1996 Chevrolet Tracker Owners Manual

If the anti-lock brake system warning light stays on longer than normal after you’ve started your engine, turn the ignition off. Or, if the light comes on and stays on when you’re driving, stop as soon as possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine again to reset the system. If the light still stays on, or comes on again while you’re driving, your Geo needs service. If the light is on but not flashing and the regular brake system warning light isn’t on, you still have brakes, but you don’t have anti-lock brakes. The anti-lock brake system warning light should come on briefly when you turn the ignitiorrkey to ON- If the light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will-be ready to warn you if there is a problem.

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Anti-Lock Brake’ System Active Light (Option)

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage

When your anti-lock system is adjusting brake pressure to help avoid a braking skid, the anti-lock brake system active light will come on.

I /

ABS

ACTIVE

This gage shows the engine coolant temperature. If the gage pointer moves to the H (red) side, your engine is

Slippery road conditions may exist if this light comes on, so adjust your driving accordingly. The light will stay on for a few seconds after the system stops adjusting brake pressure. The anti-lock brake system active light also comes on briefly when you turn the ignition key to ON. If the light doesn’t come on then, have it fixed so it will be there to tell you when the system is active.

It means that your engine coolant has overheated and you should stop your vehicle and turn off the engine as soon as possible. In “Problems on the Road,” this manual shows what to do. See “Engine Overheating” in the Index.

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Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Service Engine Soon Light)

NOTICE:

Your Geo is equipped with a computer which monitors operation of the fuel, ignition and emission control systems.

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

SERVICE ENGINE SOON

This system is called OBD I1 (On-Board Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to assure that emissions are at acceptable levels for the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner environment. (In Canada, OBD I1 is replaced by Enhanced Diagnostics.) The SERVICE ENGINE SOON light comes on to indicate that there is a problem and service is required. Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system before any problem is apparent, which may prevent more serious damage to your vehicle. This system is also designed to assist your service technician in correctly diagnosing any malfunction.

This light should come on, as a check to show you it is working, when the ignition is on and the engine is not running. If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired. This light will also come on during a malfunction in one of two ways: 0 Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been

detected, A misfire increases vehicle emissions and may damage the emission tontrol system on your vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and service is required.

0 Light On Steady -- An emission control system malfunction has been detected on your vehicIe. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and service may be required.

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If the Light Is Flashing The following may prevent more serious damage to your vehicIe:

Reduce vehicle speed. Avoid hard accelerations. @ Avoid steep uphill grades.

If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being hauled as soon as it is possible.

If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so, stop the vehicle. Put your vehicle in PARK (P). Turn the key off, wait at least 10 seconds and restart the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still flashing follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your dealer or qualified service center for service.

If the Light Is On Steady You may be able to correct the emission system malfunction by considering the following: Did you just put fuel into your vehicle? If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly installed. This will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. A few driving trips should turn the light off. Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water? If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition will usually be corrected when the electrical system dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off. Are you low on fuel? As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire. The system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap properly. It will take a few driving trips to turn the light off.

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Have you recently changed brands of fuel? If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see “Fuel” in the Index). Poor fuel quality will cause your engine not to mn as efficiently as designed. You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when you put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on acceleration or stumbling on acceleration. (These conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.) This will be detected by the system and cause the light to turn on. If you experience this condition, change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off. If none of the above steps have made the light turn off, have your dealer or qualified service center check the vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to fix any mechanical or electrical problems that may have developed.

Oil Pressure Light

If you have a problem with your oil, this light may stay on after you start your engine, or come on when you are driving.

This indicates that there is not enough pressure to keep your engine properly lubricated and cool. The engine could be low on oil, or have some other oil related problem. Have it fixed right away.

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The oil light could also come on in three other situations. When the ignition is on but the engine is not running, &e light. wLU 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.

NOTICE:

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

Power Indicator Light (Option)

This light comes on when the power mode selector switch is turned to P (power) with the ignition switch in the.ON position.

POWER

Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If you do, your engine can become so hot that it catches fire. You or others could be burned. Check your oil as soon as possible and have your vehicle serviced.

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Overdrive Off Light (Option)

Fuel Gage

This light comes on when the automatic four-speed transmission has been converted to the three-speed mode and overdrive is turned off.

O/D OFF

Your fuel gage shows about how much fuel is in your tank. When the gage first indicates EMPTY (E), you still have a little fuel left (about one or two gallons) (4 to 8 L), but you need to get more right away.

Daytime Running Lamps .(DRL) Indicator Light

This light goes on whenever the daytime running lamps are on.

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 FULL (F).

0 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 fii 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 EMPTY (E).

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NOTES

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Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems

Climate Control System

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

Airflow Lever 9 VENT This position directs the airflow through the instrument panel vents. *+ BI-LEVEL: This position directs air though the instrument panel vents and toward the floor.

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w 2 FLOOR: This position directs air toward the floor. wy DEFOG: This position directs air toward the floor, the windsheld and side windows.

DEFROST: This position directs air to the

windshield and side windows. Fan Control Lever Slide the lever away from OFF to turn the system on. Move the lever toward the fan symbol 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. Without optional air conditioning, the air temperature cannot be less than the outside air temperature. Air Intake Lever RECIRCULATE: Choose this position to recirculate the inside air through the comfort control system. CIRCULATE: Choose this position to circulate outside air through the comfort control system.

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Air Conditioner Controls (Option)

The air conditioning system uses the same controls as described previously. The function of each lever is explained under “Climate Control System” in this part. The incoming air is cooled and dehumidified instead of being heated.

Push the A/C button to change your comfort control system from heating to air conditioning. A light will come on when the air conditioning is on. The A/C button can also control the humidity in your vehicle. The air conditioner works best if you keep your windows closed. On very hot days, open the windows just long enough for the hot air to escape.

For normal cooling, push the A/C button and move the air intake lever to CIRCULATE. For faster cooling, move the lever to RECIRCULATE. Then move the airflow lever to VENT, the temperature control lever toward the left and the fan control lever toward the fan symbol. On days when it is raining or the humidity is high, follow these dehumidifying steps to help clean windows that are cloudy with moisture. Push the A/C button. Move the air intake lever to CIRCULATE. Move the airflow lever to DEFROST and the fan control lever toward the fan symbol, Adjust the temperature control lever to a comfortable setting. Heating For the quickest results, move the air intake lever to RECIRCULATE. Move the aifflow lever to FLOOR, the temperature control lever toward the right for warmer air and the fan control lever toward the fan symbol. You should switch to CIRCULATE once in a while to avoid stale air and cloudy windows.

