4-14
4-15
4-30 Defensive Driving
Drunken Driving
Control
of a Vehicle
Braking Steering
Off-Road Recovery
Passing
Loss of Control
Driving Guidelines
Driving at Night
4-32
4-35
4-36
4-37
4-3s 4-3
s
4-40
4-44 4-47
4-49
Driving in Rain and on Wet Roads
City Driving
Freeway Driving
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Highway Hypnosis
Hill and Mountain Roads
Winter Driving
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Loading Your Vehicle
Towing a Trailer
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Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with your headlamps. Let the heater run for awhile.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But
do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can.
To help keep warm, you can get
out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
Re - -1tional Vehicle Towing
There may be times when you want to tow your Geo
behind another vehicle for use at your destination. Be
sure to use the proper towing equipment designed
for
recreational towing. Follow the instructions for the
towing equipment.
Towing Your Vehicle frc -:: :I: I Rc 1-r
The best way to tow your Geo is from the rear. Follow
these steps:
1. Put the rear wheels on a dolly.
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I NOTICE:
Do not tow your Geo with the rear wheels in
contact with the ground, or the transmission
could be damaged.
2.
3.
4.
Set the parking brake.
If your Geo is a four-wheel-drive vehicle, set your
manual free-wheeling hubs to
FREE or unlock your
automatic freewheeling hubs. See “Four-wheel
Drive” in the Index.
Turn the ignition key to ACC to unlock the
steering wheel.
I NOTICE:
Make sure that the towing speed does not
exceed
55 mph (90 km/h), or your Geo could be
badly damaged.
Towing from the Front
h
I1 I
I NOTICE: I
If your vehicle has automatic freewheeling hubs
or two-wheel drive,
do not tow it on all four
wheels.
If you do, your transmission could
be damaged.
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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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Towing a Trailer
/I CA JTION:
-
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull a
trailer.
For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well
-- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps in this section.
Ask your Geo dealer for
advice and information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
your warranty.
To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your Geo dealer
for important information about towing
a trailer
with your vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify what the
vehicle trailering capacity
is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in “Weight
of the Trailer”
that appears later in this section. But trailering is
different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling, durability and
fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
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