instrument panel CHEVROLET TRACKER 1996 Owner's Manual

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.
ABS
If your vehicle has anti-lock
brakes, this warning light
on
the instrument panel will
come on briefly when you
start your vehicle.
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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Making Turns
NOTICE:
Making very sharp turns while trailering could
cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal.
Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders,
curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or
sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have extra
wiring (included in the optional trailering package).
The green arrows on your instrument panel will
flash
whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lamps will also flash, telling other
drivers you’re about to turn, change lanes or stop. When towing
a trailer, the green arrow’s on your
instrument panel
will flash for turns even if the bulbs on
the trailer are burned out. Thus, you may thlnk drrvers
behind you are seeing your signal when they
are not. It’s
important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer
bulbs are still working.
Driving On Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start
down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift
down, you might have to use your brakes
so much that
they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your
speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility
of engine and transmission overheating.
If you are towing a trailer and you have a manual
transmission with FIFTH
(5) gear, you may prefer not to
use FIFTH
(5). Just drive in FOURTH (4) (or, as you
need
to, a lower gear).
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Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your Geo
instrument panel.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
Steam from an overheated engine can burn you
badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam coming
from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign
of steam or coolant before
opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or
others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if
it overheats, and get out
of the vehicle until the
engine
is cool.
I NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with no coolant,
your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered
by your warranty.
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If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated
on the underhood tune-up label), it
is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications. If such fuels are not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on and/or your vehicle
may fail a smog-check test. If this occurs, return to your
authorized Geo dealer for diagnosis to determine the
cause
of failure. In the event it is determined that the
cause
of the condition is the type of fuels used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
In Canada, some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing
additive called
MMT. If you use such fuels, your
emission control system performance may deteriorate
and the malfunction indicator lamp
on your instrument
panel may turn
on. If this happens, return to your
authorized Chevrolet/Geo dealer for service.
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines are now required to
contain additives that will help prevent deposits
from
forming in your engine and fuel system, allowing your
emission control system
to function properly. Therefore,
you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
In
addition, gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be available
in your area to help clean the air. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines
if they comply
with the specifications described earlier.
1 NOTICE:
,
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty.
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Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler
caps are on.
Then lift the hood to relieve pressure on the hood prop.
Remove the hood prop from the slot in the hood and
return the prop
to its retainer. Then let the hood down
and close
it firmly.
Engine Oil
If the engine oil
pressure light on the
instrument panel comes
on, it means
you need
to check
your engine oil level
right away.
For more information,
see “Engine Oil Pressure Light”
in the Index. You should check your engine oil level
regularly; this is an added reminder. It’s a good
idea
to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel.
In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
Turn off the engine and
give the oil a few minutes
drain back into the oil
pan. If you don’t, the oil
dipstick might not show
the actual level.
to
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Cleaning the Top of the Instrument Panel
Use only mild soap and water to clean the top surfaces
of the instrument panel. Sprays containing silicones or
waxes may cause annoying reflections in the windshield
and even make it difficult to see through the windshield
under certain conditions.
Care of Safety Belts
Keep belts clean and dry.
- J not bleach or dye safety belts. If you do, i
Glass
Glass should be cleaned often. GM Glass Cleaner (GM
Part No. 1050427) or a liquid household glass cleaner
will remove normal tobacco smoke and dust films.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners
on glass, because they may
cause scratches. Avoid placing decals on the inside rear
window, since they may have to be scraped off later. If
abrasive cleaners
are used on the inside of the rear
window, an electric defogger element may be damaged.
Any temporary license should not be attached across the
defogger grid.
1
Cleaning the Outside of
the Windshield, Backglass
may severely weaken them. In a crash, they
might not be able to provide adequate protection. and Wiper Blades
lukewarm water. Clean safety belts only with mild
soap and
If the windshield is not clear after using the windshield
washer, or
if the wiper blade chatters when running, wax
or other material
may be on the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with
GM Windshield
Cleaner, Bon-Ami Powder@ (GM
Part No. 1050011).
