CHEVROLET TRACKER 1994 Owners Manual

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~~ ~ ~~~~ ~ Service and Appearance Care
Four- Wheel Drive
Most
lubricant checks in this section also
apply to four-wheel-drive vehicles.
However, they have
two additional
systems that need lubricatiog.
Transfer Case
When to Check qnd Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change
it. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the
Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the
filler plug hole, you’ll need to add some
lubricant. Add enough lubricant to raise
the level to the bottom of the filler plug
hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of lybricant to use.
See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
Front Axle
When
to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to a
determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change it. See
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” and
“Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the
Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the
filler plug hole, you’ll need to add some
lubricant.
If the differential is at operating
temperature (warm), add enough lubricant
to raise the level to the bottom of the filler
plug hole.
If the differential
is cold, add enough
lubricant to raise the level to
1/2 inch (12
mm) below the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine
what kind of lubricant to use.
See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling
system and how to add coolant when it is
low. If you have a problem with engine
overheating, see “Engine Overheating”
in
the Index.
The proper coolant for your Geo will:
Give freezing protection down to
-20°F (-29”C), or -34°F (-37°C)
in
Canada and for vehicles with the cold
climate option.
Give boiling protection up to 258°F
(125°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
temperature.
Let the warning lights work as they
should.
What to Use:
Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets “GM Specification
6038-M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts.
You can also use a recycled coolant
conforming to
“GM Specification
6038-M”
with a complete coolant flush
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and refill. If you use this mixture. you
don't need to add anything else.
A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your
cooling system can
be dangerous.
Plain water, or some other
liquid like
alcohol, can
boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle's
cool-
ant warning system is set for the
proper coolant
mix. With plain water
or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn't get the
overheat warning. Your engine could
catch fire and you or others could be
burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean
water and a proper antifreeze.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix,
your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost
wouldn't be covered by your war-
ranty.
Too much water in the mix can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator,
heater core and other parts. Some conditions, such
as air
trapped in
the cooling system, can af't'ect the coolant
level
in the radiator. Check the coolant
level when the engine is cold and follow
the steps under "Adding Coolant" for the
proper way
to add coolant.
If you have to add coolant Inore than four
times
a year. have your dealer check your
cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant. you
don't have to add extra inhibitors
or
additives which claim to improve thc
system. These can
be harmful.
%-Valve Engine
Adding Coolant
To Check Coolant: When your engine is
cold.
the coolant level should be at
"LOW," or a little higher. When your
engine
is warm. the level should be up to
"FULL." or a little higher.
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Service and Appearance Care
Radiator Pressure Cap
16-Valve Engine
To Add Coo1ant:If you need to add more
coolant, add the proper mix
qt the coolant
recovery tank. Add
coolant
mix at the recovery tank, but
be careful not to spill it.
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 13 psi (90 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss and
possible engine damage
from over-
heating.
Be sure the amows on the
cap line up with the overflow tube
on the radiator filler neck.
When you replace
your radiator pressure
zap, an
AC@ cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled
by a thermostat in the engine coolant
system. The thermostat stops the
flow of
coolant through the radiator until the
coolant reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat,
an
Ace' thermostat is recommended.
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Power Steering FJuid
How to Check Power Steering Fluid:
Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick
with
a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten
it. Then remove the
cap again and look at the fluid level on
the dipstick.
D When the engine compartment is hot,
the level should
be at the “MAX”
mark.
D When the engine compartment is cool
the level should be at
the “MIN”
mark.
‘hat to Add:
:fer to the Maintenance Schedule to
terrnine what kind of fluid to use. See
[ecornmended Fluids and Lubricants”
in
2 Index.
NOTICE:
When adding power steering fluid or
making
a complete fluid change,
always use
the proper fluid. Failure
to use the proper fluid can cause
leaks and damage hoses and seals.
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Service and Appearance Care
Windshield Washer Fluid
To Add:
Open the cap with the washer symbol on
it. Add washer fluid until the bottle is full.
NOTICE:
When using concentrated washer
tluid, follow the manuficturer’s
instructions for adding water.
Don’t mix water with
ready-to-use washer fluid. Water
can cause the solution to freeze
and damage
your washer fluid
tank and other parts
of the washer
system. Also, water doesn’t clean
as well
as washer tluid.
Fill your washer tluid tank only
3/4 full when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion, which could
damage the
tank if it is completely
full.
Don’t use radiator antifreeze in
your windshield washer. It can
damage your washer system and
paint.
Brake Master Cylinder
Your brake master cylinder is here. It is
‘illed with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
I‘here are
only two reasons why the brake
fluid level
in your master cylinder might
go down. The first is that the brake fluid
goes down
to an acceptable level during
lormal brake lining wear. When new
iinings are put
in, the fluid level goes
mck
up. The other reason is that tluid is
leaking out of the brake system.
If it is,
you should have your brake system fixed,
;ince a leak means that sooner or later
your brakes won’t work well,
or won’t
work
at all.