Ventilation System For mild outside temperatures, .when little heating or cooling is needed, you can still direct outside air through your vehicle. Move the air intake lever to CIRCULATE and the aifflow lever to BI-LEVEL. Adjust the temperature control lever to a comfortable setting and move the fan control lever toward the fan symbol. Your Geo’s flow-through ventilation system s6pplies outside air into the vehicle when it is moving. Outside air will also enter the vehicle when the fan is running and the air intake lever is at CIRCULATE.

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Ventilation Tips

Keep the hood and front air inlet free of ice, snow or any other obstruction (such as leaves). The heater and defroster will work far better, reducing the chance of fogging the inside of your windows. When you enter a vehicle in cold weather, move the fan control lever toward the fan symbol for a few moments before driving off. This helps clear the intake ducts of snow and moisture, and reduces the chance of fogging the inside of your windows. 0 Keep the air path under the front seats clear of objects. This helps air to circulate throughout your vehicle.

Defogging and Defrosting Slide the air intake lever to CIRCULATE and the airflow lever to DEFROST to direct air to the windshield vents. Then slide the temperature control lever toward the right and the fan lever toward the fan symbol. When the windshield is clear, turn down the fan speed.

Your vehicle has air outlets that allow you to adjust the direction and amount of airflow inside the vehicle. Push the outlet up or down to direct airflow to your preference. Increase or reduce the amount of airflow by opening and closing the louvers.

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Rear Window Defogger (Option)

The rear window defogger uses a warming grid to remove fog from the rear window.

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

1 NOTICE:

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

Press the switch to turn on the defogger. An indicator light will come on below the switch to remind you that the defogger is on. Press the switch again to turn the defogger off. The rear window defogger will also turn off if you turn the ignition switch to ACC or LOCK, but will turn back on when the ignition is turned back on.

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Audio Systems Your Delco@ audio system has been designed to operate easiIy and give years of listening pleasure. You will get th,e 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. Setting the Clock for AM-FM Stereo Press and hold RCL (TIME SET) to set the correct hour. At the same time, press and hold the TUNE left arrow ( H R ) until the correct hour appears, Press and hold RCL (TIME SET) to set the correct minute. At the same time, press and hold the TUNE right arrow ("IN) until the correct minute appears. ,

Setting the Clock for AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player Press and hold RCL-PROC (TIME SET) to set the correct hour. At the same time, press and hold the TUNE left arrow (HR) until the correct hour appears. Press and hold RCL-PROG (TIME SET) to set the correct minute. At the same time, press and hold the TUNE right arrow (MIN) until the correct minute appears. Setting the Clock for AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and Compact Disc Players Press and hold the RCL up and down arrow (TIME SET). At the same time, press and hold the TUNE left arrow ( H R ) until the correct hour appears. Press and hold the RCL up and down arrow (TIME SET). At the same time press and hold TUNE right arrow (MIN) until the correct minute appears.

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AM-FM Stereo (Option)

To Play the Radio' Turn the ON-VOL knob to turn the system on or off. VOL: Turn this knob to adjust the volume. RCL: Press this button to see the station being played for a moment. Or, press it if you want to see the time when the ignition is off.

Finding a Station AM-FM: Press this button to get AM or FM. The lighted display shows your selection. TUNE: Press the right or left arrow 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 the right or left arrow and the radio will tune to the next higher or lower station and stay there. PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to your previously played stations. You can set up to 12 stations (six AM and six FM). 1. Tune in the desired station. 2. Press one of the six pushbuttons, for at least

two seconds.

3. The sound will mute and then return when, the station is stored. Whenever you press that numbered button, the station you set will return.

4. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.

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AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player (Option)

Setting the Tone TREB: Turn this knob to the right to hear more treble. BASS: Turn this control behind the TREB knob to the right to hear more bass. Adjusting the Speakers FADE: Turn this knob to move the sound between the front and rear speakers. BAL: Turn this control behind the FADE knob to move the sound between the left and right speakers.

To Play the Radio Turn the ON-VOL knob to turn the system on or off. VOL: Turn this knob to adjust the volume. RCL: Press this button to see the station being played for a momettt. Or, press it if you want to see the time when the ignition is off.

Finding a Station AM-FM: Press this button to get AM, FM1 or FM2. The lighted display shows your selection. TUNE: Press the TUNE right or left arrow 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 the SEEK right or left arrow and the radio will tune to the next higher or lower station and stay there. PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to your previously played stations. You can set up to 18 stations (six AM, six FM1 and six FM2). 1. Tune in the desired station. 2. Press one of the six pushbuttons, for at least

two seconds.

3. The sound will mute and then return when the station is stored. Whenever you press that numbered button, the station you set will return.

4. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.

PRESET SCAN: Press this button to hear each of your favorite stations stored on your pushbuttons for a few seconds. When you want to stop at a chosen station, press PRESET SCAN again. Setting the Tone TREB: Turn this knob to the right to hear more treble. BASS: Turn this control behind the TREB knob to the right to hear more bass. Treble and bass cannot be adjusted manually when TONE SELECT is on. TONE SELECT Press this button 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 it, another setting will appear on the display. If you press it one more time, after CLASSICAL appears on the display, tone control will be back to the treble and bass knob.

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Adjusting the Speakers FADE: Turn this knob to move the sound between the front and rear speakers. BAL: Turn this control behind the FADE knob to move the sound between the right and left speakers. Playing 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 EJECT to remove the tape and start over, Once the tape is playing, use the knobs for VOL, FADE and BAL, just as you do for the radio. The lighted arrows show which side of the tape is playing. MTL: Your bias is set automatically. MTL will appear on your display when a metal or chrome tape is inserted.

FF: Press this button to advance rapidly to another part of the tape. Press FF, RCLPROG or EJECT to return to playing speed. REW Press this button to reverse the tape rapidly. Press REW or RCLPROG to return to playing speed. If you press RCLPROG, the tape will also change sides. . NEXT Press this button to go forward to the beginning of the next selection. Press the button again or press RCL/PROG or EJECT to cancel this function. For NEXT to work properly, your tape must have at least three or four seconds of silence between each selection. If you press RCLPROG, the tape will also change sides. PREV: Press this button to go back to the beginning of the last selection. Press PREV again or press RCLPROG ox EJECT to cancel this function. RCL/PROG: Press this button 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.

