1994 Chevrolet Tracker Owners Manual

When using concentrated washer fluid, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for adding water. Don’t mjx water with ready-to-use washer fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze and damqge your washer fluid tank and other parts of the washer system. Also, water doesn’t clean as well as washer fluid. Fill your washer fluid tank only 3/4 full when it’s very cold. This allows for expansion, which could damage the tank if it is compldtel) full. Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your wipdshield washer. It can damage your paint.

n

Convex Outside Mirror Your right side mirror is convex. A convex mirror‘s surface is curved so you can see more from the driver’s seat.

Rear Window WiperlWasher (OPTION)

To turn on your rear wiper, push Q . Push Q again to turn it off. To spray washer fluid on the rear window, push Q about halfway down. Washer fluid will spray as long as you hold IQ To wash and wipe at the same time, push IQ The washer and wiper will run as long as you hold Q . To add washer fluid, see “Windshield Washer Fluid” in the Index.

all the way in.

Mirrors

Inside Rearview Mirror An inside rearview mirror is attached above your windshield. The mirror has pivots so that you can adjust it up and down or side to side.

Inside Day/Night Rearview Mirror You can adjust the mirror for day or night driving. Pull the tab for night driving to reduce glare. Push the tab for daytime driving.

59 ...

Features and Controls

3utside Manual Adjust Mirrors The mirrors should be adjusted by hand io that you can just see the side of your Iehicle, when you are sitting in a :omfortable position.

Storage and Compartments

Glove Box To open the glove box, pull the latch toward you. Use your key to lock and unlock the glove box.

loor Storage Compartments lach door has a storage compartment.

... 60

--- - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ -

----

Front Seat Side Pockets On the outside of each front seat is a storage pocket.

Coinholder and Bin Your console has a coinholder and a smal storage bin.

Instrument Panel Bins On the top center of the instrument panel is a storage bin.

Cupholder Two cupholders are on the center console next to the parking brake lever.

Sun Visors

To block out glare, you can swing down the visors. You can also swing them to the side. If the visors swing too easily, tighten the screw on the roof rail.

61 ...

Features and Controls

_r -’ I II

Passenger Assist Grips

Ashtrays and Lighter

Your Geo may have assist grips. Passengers can use the grips to help keep their balance over rough roads or during sharp turns.

Zigarette Lighter ro use the lighter, push the lighter in all he way and let go. When it’s ready, it wil mp back by itself.

NOTICE: Don’t hold a cigarette lighter in with your hand while it is heating. If you do, it won’t be able to back away from the heating element when it’s ready. That can make it overheat, damaging the lighter and the heating element.

. . .62

NOTICE: Don’t put papers and other things that burn into your ashtray. If you do, cig- arettes or other smoking materials could set them on fire, causing dam- age.

\ I I1

Front Ashtray Pull the door to open it. To remove the ashtray, press down on the tab and pull out the ashtray.

Rear Ashtray The rear ashtray is on the back of the :enter console. Pull the door to open it. To remove the ashtray, press down on the ab and pull the ashtray out.

63 ...

Features and Controls

... 64

Instrument Panel 1. Air Vent 2. Side Defroster Vent 3. Turn Signalbights Control/Headlight

Beam Lever

4. Instrument Cluster 5. Hazard Warning Flasher 6. Windshield Wipermasher Lever 7. Rear Window Wiper Switch 8. Comfort Controls

9. Audio System 10. Lighter 11. Assist Grip 12. Glove Box 13. Transmission Shift Lever 14. Coinholder and Bin 15. Transfer Case Shift Lever 16. Parking Brake Lever

17. Ashtray 18. Rear Window Washer Switch 19. Ignition Switch 20. Horn 21. Fuse Block 22. Rear Window Defogger Switch 23. Brightness Control

65 ...

Features and Controls

UNLEADED FUEL ONLY

Instrument Panel and Clusters

Your instrument cluster is designed to let you know at a glance how your ve.hicle is running. You'll know how fast you're going, about how much fuel you have left

and many other things you'll need to know to drive safely and economically. Optional Cluster If you have the optional cluster, your instrument panel gives you additional information. The cluster includes a tachometer.

