Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If
so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see
“Fuel” in the Index). Poor fuel quality will cause your
engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may
notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when you
put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on
acceleration or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the light
to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least one
full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none
of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle.
Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to
fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.
Oil Pressure Light
If you have a problem with
your oil, this light may stay
on after you start your
engine, or come on when
you are driving.
This indicates that there is not enough pressure to keep
your engine properly lubricated and cool. The engine
could be low on
oil, or have some other oil related
problem. Have
it fixed right away.
The
oil light could also come on in three
other situations.
0 When the ignition is on but the engine is not running,
the light will come on as a test to show you it
is
working, but the light will go out when you turn the
engine to START. If it doesn’t come on with the
ignition on, you may have a problem with the fuse or
bulb. Have it fixed right away.
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0 Sometimes when the engine is idling at a stop, the
light may blink on and
off. This is nonnal.
If you make a hard stop, the light may come on for a
moment. This is normal.
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A CAUTIPN:
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Don't keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches fie. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon
as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and is not covered by
your warranty.
Power Indicator Light (If Equipped)
POWER
This light comes on when
the power mode selector
switch
is turned to
POWER (P) with the
ignition switch in the
ON position.
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Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you
allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move
slightly slower at night.
When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper
lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do not,
under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to
the next exit.
The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply.
The exit speed is usually posted.
Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not
to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance
at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going
slower than you actually are.
Before Leaving on a Long Trip
Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you
must start when you’re not fresh
-- such as after a day’s
work
-- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part
of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you
can easily drive in.
Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it
serviced and maintained, it’s ready
to go. If it needs
service, have it done before starting out. Of course,
you’ll find experienced and able service experts in Geo
dealerships all across North America. They’ll be ready
and willing
to help if you need it.
Here are some things you can check before a trip:
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Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are
all windows clean inside and outside?
Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?
Fuel, Engine Oil, Other Fluids: Have you checked
all levels?
Lamps: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean?
Tires: They are vitally important to a safe,
trouble-free trip. Is the tread good enough for
long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the
recommended pressure?
Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook
along your route? Should
you delay your trip a short
time
to avoid a major storm system?
Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps?
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Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on Fabric
First, see if you have to use solvent-type cleaner at all.
Some spots and stains will clean off better with just
water and mild soap.
If you need to use a solvent:
1. Gently scrape excess soil from the trim material with
2. Use very little cleaner, light pressure and clean cloths
(preferably cheesecloth). Cleaning should start at the
outside
of the stain, “feathering” toward the center.
a clean, dull
knife or scraper.
3. Keep changing to a clean section of the cloth.
4. When you clean
a stain from fabric, immediately
dry the area with a blow dryer to help prevent a
cleaning ring.
Fabric Protection
Your Geo has upholstery that has been treated with
Scotchgard” Fabric Protector, a
3M product. It protects
fabrics by repelling oil and water, which are the carriers
of most stains. Even with this protection, you still need
to clean your upholstery often to keep it looking new.
Further information on cleaning is available by calling
1-800-433-3296 (in Minnesota, 1-800-642-6167).
Special Cleaning Problems
Greasy or Oily Stains
Stains caused by grease, oil, butter, margarine, shoe
polish, coffee with cream, chewing gum, cosmetic
creams, vegetable oils, wax crayon, tar and asphalt
can be removed as follows:
1. Carefully scrape off excess stain.
2. Follow the solvent-type instructions described earlier.
Shoe polish, wax crayon, tar and asphalt will stain
if left
on a vehicle’s seat fabric. They should be removed as
soon as possible. Be careful, because the cleaner will
dissolve them and may cause them to spread.
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Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed below are owner checks and services which
should be performed at the intervals specified
to help
ensure the safety, dependability and emission control
performance of your vehicle.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
in
Part D.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant to
pelrform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. See “Engine Oil”
in the Index for
further
details.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add the proper
coolant mixture if necessary. See “Engine Coolant” in
the Index for further details.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer tank and add the proper fluid
if
necessary. See “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index
for further details.
Hood Latch Operation Check
Pull the primary hood latch release handle inside the
vehicle. The secondary latch should keep the hood from
opening all the way when the primary latch
is released.
Make sure the hood closes firmly. See
“Hood Release”
in the Index for further details.
At Least Once a Month
Tire Inflation Check
Make sure tires are inflated to the correct pressures. See
”Tires”
in the Index for further details.
Cassette Deck Service
Clean cassette deck. Cleaning should be done every
50 hours of tape play. See “Audio Systems” in the Index
for further details.
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