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Noise Reduction: Press the button with the double-D symbol to remove noise from tapes encoded with Dolby N R . Dolby Noise Reduction is manufactured under a license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. EJECT Press the button with this symbol to remove the tape and switch to radio. TAPE: Press this button when the radio is playing to switch to tape play. To switch from the tape to the radio when the tape is playing, press the AM-FM button. R-M: Press this 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. CLN: This message may appear on the display. If it does, your cassette tape player needs to be cleaned. It will still play tapes, but you should clean it as soon as possible to prevent damage to your tapes and player. See “Care of Your Cassette Tape Player” in the Index. After you clean the p1ayer;press and hold EJECT for five seconds to reset the CLN indicator. The radio will display --- to show the indicator was reset.

AM-FM Stereo with Cassette Tape and Compact Disc Player (Option)

To Play the Radio Turn the ON-VOL knob to turn the system on or off. VOL: Turn this knob to adjust the volume. RCL: Press this button to see the station being played for a moment. Or, press it if you want to see the time when the ignition is off.

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Finding a Station AM-FM: Press this button to get AM, FM1 or FM2. The lighted display shows your selection. TUNE: Press the TUNE right or left arrow 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 stqtion tuned. SEEK: Press the SEEK right or left arrow and the radio will tune to the next higher or lower station and stay there. PUSHBUTTONS: The six numbered pushbuttons let you return to your previously played stations. You can set up to 18 stations (six AM, six FM1 and six FM2). 1. Tune in the desired station. 2. Press one of the six pushbuttons, for at least

two seconds.

3. The sound will mute and then return when the station is stored. Whenever you press that numbered button, the station you set will return.

4. Repeat the steps for each pushbutton.

PSCAN: Press this button to hear each of your favorite stations stored on your pushbuttons for a few seconds. When you want to stop at a chosen station, press PSCAN again. Setting the Tone TREB: Turn this knob to the right to hear more treble. BASS: Turn this control behind the TREB knob to the right to hear more bass. Treble and bass cannot be adjusted manually when TONE SELECT is on. TONE SELECT Press this button 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 it, another setting will appear on the display. If you press it one more time, after CLASSICAL appears on the display, tone control will be back to the treble and bass knob.

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Adjusting the Speakers FADE: Turn this knob to move the sound between the front and rear speakers. BAL: Turn this control behind the FADE knob to move the sound between the right and left speakers. Playing 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 STOP or EJECT to remove the tape and start over. Once the tape is playing, use the knobs for VOL, FADE and BAL, just as you do for the radio. The lighted arrows show which side of the tape is playing. MTL: Your bias is set automatically. MTL will appear on the display when a metal or chrome tape is inserted.

FF: Press this button to advance rapidly to another part of the tape. Press FF, RCL or STOP to return to playing speed. If you press RCL, the tape will also change sides. REW Press this button to reverse the tape rapidly. Press REW, RCL or STOP to return to playing speed. If you press RCL, the tape will also change sides. NXT Press this button to go forward to the beginning of the next selection. Press NXT again or press RCL, or STOP to cancel this function. If you press RCL, the tape will also change sides. PRV: Press this button to go back to the beginning of the last selection. Press the button again or press RCL, or STOP to cancel this function. For NXT and PRV to work properly, your tape must have at least three or four seconds of silence between each selection. If you press RCL, the tape will also change sides. RPT Press this button to go to the beginning of the selection and play it again. Press RPT again to cancel this function.

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Noise Reduction: Press the button with the double-B symbol to remove noise from tapes encoded with Dolby N R . Dolby Noise Reduction is manufactured under a license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. RDM: When playing a tape, press this button during IT or REW to hear the radio. Press it again to turn the radio off. During this operation, only TUNE, SEEK and PSCAN will work. RCL: Press this button to switch from one side of the tape to the other. STOP: Press this button to stop the tape and switch to the radio. EJECT Press this button to remove the tape and switch to the radio. CLN: This message may appear on the display. If it does, your cassette tape player needs to be cleaned. It will still play tapes, but you should clean it as soon as possible to prevent damage to your tapes and player. See “Care sf Your Cassette Tape Player” in the Index. After you clean the player, press and hold EJECT for five seconds to reset the CLN indicator. The radio will display --- to show the indicator was reset. 3-14

Playing a Compact Disc Don’t use mini-discs (three-inch 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 the road is rough, (the disc should play when the road is smoother); the disc is upside down; dirty, scratched or wet; or these is too much moisture in the air. (If there’s too much moisture in the air, 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 to take ERR off the display. RCL: Press this button to see which track is playing. Press RCL 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. PRV: Press this button to hear a track again. If you hold this button, or press it more than once, the disc will return to previous tracks. NXT Press this button 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.

REW: Press and hold this button to return rapidly to a favorite passage. Release it to play the passage. FF: Press and hold this button to fast forward or advance quickly within a track. Release it to resume playing. COMP: Press this button to make soft and loud passages more nearly equal in volume. RPT Press this button once to hear a selection over again. RDM: Pressing this button will cause the CD player to play the tracks back in random order. To cancel the random feature, press RDM or RPT. STOP: Press this button or AM-FM to stop playing the disc and switch to radio. Press STOP again to restart the disc at the point where it stopped. CD-TP: Press this button to switch between playing a tape and a CD when both are inserted. EJECT Press this button to eject the disc and the radio will play. The disc will start playing at track one when you reinsert it.

Theft-Deterrent Feature The theft-deterrent feature for the AM-FM stereo with cassette tape or compact disc players 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 because it will go into LOC mode. If your vehicle loses battery power for any reason, you must enter your secret code again before the system will turn on. Activating the Theft-Deterrent Feature The following instructions will tell you how to enter a security code into the system. NOTE: If you allow more than 15 seconds to elapse between any steps, the radio automatically reverts to time and you must start the procedure over at Step 4. 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 radio off.

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4.

5.

6.

7 .

8.

9.

10,

11.

Press the 1 and 4 buttons together. Hold them down until ---- shows on the display. Press the left or right SEEK arrow, or the left or right TUNE arrow and 0000 will appear on the display. Press the SEEK left arrow and hold it until the first digit of your code appears. Release the button. Press the SEEK right arrow and hold it until the second digit of your code appears. Release the button. Press the TUNE left arrow and hold it until the third digit of your code appears. Release the button. Press TUNE right arrow and hold it until the fourth digit of your code appears. Release the button. Press AM-FM after you have checked that the code you entered is the one you wrote down. Then, REP will appear on the display which means you need to repeat Steps 5 through 9, Press AM-FM again and the display will now show SEC.