Speedometer and Odometer Your speedometer lets you see your speed in both miles per hour (mph) and kilometers per hour (kmh). Your odometer shows how far your vehicle has been driven, in either miles (used in the U.S.) or kilometers (used in Canada).

... 66

x1 000 - d l

RPM

Your Geo’s odometer is tamper-resistant. If you can see silver lines between the numbers, probably someone has tried to turn it back. The numbers may not be true. You may wonder what happens if your vehicle needs a new odometer installed. If possible, the new one has to be set to the

I same reading the old one had. If it can’t be, then it’s Set at zero, but a label on the driver’s door must show the old reading and when the new one was installed.

I Trip Odometer The trip odometer can tell you how far your vehicle has been driven since you last set the trip odometer to zero. To set the trip odometer to zero, press the knob.

67 ...

be a problem, check the section that tells you what to do about it. Please follow the manual’s advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly - and even dangerous. So please get to know your warning lights and gages. They’re a big help.

Features and Controls

and Indicators

r I: !

This section describes the warning lights and gages that may be on your vehicle. The pictures will help you locate them. Warning lights and gages can signal that something is wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to your warning lights and gages could also save you or others from injury. Warning lights go on when there may be or is a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As you will see in the details on the next few pages, some warning lights come on briefly when you turn the ignition key just to let you know they’re working. If you are familiar with this section, you should not be alarmed when this happens. Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages and warning lights work together to let you know when there’s a problem with your vehicle. When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on when you are driving, or when one of the gages shows there may

Tachometer The tachometer shows engine speed in thousands of revolutions per minute (rpm). You can use it while driving to select correct shift points. The tachometel may not return to zero when the engine is not running.

NOTICE: Do not operate the engine with the tachometer in the red area, or engine damage may occur.

... 68

1s

I FUELONLY UNLEADED

[I

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.”

UNLEADED- FUEL ONLY

Fuel Gage Your fuel gage shows about how much fuel is in your tank. When the gage first 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 fuel pump shuts off before the gage reads “F.” It takes more (or less) fuel to fill up than the gage reads. For example, the gage reads half full, but it took more (or less) than half of the tank’s capacity to fill it.

~~

Brake System Warning Light four Geo’s hydraulic brake system is livided into two parts. If one part isn’t vorking, the other part can still work and ;top you. For good braking, though, you leed both parts working well. four vehicle also has rear-wheel anti-lock )rakes. If the warning light comes on, here could be a brake problem with eithel [our regular or rear-wheel anti-lock )rakes, or both. Have your brake system nspected right away. rhis light should come on as you start the lehicle. If it doesn’t come on then, have ii ixed so it will be ready to warn you if here’s a problem.

69 ...

Features and Controls If the light comes on while you are 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“ i n the Index.)

p\ CAUTION: Your brake system may not be work- ing properly if the brake system warning light is on, Driving with the brake system 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.

‘ngine Coolant Temperature Gage rhis gage shows the engine coolanl emperature. If the gage pointer moves to he ”H” (red) side. your engine is too hot! t means that your engine coolant has )verheatcd and you should stop your ehicle and turn off the engine HS soo~ 1 as Iossible.

The brake system warning 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 have a brake problem.

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 this light on, be certain to turn off all your accessories. such as the radio and air conditioner.

. . .70

I

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

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light) A computer monitors operation of your fuel, ignition and emission control 1 systems. This 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.

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 ILJbricated 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.

When the ignition is on but the engine is not running, the light will come on a s 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

71

Features and Controls

Convertible Top (OPTION) Your convertible top features a sunroof, a removable rear window and a removable canvas top.

A CAlJTtON:

laytime Running Lights (DRL) ndicator Light (Canada) F your vehicle was first sold, when new, I Canada, you will have this light on the xtrument panel. It goes on whenever the laytime Running Lights are on.

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.

A CAUTION:

Don't keep driving if the oil pressure is low, If' you do, your engine can be~ome so hot that it catches fae. You UT ol;krers could be burned. Check your oil as SQOD as possible and have yaw vehicle serviced.

