Chevrolet PRIZM 1994 User Manual

1994

PRlZM

OWNER'S

MANUAL

1994

Owner’s

Manual

Geo Prizm

Introduction

Part Part Part Part Part Part Part Part

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

HOW

Seats

Features Comfort Controls Your Driving and the Road

Problems on the Service

to Use This Manual

81

Restraint Systems

&

Controls

&

Appearance Care 143

. . .

&

Audio Systems 81

Road

= = =

. . .

Maintenance Schedule Customer Assistance Information

Including “Reporting Safety Defects” on page

216.

Table

rn

=

of

Contents

=

.

=

.

=

3

7

39 97

119

189

213

Printed

in

Part

U.S.A.

9

Index

rn..==.=.=.===.=m..rn=...............

Service Station Information

Part

No.

I0260664

A

=

223

Last Page

Second

Edition

How

to

Use

This

Manual

lmporfant

Notes

about

This

Manual

Please keep this manual in your Geo, will be there if you ever need it when

you’re on the road. If you sell the vehicle, please leave this manual in it owner can use it.

This manual includes at the time it was printed. We reserve the

to

right that time without further notice. For vehicles first sold in Canada, substitute the name “General Motors for Chevrolet Motor Division wherever it appears in this manual.

make changes in the product after

the

of

so

latest information

Canada Limited”

so

the new

it

For Canadian Owners French Language Manual

Aux

propridtaires canadiens: Vous pouvez

un

vous procurer

zn

franpis chez votre concessionaire ou au DGN Marketing Services Ltd., Bonhill Rd., Mississauga, Ontario L5T

1

C7.

exemplaire de ce guide

Who

Prefer a

1500

Published by:

Chevrolet Motor Division General Motors Corporation

GM

General Motors,

emblem, emblem, and registered trademarks Corporation.

Chevrolet

Geo

and the GM

and the Chevrolet

and the Geo emblem

of

General Motors

are

...

2

How

to

Use

This

Manual

Many people read their owner’s manual from beginning to end when they first receive their new vehicle. This will help

you

learn about the features and controls

In

for your vehicle. find that pictures and words work together to explain things quickly.

Index:

you need is the Index in back manual. It’s an alphabetical list of all that’s in the manual, and the page

number where you’ll find

A

good place to look for what

this manual, you’ll

of

the

it.

Parts

begins with you can often find at a glance if a part contains the information

How

tells you how to includes safety and vehicle damage warnings and symbols.

Part

This part tells and safety belts properly. It also explains the air bag system.

Part

explains how to start and operate your Geo.

Part Systems:

adjust the comfort controls and how to operate your sound system.

1-8:

Each part of this manual

a

brief list of its contents,

you

to Use This Manual:

use

your

1

-

Seats & Restraint Systems:

you

how

2

-

Features & Controls:

3

-

Comfort Controls & Audio

This

part

tells you how to

This part

manual and

to

use your seats

so

want.

This part

Part

4

-

Your Driving and the Road:

Here you’ll find helpful information and tips about the road and how to drive under different conditions.

Part

5

-

Problems on the Road:

part tells you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or engine overheating, etc.

Part 6

Here the manual tells you how to keep your Geo running properly and looking good.

Part

part tells when to perform vehicle maintenance and what fluids and lubricants to use.

-

Service & Appearance Care:

7

-

Maintenance Schedule:

This

3...

How

Part

Information:

information about reporting safety defects and gives you details about the “Roadside Assistance” program. customer satisfaction phone numbers (including customer satisfaction numbers for the hearing and speech impaired), as well as the mediatiodarbitration procedure. We’ve also included ordering

information for service publications in this Part.

Service Station Information:

quick reference of service information.

You

manual.

to

Use

8

-

Customer Assistance

This part includes important

can find it on the last page

This

You

will also find

This is a

Manual

of

this

Safety

You

in

this book. We use a box with a gray

background and the word CAUTION to tell you about things that could you were to ignore the warning.

