1993 Chevrolet Tracker Owners Manual

indicates E, you still have a little fuel left (about one or two gallons), but you need to get more right away. Here are four concerns some owners have had about the fuel gage. All these situations are normal and do not indicate that anything is wrong with the fuel gage.

At the gas station, the gas pump shuts off before the gage reads F. It takes more (or less) gas to fill up than the gage reads. For example, the gage reads 1/2 full, but it took more (or less) than half of the tank’s capacity to fill it. The gage moves a little when you turn, stop or speed up. When you turn the engine off, the gage doesn’t go back to E.

83.

Features & Controls

Brake System Warning Light Your Geo’s hydraulic brake system is divided into two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you need both parts working well. Your vehicle also has rear wheel anti-lock brakes. If the warning light goes on, there could be a brake problem with either your regular or rear wheel anti-lock brakes, or both. Have your brake system inspected right away. This light should come on as you start the vehicle. If it doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be ready to warn you if there’s a problem.

. . .a4

This light will also come on when you set your parking brake, and it will stay on if your parking brake doesn’t release fully. If it stays on after your parking brake is fully released, it means you may have a brake problem. If the light comes on while driving, pull off the road and stop carefully. You may notice that the pedal is harder to push. Or, the pedal may go closer to the floor. It may take longer to stop. If the light is still on, have the vehicle towed for service. (See “Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.)

$ Your brake system may not be working properly if the brake warning light is on. Driving with the brake warning light on can lead to an accident. If the light is still on after you’ve pulled off the road and stopped carefully, have the vehicle towed for service.

I L

-I

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the gage pointer moves to the “H” (red) side, your engine is too hot! It means that your engine coolant has overheated and you should stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible. HOT COOLANT CAN BURN YOU BADLY! In “Problems on the Road, ” this manual shows what to do. See “Engine Overheating’’ in the Index.

Charging System Light This light will come on briefly when you turn on the ignition, but the engine is not running, as a check to show you it is working. Then it should go out when the engine starts. If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, you may have a problem with the electrical charging system. It could indicate that you have a loose generator drive belt, or another electrical problem. Have it checked right away. Driving while this light is on could drain your battery. If you must drive a short distance with the light all your accessories, such as the radio and air conditioner.

on, be certain to turn off

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) A computer monitors operation of your fuel, ignition and emission control systems. The light should come on when the ignition is on, but the engine is not running, as a check to show you it is working. If it does not come on at all, have it fixed right away. If it stays on, or comes on while you are driving, the computer is indicating that you have a problem. You should take your vehicle in for service soon.

8 5 . 9 .

If you keep driving your vehicle with this light on, after a while the emission controls won’t work as well, your fuel economy won’t be as good and your engine may not run as smoothly. This could lead to costly repairs not covered by your warranty.

Engine 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 could have some other oil related problem. Have it fixed right away. The oil light could also come on in three other situations.

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. Sometimes when the engine is idling at a stop, the light may blink on and off. This is normal. If you make a hard stop, the light may come on for a moment. This is normal.

- 8 . 8 6

I- ~-

Convertible Top (OPTION)

Your convertible top features a sunroof, a removable rear window and a removable canvas top.

A Don’t change the center - pillars or horizontal roof support. These parts are designed to help protect you and passengers in a crash. Don’t add anything, like light bars or roll bars, to these parts, either. If the center pillars or horizontal roof support are ever damaged, be sure to have them repaired as soon as possible so they’ll be able to protect you in a crash.

CA UTlON

A Don’t keep driving if the oil

pressure is low. If you do, your engine can become so hot that it catches on fire. You or others could be burned. Check your oil as soon as possible and have your vehicle serviced.

NOTlCE Damage to your engine from neglected oil problems can costly and is not covered by your

I

1 * Never raise or lower the top while the- vehicle .is moving, or drive with any

part of the top unfastened or partially -removed. The wind Could and cause- damage. Do not take.your vehicle through an a your convertible -top. . . le top or tap or beat on the plasti windows if your car is out in d d weatIq.4 1 OF (5°C) or below. The. cold. can cause cracks -and other damage ta th ;inb---rs and to the top as it is. being lowered or-raised

0 ,Don? try to lower or raise the conver

t under ‘it

’

’

~. . -

E tc

is down, the trapp ----iter-- cause stains, mildew and damage to *% in-’Je of your car. Be

..e Don’t.lower the top if it is dl. p or w After .. &e to dry -off :&e top.before you lower it. * Don’t lower the convertible top if the rear f

or sic: wndol

Dirt could scratch the side windows.. The convertible top isn’t designed to carry weight. Never let anyone sit on the top, and don’t put anything on top. of it when it is up, or it could be damaged.

are di

’

. .

9 - 8 8

The parts of your convertible top are: 1. Top Bow Latch 2. Front Top Bow 3. Horizontal Roof Support 4. Rear Top Bow 5. Strap 6. Strut 7. Clamp 8. Center Pillar 9. Roof Rail

3pening and Closing Your Sunroof I. Lower your antenna and swing your !. Squeeze the front top bow latch

sun visors down.

buttons and pull the latch back.

3. Unhook the latch from the front top

bow.

4. Swing the front top bow up and back

while folding the canvas top out from between the top bow and the roof support. Be sure that you don’t pinch the canvas top between the front top bow arms and the roof rails.

8 9 - 9

Features & Controls

5. Unfasten the holding strap near the dome light and pull it through the slot in the front top bow.

6. Fasten the holding strap to itself. 7. Push the front top bow latches down

until they “click. ”

8. Swing your sun visors up and raise

your antenna.

Reverse the steps to close your sunroof. Be sure your front top bow is latched securely.

Opening and Closing Your Rear Window Make sure your rear window is clean before you try to remove it. See “Special Care of Canvas Top” in the Index. 1. Unfasten the lower left corner flap to

uncover the zipper pull.

2. Unzip the rear window. If the zipper is hard to move, you can lubricate it with beeswax, bar soap or silicone spray. Remove the window.