NOTICE: Damage to your engine from neglected oil problems can be costly and is not covered by your warranty.

... 72

NOTICE:

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 get under it and cause damage. Do not take your vehicle through an automatic car wash. It could damage your convertible top. Don’t try to lower or raise the convertible top or tap or beat on the plastic windows if your vehicle is out in cold weather, 4 1 OF (5°C) or below. The cold can cause cracks and other damage to the windows and to the top as it is being lowered or raised. Don’t lower the top if it is damp or wet. After the top is down, the trapped water can cause stains, mildew and damage to the inside of your car. Be sure to dry off the top before you lower it. Don’t lower the convertible top if the rear flap or side windows are dirty. 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.

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

73 . .

Features and Controls

3. Unhook the latch from the front top

bow.

' I

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.

Opening and Closing Your Sunroof 1.

Lower your antenna and swing your sun visors down. Squeeze the front top bow latch buttons and pull the latch back.

2.

... 74

“\\ \

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. Unfaten the lower right corner flap t(

uncover the zipper pull.

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.

/3.. .

Features and Controls

Removing and Installing Your Rear Window 1.

Unfasten the lower corner flaps on both sides. 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. Unzip and remove the rear window.

2.

3.

.. .76

I. Lay the rear window inside-up on a

clean, dry, flat surface and roll the rear window from the bottom to the top.

teverse the steps to install the rear vindow. Be sure the rear window is ‘ompletely closed before driving.

temoving and Installing Your Canvas rOP

!.

Lower your antenna and swing your sun visors down. Remove your rear window. See “Removing and Installing Your Rear Window” in this section.

3. Unsnap the upper and lower straps that connect the rear top bow to the side window frames.

1. From inside your vehicle, push out on

the lower front corner metal support of the rear side window frames.

. Unfaten the rear side windows from the frames. . 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. 0 Snap the strap on the frame to

itself.

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

7 7 .

Features and Controls

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.

11. Unsnap the tension straps at the roof

rails and pull the straps out of the plastic loops.

10. Unhook the canvas top from the front

top bow.

... 78

12. Unsnap the flaps (near the dome

light) that hold the canvas top to the roof support.

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.

79 ...

Features and Controls

'reparing Your Canvas Top for ;torage . Lay the canvas top inside-up on a clean, dry, flat surface.

16. Pull up and back on the rear top bow struts and swing each strut forward. 17. Clamp the struts to the rear top bow.

... 80

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.

teverse the steps to install your canvas op. 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.

2. Fold the side windows onto the top.

Fold the front part of the canvas top over the windows. Lay the rear window on top of the folded canvas top.

5.

6.

Roll the canvas top around the rear window. Store in a clean, dry location.

81 .

... 82

. 1

Part 3 Comfort Controls 8t Audio Systems

Comfort Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Heater Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Air Conditioner Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Rear Window Defogger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Flow-Through Ventilation System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Audiosystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Settingtheclock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 AM/FMStereo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 AM/FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 AM/FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and Compact Disc Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Understanding Radio Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Care of Your Cassette Tape Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Care of Your Compact Discs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

.;

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

83 ...

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems

Comfort 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 Airflow Lever &J : This position directs the airflow through the instrument panel vents.

+ &* : This position directs air through the

mstrument panel vents and toward the floor.

: This position directs air toward the

floor.

Q. -9 : This position directs air toward the floor, the windshield and side windows.

9 : This position directs air to the

windshield. Fan Control Lever Slide the lever away from “OFF’ to turn the heating system on. Move the lever toward 3f to increase the fan’s speed. Temperature Control Lever Slide the lever to change the temperature of the air flowing from the system. Move it to the right for warmer air and to the left for cooler air. The air temperature can’t be less than the outside air temperature.

Air Intake Lever s: Choose this position to recirculate the inside air through the comfort control system. B: Choose this position to circulate outside air through the comfort control system. Heating 1. For the quickest results, move the

air intake lever to a,.