In

the gray caution area, we tell the hazard to help avoid or reduce the hazard. Please read these cautions. If others could be

Warnings

will

find a number of safety cautions

is.

Then we tell

hurt.

and Symbols

hurt

you

what to do

you

don’t, you or

you

you if

what

You

will also find a circle with a slash through it in this book. This safety symbol means “Don’t,’’ “Don’t do this,” or “Don’t let this happen.”

..4

NOTICE:

These mean there is something that could damage your vehicle.

Vehicle Symbols

These are some find

on

your vehicle. For example, these

symbols are used on an original battery:

Caution Possible injury

of

the

symbols you will

These symbols your passengers whenever your vehicle driven:

Fasten Safety Belts

are

important for

you

and

is

4

These symbols have to do with your lights:

Vehicle Damage Warnings

Also, in this book you will find these notices.

In

the

notice area, we tell you about something that can damage your vehicle. Many times, this damage would not be covered by your warranty, and it could be

But

costly.

do

to help avoid the damage.

When you read other manuals, you might

CAUTION

see different colors or

You’ll also see warning labels vehicle. They use yellow for cautions, bluc

for notices and the words

NOTICE.

the notice will tell you what to

and

NOTICE

in

different words.

warnings

on

your

CAUTION

in

or

Protect Eyes by Shielding

Caustic Battery Acid Could Cause Burns

Avoid Sparks

Sparks or Flame Could Explode Battery

or

Flames

Master Lighting Switch

@

Turn Signal Direction

Hazard Warning Flashers

8

Headlight High Beam

Brightness Control

A

EO

-

How

to

Use

This

Manual

These symbols are controls:

Windshield Wiper

and Washer

Windshield Washer

Windshield Defroster

Rear Window Defogger

Ventilating Fan

on

some

of

your

Vent

Heater

These symbols are used indicator lights:

Engine Coolant Temperature

Battery Charging System

Engine Oil Pressure

on

warning

and

I-1

Here are some other symbols you

Hood Release

Lighter

Horn

Trunk Release

Fuel

may

see:

Recirculate Inside

Circulate Outside

Bi-Level

...

Air

6

Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)

Door

Ajar

0

Part

1

Here

you^

find information about the seats in your Geo and how to use your safety belts properly

.

You

can also learn

about some things you should

-

not

do

with safety belts

.

i

I

L

Seats and Seat Controls

I

L

Safety Belts: They’re for Everyone ....................................

1

Why

Safety Belts Work

1

Here Are Questions Many People Ask about Safety Belts Safety Belt Reminder Light

!

1

How

to Wear Safety Belts Properly

Children

I

Child Restraints ...................................................

LargerChildren

Safety Belt Extender ...............................................

I

Checking Your Restraint Systems Replacing Safety Belts after a Crash

.........................................................

...................................................

Seats

&

Restraint Systems

..............................................

.............................................

and the Answers

.

..........................................

....................................

.....................................

...................................

.

8

11

12

,

15 15

16

28

29

35 37

37 37

Seats

This section tells you about the seats how to adjust them, and also about reclining front seatbacks, head restraints

and rear folding seatbacks.

and

Restraint

Seat

Controls

-

Systems

Lift

the

lever under the front seat to unlock it. Slide the seat to where you want

it.

Then release the lever and move the seat with your body, to make

is

sure the seat Don’t put anything under the front seats.

Items under the seats could keep the seats from locking into place properly.

locked into place.

try

to

...e

Front

Seat

Reclining Front Seatbacks

To

adjust the seatback, lift the lever

the outer side

to

lever

it.

want it's locked lever, and the seat will go to its original upright position. But don't have the seatback reclined moving.

Push

of

the

seat. Release the

lock the seatback where you

on

the seat to make sure

in

position.

Pull

up

if

your vehicle is

on

the

Seats

and

Restraint Systems

Head Restraints

Slide the head restraint up or down so that the top of the restraint is closest to the top of your ears. This position reduces the

:hance of a neck injury in a crash.

. .

.10

To

Pull up to raise the restraint.

push the release button and push down.

