cooling CHEVROLET TRACKER 1996 Owners Manual

Tailgate Tailgate Lock Release
It can be dangerous to drive with the tailgate
window open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas
can come into your vehicle.
You can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the tailgate window open
or if electrical wiring or other cable connections
must
pass through the seal between the body and
the tailgate window:
Make sure all windows are shut.
Wrn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on
CIRCULATE. That will force outside air
into your vehicle. See “Comfort Controls” in
the Index.
instrument panel, open them all the way.
If you have air outlets on or under the
See
“Engine Exhaust’’ in the Index.
Use your key to lock or
unlock your tailgate.
If you have a convertible, you can still open or close the
tailgate
with the rear window closed.
Theft
Vehicle theft is big business? especially in some cities.
Although
your Geo has a number of theft-deterrent
features, we know that
nothing we put on it can make it
impossible
to steal. However, there are ways you can help.
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Section 3 Comfort Controls and Audio Systems
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.
Climate Control System
Your vehicle also has the flow-through ventilation
system described later in this section.
Airflow Lever
dm 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.
Am
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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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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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If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re
planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make
your trips safer and more enjoyable. (See “Off-Road
Driving’’ in the Index for information about
driving
off-road.)
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0
Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid
levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and
transmission. These parts can work hard on
mountain roads.
Know how to go down hills. The most important
thing to know is this: let your engine do some
of the
slowing down. Shift to a lower gear when you go
down a steep or long hill.
If you don’t shift down, your brakes could get so
hot that they wouldn’t work well. You would then
have
poor braking or even none going down a hill.
You could crash. Shift down to let your engine
assist your brakes on a steep downhill slope.
l Coasting downhill in NEUTRAL (N) or with the
ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to
do all the work of slowing down. They could get so
hot that they wouldn’t work well. You would then
have
poor braking or even none going down a hin.
You could crash. Always have your engine running
and
your vehicle in gear when you go downhill.
0 Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down
to a lower
gear. The lower gears help cool your engine
and transmission, and you can climb the hill better.
Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane
roads
in hills or mountains. Don’t swing wide or cut
across the center
of the road. Drive at speeds that let
you stay
in your own lane.
could be something
in your lane, like a stalled car or
an accident.
e You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of
special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or
no-passing zones,
a falling rocks area or winding
roads.
Be alert to these and take appropriate action.
As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There
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When You Are Ready to Leave After
Parking on
a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down
while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.
Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re
pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more
on this. Things that are especially important in trailer
operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system and brake adjustment. Each of these
is covered in this
manual, and the Index will help you find them quickly.
If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these
sections before you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts
are tight.
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The coolant level should be at or above FULL. If it
isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water
pump or somewhere else in the
cooling system.
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine
if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose
all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
I NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered
by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine fan is running. If the engine is
overheating, the
fan should be running. If it isn’t, your
vehicle needs service.
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How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at or above the
FULL mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean water (preferably distilled) and a proper antifi-eeze at
the coolant recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolant” in the
Index for more information about the proper coolant mix.)
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 coolant warning
system is set
for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine couId
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:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant
mix.
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You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at or
above the FULL mark start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more
thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant mix
directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling system is
cool before you do it.
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Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if
you turn the radiator
pressure cap
-- even a little -- they can come out
at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and
radiator pressure cap to cool if you ever have to
turn the pressure cap.
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