2. Move the airflow lever to w i 3. Move the temperature lever toward

the right for warmer air. 4. Move the fan lever toward 5. You should switch t o m o n c e in a while to avoid stale air and cloudy windows. Bi-Level You may want to use bi-level on cool, but sunny days. This setting directs outside air toward your body and warmer air toward your feet. 1. Move the air intake lever to B. 2. Move the airflow lever to ,‘j . 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 to 2. Move the airflow lever to :$ 3. Adjust the temperature lever to a 4. Move the fan control lever to # . Defogging and Defrosting Windows 1. Slide the air intake lever to -. 2. Slide the airflow lever to

to direct air to the windshield vents.

comfortable setting.

right.

3. Slide the temperature lever toward the 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 ,?A . For increased airflow to the side vents, close the center vents .

4ir Conditioner Controls The air conditioning system uses the Sam :ontrols as the heating system. The unction of each lever is explained under ‘Heater Controls” in this part. The ncoming air is cooled and dehumidified nstead of being heated. UC: Push this button to change your :omfort control system from heating to lir conditioning. A light will come on when the air conditioning is on. The ‘A/C” button can also control the wmidity in your vehicle.

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/,’, button. 2. Move the air intake lever to-for

normal cooling. For faster cooling move the lever to&

3. Move the airflow lever to *> .

toward the left.

4. Move the temperature control lever to # .

5. Move the fan control lever 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/,” button. 2. Move the air intake lever t o m .

3. Move the airflow lever to 9.

4. Move the fan control lever toward

3 s .

5. Adjust the temperature control lever to

a comfortable setting.

85 ...

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems

NOTICE: Don‘t use a razor blade or something else sharp on the inside of the rear window. I f you do, you could cut or damage the warming grid. and the repairs wouldn‘t be covcrcd by your warranty.

?ear Window Defogger ’he rear window defogger uses a varrning grid to remove fog from the rear .vindow. ’ress the switch t o turn on the defogger. 9n indicator light n,ill come on below the ;witch to remind you that the defogger is m. Press the switch again to turn the jefogger off. The rear window defogger vi11 also turn off if you turn the ignition ;witch to ”ACC” or “LOCK.” l o not attach anything like a temporary xhicle license or a decal across the lefogger grid on the rear window.

. .86

Vow- Through Ventilation system ’our Geo‘s flow-through ventilation ,ystem supplies outside air into the whicle when it is moving. Outside air v i l l also enter the vehicle when the heater )r the ilir conditioning flln is running.

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@ 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.

NOTICE: 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 inter- fere with the operation of your vehicle’s engine, Delco8 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 radio and telephone units.

87 ...

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 lever t o w a r d s 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.

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems

Setting the Clock AM/FM 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 sane time press and hold "TUNE b" (MIN) until the correct minute appears.

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.

AMlFM Stereo with Cassette Tape and Compact Disc Player 1. Press and hold "RCL TA" (TIME SET). At the same time, press and hold "TUNE 4" (HR) until the correct hour appears.

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

..A8

STEREO

1:o §

AM/FM 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. Finding a Station Hand: Press "AM-FM" to get AM or FM. The lighted display shows your selection.

Tune: Press "TUNE b "or "TUNE 4" to go to a higher or lower station. Press and hold to continue tuning and release when you find your station. The display will show the frequency of each station tuned. Seek: Press "SEEK b "or "SEEK 4" 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” conrrol behind the “FADE’ knob to move the sound between the left and right speakers. Recall Press “RCL” to see the station being played for a moment. Or, press it if you want to see the time when the ignition is off.

AM!FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player 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. Finding a Station Band: Press “AM-FM” to get AM, FM1 or FM2. The lighted display shows your selection.

Tune: Press and hold “TUNE b’, or “TUNE 4’’ to go to higher or lower stations. Release when you find your station. The display will show the frequency of each station tuned. Seek: Press “SEEK b” or “SEEK 4’’ and the radio will tune to the next higher or lower station and stay there.

89. ..