Make sure the head restraint is locked in place after you adjust it.

lower it,

Rear Folding Seatback

You

can fold either side of the seatback

jown in your Geo for more cargo space.

To fold either seatback down:

1.

Make sure the front seat isn't reclined If it

is,

the rear seatback won't fold

down all the way.

2.

Push the button seatback while you pull down on the seatback.

on

the side of the

(omoN)

3.

Fold the seatback down.

To

raise the seatback:

1.

Pull the seatback up and push it back to lock it into place.

2.

Be sure both sides latched. Push and pull the top seatback to be sure position.

of

the seatback are

it

is locked in

of

the

Safety Belts:

1

for

This part use safety belts properly. It also tells

some

belts. Restraint System,

Everyone

of

the

manual tells

things you should not do with safety

And

it explains the Supplemental

or

They’re

you

“air

bag” system.

how

to

you

4

’his

figure lights up as a reminder to mckle up. (See “Safety Belt Reminder 2ight” in the Index.)

:n

many states and Canadian provinces,

he law says to wear safety belts. Here’s

why: Thev work.

11

...

Seats

You

never know if you’ll be in a crash.

you

do have a crash, you don’t know if it

will be a bad

A

few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be a person wouldn’t survive. But most crashes are in between. In many people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt or killed.

and

one.

so serious that even buckled up

Restraint

of

them,

Systems

If

Why

When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as

For example,

(

16

kmh),

Safety

it

goes.

if

the bike

so

is

the child.

Belts

is

going

Work

10

mph

the

When the child keeps going!

bike hits the block, it stops. But

After more than in vehicles, the facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does matter

25

years

of

safety belts

...

a lot!

Take the simplest vehicle. Suppose it’s

a

just

seat on wheels.

Put

someone

on

it.

Get

it

up

to

speed. Then stop the vehicle.

The rider doesn’t stop.

Seats

The person keeps going untii stopped by something.

In

a real vehicle, it could be the

windshield

and

. . .

Restraint Systems

or the instrument panel

...

x

the safety belts!

With safety belts, vehicle does.

You stop over more distance, and your

strongest bones take the forces. That’s

why safety belts make such good sense.

you

slow down as the

You

get more time to stop.

mmm

14

Here Are Questions Many People Ask about Safety Belts

-

and the

Answers

Q:

Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident if I’m wearing a safety belt?

A:

You could be - whether you’re

a

wearing

can easily unbuckle a safety belt,

even if you’re upside down. And your chance of being conscious during and after an accident, and get out, is much greater if

belted.

Q:

Why don’t they just put in air bags so

people won’t have to wear safety

belts?

A:

Air bags, or Supplemental Restraint

Systems, are in some vehicles today and will be future. But they are supplemental systems only safety belts, not instead of them. Every air bag system ever offered for sale has required the use

safety belt or

so

in

more of them in the

-

so

they work

you

not.

But you

can

of

safety

unbuckle

you

with

are

belts. Even if you’re in a vehicle that

has

air bags, you still have

up to get the most protection. That’s

not

true especially

Q:

If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from home, why should wear safety belts?

A:

You may be an excellent driver, but

if

you’re that isn’t your fault passengers can be hurt. Being driver doesn’t protect you from things beyond your control, such as bad drivers.

Most accidents occur within

(40

km)

number of serious injuries and deaths occur at speeds of less than (65

kmh).

Safety belts are for everyone.

only in frontal collisions, but

in

side and other collisions.

in

an accident - even one

-

of home. And the greatest

to

buckle

you and your

a

good

25 miles

40

mph

I

Safety

Belt Reminder

Light

When the key

‘Start,” a buzzer will come on for about ight seconds to remind people heir safety belts, unless the driver’s iafety belt is already buckled. The safety jelt light will also come on and stay on mtil the driver’s belt is buckled.

is

turned to

“On”

or

to fasten

Seats and Restraint

Systems

How

Belts

Adults

This section is only for people size.