The windshield is clean if beads do not form when you
rinse it with water.
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Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- - ..
c
I. ’ m. SAMPLE4UXTM072675 . 1
ENGINEAG $. ASSEMBLY
-
CODE MODEL YEAR PLANT
This is the legal identifier for your Geo. It appears on a
plate
in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver’s side. You can see it
if you look through the
windshield
from outside your vehicle. The VIN also
appears
on the Vehicle Certification and Service Parts
labels and the certificates of title and registration.
Engine Identification
The eighth character in your VIN is the engine code.
This code will help
you identify your engine,
specifications and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identification Label
You’ll find this label inside the glove box on the door.
It’s very helpful if you ever need to order parts. On
this label is:
0
0
0
0
your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information, and
a list
of all production options and special equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
Electrical System
Add-on Electrical Equipment
NOTICE:
Don’t add anything electrical to your Geo unless
you check with your dealer first. Some electrical
equipment can damage your vehicle and the
damage wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Some add-on electrical equipment can keep other
components from working
as they should.
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Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your
Geo, see “Servicing Your
Air Bag-Equipped Geo” in the Index.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits
by fuses, circuit breakers and thermal links
in the wiring itself. This greatly reduces the chance of
fires caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse. If the
band is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you
replace a bad fuse with a new one of the correct size.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don’t have a
spare fuse,
you can borrow one. Just pick some feature
of your vehicle that you can get along without -- like the
radio or cigarette lighter
-- and use its fuse, if it is the
size you need. Replace it as soon as you can.
Before replacing
a fuse, turn every vehicle electrical
switch
off.
There are two fuse blocks in your vehicle: the
instrument panel fuse block and the engine compartment
fuse block.
Instrument Panel Fuse Block
This fuse box is under the left side of the instrument
panel.
The fuses here protect each separate circuit
including headlamps.
If you have electrical failure,
check here first.
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Fuse Usage
5
l... .............................. Empty
2................................... Empty
3 ............ Dome Lamp, Sidemarker Lamps,
Parking Lamps, License Plate Lamp, Instrument Panel Illumination
4 ........................... Stoplamps, Horn
5 ............................. Hazard Lamps
6..... ................. Door Lock (Option)
7 ............................. Lighter, Radio
8 ........................... Ignition System,
Warning and Indicator Lights,
Gages, Four-wheel Drive System (Option)
9 ........... Turn Signal Flasher, Back-up Lamps
10 .....
11 ...
...................... Wipermasher
.........
.. ..I .... Rear Defogger
12 ................................... Heater
13
................................. Empty
14 ................................... Empty
Please note, fuses for the air bags are located next to the
instrument
panel fuse block.
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For prompt assistance, please have the following information available to give the Customer
Assistance Representative:
0
0
0
0
Your name, address, hqme and business
telephone numbers
Vehicle Identification Number (This is available
from the vehicle registration or title, or the plate at
the top left
of the instrument panel and visible
through the windshield.)
Dealership name and location
Vehicle delivery date and present mileage
Nature of concern
We encourage
you to call us so we can give your inquiry
prompt attention. However, if you wish to write
Chevrolet/Geo, write to:
Chevrolet/Geo Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 7047
Troy, MI 48007-7047 Refer to your
Warranty and Owner Assistance
Information booklet for addresses of Canadian and
GM Overseas offices.
When contacting Chevrolet/Geo, please remember that
your concern will likely be resolved by the dealer, using
the dealer’s facilities, equipment and personnel. That
is
why we suggest you follow Step One first if you have
a concern.
Customer Assistance for Text
Telephone (TTY) Users
To assist customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or
speech-impaired and who use Text Telephones (TTYs),
Chevrolet/Geo
has TTY equipment available at its
Customer Assistance Center. Any TTY user can
communicate with Chevrolet/Geo
by dialing:
1-800-833-CHEV. (TTY users in Canada can dial
1-800-263-3830.)
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