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems Pushbuttons: The six pushbuttons let you return to your favorite stations. To set the pushbuttons for up to 18 stations (6 AM, 6 FM1 and 6 FM2), jus#: 1. Tune in the station. 2. Press and hold one of the pushbuttons for more than two seconds. The sound will go away for a second and will return when the station is stored.

settings designed for “ROCK,” “NEWS,” ”POP,” “JAZZ’ and “CLASSICAL.” “ROCK” will appear when you first press “TONE SELECT.” Each time you press it, another setting will appear on the display. Press it after “CLASSICAL” and tone control will be back to the treble and bass knobs.

Repeat these steps for each pushbutton. Preset Scan: Press the “PRESET SCAN’ button to hear each of your preset stations for a few seconds. When you want to stop at a Chosen statioq, press “PRESET SCAN” again.

Setting the Tone Treble: Turn the “TREB” knob to the right to hear more treble. Bass: Turn the“BASS” control behind the “TREB” knpb to the right to hear more bass. Treble and bass cannot be adjusted manually when “TONE SELECT” is on. 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 ... 90

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.

Recall Press “RCL” to see the station being played for a moment. Or, press it 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 to 45 minutes long on each side. Tapes longer than that are so thin they may not work well in this player.

The longer side with the tape visible should face to the right. If you hear nothing or hear just a garbled sound, it may not be in squarely. Press “MA” to remove the tape and start over. Once the tape is playing, use the knobs for volume, fade and balance, just as you do for radio. The lighted arrows show which side of the tape is playing. Metal Tapes: Your bias is set automatically. When a metal or chrome tape is inserted, “MTL” will appear on the display. Fast Forward: Press “FF” to advance rapidly to another part of the tape. Press “FF,” “RCL/PROG’ or “HA” to return to playing speed. Rewind: Press “ R E V to reverse the tape rapidly. Press “RW,” “RCL/PROG” or “.A” Next Selection: Press “NEXT” to go forward to the beginning of the next selection. Press “NEXT” again or press “RCLPROG’ or ‘,.A’’ to cancel this function. For “NEXT” to work properly, your tape must have at least three or four seconds of silence between each selection.

to return to playing speed.

Previous Selection: Press “PREV” to go back to the beginning of the last selection. Press “PREV” again or press “RCL/PROG” or “HA’, to cancel this function. 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. Noise Reduction: Press 00 @to remove noise from Dolby@ B NR-encoded tapes. Dolby@ B Noise Reduction manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. “Dolby@” and the 00 @symbol are trademarks of Dol by Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Eject: Press “HA’, to remove 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.

rheft Deterrent Feature The theft deterrent feature for the AM/FM ;tereo with cassette tape player can be lsed or ignored. If ignored, the system Aays normally. If it is used, your system won‘t be usable if it’s ever stolen.

You are now ready to enter your security code. Don’t wait more than 15 seconds between steps. 5. Press “4 SEEK b’’ and/or “+ TUNE ,’’ on the display.

and “0000” will appear

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

keep it in a safe place.

2. Turn on 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 “- - - -” shows on the display.

6. Press “SEEK+” and hold it until the

first digit of your code appears. Release the button.

7. Press “SEEK F” and hold it until the

second digit of your code appears. Release the button.

8. Press “TUNE +” and hold it until the

third digit of your code appears. Release the button.

9. Press “TUNE F” 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. “rEP” will appear in the display, which means you need to repeat steps 5 through 9. 11. Press “AM-FM” again and the displaJ

will now show “SEC.”

91 ...

5. Press the “TUNE b” button and hold it until the fourth digit of your code appears.

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems 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 “SEC” shows on the display. You are now ready to enter your security code.

checked that the code you entered matches the one you wrote down. 6 4 ---- ” should now appear in the display.

If the code is correct, the radio will now operate. If the code is wrong, “Err” will appear in the display.

6. Press “AM-F’”’ after you have

2. Press the “SEEKA” button and hold it

until the first digit of your code appears.

3. Press the “SEEK b” button and hold it

until the second digit of your code appears.

4. Press the “TUNE 4” button and hold

it until the third digit of your code appears.