A It can be dangerous to drive

with the rear window open or removed. Carbon monoxide (CO) gas can come into your vehicle. You can’t see it or smell CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death. If you must drive with the rear window open:

Make sure all other windows arc shut. Turn the fan on your heating or cooling system to its highest speed with the setting on= That will force outside air into your vehicle. See “Comfort Controls” in the Index. If you have air vents on or under the instrument panel, open them all the way.

Reverse the steps to close the rear window. Be sure that it is completely closed.

Removing and Installing Your Rear Window 1. Unfasten the lower corner flaps on

both sides.

2. There are two places on the canvas

on the tailgate marked PULL. Pull at each place to unhook the rear window frame from the tailgate. Also, pull the canvas at the center of the tailgate. I 3. Unzip and remove the rear window.

4. Lay the rear window inside-up on a clean, dry, flat surface and roll the rear window from the bottom to the top.

Reverse the steps to install the rear window. Be sure the rear window is completely closed before driving. Removing and Installing Your Canvas TOP 1. Lower your antenna and swing your

sun visors down.

2. Remove your rear window. See

“Removing and Installing Your Rear Window” in this section.

91 . . -

Features & Controls

3. Unsnap the upper and

lower straps that connect the rear top bow to the side window frames.

4. From inside your vehicle, push out on the lower front corner metal support of the rear side window frames.

5. Unfasten the rear side windows from

the frames.

6. Hook the frames back to the body of

your vehicle. Be sure the strap is above the frame so you don't pinch the strap between the frame and the body of the vehicle.

Snap the strap on the frame to itself.

7. Squeeze the front top bow latch buttons and pull the latch back.

8. Unhook the latch from the front top

bow.

9. Swing the front top bow back so

you'll have some slack in the canvas top.

I O . Unhook the canvas top from the

front top bow.

1 1. Unsnap the tension straps at the

roof rails and pull the straps out of the plastic loops.

12. Unsnap the flaps near the dome

light, that hold the canvas top roof support.

to the

13. Slide out the rear corner pieces.

14. Unsnap the canvas from the rear

top bow.

15. Remove the canvas top from the

vehicle and lay inside-up on a clean, dry, flat surface.

... 94

16. Pull up and back on the rear top bow struts and swing each strut forward.

17. Clamp the struts to the

bow.

rear top

18. Swing down the rear top bow and

secure it with the strap at the inside center of your tailgate.

19. Pull the front top bow forward and

lock it in place.

Reverse the steps to install your canvas top. Be sure:

The front top bow is securely latched. The rear side window frames are installed all the way into the corners of the canvas. The rear side window frames are clamped to the body. The rear straps on the side window frames are snapped. The rear top bow struts are secure in their proper place.

9 5 - . =

I 1 Features & Controls

Preparing Your Canvas Top for Storage 1. Lay the canvas top inside-up on a

clean, dry, flat surface.

2. Fold the side windows onto the top.

3. Fold the front part of the canvas top

over the windows.

4. Lay the rear window on top of the

folded canvas top.

... 96

5. Roll the canvas top around the rear

window.

6. Store in a clean, dry location.

9 7 .

Notes

Notes

99.

Notes

100

m m .

Part 3 Comfort Controls & Audio Systems

I n this part you'll find out how to operate the comfort control system and audio systems offered with your Geo . Be sure to read about the particular system supplied with your vehicle .

Comfort Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 . . . . . 102 Heater Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bi-LevelHeating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Defogging and Defrosting Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Air Conditioner Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 Dehumidifying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Rearwindow Defogger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Flow-Through Ventilation System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Audiosystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Setting the Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 AM/FM Stereo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 AM/FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Understanding Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

101

Comfort Controls & Audio Systems

urnfort Controls

With this system, you can control the heating and ventilation in your Geo. If you have the air conditioning option, you can also control cooling, Your vehicle also has the flow-through ventilation system described later in this section.

Heater Controls Air Intake Lever a: Choose this position to recirculate control system. m: Choose this position to circulate

the inside air through the comfort

outside air through the comfort control system. Airflow Lever Use this lever to direct the airflow. *; : This position directs the airflow through the instrument panel vents. \ # : This position directs air through d o the instrument panel vents and toward the floor. WP : This position directs air toward the floor.

-9 : This position directs air toward the floor, the windshield and side windows. till, : This position directs air to the windshield. Temperature Control Lever Slide the lever to change the temperature of the air flowing from the heating system. Move it toward the right for warmer air and to the left for cooler air. The temperature of the air can not be less than the temperature of the outside air. Fan Control Lever

: Slide this lever to turn the heating system on or off. Move the lever toward

to increase the fan's speed.

intake lever t o m .

Heating 1. For the quickest results, move the air 2. Move the airflow lever to w d . 3. Move the temperature lever toward 4. Move the fan lever toward # . 5. You should switch

the right for warmer air.

once in a

to

while to avoid stale air and cloudy windows.

to use bi-level heating on

Bi-Level Heating You may want cool, but sunny days. This setting directs cool air toward your body and warmer air toward your feet. 1. Move the air intake lever t o m . 2. Move the airflow lever to 3. Move the temperature lever to the # .

4. Move the fan lever toward

center.

Ventilation For mild outside temperatures when little heating or cooling is needed, you can still direct outside air through your vehicle. 1 . Move the air intake lever t o m . 2. Move the airflow 3. Adjust the temperature lever to a

lever to

comfortable setting. 4. Move the fan control lever

to

Comfort Controls & Audio Systems

the right.

1. Slide the air intake lever to =. 2. Slide the airflow lever to Q to direct air to the windshield vents. 3. Slide the temperature lever toward 4. Slide the fan lever to # . When the windshield is clear, turn down the fan speed. To defog the side windows, slide the airflow lever to ZJ. For increased airflow to the side vents, close the center vents.