Disabling 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, Dausing 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. Press the SEEK left arrow and hold it until the first digit of your code appears. Press the SEEK right arrow and hold it until the second digit of your code appears. Press the TUNE left arrow and hold it until the third digit of your code appears. Press the TUNE right arrow and hold it until the fourth digit of your code appears. Press AM-FM after you have checked that the code you entered matches the one you wrote down and 0000 should now appear on the display. You will need to repeat the above procedure. If the code is correct, the radio will now operate. If the code is wrong, ERR will appear on the display.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

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Unlocking the Theft-Deterrent Feature 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, press the left or right SEEK arrows, or the left or right TUNE arrows and 0000 will appear on the display. 1. Press the SEEK left arrow and hold it until the first

digit of your code appears.

2. Press the SEEK right arrow and hold it until the

second digit of your code appears.

3. Press the TUNE left arrow and hold it until the third

digit of your code appears.

4. Press the TUNE right arrow and hold it until the

fourth digit of your code appears.

5. Press AM-FM after you have checked that the code matches the one you wrote down. Now the time of day will appear on the display. (Please note that if an incorrect code is entered, ERR will appear on the display and the above steps need to be repeated.)

Understanding Radio Reception FM Stereo FM stereo will give you the best sound. But FM signals will reach only about 10 to 40 miles (16 to 65 km). 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. Tips About Your Audio System 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.

_-

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To help avoid bearing loss or darnage:

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

NOTICE: vehicle -- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile Before you add any sound equipment to your 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. 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.

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 may cause failure of the tape player. Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every 50 hours of use. Your radio may display CLN to indicate that you have used your tape player for 50 hours without resetting the tape clean timer. 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.

Cleaning may be done with a scrubbing action, non-abrasive cleaning cassette with pads which scrub the tape head as the hubs of the cleaner cassette turn. It is normal for the cassette to eject while cleaning. Insert the cassette at least three times to ensure thorough cleaning. A scrubbing action cleaning cassette is available through your Geo dealer. You may also choose a non-scrubbing action, wet-type cleaner which uses a cassette with a fabric belt to clean the tape head. This type of cleaning cassette will not eject. It may not clean as thoroughly as the scrubbing type cleaner. 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 their original cases or other protective cases and away from direct sunlight and dust. If 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 grasping the outer edges or the edge of the hole and the outer edge. Antenna Use the knob on the end of the antenna to raise the antenna. To lower it, hold the antenna mast near the roof and feed it into the holder. Do not try to lower the antenna using the knob. Keep the antenna mast clean for good performance. Always lower the antenna before entering a car wash. If you have the convertible top, also lower the antenna before removing or installing the top.

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NOTES

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GeGB Section 4 Your Driving and the Road

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. 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.

Here you’ll find information about driving on different kinds of roads and in varying weather conditions. We’ve also included many other useful tips on driving.

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

Judgment

0 Muscular Coordination 0 Vision

Attentiveness.

Police records show that almost half of all motor vehicle-related deaths involve alcohol. In most cases, these deaths are the result of someone who was drinking and driving. In recent years, some 18,000 annual motor vehicle-related deaths have been associated with the use of alcohol, with more than 300,000’people injured. Many adults -- by some estimates, nearly half the adult population -- choose never ta drink alcohol, so .they never drive after drinking. For persons under 21, it’s against the law in every U.S. state to drink alcohol. There are good medical, psychological and developmental reasons for these laws.

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The obvious way to solve this highway safety problem is for people never to drink alcohol and then drive. But what if people do? How much is “too much” if the driver plans to drive? It’s 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 Concentration (BAC) of someone who is drinking depends upon four things:

The amount of alcohol consumed 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-lb. (82 kg) person who drinks three 12-ounce (355 m1) 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.

Since alcohol is carried in body water, this means that a woman generally will reach a higher BAC level than a man of her same body weight when each has the same number of drinks. The law in many U.S. states sets the legal limit at a BAC of 0.10 percent. In a growing number of U.S. states, and throughout Canada, the limit is 0.08 percent. In some other countries, it’s even lower. The BAC limit for all commercial drivers in the United States is 0.04 percent. The BAC 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 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 a collision increases sharply for drivers who have a BAC of 0.05 percent or above. A driver with a BAC level of 0.06 percent has doubled his or her chance of having a collision. At a BAC level of 0.10 percent, the chance of this driver having a collision is 12 times greater; at a level of 0.15 percent, the chance is 25 times greater!

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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 somewhat lower BAC level. There is a gender difference, too. Women generally have a lower relative percentage of body water than men.

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 even a moderate BAC might not be able to react quickly enough to avoid the collision. 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, especially injuries to the brain, spinal cord or heart. This means that when anyone who has been drinking -- driver or passenger -- is in a crash, that person’s chance of being killed or permanently disabled is higher than if the person had not been drinking.

A CAUTION:

Drinking and then driving is very dangerous. Your reflexes, perceptions, attentiveness and judgment can be affected by even a small amount fatal -- collision if you drive after drinking. or even of alcohol. You can have a serious 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.

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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.

Braking Bralung 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 kmh) 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.

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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 norrnally 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, it may take longer to stop and the brake pedal will be harder to push.

Anti-Lack Brakes (Option) Your vehicle may have anti-lock brakes (ABS). ABS is an advanced electronic braking system that will help prevent a braking shd.

If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, this warning light on the instrument panel will come on briefly when you start your vehicle.

ABS

When you start your engine, or when you begin to drive away, your anti-lock .brake system will check itself. You may hear a momentary motor’or clicking noise while this test is going on, and you may even notice that your brake pedal moves a little. This is normal. If there’s a problem with the anti-lock brake system, the anti-lock brake system warning light will stay on or flash. See “Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light” in the Index.

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The anti-lock system can change the brake pressure faster than any driver could. The computer is programmed to make the most of available tire and road conditions.

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 wheels are slowing down. If one of the wheels is about to stop rolling, the computer will separately work the brakes at each front wheel and at the rear wheels.

You can steer around the obstacle while braking hard. As you brake, your computer keeps receiving updates on wheel speed and controls braking pressure accordingly.

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Remember: Anti-lock doesn’t change the time you need to get your foot up to the brake pedal or always decrease stopping distance. 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.

