CHEVROLET TRACKER 1996 Owners Manual

Fuels in Foreign Countries
pf you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to
find. Never use leaded gasoline
or any other fuel not
recommended
in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused
by use of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on
fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice.
Just tell us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation,
North American Export
Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
Filling Your Tank
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns
violently, and that can cause very bad injuries.
Don’t smoke if you’re near gasoline or refueling
your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames and smoking
materials away from gasoline.
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The cap is behind a hinged door on the passenger’s side
of your vehicle. On four-door models, use the key to
the vehicle to unlock the fuel door.
To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the left
(counterclockwise). When
you put the cap
back on, turn it to the right until
you hear at least three clicks. Make sure you fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine
if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly installed. This would
allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere. See
“Malfunction Indicator Lamp” in the Index.
If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites
it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you if you open the
fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap
all the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from
painted surfaces as soon
as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside of Your Geo” in the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type, it may
not fit or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and emissions system
might be damaged.
,
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Checking Things Under the Hood
A CAUTICV: I
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure
you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan. Don’t reach through the
grille to release the underhood lever.
To open the hood, first pull the release handle inside the
glove box.
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start
a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
other fluids, and plastic or rubber.
You or others
could
be burned, Be careful not to drop or spill
things that will
burn onto a hot engine.
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I I
Then go to the front of the vehicle, pull up on the hood,
and push the hood release lever to your left.
Lift the
hood, release the hood prop from its retainer and
put the hood prop into the slot in the
hood.
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When you open the hood, you’ll see the following:
c
A. Windshield Washer Reservoir
B. Engine Coolant Reservoir
C. Main Fuse Box
D. Battery
E. Engine Oil Dipstick
E Automatic Transmission Dipstick (if equipped)
G. Oil Fill Cap
H. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
I. Brake Fluid Reservoir
J. Air Cleaner
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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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Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
iApBrh, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll need
to
add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This
part explains what kind of oil to use. For crankcase
capacity, see “Capacities
and Specifications” in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
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What Kind of Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the “Starburst” symbol. This symbol
indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API).
Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
If you change your own
oil, be sure you use oil that
has the Starburst symbol on the front
of the oil
container. If you have
your
oil changed for you,
be sure the oil put into
your engine
is American
Petroleum Institute certified
for gasoline en~es.
I I U v
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown
in the following chart:
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL
FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
’m)
LOOK
FOR MIS
SYMBOL
+loo- - +38
+EO- - +27
+60- - +16
+40- - +4
+20---7
0---18

I- --I SAE 1OW-30
SAE 5W-30 PREFERRED
/
caul
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
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As shown in the chart, SAE 5W-30 is best for your
vehicle. However, you can use SAE
1OW-30 if it’s going
to be 0°F (-1 8 “C) or above. These numbers on an oil
container
show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such
as SAE 20W-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines
“Starburst”
symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage
not covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Geo dealer is ready
to advise if
you think something should‘be added.
When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
0
e
e
0
e
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving in stop-and-go traffic).
You operate your vehicle in dusty areas or
off-road frequently.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrier on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
Driving under these conditions causes engine
oil to
break down sooner.
If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your
oil and filter
every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
If none of them is true, change oil and filter every
7,500 miles (12 500 km) or 7.5 months -- whichever
occurs first.
Driving a vehicle with a fully warned
engine under highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
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What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil
stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose
of oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
Air Cleaner
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to
replace the air filter and the crankcase ventilation filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.
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