Air Conditioner Controls The air conditioning system uses the same controls as the heating system. The function of each lever is explained under “Heater Controls” in this part. The incoming air is cooled and dehumidified instead of being heated. A/C: Push this 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.

... 104

Cooling 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. 1. Push the A/C button. 2. Move the air intake lever to

for normal cooling. For faster cooling move the lever t o m .

3. Move the airflow lever to -$ . 4. Move the temperature control lever lever to # .

5. Move the fan control

toward the left.

Dehumidifying On days when it is raining or the humidity is high, follow these dehumidifying steps instead of the cooling directions. It will help clean windows that are cloudy with moisture. 1. Push the A/C button. 2. Move the air intake lever t o m . 3. Move the airflow lever to s- 4. Move the fan control lever toward

5. Adjust the temperature control lever

to a comfortable setting.

(OPTIO~V) I

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. Do not attach anything like a temporary vehicle license or a decal across the defogger grid on the rear window.

Don’t use a razor blade something else sharp on the inside of the rear window. If you do, yc could cut or damage the warming grid, and the repairs would1 be covered by your warranty.

Comfort Controls & Audio Systems

rmw-rirmuflh Ventilation System Your Geo's flow-through ventilation system supplies outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside air will also enter the car when the heater or the air conditioning fan is running.

106

H Audio Systems Your Delco@ audio system has been designed to operate easily and give years of listening pleasure. But you will get the most enjoyment out of it if you acquaint yourself with it first. Find out what your Delco@ audio system can do and how to operate all its controls, to be sure you're getting the most out of the advanced engineering that went into it.

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 car in cold weather, move the fan lever toward # 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 car.

CAUTION A Hearing damage from loud

noise is almost undetectable until it is too late. Your hearing can. adapt to higher volumes of sound. Sound that seems normal can be loud and harmful to your hearing. Take precautions by adjusting the volume control on your radio to a safe sound level before your hearing adapts to it. To help avoid hearing loss or damage:

Adjust the volume control to the lowest setting. Increase volume slowly until you hear comfortably and clearly.