Using Anti-Lock Don’t pump the brakes. Just hold the brake pedal down and let anti-lock work for you. You may feel the system working, or you may notice some noise, but this is normal,

When your anti-lock system is adjusting brake pressure to help avoid a braking skid, this light will come on. See “Anti-Lock Brake System Active Light” in the Index.

ABS

ACTIVE

Braking in Emergencies At some time, nearly every driver gets into a situation that requires hard braking. If you have anti-lock, you can steer and brake at the same time. However, if you don’t have anti-lock, your first reaction -- to hit the brake pedal hard and hold it down -- may be the wrong thing to do. Your wheels can stop rolling. 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. If you don’t have anti-lock, 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. In an emergency, you will probably want to squeeze the brakes hard without locking the wheels. If you hear or feel the wheels sliding, ease off the brake pedal. This will help you retain steering control. (If you do have anti-lock, it’s different: see “Anti-Lock Brakes” in the Index.) In many emergencies, steering can help you more than even the very best braking.

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Steering Power Steering If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system is not functioning, 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 and braking -- have to do their work where the tires meet the road. Unless you have four-wheel anti-lock brakes, adding the hard braking can demand too much of 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” though the curve. Maintain a reasonable, steady speed. Wait to accelerate until you are out of the curve, and then accelerate gently into the straightaway.

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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 chlld 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, unless you have anti-lock, not enough to lock your wheels. (See “Braking in Emergencies’’ earlier in this section.) 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,

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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. 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.

Off-Road Recovery You may find sometime that your right wheels have dropped off the edge of a road onto the shoulder 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 one-quarter turn until the right fiont tire contacts the pavement edge. Then turn your steering wheel to go straight down the roadway.

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 traffk.

0

Do not get too close to the vehicle you want to pass while you’re awaiting an opportunity. For m e 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 you just passed may seem to be farther 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 lamps 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.

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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, ease your foot off the accelerator pedal and quickly steer the way you want the vehicle to go. If you start steering quickly enough, your vehicle may straighten out. Always be ready for a second skid if it occurs.

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. m l e 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. If you have the anti-lock braking system, remember: It helps avoid only the braking skid. If you do not have anti-lock, then in a braking skid (where the wheels are no longer rolling), release enough pressure on the brakes to get the wheels rolling again. This restores steering control. Push the brake pedal down steadily when you have to stop suddenly. As long as the wheels are rolling, you will have steering control.

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Driving Guidelines This multipurpose passenger vehicle is defined as a utility vehicle in Consumer Information Regulations issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the United States Department of Transportation. Utility vehicles have higher ground clearance and a narrower track to make them capable of performing in a wide variety of off-road applications. Specific design characteristics give them a higher center of gravity than ordinary cars. An advantage of the higher ground clearance is a better view of the road allowing you to anticipate problems. They are not designed for cornering at the same speeds as conventional two-wheel-drive vehicles any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satisfactorily under off-road conditions. If at all possible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers. As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or vehicle rollover.

Off-Road Driving with Your Geo Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicle This off-road guide is for vehicles that have four-wheel drive. Also, see “Anti-Lock Brakes” in the Index. If your vehicle doesn’t have four-wheel drive, you shouldn’t drive off-road unless you’re on a level, solid surface. Off-road driving can be great fun. But it does have some definite hazards. The greatest of these is the terrain itself. “Off-roading” means you’ve left the great North American road system behind. Traffic lanes aren’t marked. Curves aren’t banked. There are no road signs. Surfaces can be slippery, rough, uphill or downhill. In short, you’ve gone right back to nature. Off-road driving involves some new skills. And that’s why it’s very important that you read this guide. You’ll find many driving tips and suggestions. These will help make your off-road driving safer and more enjoyable.

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1

Before You Go Off-Roading There are some things to do before you go out. For example, be sure to have all necessary maintenance and service work done. Check to make sure all umaderbody shields (if so equipped) are properly attached. Be sure you read all the information about your four-wheel-drive vehicle in this manual. Is there enough fuel? Is the spare tire fully inflated? Are the fluid levels up where they should be? What are the local laws that apply to off-roading where you’ll be driving? If you don’t know, you should check with law enforcement people in the area. Will you be on someone’s private land? If so, be sure to get the necessary permission. Loading Your Vehicle for Off-Road Driving There are some important things to remember about how to load your vehicle.

The heaviest things should be on the load floor and forward of your rear axle. Put heavier items as far forward as you can.

0 Be sure the load is secured properly, so driving on

the off-road terrain doesn’t toss things around.

A CAUTION:

Cargo on the load floor piled higher than the seatbacks can be thrown forward during a sudden stop. You or your passengers could be injured. Keep cargo below the top of the seatbacks. Unsecured cargo on the load floor can be tossed about when driving over rough terrain. You or your passengers can be struck by flying objects. Secure the cargo properly. Heavy loads on the roof raise the vehicle’s center of gravity, making it more likely to roll over. You can be seriously or fatally injured if the vehicle rolls over. Put heavy loads inside the cargo area, not on the roof. Keep cargo in the cargo area as far forward and low as possible.

You’ll find other important information in this manual. See “Vehicle Loading,” “Luggage Carrier” and “Tires” in the Index.

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Environmental Concerns Off-road driving can provide wholesome and satisfying recreation. However, it also raises environmental concerns. Geo recognizes these concerns and urges every off-roader to follow these basic rules for protecting the environment:

Always use established trails, roads and areas that have been specially set aside for public off-road recreational driving; obey all posted regulations. Avoid any driving practice that could damage the environment -- shrubs, flowers, trees, grasses -- or disturb wildlife (this includes wheel-spinning, breaking down trees or unnecessary driving through streams or over soft ground). Always carry a litter bag . . . make sure all refuse is removed from any campsite before leaving. Take extreme care with open fires (where permitted), camp stoves and lanterns. Never park your vehicle over dry grass or other combustible materials that could catch fire from the heat of the vehicle’s exhaust system.