... 92

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 ‘‘4 SEEK F’’ and/or

‘‘4 TUNE by’ and “000.0” will appear on the display.

2. Press the “SEEKd” button and hold it

until the first digit of your code appears.

3. Press the “SEEK b” button and hold it

until the second digit of your code appears.

4. Press the “TUNE 4” button and hold

it until the third digit of your code appears.

5. Press the “TUNE b” button and hold it until the fourth digit of your code appears.

6. Press “AM-FM” after you have

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

L (STOP) (EJECT)

AM/FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and Compact Disc Player 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.

Finding a Station Band: Press “AM-FM” to get AM, FMl or FM2. The lighted display shows your selection. %ne: Press and hold “TUNE F” or “TUNE 4’’ to go to higher or lower stations. Release when you find your station. The display will indicate the frequency of each station tuned.

Seek: Press “SEEK F” or “SEEK 4’’ 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 FM1 and 6 FM2), just: 1. Tune in the station. 2. Press and hold one of the pushbuttons

for more than two seconds. The sound will go away for a second and will return when the station is stored. Repeat these steps for each pushbutton. Preset Scan: Press the “PSCAN’ button to hear each of your FM preset stations for a few seconds. When you want to stop at a chosen station, press “PSCAN” again. 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. Treble and bass cannot be adjusted manually whenl“TONE SELECT” is on. Loud: To increase the bass tone at low volumes, press the “LOUD” button.

93 ...

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems :ach side. Tapes longer than that are so Tone Select: Press “TONE SELECT” to :hin they may not work well in this player. choose preset treble and bass equalization settings designed for “ROCK,” “NEWS,” The longer side with the tape visible “POP,” “JAZZ” and “CLASSICAL.” ;hould face to the right. If you hear lothing or hear just a garbled sound, it “ROCK” will appear when you first press nay not be in squarely. Press “STOP’ or “TONE SELECT.” Each time you press ‘EJECT” to remove the tape and start it, another setting will appear on the mer. display. Press it after “CLASSICAL” and tone control will be back to the treble and Once the tape is playing, use the knobs bass knobs. For volume, fade and balance, just as you io for radio. The lighted arrows show which side of the tape is playing. Metal Tapes: Your bias is set automatically. When a metal or chrome tape is inserted, “MTL” will appear on the display. Fast Forward: Press “FF” to advance rapidly to another part of the tape. Press “FF,” “RCLVA” or “STOP’ to return to playing speed. Rewind: Press “REW’ to reverse the tape rapidly. Press “REW,” “ R C L ~ A ” or “STOP’ to return to playing speed. Next Selection: Press “NXT” to go forward to the beginning of the next selection. Press “NXT” again or press “RCL vA’’ or “STOP” to cancel this function.

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.

Recall Press “RCLVA” to see the station being played for a moment. Or, press it 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 to 45 minutes long on ... 94

Previous Selection: Press “PRV” to go lack to the beginning of the selection. ?rem “PRV” again or press “RCL VA” or ‘STOP’ to cancel this function. Por “NXT” and “PRV” to work properly, your tape must have at least three or four seconds of silence between each selection. Repeat: Press “RPT” to go to the beginning of the selection and play it 3gain. Press “RPT” again to cancel this Function. Noise Reduction: Press 00 to remove noise from Dolby@ B NR-encoded tapes. Dolby@ B Noise Reduction manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. “Dolbya7’ and the 00 symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Radio Monitor: When playing a tape, press “RDM” during “FF” or“REW’ to hear the radio. Press “RDM’ again to turn the radio off. During “RDM’ operation, only “TUNE,” “SEEK’ and “PSCAN’ will work. Tape Sides: Press “RCL VA” to switch from one side of the tape to the other.

Stop: Press “STOP” to stop the tape and switch to radio. Eject: Press “EJECT” to remove the tape and switch to radio.

To Play a Compact Disc Don’t use the mini-discs (3” singles). They won’t eject. Use full-size compact discs. Insert your disc into the CD slot on your audio system. If the disc comes back out, it could be that: 0 The disc is upside down. 0 It is dirty, scratched, or wet.