~~

~~

~~~

NU I I L - t Before you add any sound equipment to your vehicle - like a tape player, CB radio, mobile telephone or two-way radio - be sure you can add what you want. If you can, it’s very important to do it properly. Added sound equipment may interfere with the operation of your vehicle’s engine, Delco@ radio or other systems, and even damage them. And, your vehicle’s systems may interfere with the operation of sound equipment that has been added improperly. So, before adding sound equipment, check with your dealer and be sure to check Federal rules covering mobile r A : o and telephone units

AMiFM Stereo 1. Press and hold RCL (TIME SET).

At the same time press and hold TUNE 4 (HR) until the correct hour appears.

2. Press and hold RCL (TIME SET). At the same time press and hold TUNE b (MIN) until the correct minute appears.

107

Comfort Controls & Audio Systems

A M W

s I tutu

AM/FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player 1. Press and hold RCL/PROG (TIME SET). At the same time press and hold TUNE 4 (HR) until the correct hour appears.

2. Press and hold RCL/PROG (TIME

SET). At the same time press and hold TUNE b (MIN) until the correct minute appears.

A YFM Stereo To Play the Radio Turn the ON/VOL knob to turn the system.on or off. Volume Turn the ON/VOL knob to adjust the volume. AM-FM Press AM-FM to get AM or FM. The lighted display shows your selection.

Tune Press TUNE, or T U N E 4 to go to a higher or lower station. Press either button and hold to continue tuning and release when you find your display will indicate the frequency of each station tuned.

station. The

r

Seek Press SEEK, or SEEK4 and the radio will tune to the next higher or lower station and stay there. Pushbuttons The six pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations. To set the pushbuttons for up to 12 stations (6 AM and 6 FM), just: 1. Tune in the station. 2. Press and hold one of the

pushbuttons for at least two seconds. The sound will go away for a second and will return when the station is stored.

Repeat these steps for each pushbutton.

Setting the Tone Treble: Turn the TREB knob to the right to hear more treble. Bass: Turn the BASS control behind the TREB knob to the right to hear more bass.

Adjusting the Speakers Fade: Turn the FADE knob to move the sound between the front and rear speakers. Balance: Turn the BAL control behind the FADE knob to move the sound between the left and right speakers. Recall Press RCL to switch the display between time and frequency. Or, press it if you want to see the time when the ignition is off.

Comfort Controls & Audio Systems

9M/FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player To Play the Radio h r n the ON/VOL knob to turn the ;ystem on or off. Volume Turn the ON/VOL knob to adjust the volume.

AM-FM Press AM-FM to get AM, FM 1 or FM2. The lighted display shows your selection. Tune Press TUNE, or TUNE4 to go to a higher or lower station. Press either button and hold to continue tuning and release when you find your station. The display will indicate the frequency each station tuned.

of

Seek Press SEEK, or SEEK4 and the radio will tune to the next higher or lower station and stay there. Pushbuttons The six pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations. To set the pushbuttons for up to 18 stations (6 AM, 6 FMl, and 6 FM2), just: 1. Tune in the station. 2. Press and hold one of the

pushbuttons for at least two seconds. The sound will go away for a second and will return when the station stored.

is

Repeat these steps for each pushbutton.

Setting the Tone Treble: Turn the TREB knob to the right to hear more treble. Bass: Turn the BASS control behind the TREB knob to the right to hear more bass. Loud To increase the bass tone at low volumes, press the LOUD button. Tone Select Press TONE SELECT to choose preset treble and bass equalization settings

designed for “ROCK,” “NEWS,” “POP,” “JAZZ” and “CLASSICAL.” “ROCK” will appear when you first press TONE SELECT. Each time you press TONE SELECT another setting will appear on the display. Press TONE SELECT again after “CLASSICAL” and control of the tone will be back to the treble and bass knobs. Adjusting the Speakers Fade: Turn the FADE knob to move the sound between the front and rear speakers. Balance: Turn the BAL control behind the FADE knob to move the sound between the right and left speakers.

Preset Scan Press the PRESET SCAN button to hear each of your FM preset stations for a few seconds. When you want to stop at a chosen station, press PRESET SCAN again. Recall Press RCL/PROG to switch the display between time and frequency. Or, press il if you want to see the time when the ignition is off. To Play a Cassette Tape Your tape player is built to work best with tapes that are 30-45 minutes long on each side. Tapes longer than that are so thin they may not work well in this Dlaver.

The longer side with the tape visible should face to the right. If you hear may not be in squarely. Press A to nothing or hear just a garbled sound, it remove the tape and start over. Once the tape is playing, use the knobs for volume and balance, just as you do for the radio. The lighted arrows show which side of the tape is playing. Your bias is set automatically. When a metal or chrome tape is inserted, “MTL” is shown on the display. Fast Forward Press FF to rapidly advance to another or A (Stop/Eject) to return to part of the tape. Press FF, RCL/PROG playing speed.

Rewind Press REW to rapidly reverse the tape.

Press REW, RCLlPROG or A

(Stop/Eject) to return to playing speed. To Play the Next Selection Press NEXT to go forward to the beginning of the next selection. For NEXT to work properly, your tape must have at least three or four seconds of silence between each selection. Previous Press PREV to hear the last selection over. Press PREV again or press RCL/PROG or cancel this function.

(Stop/Eject) to

Program Press RCL/PROG to switch from one side of the tape to the other. Your cassette tape player can play continuously because the player has an auto-reverse feature. Dolby DD@ Press 00 to remove noise from Dolby DD@ NR-encoded tapes. Dolby@’ Noise Reduction is manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.

EJECT Press A to remove the tape or stop the tape and switch to radio. Radio Monitor Press the RADIO MNTR button to hear the radio when you are fast forwarding or reversing a cassette tape. You can use the TUNE, SEEK and PRESET SCAN buttons while in the radio monitor mode. Theft-Deterrent Feature The theft-deterrent feature for the AM/FM stereo with cassette tape player can be used or ignored. If ignored, the system plays normally. If it is used, your system won’t be usable if it’s ever stolen.

Setting Your Security Code to The instructions below tell you how enter a security code into the system. If your vehicle loses battery power for any reason, you must enter the security code again before the system will turn on. 1. Write down any four-digit number

and keep it in a safe place.

2. Turn the ignition switch to the ACC

or ON position.

3. Turn the audio system off. 4. Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down until “-L” shows on the display.

You are now ready to enter your security code. Don’t wait more than 15 seconds between steps. 5. Press 4SEEKb and/or 4TUNEb

and “OOOO” will appear on the display.

6. Press SEEK4 and hold it until the

first digit of your code appears. Release the button.

7. Press SEEK, and hold it until the second digit of your code appears. Release the button.

8. Press TUNE4 and hold it until the

third digit of your code appears. Release the button.

113.

Comfort Controls & Audio Systems

9. Press TUNE, and hold it until the

fourth digit of your code appears. Release the button.

10. Press AM-FM after you have

checked that the code you entered is the one you wrote down. Your code is not stored and “SEC” will appear on the display.

How to Shut Off the Theft-Deterrent Feature If your radio is secured (“SEC” shows on the display) and you wish to disable it, enter your security code as follows pausing no more than 15 seconds between steps: 1 . Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down until “----” shows

on the display. You are now ready to enter your security code.

2. Press the SEEK4 button and hold it

until the first digit of your code appears.