Traveling to Remote Areas It makes sense to plan your trip, especially when going to a remote area. Know the terrain and plan your route. You are much less likely to get bad surprises. Get accurate maps of trails and terrain. Try to learn of any blocked or closed roads. It’s also a good idea to travel with at least one other vehicle. If something happens to one of them, the other can help quickly. Does your vehicle have a winch? If so, be sure to read the winch instructions. In a remote area, a winch can be handy if you get stuck. But you’ll want to know how to use it properly. Getting Familiar with Off-Road Driving It’s a good idea to practice in an area that’s safe and close to home before you go into the wilderness. Off-road driving does require some new and different driving skills. Here’s what we mean. Tune your senses to different kinds of signals. Your eyes, for example, need to constantly sweep the terrain for unexpected obstacles. Your ears need to listen for unusual tire or engine sounds. With your arms, hands, feet and body, you’ll need to respond to vibrations and vehicle bounce.

Controlling your vehicle is the key to successful off-road driving. One of the best ways to control your vehicle is to control your speed. Here are some things to keep in mind. At higher speeds:

you approach things faster and you have less time to scan the terrain for obstacles.

0 you have less time to react.

you have more vehicle bounce when you drive over obstacles. you’ll need more distance for braking, especially since you’re on an unpaved surface.

~~

When you’re driving off-road, bouncing and quick changes in direction can easily throw you out of position. This could cause you to lose control and crash. So, whether you’re driving on or off the road, you and your passengers should wear safety belts.

Scanning the Terrain Off-road driving can take you over many different kinds of terrain. You need to be familiar with the terrain and its many different features. Here are some things to consider. Surface Conditions. Off-roading can take you over hard-packed dirt, gravel, rocks, grass, sand, mud, snow or ice. Each of these surfaces affects the steering, acceleration and braking of your vehicle in different ways. Depending upon the kind of surface you are on, you may experience slipping, sliding, wheel spinning, delayed acceleration, poor traction and longer braking distances. Surface Obstacles. Unseen or hidden obstacles can be hazardous. A rock, log, hole, rut or bump can startle you if you’re not prepared for them. Often these obstacles are hidden by grass, bushes, snow or even the rise and fall of the terrain itself. Here are some things to consider: 0 Is the path ahead clear? 0 Will the surface texture change abruptly up ahead?

Does the travel take you uphill or downhill? (There’s more discussion of these subjects later.)

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1.

Will you have to stop suddenly or change direction quickly?

When you drive over obstacles or rough terrain, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel. Ruts, troughs or other surface features can jerk the wheel out of your hands if you’re not prepared. When you drive over bumps, rocks, or other obstacles, your wheels can leave the ground, If this, happens, even with one or two wheels, you can’t control the vehicle as well or at all. Because you will be on an unpaved surface, it’s especially important to avoid sudden acceleration, sudden turns or sudden braking.

In a way, off-road driving requires a different kind of alertness from driving on paved roads and highways. There are no road signs, posted speed limits or signal lights, You have to use your own good judgment about what is safe and what isn’t. Drinking and driving can be very dangerous on any road. And this is certainly true for off-road driving. At the very time you need special alertness and driving skills, your reflexes, perceptions and judgment can be affected by even a small amount of alcoh’ol. You could have a serious -- or even fatal accident if you dx-ink and drive or ride with a driver who has been drinking. See “Drunken Driving” in the Index.

7 -

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Driving on Off-Road Hills Off-road driving often takes you up, down or across a hill. Driving safely on hills requires good judgment and an understanding of what your vehicle can and can’t do. T k e are some hills that simply can’t be driven, no matter how well built the vehicle.

‘ A CAUTION:

Many hills are simply too steep for any vehicle. If you drive up them, you will stall. If you drive down them, you can’t control your speed. If you drive across them, you will roll over. You could be seriously injured or killed. If you have any doubt about the steepness, don’t drive the hill.

Approaching a Hill When you approach a hill, you need to decide if it’s one of those hills that’s just too steep to climb, descend or cross. Steepness can be hard to judge. On a very small hill, for example, there may be a smooth, constant incline with only a small change in elevation where you

can easily see all the way to the top. On a large hill, the incline may get steeper as you near the top, but you may not see this because the crest of the hill is hidden by bushes, grass or shrubs. Here are some other things to consider as you approach a hill.

Is there a constant incline, or does the hill get sharply steeper in places? Is there good traction on the hillside, or will the surface cause tire slipping? Is there a straight path up or down the hill so you won’t have to make turning maneuvers? Are there obstructions on the hill that can block your path (boulders, trees, logs or ruts)? What’s beyond the hill? Is there a cliff, an embankment, a drop-off, a fence? Get out and walk the hill if you don’t know. It’s the smart way to find out. Is the hill simply too rough? Steep hills often have ruts, gullies, troughs and exposed rocks because they are more susceptible to the effects of erosion.

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Driving Uphill Once you decide you can safely drive up the hill, you need to take some special steps.

Use a low gear and get a firm grip on the steering wheel. Get a smooth start up the hill and try to maintain your speed. Don’t use more power than you need, because you don’t want your wheels to start spinning or sliding. Try to drive straight up the hill if at all possible. If the path twists and turns, you might want to find another route.

/A CAUTION:

nrning or driving across steep hills can be dangerous. You could lose traction, slide sideways, and possibly roll over. You could be seriously injured or killed. When driving up hills, always try to go straight up.

Ease up on your speed as you approach the top of the hill. Attach a flag to the vehicle to make you more visible to approaching traffic on trails or hills. Sound the horn as you approach the top of the hill to let opposing traffic know you’re there. Use your headlamps even during the day. They make you more visible to oncoming traffic. - A CAUTION:

Driving to the top (crest) of a hill at full speed can cause an accident. There could be a drop-off, embankment, cliff, or even another vehicle. You could be seriously injured or killed. As you near the top of a hill, slow down and stay alert.

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What should I do if my vehicle stalls, or is about to stall, and I can’t make it up the hill?

A: If this happens, there are some things. you should do, and there are some things you must not do. First, here’s what you should do: Push the brake pedal to stop the vehicle and keep it from rolling backwards. Also, apply the parking brake. If your engine is still running, shift the transmission to REVERSE (R), release the parking brake, and slowly back down the hill in REVERSE (R). If your engine has stopped running, you’ll need to restart it. With the brake pedal depressed and the parking brake still applied, shift the transmission to PARK (P) (or, shift to NEUTRAL (N) if your vehicle has a manual transmission) and restart the engine. Then, shift to REVERSE (R), release the parking brake, and slowly back down the hill as straight as possible in REVERSE (R). As you are backing down the hill, put your left hand on the steering wheel at the 12 o’clock position. This way, you’ll be able to tell if your wheels are straight

and maneuver as you back down. It’s best that you back down the hill with your wheels straight rather than in the left or right direction. Turning the wheel too far to the left or right will increase the possibility of a rollover. Here are some things you must not do if you stall, or are about to stall, when going up a hill. Never attempt to prevent a stall by shifting into NEUTRAL (N) (or depressing the clutch, if you have a manual transmission) to “rev-up” the engine and regain forward momentum. This won’t work. Your vehicle will roll backwards very quickly and you could go out of control.