So, it isn‘t a good idea to “top off’ your
brake fluid. Adding brake tluid won’t
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correct a leak. If you add fluid when your
linings are worn, then you’ll have too
much fluid when you get new brake
linings. You should add (or remove)
brake fluid, as necessary, only when work
is done on the brake hydraulic system.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedple to
determine when to check
yoqr drake
fluid. See “Periodic Maintenance
Inspections” in the Index.
To Check Brake Fluid:
You can check the brake fluid without
taking
off the cap. Just look at the
windows on the brake fluid reservoir. The
fluid levels should be above “MIN.” If
they aren’t, have your brake system
checked to see if there is a leak.
After work is done
on the brake hydraulic
system, make sure the levels are above
“MIN’ and below the top
of each
window.
What to Add:
When you do need brake fluid, use only
DOT-3 brake fluid
- such as Delco-
Supreme 11s (GM Part
No. 1052535).
Use new brake fluid from a sealed container
only, and always clean the brakl
fluid reservoir cap before removing it.
NOTICE:
Don’t let someone put in the
wrong kind of fluid. For example,
just a few drops of mineral-based
oil, such as engine oil, in your
brake system can damage brake system parts
so badly that they’ll
have to be replaced.
Brake fluid can damage paint, so
be careful not to spill brake fluid
on your vehicle. If
you do, wash it
off immediately. See “Appearance
Care” in the Index.
Brake Wear
Your Geo has front disc brakes and rear
drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear
indicators that make a high-pitched
warning sound when the brake pads are
worn and new pads are needed. The
sound may come and
go or be heard all
the time your vehicle is moving (except
when you are pushing on the brake pedal
firmly).
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~ Service and Appearance Care
r
NOTICE:
Continuing to drive
with worn-out
brake pads could result in costly
brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may
cause a brake squeal when the brakes are
first applied or lightly applied. This does
not mean something is wrong with your
brakes.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear
indicators, but if you ever hear a rear
brake rubbing noise, have the rear brake linings inspected. Also, the rear brake
drums should be removed and inspected
each time the tires are removed for
rotation or changing. When you have the front brakes replaced, have
the rear
brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced
as complete axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does
not return to normal height, or if there is a
rapid increase in pedal travel. This could
be a sign
of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you make a brake stop, your
disc brakes adjust for wear.
If your brake pedal goes down farther
than normal, your rear drum brakes may
need adjustment. Adjust them by backing
up and firmly applying the brakes a few
times.
Replacing Brake System Parts
The braking system on a modern vehicle
is complex. Its many parts have to be of
top quality and work well together
if the
vehicle is
to have really good braking.
Vehicles we design and test have
top-quality GM brake parts in them, as
your Geo does when it is new. When you replace parts
of your braking system -
for example,
when your brake linings
wear down and you have to have new
ones put in
- be sure you get new
genuine
GM replacement parts. If you
don’t, your brakes may no longer work
properly. For example, if someone puts in
brake linings that are wrong for your
vehicle, the balance between your front
and rear brakes can change, for the worse.
The braking performance you’ve come to
expect can change in many other ways if
someone puts in the wrong replacement
brake parts.
Battery
Every new Geo has a Delco Freedoms
battery.
You never have to add water to
one
of these. When it’s time for a new
battery, we recommend a Delco
Freedoma battery. Get one that has the
catalog number shown on the original
battery’s label.
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle
for
25 days or more, take off the black,
negative
(-) cable from the battery. This
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will help keep your battery from running
down.
Contact your dealer to learn how to
prepare your vehicle for longer storage
periods. Bulb Replacement
See “Replacement Bulbs” in the Index to
check the size and type of bulb you need
to use.
Halogen Bulbs
Headlights
To replace the headlight bulb:
1. Open the hood.
2. Push in on both sides and pull
rearward, while holding the headlight
wiring harness, to disconnect it from
the bulb.
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Service and Appearance Care
3. Turn the lock ring to the left to release
the bulb. 4. Pull the lock ring and the headlight
bulb straight out. Save the lock ring
and use with
the new bulb.
5. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
Front Parking and Turn Signal Lights
ro replace the parking and turn signal
mlb:
I. Open the hood.
2. Turn the bulb socket to the left and
pull
it out of light housing.
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3. Push the bulb in, turn it to the left and
4. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
pull it out. Sidemarker Lights
ro replace the sidemarker bulb:
I. Push the sidemarker housing toward
the back
of the vehicle and pull out
the front edge. The housing should
pull away from the vehicle.
2. Turn the socket toward the rear of the
vehicle and pull
it out of the housing.
3. Pull the bulb out of the socket.
4. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
Rear Sidemarker Lights
To replace the rear sidemarker bulb:
1. Remove the screw (hardtop only).
2. Pull the sidemarker light housing out
3. Turn the socket toward the rear of the
at the back edge.
vehicle and pull
it out.
4. Pull the bulb out ofthe socket.
5. Reverse the steps with a new bulb.
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