3. Press the SEEK, button and hold it

until the second digit of your code appears.

4. Press the TUNE4 button and hold it

until the third digit of your code appears.

5. Press the TUNE, button and hold it

until the fourth digit of your code appears.

6. Press AM-FM after you have

checked that the code you entered

matches the one you wrote down. “ ---- ” should now appear in the display.

If the code is correct, the radio will operate. If the code is wrong, ‘bErr” will appear in the display. To Unlock the System after a Power Loss If power is disrupted to the radio while in the “SEC” mode, the unit will not work and “LOC” will show on the display whenever the ignition is on. To unlock the unit: 1. Press 4SEEKb and/or 4TUNEF

and “00o0” will appear on the display.

2. Press the SEEK4 button and hold it

until the first digit of your code appears.

3. Press the SEEK, button and hold it until the second digit of your code appears.

4. Press the TUNE4 button and hold it

until the third digit of your code appears.

5. Press the TUNE, button and hold it

until the fourth digit of your code appears.

6. Press AM-F” after you have

checked that the code matches the one you wrote down. Now “SEC” will appear in the display,

Understanding Radio Reception F” Stereo FM stereo will give you the best sound, but FM signals will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). And, tall buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing the sound to come and go. AM The range for most AM stations is greater than for FM, especially at night. The longer range, however, can cause stations to interfere with each other. AM can pick up noise from things like storms and power lines. Try reducing the treble to reduce this noise if you ever get it.

Care of Your Cassette Tape Player A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes, or a damaged mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight, and extreme heat. If they aren’t, they may not operate properly or cause failure of the tape player. Your tape player should be cleaned regularly each month or after every 15 hours of use. If you notice a reduction in sound quality, try a known good cassette to see if the tape or the tape player is at fault. If this other cassette has no improvement in sound quality, clean the tape player. 115

Comfort Controls & Audio Systems

Antenna Use the knob on the end of the antenna to raise the antenna or to push it back down. Keep the antenna mast clean for good performance.

Always lower the antenna before entering a car wash. If you have the canvas top, also lower the antenna before removing or installing the top.

Clean your tape player with a wiping-action, non-abrasive cleaning cassette and follow the directions provided with it. Cassettes are subject to wear and the sound quality may degrade over time. Always make sure that the cassette tape is in good condition before you have your tape player serviced.

... 116

Part 4 Your Driving and the Road

find information

H e r e YOU’II about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions . We’ve also included many other useful tips on driving .

Roadsigns .......................................................... 118 DefensiveDriving .................................................... 122 DrunkenDriving ..................................................... 123 Control of a Vehicle .................................................. 126 Driving Guidelines ................................................... 140 Off-Road Driving with Your Geo Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Drivingat Night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 Driving in the Rain ................................................... 160 Driving in Fog. Mist and Haze ......................................... 162 City Driving ........................................................ 164 Freeway Driving ..................................................... 165 Driving a Long Distance .............................................. 167 Hilland MountainRoads .............................................. 169 ParkingonHills ..................................................... 171 Winter Driving ...................................................... 173 TowingaTrailer ..................................................... 177 ......................... Recreational Towing 186

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

117 . =

Your Driving and the Road

WAY I

L A w7 LOW

SHOULDER

Color of Road Signs RED means STOP. It may also indicate that some movement is not allowed. Examples are DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY.

ORANGE indicates road construction or maintenance. You’ll want to slow down when you see an orange sign, as part of the road may be closed off or torn up. And there may be workers and maintenance vehicles around, too.

m Road Signs The road signs you see everywhere are coded by color, shape and symbols. It’s a good idea to know these codes so that you can quickly grasp the basic meaning or intent of the sign even before you have a chance to read it.

NARROW BRIDGE

YELLOW indicates a general warning. Slow down and be careful when you see a yellow sign. It may signal a railroad crossing ahead, a no-passing zone, or some other potentially dangerous situation. Likewise, a yellow solid painted on the road means “Don’t Cross.”

line

GREEN is used to guide the driver. Green signs may indicate upcoming freeway exits or show the direction you should turn to reach a particular place.

... 118

V YIELD

Shape of Road Signs The shape of the sign will tell you something, too. An OCTAGONAL (eight-sided) sign means STOP. It is always red with white letters.

A TRIANGLE, pointed downward, indicates YIELD. It assigns the right-of-way to traffic on certain approaches to an intersection.

HOSPITAL

INF(

BLUE signs with white letters show motorists' services.

CANOEING

SWIMMING

BROWN signs point out recreation areas or points of historic or cultural interest.

w'

END DIVIDED HIGHWAY

A DIAMOND-shaped sign is a warning of something ahead - for example, a curve, steep hill, soft shoulder, or a narrow bridge.

A TRIANGULAR sign also is used on two-lane roads to indicate a NO PASSING ZONE. This sign will be on the left side of the roadway.

1 1 9 .

Your Driving and

KEEP RIGHT

THROUGH

LEFT OR

RIGHT TURN

ONLY

RECTANGULAR (square or oblong) signs show speed limits, parking regulations, give directions and such information as distances to cities.

FOOD

NO RIGHT

TURN

Symbols on Road Signs There are many international road signs in use today.

Traffic Lights We’re all familiar with traffic lights or stop lights. Often green arrows are being used in the lights for improved traffic control. On some multilane roads, green arrows light up, indicating that traffic in one or more lanes can move or make a turn. Green arrows don’t mean “go no matter what. ” You’ll still need to proceed with caution, yielding the right of way to pedestrians and sometimes to other vehicles. Some traffic lights also use red arrows to signify that you must stop before turning on red.

NO U TURN

BICYCLES

NO

NO

PARKING

The basic message of many of these signs is in pictures or graphic symbols. A picture within a circle with a diagonal line across it shows what not to do.

. 120

Y

REVERSIBLE LANE ON MULTI-LANE ROADWAY

NO PASSING ZONE

Many city roads and expressways, and zven bridges, use reversible-lane traffic :ontrol during rush hours. A red X light above a lane means no driving in that lane at that time. A green arrow means you may drive in that lane. Look for the signs posted to warn drivers what hours and days these systems are in effect.

Pavement Markings Pavement markings add to traffic signs and signals. They give information to drivers without taking attention from the roadway. A solid yellow line on your side of the road or lane means “don’t xoss. ”

Your Own Signals Drivers signal to others, too. It’s not only more polite, it’s safer to let other drivers know what you are doing. And in some places the law requires driver signals. Turn and lane change signals. Always signal when you plan to turn or change lanes. If necessary, you can use hand signals out the window: Left arm straight out for a left turn, down for slow or about-to-stop, and up for a right turn.

Your Driving and the Road