Instead, apply the regular brake to stop the vehicle. Then apply the parking brake. Shift to REVERSE (R), release the parking brake, and slowly back straight down. a Never attempt to turn around if you are about to stall

when going up a hill. If the hill is steep enough to stall your vehicle, it’s steep enough to cause you to roll over if you turn around. If you can’t make it up the hill, you must back straight down the hill.

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@ Suppose, after stalling, I try to back down the hill and decide I just can’t do it. What should I do?

A: Set the parking brake, put your transmission in PARK (P) (or the manual transmission in FIRST (1)) and turn off the engine. Leave the vehicle and go get some help. Exit on the uphill side and stay clear of the path the vehicle would take if it rolled downhill. Do not shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N) when you leave the vehicle. Leave it in some gear.

/A CAUTION:

Shifting the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N) can cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in PARK (P) (or, if you have the manual transmission, even if you’re in gear). This is because the NEUTRAL (N) position on the transfer case overrides the transmission. If you are going to leave your vehicle, set the parking brake and shift the transmission to PARK (P) (or, put your manual transmission in FIRST (1)). But do not shift the transfer case to the NEUTRAL (N) position. Leave the transfer case in the 2H, 4H or 4L position.

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Driving Downhill When off-roading takes you downhill, you’ll want to consider a number of things:

How steep is the downhill? Will I be able to maintain vehicle control? What’s the surface like? Smooth? Rough? Slippery? Hard-packed dirt? Gravel? Are there hidden surface obstacles? Ruts? Logs? Boulders? What’s at the bottom of the hill? Is there a hidden creek bank or even a river bottom with large rocks?

If you decide you can go down a hill safely, then try to keep your vehicle headed straight down, and use a low gear. This way, engine drag can help your brakes and they won’t have to do all the work. Descend slowly, keeping your vehicle under control at all times. I A

Heavy braking when going down a hill can cause your brakes to overheat and fade. This could cause loss of control and a serious accident. Apply the brakes lightly when descending a hill and use a low gear to keep vehicle speed under control.

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Am I likely to stall when going downhill?

A: It’s much more likely to happen going uphiLl. But if

it happens going downhill, here’s what to do. Stop your vehicle by applying the regular brakes. Apply the parking brake. Shift to PARK (P) (or to NEUTRAL (N) with the manual transmission) and, while still braking, restart the engine. Shift back to a low gear, release the parlung brake, and drive straight down. If the engine won’t start, get out and get help.

Are there some things I should not do when driving down a hill?

A: Yes! These are important because if you ignore them you could lose control and have a serious accident. When driving downhill, avoid turns that take you across the incline of the hill. A hill that’s not too steep to drive down may be too steep to drive across. You could roll over if you don’t drive straight down. Never go downhill with the transmission in NEUTRAL (N), or with the clutch pedal depressed in a manual shift. This is called “free-wheeling.” Your brakes will have to do all the work and could overheat and fade. Unless you have anti-lock: Avoid braking so hard that you lock the wheels when going downhill. If your wheels are locked, you can’t steer your vehicle. If your wheels lock up during downhill braking, you may feel the vehicle starting to slide sideways. To regain your du-ection, just ease off the brakes and steer to keep the front of the vehicle pointing straight downhill.

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Driving Across an Incline Sooner or later, an off-road trail will probably go across the incline of a hill. If this happens, you have to decide whether to try to drive across the incline. Here are some things to consider:

A hill that can be driven straight up or down may be too steep to drive across. When you go straight up or down a hill, the length of the wheel base (the distance from the front wheels to the rear wheels) reduces the likelihood the vehicle will tumble end over end. But when you drive across an incline, the much more narrow track width (the distance between the left and right wheels) may not prevent the vehicle from tilting and rolling over. Also, driving across an incline puts more weight on the downhill wheels. This could cause a downhill slide or a rollover. Surface conditions can be a problem when you drive across a hill. Loose gravel, muddy spots, or even wet grass can cause your tires to slip sideways, downhill. If the vehicle slips sideways, it can hit something that will trip it (a rock, a rut, etc.) and roll over. Hidden obstacles can make the steepness of the incline even worse. If you drive across a rock with the uphill wheels, or if the downhill wheels drop into a rut or depression, your vehicle can tilt even more.

For reasons like these, you need to decide carefully whether to try to b v e across an inche. Just because the trail goes across the incline doesn’t mean you have to drive it. The last vehicle to try it might have rolled over.

Driving across an incline that’s too steep will make your vehicle roll over. You could be seriously injured or killed. If you have any doubt about the steepness of the incline, don’t drive across it. Find another route instead.

Q: What if I’m driving across an incline that’s not too steep, but I hit some loose gravel and start to slide downhill. What should I do?

A: If you feel your vehicle starting to slide sideways, turn downhill. This should help straighten out the vehicle and prevent the side slipping. However, a much better way to prevent this is to get out and “walk the course” so you know what the surface is like before you drive it.

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If your vehicle stalls when you’re crossing an incline, be sure you (and your passengers) get out on the uphill side, even if the door there is harder to open. If you get out on the downhill side and the vehicle starts to roll over, you’ll be right in its path. If YOU have to walk down the slope, stay out of the path the vehicle will take if it does roll over.

A CAUTION:

Getting out on the downhill (low) side of a vehicle stopped across an incline is dangerous. If the vehicle rolls over, you could be crushed or killed. Always get out on the uphill (high) side of the vehicle and stay well clear of the rollover path.

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Driving in Mud, Sand, Snow or Ice When you drive in mud, snow or sand, your wheels won’t get good traction. You can’t accelerate as quickly, turning is more difficult, and you’ll need bnger braking distances. It’s best to use a low gear when you’re in mud -- the deeper the mud, the lower the gear. In really deep mud, the idea is to keep your vehicle moving so you don’t get stuck. When you drive on sand, you’ll sense a change in wheel traction. But it will depend upon how loosely packed the sand is.- On loosely packed sand (as on beaches or sand dunes) your tires will tend to sink into the sand. This has an effect on steering, accelerating and braking. You may want to reduce the air pressure in your tires slightly when driving on sand. This will improve traction.