There is too much moisture in the air. (If there is, wait about one hour and try again.)

If you see “Err” on the display, the disc player is too hot to play the disc. Press “RCL VA’’ to take “Err” off the display. Track Number and Playing Time: Press “RCL VA” to see which track is playing. Press it again within five seconds to see how long it has been playing.

The track number also appears when the disc is inserted or you change the volume. Previous Track: Press “PRV” to hear a track again. If you hold this button, or press it more than once, the disc will return to previous tracks. Next Track: Press ”NXT” to hear the next track now (instead of waiting until the present track is finished). If you hold this button, or press it more than once, the disc will advance further. Rewind: Press and hold “REW” to return rapidly to a favorite passage. Release it to play the passage. Fast Forward: Press and hold “FF” to advance quickly within a track. Release it to resume playing. Compression: Press “COMP’ to make soft and loud passages more nearly equal in volume. Repeat: Press “RPT” once to hear a selection over again. Rasdom: Pressing “RDM” will cause the CD player to play the tracks back in random order. To cancel the random feature, press “RDM,” “STOP” or “RPT.”

Stop: Press “STOP” to stop playing the disc and switch to radio. Press “STOP” again to restart the disc at the point where it stopped. Press “AM-FM” to cancel CD operation and listen to the radio. CD-Tape: Press “CD-TP” to switch between playing a tape and a CD when both are inserted. Eject: Press “EJECT” to eject the disc and the radio will play. The disc will start playing at track 1 when you reinsert it.

Special Eject If you choose, you can eject only the tape or CD when you have both a CD and a tape in your audio system.

CD Only: To eject only the CD, press “EJECT” and then press “REW.” Tape Only: To eject only the tape, press “EJECT” and then press “PRV.”

95 ...

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems Theft Deterrent Feature The theft deterrent feature for the AMEM stereo with cassette tape and compact disc 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.

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

“4 TUNE b” and “0000” will appear on the display.

6. Press “SEEKI” and hold it until the

first digit of your code appears. Release the button.

7. Press “SEEK b” and hold it until the

second digit of your code appears. Release the button.

8. Press “TUNE 4” and hold it until the

third digit of your code appears. Release the button.

9. Press “TUNE b” and hold it until the

fourth digit of your code appears. Release the button. 1 p. Press “AM-FM’ after you have

checked that the code you entered is the one you wrote down. “rEP’ will appear in the display, which means you need to repeat steps 5 through 9.

11. Press “AM-FM” again and the display will now show “SEC.”

Setting Your Security Code The instructions below tell you how to 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 on 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 “- - - -” shows on the display.

... 96

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 “SEC” shows on the display. You are now ready to enter your security code.

2. Press the “SEEKI” button and hold it

until the fist digit of your code appears.

3. Press the “SEEK b” button and hold it

until the second digit of your code appears.

4. Press the “TUNE 4” button and hold

it until the third digit of your code appears.

5. Press the “TUNE b” button and hold

it until the fourth digit of your code appears.

6. Press “AM-F’”’ after you have

checked that the code you entered matches the one you wrote down. LL ---- ” should now appear in the display.

If the code is correct. the radio will operate. If the code is wrong, “Err” 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 “4 SEEK b“ and/or ‘‘4 TUNE b” and “0000” will appear on the display. Press the “SEEK 4“ button and hold it until the first digit of your code appears. Press the “SEEK b‘* button and hold it until the second digit of your code appears. Press the “TUNE 4’‘ button and hold it until the third digit of your code appears. Press the “TUNE b” button and hold it until the fourth digit of your code appears. Press “AM-FM” after you have checked that the code matches the one

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

you wrote down. Now “SEC” will appear on the display.

Understanding Radio Reception

FM Stereo FM stereo will give you rhe best sound. But FM signals will reach only about I O to 40 miles ( 16 to 65 ktn). And, tall buildings or hills can interfere with FM signals, causing the sound to come and go-

A 1LI 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 i n 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 I5 hours o f use. If you notice a reduction in sound quality. try a known good cassette lo see if‘ the tape or the tape player is at f‘ault. If this other cassette has no improvement in sound quality. clean the tape player.