Slowing down. If time allows, tap the brake pedal once or twice in advance of slowing or stopping. This warns the driver behind you. Disabled. Your four-way flashers signal that your vehicle is disabled or is a hazard. See “Hazard Warning Flashers” in the Index. Trafilc Officer The traffic police officer is also a source of important information. The officer’s signals govern, no matter what the traffic lights or other signs say. The next section discusses some of the road conditions you may encounter.

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Defensive Driving

The best advice anyone can give about driving is: Drive defensively. Please start with a very important safety device in your Geo: Buckle up. (See “Safety Belts” in the Index.) Defensive driving really means “be ready for anything.” On city streets, rural roads, or freeways, it means “always expect the unexpected. ” Assume that pedestrians or other drivers are going to be careless and make mistakes. Anticipate what they might do. Be ready for their mistakes.

Expect children to dash out from behind parked cars, often followed by other children. Expect occupants in parked cars to open doors into traffic. Watch for movement in parked cars - someone may be about to open a door. Expect other drivers to run stop signs when you are on a through street. Be ready to brake if necessary as you go through intersections. You may not have to use the brake, but if you do, you will be ready. [f you’re driving through a shopping center parking lot where there are well-marked lanes, directional arrows, and designated parking areas, expect

some drivers to ignore all these markings and dash straight toward one part of the lot. Pedestrians can be careless. Watch for them. In general, you must give way to pedestrians even if you know you have the right of way. Rear-end collisions are about the most preventable of accidents. Yet they are common. Allow enough following distance. It’s the best defensive driving maneuver, in both city and rural driving. You never know when vehicle in front of you is going to brake or turn suddenly.

the

Here’s a final bit of information about defensive driving. The most dangerous time for driving in the U.S. is very early on Sunday morning. In fact, GM Research studies show that the most and the least dangerous times for driving, every week, fall on the same day. That day is Sunday. The most dangerous time is Sunday from 3 a.m. to 4 a.m. The safest time is Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Driving the same distance on a Sunday at 3 a.m. isn’t just a little more dangerous than it is at 10 a.m. It’s about 134 times more dangerous! That leads to the next section.

Drunken Driving Death and injury associated with drinking and driving is a national tragedy. It’s the number one contributor to the highway death toll, claiming thousands of victims every year. Alcohol takes away three things that anyone needs to drive a vehicle:

Judgment Muscular Coordination Vision

Police records show that half of all motor vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol - a driver, a passenger or someone else, such as a pedestrian, had been drinking. In most cases, these

Your Driving and the Road

deaths are the result of someone who was drinking and driving. Over 25,000 motor vehicle-related deaths occur each year because of alcohol, and thousands of people are injured. Just how much alcohol is too much if a person plans to drive? Ideally, no one should drink alcohol and then drive. But if one does, then what’s “too much”? It can be a lot less than many might think. Although it depends on each person and situation, here is some general information on the problem.

The Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of someone who is drinking depends upon four things:

How much alcohol is in the drink. The drinker’s body weight. The amount of food that is consumed before and during drinking. The length of time it has taken the drinker to consume the alcohol.

According to the American Medical Association, a 180-pound (82 kg) person who drinks three 12-ounce (355 ml) bottles of beer in an hour will end up with a BAC of about 0.06 percent. The person would reach the same BAC by drinking three 4-ounce (120 ml) glasses of wine or three mixed drinks if each had 1- 1/2 ounces (45 ml) of a liquor like whiskey, gin or vodka. It’s the amount of alcohol that counts. For example, if the same person drank three double martinis (3 ounces or 90 ml of liquor each) within an hour, the person’s BAC would be close to 0.12 percent. A person who consumes food just before or during drinking will have a slightly lower BAC level.

DRINKING THAT WILL IN THE TIME SHOWN

RESULT IN A BAC OF .05%

-1

i noUR

1 2 HOURS

I =

IVJ 120 140 160 180 Mo 220 240

aoov WEIGHT IN POUNDS

The law in most U.S. states sets the legal limit at a BAC of 0.10 percent. In Canada the limit is 0.08 percent, and in some other countries it’s lower than that. The RAC will be over 0.10 percent after three to six drinks (in one hour). Of course, as we’ve seen, it depends on how much alcohol is in the drinks, and how quickly the person drinks them. But it’s very important to keep in mind that the ability to drive is affected well below a BAC of 0.10 percent. Research shows that the driving skills of many people are impaired at a BAC

approaching 0.05 percent, and that the effects are worse at night. All drivers are impaired at BAC levels above 0.05 percent. Statistics show that the chance of being in an accident increases sharply for drivers who have a BAC of 0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of 0.06 percent (three beers in one hour for a 180-pound or 82 kg person) has doubled his or her chance of having an accident. At a BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance of that driver having an accident is six times greater; at a level of 0.15 percent, the chances are twenty-five times greater! And, the body takes about an hour to rid itself of the

alcohol in one drink. No amount of coffee or number of cold showers will speed that up. “I’ll be careful” isn’t the right answer. What if there’s an emergency, a need to take sudden action, as when a child darts into the street? A person with a higher BAC might not be able to react quickly enough to avoid the collision.

Your Driving and the Road

There's something else about drinking and driving that many people don't know. Medical research shows that alcohol in a person's system can make crash injuries worse. That's especially true for brain, spinal cord and heart injuries. That means that if anyone who has been drinking - driver or passenger - is in a crash, the chance of being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if that person had not been drinking. And we've already seen that the chance of a crash itself is higher for drinking drivers.

A Drinking and then driving is

very dangerous. Your reflexes, perceptions, and judgment will be affected by even a small amount of alcohol. You could have a serious - or even fatal - accident if you drive after drinking. Please don't drink and drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking. Ride home in a cab; or if you're with a group, designate a driver who will not drink.

I Conboi of a Vehicle You have three systems that make your vehicle go where you want it to go. They are the brakes, the steering and the accelerator. All three systems have to do their work at the places where the tires meet the road. Sometimes, as when you're driving on snow or ice, it's easy to ask more of those control systems than the tires and road can provide. That means you can lose control of your vehicle.

9 126

Braking Braking action involves perception time and reaction time. First, you have to decide to push on the brake pedal. That’s perception time. Then you have to bring up your foot and do it. That’s reaction time. Average reaction time is about 3/4 of a second. But that’s only an average. It might be less with one driver and as long as two or three seconds or more with another. Age, physical condition, alertness, coordination, and eyesight all play a part. So do alcohol, drugs and frustration. But even in 3/4 of a second,