Hard packed snow and ice offer the worst tire traction. On these surfaces, it’s very easy to lose control. On wet ice, for example, the traction is so poor that you will have difficulty accelerating. And if you do get moving, poor steering and difficult braking can cause you to slide out of control.

c A CAUTION: -

Driving on frozen lakes, ponds or rivers can be dangerous. Underwater springs, currents under the ice, or sudden thaws can weaken the ice. Your vehicle could fall through the ice and you and your passengers could drown. Drive your vehicle on safe surfaces only.

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Driving in Water Light rain causes no special off-road driving problems. But heavy rain can mean flash flooding, and flood waters demand extreme caution. Find out how deep the water is before you drive through it, If it’s deep enough to cover your wheel hubs, axles or exhaust pipe, don’t try it -- you probably won’t get through. Also, water that deep can damage your axle and other vehicle parts. If the water isn’t too deep, then drlve through it slowly. , At fast speeds, water splashes on your ignition system and your vehicle can stall. Stalling can also occur if you get your tailpipe under water. And, as long as your tailpipe is under water, you’ll never be able to start your engine. When you go through water, remember that when your brakes get wet, it may take you longer to,stop.

A CAUTION:

Driving through rushing water can be dangerous. Deep water can sweep your vehicle downstream and you and your passengers could drown, If it’s only inches deep, it can still wash away the ground from under your tires, and you could lose traction and roll the vehicle over. Don’t drive through rushing water.

After Off-Road Driving Remove any brush or debris that has collected on the underbody, chassis or under the hood. These accumulations can be a fire hazard. After operation in rnud or sand, have the brake linings cleaned and checked. These substances can cause glazing and uneven braking. Check the body structure, steering, suspension, wheels, tires and exhaust system for damage. Also, check the fuel lines and cooling system for any leakage. Your vehicle will require more frequent service clue to off-road use. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule for additional information.

Driving at Night

Night driving is more dangerous than day driving. One reason is that some drivers are likely to be impaired -- by alcohol or drugs, with night vision problems, or by fatigue.

Here are some tips on night driving.

Drive defensively. Don’t drink and drive. Adjust your inside rearview mirror to reduce the glare from headlamps behind you. Since you can’t see as well, you may need to slow down and keep more space between you and other vehicles. Slow down, especially on higher speed roads. Your headlamps can light up only so much road ahead. In remote areas, watch for animals. If you’re tired, pull off the r~a,d ba a sa€e place and rest.

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Night Vision No one can see as well at night as in the daytime. But as we get older these differences increase. A 50-year-old driver may require at. least twice as much light to see the same thing at night as a 20-year-old. What you do in the daytime can also affect your night vision. For example, if you spend the day in bright sunshine you are wise to wear sunglasses. Your eyes will have less trouble adjusting to night. But if you’re driving, don’t wear sunglasses at night. They may cut down on glare from headlamps, but they also make a lot of things invisible. You can be temporarily blinded by approaching lights. It can take a second or two, or even several seconds, for your eyes to readjust to the dark. When you are faced with severe glare (as from a driver who doesn’t lower the high beams, or a vehicle with rnisaimed headlamps), slow down a little. Avoid staring directly into the approaching headlamm.

Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle clean -- inside and out. Glare at night is made much worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glws can build up a film caused by dust. Dirty glass makes lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would, making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly. Remember that your headlamps light up far less of a roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep your eyes moving; that way, it’s easier to pick out dimly lighted objects. Just as your headlamps should be checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer frsm night blindness -- the inability to see in dim light -- and aren’t even aware of it.

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Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a wet road, you can’t stop, accelerate or turn as well because your tire-to-road traction isn’t as good as on dry roads. And, if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get even less traction. It’s always wise to go slower and be cautious if rain starts to fall while you are driving. The surface may get wet suddenly when your reflexes are tuned for driving on dry pavement. The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. ETIen if your windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy rain can make it harder to see road signs and traffic signals, pavement markings, the edge of the road and even people walking. It’s wise to keep your wiping equipment in good shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled with washer fluid. Replace your windshield wiper inserts when they show signs of streaking or missing areas on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to separate from the inserts.

Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won’t work well in a quick stop and may cause pulling to one side. You could lose control of the vehicle. After driving through a large puddle of water or a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly until your brakes work normally.

Driving too fast through large water puddles or even going through some car washes can cause problems, too. The water may affect your brakes. Try to avoid puddles. But if you can’t, try to slow down before you hit them.

Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires that they can actually ride on the water. This can happen if the road is wet enough and you’re going fast enough. When your vehicle is hydroplaning, it has little or no contact with the road. Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can if your tires haven’t much tread or if the pressure in one or more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on the road. If you can see reflections from trees, telephone poles or other vehicles, and raindrops “dimple” the water’s surface, there could be hydroplaning. Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There just isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down when it is raining.

Driving Through Deep Standing Water

NOTICE:

If you drive too quickly through deep puddles or standing water, water can come in through your engine’s air intake and badly damage your engine. Never drive through water that is slightly lower than the underbody of your vehicle. If you can’t avoid deep puddles or standing water, drive through them very slowly. 1.

Some Other Rainy Weather Tips

Besides slowing down, allow some extra following distance. And be especially careful when you pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted by road spray. Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See “Tires” in the Index.)

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City Driving

Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:

Know the best way to get to where you are going. Get a city map and plan your trip into an unknown part of the city just as you would for a cross-country trip. Try t.0 use the freeways that rim and crisscross most large cities. You’ll save time and energy, (See the next part, “Freeway Driving.”) Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light is there because the corner is busy enough to need it. When a light tums green, and just before you start to move, check both ways for vehicles that have not cleared the intersection or may be running the red light.

One of the biggest problems with city streets is the amount of traffic on them. You’ll want to watch out for what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to traffic signals.

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Freeway Driving

Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways, expressways, turnpikes or superhighways) are the safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules. The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane.

At the entrance, there is usually a ramp that leads to the freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with the flow. Try to merge into the gap at close to the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your mirrors and glance over your shoulder as often as necessary, Try to blend smoothly with the traffic flow. Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it’s slower. Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass. Before changing lanes, check your mirrors. Then use your turn signal. Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your shoulder to make sure there isn’t another vehicle in your “blind” spot. Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move slightly slower at night. When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper lane well in advance. If you miss your exit, do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up; Drive on to the next exit.