brake light CHEVROLET TRACKER 1996 User Guide

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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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,
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.)
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.
In many emergencies, steering can help you more than
even the very best braking.
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Driving Downhill
When off-roading takes you downhill, you’ll want to
consider a number
of things:
0
0
0
0
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 I
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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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. ,
fast speeds, water splashes on your ignition system and
your vehicle can stall. Stalling can also occur if you get
At
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.
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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.
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.
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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
wor~ 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).
The brake wear warning sound means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work
well. That could
lead
to an accident. When you hear the brake
wear warning
sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE: I
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,
Free movement of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary to help prevent brake pulsation.
When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers for
movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque wheel
nuts
in the proper sequence to GM specifications.
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.
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Main Fuse Block
The main fuse box in your engine compartment protects
all electrical loads.
For access
to the main fuses, pull off the cover. A spare
fuse is
also inside the fuse box.
Fuse
BATT ......
ABS .........
Usage
............ All Electrical Load
....... Anti-Lock Brake System
LAMP
...
IG . . ................. Ignition, Lighter, Radio,
Wiperwasher, Rear Defogger,
Turn Signals, Backup Lamps, Heater
Stop Lamps, Horn, Hazard Lamps
H/L, R ................... Right Side Headlamp
H/L, L ................. Left Side Headlamp
FI ....... .......... Fuel Injection System
A/C
.... ... ........ Air Conditioning
......... Taillamps, Dome Lamps,
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Gem Section 9 Index
Air ~ag ...................................... I -24
Adding Equipment
............................ 1-30
How Does it Restrain
........................ 1-28
How it Works
.............................. 1-26
Location
.................................... l-26
Readiness Light ......................... 1-25, 2-61
Servicing
................................... 1-2 9
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-27
What Will
You See After it Inflates ............... 1-28
AirCleaner
.................................... 6-13
Airconditioning
................................ 3-2
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-64
Alignment and Balance, Tire
...................... 6-46
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning
...................... 6-54
Antenna
...................................... 3-19
Antifreeze
............................. 6-24
Anti-Lock
When Should it Inflate ......................... 1-27
Brake System Active Light ................. 2-64, 4-8
Brake System Warning Light
................ 2-63, 4-6
Brakes ...................................... 4- 6
Appearance Care ................................ 6-48 Appearance Care Materials
....................... 6-56
Arbitration Program .............................. 8-7
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-6
Overdrive
............................... 2-13
Overdrive
Off Switch .......................... 2-13
Shifting
..................................... 2-10
TEUIS~~SS~O~ ............................ 2-8.2-10
Transmission Check ........................... 7-48
Transmission Fluid
............................ 6-15
Transmission Operation
........................ 2-10
Transmission Park Mechanism Check
............. 7-50
Axle, Front
.................................... 6-23
Axle, Rear
. . ............................. 6-21
Ashtrays
...................................... 2-40
Automatic
Starting Your Engine
........................... 2-8
Battery
................. .: ................... 6-33
Jump Starting ................................. 5-2
Warnings
.................................... 5-2
BBB Auto Line ................................. 8-7
Better Business Bureau Mediation ................... 8-7
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Brake Adjustment
.................................. 6-33
Fluid
....................................... 6-29
Master Cylinder
.............................. 6-29
Parking
..................................... 2-20
PedalTravel
................................. 6-32
Replacing System Parts
........................ 6-33
System Warning Light
......................... 2-62
Trailer
...................................... 4-51
Transmission Shift Interlock
.................... 2-23
Transmission Shift Interlock Check
............... 7-49
Wear
....................................... 6-32
Brakes.Ant i.Lock ............................... 4-6
Braking ........................................ 4-5
Braking in Emergencies
..... ................ 4-8
Break.In. New Vehicle
....................... 2-6
Brightness Control .............................. 2-36
BTSI
......................................... 2-23
BTSICheck
................................... 7-49
Bulb Replacement
.............................. 6-34
Canadian Roadside Assistance
. . ........ 8-6
Canvas Top And Plastic Window Care
...................... 6-53
Lowering
and Raising ......................... 2-49
Preparing for Storage
.......................... 2-54
Removing and Installing
....................... 2-53 Capacities and Specifications
.................... 6-62
Carbon Monoxide
......................... 2.25, 4.42
Cassette Deck Service
........................... 7-47
Cassette Tape Player
.................. . . 3.8, 3.11
Cassette Tape Player Care
........... ........ 3-18
CD Player Theft-Deterrent Feature
................. 3-15
Certification Label
.............................. 4-46
Certificationmire Label
........................ 4-46
Chains. Safety
.................... ........ 4-51
Chains. Tire ...................... ........ 6-47
Changing a
Flat Tire .............. ........... 5-22
Charging System Light
.......................... 2-61
Checking Your Restraint Systems
.................. 1-46
Chemical Paint Spotting .......................... 6-55
Child Restraints
...................... ...... 1-37
Securing in a Rear Seat Position
......... ... 1-38
Securing in the Right Front Seat Position . . ... 1-40
TopStrap
................................. 1-38
WheretoPut
................................ 1-37
Cigarette Lighter
............................... 2-40
Circuit Breakers and Fuses
....................... 6-58
Cleaner. Air
................................... 6-13
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
............................ 6-54
Canvas Top and Plastic Window ................. 6-53
Fabric
...................................... 6-49
Glass
....................................... 6-51
InsideofYourGeo ............................ 6-48
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Ignition Positions ....... ............ 2-4
Inflation, Tire
................................ 6-41
Inside Daymight Rearview Mirror ................. 2-37
Inspections
.................................... 7-51
Exhaust Systems
............................. 7-5 1
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Boot .................. 7-5 1
Front-Wheel-Drive Axle Seal ................... 7-5 1
Radiator and Heater Hose ...................... 7-51
RearAxle
................................... 7-52
Steering
.................................... 7-51
Suspension
................... ........... 7-51
Throttle Linkage
.............................. 7-52
Instrument Panel
............................... 2-56
Brightness Control
............................ 2-36
Cleaning
.................................... 6-51
Cluster ..................................... 2-58
Fuse Block .................................. 6-58
Interior
Lamps .................... ... 2-36
Brake
System
.... ....................... 7-52
Jack. Tire
....
Jump Starting . .
.................... 5-23
................... 5-2
Key Lock Cylinders Service ..................... 7-48 .
Keys .......................................... 2-1
Labels
Certification
................................. 4-46
Certification/Tire
............................. 4-46
Service Parts Identification ..................... 6-57
8 Tire-Loading Information ...................... 4-46
Vehicle Identification Number ................... 6-57
Lamps
...................................... 2-35
Dome ................. ........... 2-36
Interior
............ ......... 2-36
On Reminder ......... , ... ....... 2-29
Lamps Control
........................ . . 2-29
Leaving
Your Vehicle ............................. 2-4
Leaving Your Vehicle with the Engine Running
....... 2-22
Lighter
....................................... 2-40
Lights
Air Bag Readiness
................... 1-25.2.6. 2-61
Anti-Lock
Brake System Active ............. 2-64. 4-8
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning
....... . . 2.63, 4.6
Brake System Warning
........... .... 2-62
Charging System
........................... 2-61
Cruise ...................................... 2-33
Daytime Running Lamps Indicator ............... 2-69
Oil Pressure ................................. 2-67
Overdrive0
fi ................................ 2-69
Rear Window Defogger
......................... 3-5
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