a vehicle moving at 60 mph (100 km/h) travels 66 feet (20 m). That could. be a lot of distance in an emergency, so keeping enough space between your vehicle and others is important. And, of course, actual stopping distances vary greatly with the surface of the road (whether it’s pavement or gravel); the condition of the road (wet, dry, icy); tire tread; and the condition of your brakes. Most drivers treat their brakes with care. Some, however, overwork the braking system with poor driving habits.

Avoid needless heavy braking. Some people drive in spurts - heavy acceleration followed by heavy braking - rather than keeping pace with traffic. This is a mistake. Your brakes may not have time to cool between hard stops. Your brakes will wear out much faster if you do a lot of heavy braking. Don’t “ride” the brakes by letting your left foot rest lightly on the brake pedal while driving.

Your Driving

GAU I IUN

A “Riding” your brakes can

cause them to overheat to the I

point that they won’t work well. You might not be able to stop your vehicle in time to avoid an accident. If you “ride” your brakes, they will get so hot they will require a lot of pedal force to slow you down. Avoid “riding” the brakes.

N U 1 /Ut “Riding” the brakes wears them )ut much faster. You would n :ostly brake replacement mucl iooner than normal, and it -educes fuel econo----

If you keep pace with the traffic and allow realistic following distances, you will eliminate a lot of unnecessary braking. That means better braking and longer brake life.

If your engine ever stops while you’re driving, brake normally but don’t pump your brakes. If you do, the pedal may get harder to push down. If your engine stops, you will still have some power brake assist. But you will use it as you brake. Once the power assist is used up, it may take stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push.

longer to

... 128

L

You slam on

the brakes. Here’s what

Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) Your vehicle has an advanced electronic happens with ABS. braking system that can help you keep it A computer senses that a rear wheel is under control. When you stag your - slowing down. The computer works the vehicle and begin to drive away, you brakes at the rear wheels. It is may hear a momentary motor or programmed to make the most of clicking noise. The ABS motor comes available tire and road conditions. on momentarily when the vehicle As you brake, your computer keeps reaches 8 mph (12 km/h). This is the receiving updates on rear wheel speed ABS system testing itself. and controls braking pressure Here’s how anti-lock works. Let’s say accordingly. the road is wet. You’re driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in front of you.

A Anti-lock doesn’t change the

time you need to get your foot

up to the brake pedal. If you get too close to the vehicle in front of you, you won’t have time to apply your brakes if that vehicle suddenly slows or stops. Always leave enough room up ahead to stop, even though you have anti-lock brakes.

1 2 9 .

Your Driving and the Road

Disc Brake Wear Indicators Your Geo has front disc and rear drum brakes. Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a high-pitched warning sound when the brake Pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and go or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).

I I

I I

To Use Anti-Lock: Use rear wheel anti-lock like regular brakes. You may feel the brakes vibrate, or you may notice some noise outside your vehicle, but this is normal. Let anti-lock work for you, but remember: Your front wheels can still stop rolling. If that happens, release enough pressure on the brakes to get the wheels rolling again so that you can steer. With the four-wheel-drive option, you won't have anti-lock braking when you shift into four-wheel drive. But you will have regular braking. When you shift back into two-wheel drive, you will have anti-lock again.

- 130

t The brake wear warning

l sound means that sooner or : your brakes won't work well.

1; I'hat could lead to an accident. When you hear the brake wear warning sound, have your vehicle cerviced.

I V V I I U L Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads cc brake rep;

in cost'

' I

~

Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly applied. This does not mean something is wrong with your brakes. Rear Drum Brakes Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but if you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear brake linings inspected. Also, the rear brake drums should be removed and inspected each time the tires are removed for rotation or changing. When you have the front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.

Brake linings should always be replaced as complete axle sets. Brake Pedal Travel See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to normal height, or if there is a rapid increase in pedal travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble. Brake Adjustment Every time you make a moderate brake stop, your disc brakes adjust for wear. If you rarely make a moderate or heavier stop, then your brakes might not adjust correctly. If you drive in that way, then - very carefully - make a

few moderate brake stops about every 1,000 miles (1 600 km), so your brakes will adjust properly. If your brake pedal goes down farther than normal, your rear drum brakes may need adjustment. Adjust them by backing up and firmly applying the brakes a few times.

131

Your Driving and the Road

Braking in Emergencies At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation that requires hard braking. You have the rear wheel anti-lock braking system. Your front wheels can stop rolling when you brake very hard. Once they do, the vehicle can’t respond to your steering. Momentum will carry it in whatever direction it was headed when the wheels stopped rolling. That could be off the road, into the very thing you were trying to avoid, or into traffic.

So, use a “squeeze” braking technique. This will give you maximum braking while maintaining steering control. You do this by pushing on the brake pedal with steadily increasing pressure. When you do, you can maintain steering control. In many emergencies, steering can help you more than even the very best braking.

I I . 132

Steering Power Steering If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system fails to function, you can steer but it will take much more effort. Steering Tips Driving on Curves It’s important to take curves at a reasonable speed. A lot of the ‘‘driver lost control” accidents mentioned on the news happen on curves. Here’s why: Experienced driver or beginner, each of us is subject to the same laws of physics when driving on curves. The traction of

the tires against the road surface makes it possible for the vehicle to change its path when you turn the front wheels. If there’s no traction, inertia will keep the vehicle going in the same direction. If you’ve ever tried to steer a vehicle on wet ice, you’ll understand this. The traction you can get in a curve depends on the condition of your tires and the road surface, the angle at which the curve is banked, and your speed. While you’re in a curve, speed is the one factor you can control. Suppose you’re steering through a sharp curve. Then you suddenly apply the brakes. Both control systems - steering i and braking - have to do their work

where the tires meet the road. Adding the hard braking can demand too much at those places. You can lose control. The same thing can happen if you’re steering through a sharp curve and you suddenly accelerate. Those two control systems - steering and acceleration - can overwhelm those places where the tires meet the road and make you lose control. What should you do if this ever happens? Let up on the brake or accelerator pedal, steer the vehicle the way you want it to go, and slow down. Speed limit signs near curves warn that you should adjust your speed. Of

course, the posted speeds are based on good weather and road conditions. Under less favorable conditions you’ll want to go slower. If you need to reduce your speed as you approach a curve, do it before you enter the curve, while your front wheels are straight ahead. Try to adjust your speed so you can “drive” through the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway.

Your Driving and the Road

When you drive into a curve at night, it’s harder to see the road ahead of you because it bends away from the straight beams of your lights. This is one good reason to drive slower.

