1997 CHEVROLET TRACKER Owners Manual

One key is used for the
ignition, the doors and all
other locks.
When
a new Tracker is
delivered, the dealer
removes the metal plate
from the key ring and gives
it
to the first owner.
The metal plate has a code on it that tells your dealer or
a qualified locksmith how to make extra keys. Keep the
code in a safe place. If you lose your keys,
you’ll be able
to have new ones made easily using this code.
NOTICE:
Your Geo has a number of features that can help
prevent theft. However, you can have a lot of
trouble getting into your vehicle if you ever lock
your keys inside. You may even have to damage
your vehicle to get in.
So be sure you have an
extra key.
Door Locks
Unlocked doors can be dangerous.
Passengers
-9 especially children 9- can easily
open the doors and fall out. When a door is
locked, the inside handle won’t open it.
Outsiders can easily enter through an unlocked
door when you slow down or stop your vehicle.
This may not be
so obvious: You increase the
chance of being thrown out of the vehicle in a
crash if the doors aren’t locked. Wear safety belts
properly, lock your doors, and you will be
far
better off whenever you drive your vehicle.
There are several ways to lock and unlock your vehicle.
From the outside,
use your key. To lock the door, turn
the key toward the front
of the vehicle. To unlock the
door, turn the key toward the rear.
2-3
ProCarManuals.com

To lock the door from
8 the inside, push down
the button on the door.
To unlock it, pull up on
the button.
IC
Power Door Locks (If Equipped)
Push the front of the power
door lock switch to lock all
the doors and the tailgate.
To unlock the doors and
tailgate, push the rear
of the
power door lock switch.
Rear Door Security Locks @-Door Models)
Your Geo is equipped with
rear security door locks that
help prevent passengers
from opening the rear doors
of your vehicle
from the inside.
To use one
of these locks:
1. Move the lever down to engage the lock.
2. Close the door.
3. Do the same to the other rear door lock.
The rear doors
of your vehicle cannot be opened from
the inside when this feature is in use.
If you want to open a rear door when the security lock is
on, unlock the door from the inside, then open the door
from the outside.
2-4
ProCarManuals.com

If you don’t cancel the security lock feature, adults or
older children who ride in the rear won’t be able to open
the rear door from the inside.
You should let adults and
older children know how these security locks work, and
how to cancel the locks.
To cancel the rear door lock:
1. Unlock the door from the inside and open the door
2. Move the lever up to disengage the lock.
from
the outside.
3. Do the same for the other rear door.
The rear door locks will now work normally.
Leaving Your Vehicle
If you are leaving the vehicle, take your key, open your
door and set the locks from inside. Then get out and
close the
door.
Tailgate
It can be dangerous to drive with the tailgate
window open because carbon monoxide
(CO) gas
can come into your vehicle. You can’t see
or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the tailgate window open
or
if electrical wiring or other cable connections
must pass through the seal between the body and
the tailgate window:
Make sure all windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on CIRCULATE. That will force outside
air into your vehicle. See “Comfort
Controls” in the Index.
If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
2-5
ProCarManuals.com

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.
2-6
ProCarManuals.com

New Vehicle “Break-In” 1
NOTICE:
Your modern Geo doesn’t need an elaborate
“break-in.” But it will perform better in the long
run if you follow these guidelines:
0
0
0
0
Keep your speed at 55 mph (88 km/h) or
less for the first
500 miles (805 km).
Don’t drive at any one speed
-- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (805 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the first
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops
with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow
a trailer during break-in.
See “Towing
a Trailer” in the Index for
more information.
[gnition Positions
With the key in the ignition
switch, you can turn the
switch
to four positions.
LOCK (A): The only position in which you can remove
the key. This locks your steering wheel, ignition and
automatic transmission.
If you have an automatic transmission, the ignition
switch can’t be turned to
LOCK unless the shift lever is
in the PARK (P) position.
2-7
I
ProCarManuals.com

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.
2-8
ProCarManuals.com

Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transmission
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use
NEUTRAL (N) only.
I NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if‘ your Geo is
moving.
If you do, you could damage the
transmission. Shift to PARK
(P) only when your
vehicle
is stopped.
Manual Transmission
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL (N). Hold the
clutch pedal to the floor and start the engine. Your
vehicle won’t start if the clutch pedal
is not all the way
down
-- that’s a safety feature.
Starting Your 1.6 Liter Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key.
I I
NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, hold your key in
START for about three seconds at a time until your
engine starts. Wait about
15 seconds between each
try to help avoid draining your battery.
If your engine still won’t start. call vour dealer for help.
2-9
ProCarManuals.com

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.
2-10
ProCarManuals.com