97 . .

Comfort Controls and Audio Systems 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.

Care of Your Compact Discs Handle discs carefully. Store them in thei original cases or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight and dust. 11 the surface of a disc is soiled, dampen a clean, soft cloth in a mild, neutral detergent solution and clean it, wiping from the center to the edge. Be sure never to touch the signal surface when handling discs. Pick up discs by c grasping the outer edges or the edge of the hole and the outer edge.

InteQna Jse the knob on the end of the antenna to aise the antenna or to push it back down. :eep the antenna mast clean for good erformance. dways lower the antenna before entering car wash. If you have the convertible ~ p , also lower the antenna before :moving or installing the top.

... 98

I

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

Part 4 Your Driving and the Road

. . .

. . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Defensive Driving 100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 Drunken Driving 102 Control of a Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Driving Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Off-Road Driving with Your GL'O Four-wheel Drive Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 DrivingatNight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 117 Driving in the Rain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . City Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Freeway Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Hill and Mountain Roads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Winter Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 125 Towin~aTrL?iler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recreational Vehicle Towing 129 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1 99 ...

The Blood Alcohol Content (BAC j 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.

Your Driving and the Road

Defensive Driving

Drunken 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. 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 the vehicle in front of you is going to brake or turn suddenly.

. . ,100

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: 0 Judgment 0 Muscular Coordination

Vision

Police records show that almost 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 deaths are the result of someone who was drinking and driving. About 20,000 motor vehicle-related deaths occur’each year because of alcohol, and thousands of people are injured. Just how much alcohol is too much ifa person plans to drive‘? Ideally, no one should drink alcohol and then drive. But if one does, then what’s “too much”‘? It :an be a lot less than many might think. Although it depends on each person and situation, here is some general information on the problem.

RESULT IN A BAC OF .05%

DRINKING THAT Will IN THE TIME SHOWN

1 HOURS

’ HOURS

HOUR

100

120

la0

160

160 200 220 240

BODY 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 BAC will be over 0.10 percent after three t o 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 RAC 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.

101 .

m .

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 t o 0.12 percent. A person who consumes food just before or during drinking will have a slightly lower BAC level.

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.

Control 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.

. . . I O 2

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. 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. 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 when you brake. Once the power assist is used up, ir may take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push.

Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) Your vehicle has an advanced electronic braking system that can help you keep it under control. Here‘s how anti-lock works. Let’s say the road is wet. You‘re driving safely. Suddenly an animal jumps out in front of you. You slam on the brakes. Here’s what happens with ABS. A computer senses that the rear wheels are slowing down. If one of the rear wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will work the brakes at the rear wheels. It is programmed t o make the most of available tire and road conditions.

As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on rear wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly. Remember: 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. 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

1 0 3 . .

Your Driving and the Road Steering that happens, release enough pressure on the brakes to get the wheels rolling again Power Steering so that you can steer. If you lose power steering assist because With the four-wheel drive option, you the engine stops or the system is not won’t have anti-lock braking when you functioning, you can steer but it will take shift into four-wheel drive. But you will much more effort. have regular braking. When you shift back into two-wheel drive, you will have anti-lock again. 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 front 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, it will help maintain steering control. In many emergencies, steering can help you more than even the very best braking. . . . l o 4

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 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? Ease 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.

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.

4n emergency like this requires close ittention 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. The fact that such emergency situations are always possible is a good reason to practice defensive driving at all times and wear safety belts properly.

Iff-Road Recovery 7ou may find sometime that your right ,heels have dropped off the edge of a oad onto the shoulder (A) while you’re riving. f the level of the shoulder is only slightl: lelow the pavement, recovery should be airly easy. Ease off the accelerator and hen, if there is nothing in the way, steer o that your vehicle straddles the edge of he pavement. You can turn the steering vheel up to 1/4 turn (B) until the right ront tire contacts the pavement edge. ?hen turn your steering wheel to go traight down the roadway.

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