134

Steering in Emergencies There are times when steering can be more effective than braking. For example, you come over a hill and find a truck stopped in your lane, or a car suddenly pulls out from nowhere, or a child darts out from between parked cars and stops right in front of you. You can avoid these problems by braking - if you can stop in time. But sometimes you can’t; there isn’t room. That’s the time for evasive action - steering around the problem. Your Geo can perform very well in emergencies like these. First apply your

brakes, but not enough to lock your front wheels. It is better to remove as much speed as you can from a possible collision. Then steer around the problem, to the left or right depending on the space available. An emergency like this requires close attention and a quick decision. If you are holding the steering wheel at the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock positions, you can turn it a full 180 degrees very quickly without removing either hand. But you have to act fast, steer quickly, and just as quickly straighten the wheel once you have avoided the object. You must then be prepared to steer back to your original lane and then brake to a controlled stop.

Depending on your speed, this can be rather violent for an unprepared driver. This is one of the reasons driving experts recommend that you use your safety belts and keep both hands on the steering wheel. The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at all times.

Off-Road Recovery You may find sometime that your right wheels have dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder (A) while you’re driving. If the level of the shoulder is only slightly below the pavement, recovery should be fairly easy. Ease off the accelerator and then, if there is nothing in the way, steer so that your vehicle straddles the edge of the pavement. You can turn the steering wheel up to 1/4 turn (B) until the right front tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn your steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.

If the shoulder appears to be about four inches (100 mm) or more below the pavement, this difference can cause problems. If there is not enough room to pull entirely onto the shoulder and stop, then follow the same procedures. But if the right front tire scrubs against the side of the pavement, do NOT steer more sharply. With too much steering angle, the vehicle may jump back onto the road with so much steering input that it crosses over into the oncoming traffic before you can bring it back under control. Instead, ease off again on the accelerator and steering input, straddle the pavement once more, then try again.

136-

Your Driving and the Road

Passing The driver of a vehicle about to pass another on a two-lane highway waits for just the right moment, accelerates, moves around the vehicle ahead, then goes back into the right lane again. A simple maneuver?

Not necessarily! Passing another vehicle on a two-lane highway is a potentially dangerous move, since the passing vehicle occupies the same lane as oncoming traffic for several seconds. A miscalculation, an error in judgment, or a brief surrender to frustration or anger can suddenly put the passing driver face to face with the worst of all traffic accidents - the head-on collision.

So here are some tips for passing:

“Drive ahead.” Look down the road, to the sides, and to crossroads for situations that might affect your passing patterns. If you have any doubt whatsoever about making a successful pass, wait for a better time. Watch for traffic signs, pavement markings, and lines. If you can see a sign up ahead that might indicate a turn or an intersection, delay your pass. A broken center line usually indicates it’s all right to pass (providing the road ahead is clear).

Never cross a solid line on your side of the lane or a double solid line, even if the road seems empty of approaching traffic. If you suspect that the driver of the vehicle you want to pass isn’t aware of your presence, tap the horn a couple of times before passing. Or, if your Geo has the Passing Signal option, you can use that. See “Passing Signal” in the Index. Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For one thing, following too closely reduces your area of vision, especially if you’re following a larger vehicle.

Also, you won’t have adequate space if the vehicle ahead suddenly slows or stops. Keep back a reasonable distance. When it looks like a chance to pass is coming up, start to accelerate but stay in the right lane and don’t get too close. Time your move so you will be increasing speed as the time comes to move into the other lane. If the way is clear to pass, you will have a “running start” that more than makes up for the distance you would lose by dropping back. And if something happens to cause you to cancel your pass, you need only slow down and drop back again and wait for another opportunity.

If other cars are lined up to pass a slow vehicle, wait your turn. But take care that someone isn’t trying to pass you as you pull out to pass the slow vehicle. Remember to glance over your shoulder and check the blind spot. Check your mirrors, glance over your shoulder, and start your left lane change signal before moving out of the right lane to pass. When you are far enough ahead of the passed vehicle to see its front in your inside mirror, activate your right lane change signal and move back into the right lane. (Remember that your right outside mirror is convex. The vehicle

Your Driving and the Road

you just passed may seem to be further away from you than it really is.) Try not to pass more than one vehicle at a time on two-lane roads. Reconsider before passing the next vehicle. Don’t overtake a slowly moving vehicle too rapidly. Even though the brake lights are not flashing, it may be slowing down or starting to turn. If you’re being passed, make it easy for the following driver to get ahead of you. Perhaps you can ease a little to the right.

Loss of Control Let’s review what driving experts say about what happens when the three control systems (brakes, steering and acceleration) don’t have enough friction where the tires meet the road to do what the driver has asked. In any emergency, don’t give up. Keep trying to steer and constantly seek an escape route or area of less danger. Skidding In a skid, a driver can lose control of the vehicle. Defensive drivers avoid most skids by taking reasonable care suited to existing conditions, and by not “overdriving” those conditions. But skids are always possible.

The three types of skids correspond to your Geo’s three control systems. In the braking skid your wheels aren’t rolling. In the steering or cornering skid, too much speed or steering in a curve causes tires to slip and lose cornering force. And in the acceleration skid too much throttle causes the driving wheels to spin. A cornering skid and an acceleration skid are best handled by easing your foot off the accelerator pedal. If your vehicle starts to slide (as when you turn a corner on a wet, snow- or ice-covered road), ease your foot off the accelerator

pedal as soon as you feel the vehicle start to slide. Quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your vehicle will straighten out. As it does, straighten the front wheels. Of course, traction is reduced when water, snow, ice, gravel, or other material is on the road. For safety, you’ll want to slow down and adjust your driving to these conditions. It is important to slow down on slippery surfaces because stopping distance will be longer and vehicle control more limited.

While driving on a surface with reduced traction, try your best to avoid sudden steering, acceleration, or braking (including engine braking by shifting to a lower gear). Any sudden changes could cause the tires to slide. You may not realize the surface is slippery until your vehicle is skidding. Learn to recognize warning clues - such as enough water, ice or packed snow on the. road to make a “mirrored surface’’ - and slow down when you have any doubt.

Remember: the rear wheel anti-lock braking system (RWAL) helps avoid only a rear braking skid. In a braking skid (where the front wheels are no longer rolling), release enough pressure on the brakes to get the front wheels rolling again. This restores steering control. Push the brake pedal down