Be aware that there are special things to know about safety belts and children. And there are different rules for smaller children and babies. If a child will be riding in your Geo, see the section after this one, called “Children.” Follow those rules for everyone’s protection.

to

Wear

Properly

Safety

of

adult

you’ll

;irst, ystems your vehicle has.

Ve’ll start

>river

’his section describes the driver’s estraint system.

want to know which restraint

with

the driver position.

Position

Lap-Shoulder Belt

The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear it properly.

1.

Close and lock the door.

2.

Adjust the seat (to see how, see “Seats” in the Index) straight.

so you can sit up

3.

Pick up the latch plate and pull the

it

belt across you. Don’t let

get

twisted.

4. Push the latch plate into the buckle

until it clicks. Pull up on the latch plate to make

sure it is secure. If the belt isn’t long enough,

see

“Safety Belt Extender” at

the end of this section. Make sure the release button on the

so

buckle is positioned

you would be

able to unbuckle the safety belt

if

quickly

you ever had to.

5.

To make the lap part tight, on the buckle end of the belt pull up on the shoulder belt.

pull

as

down

you

The lap part of the belt should be worn

low and snug the thighs. In a crash,

on the hips, just touching

this

applies force to the strong pelvic bones. And you’d be less likely

to

slide under the lap belt. If

you slid under it, the belt would apply

force at your abdomen. This could cause

serious or even fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should go over the shoulder

and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces.

The safety belt locks

stop

or crash, or

if

there’s a sudden

if

you pull the belt very

quickly out of the retractor.

'houlder Belt Height Adjuster

S

iou

can move the shoulder belt adjuster

k

tc

3

the height that is right for you.

To

move it up or down, pull the release

knob. When you release the knob,

to

move it down a little to make sure

it has locked into position.

try

Adjust the height portion of the belt is properly positioned on your shoulder, away

,nd neck.

To

help you find a height that is right for

you,

follow these guidelines:

For a tall Derson: Use the upper or apper-middle position.

so

that the shoulder

from

your face

I

.

.I8

G:

in

position somewhere For a short Derson: Use the lower or

lower-middle position.

the middle.

Use a

I

Q:

What’s wrong with this?

A:

The shoulder belt give nearly as much protection this way.

is

too loose.

It

won’

a:

What’s wrong with this?

L:

The belt is buckled place.

in

the wrong

1

Q:

What’s wrong with this?

A:

The shoulder belt arm. It should be worn over the shoulder at all times.

is

worn under

I

the

Seats and Restraint Systems

Supplemental Restraint System (Air Bags)

This section explains the Supplemental Restraint System system. Your Geo has an air bag for the driver and for the right-front passenger.

Here are the most important things to know:

(SRS),

or

“air bag”

Q:

What’s wrong with this?

A:

The belt is twisted across

the

body.

To unlatch the belt, on the buckle. The belt should out of the way.

Before you close the door, be sure the belt

of

is out it, you can damage both the belt and your vehicle.

the way. If

just

push the button

go

you

slam the door on

back

Air Bag

Readiness

Light

There is an air bag readiness light instrument panel, which shows “AIR BAG’ on it. The system checks for electrical malfunctions, and the light tells you if there is a problem.

You will see this light come

turn

your ignition “START.” Then the light should go out, which means the system is ready.

Remember, if the air bag readiness light doesn’t come vehicle, or stays on, or comes you are driving, your air bag system may not work properly. Have your vehicle serviced right away.

to

“ACC,”

on

when you start your

on

when you

“ON’

on

when

on

or

the

Seats and Restraint Systems

.."

,/

A

How

the Air Bag System Works

Where

The driver's air bag is in the middle of the steering wheel.

is

the air bag?

The right-front passenger's air bag is

in

located passenger's side.

the instrument panel on the

When is an air bag expected to inflate?

The air bag is designed to inflate moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. The air bag the velocity of the impact is above the designed threshold level. When impacting straight into a wall that does not move or deform, the threshold level for most

GM

vehicles is between 9 and

(14

and

23

km/h). However, this velocity threshold depends and may be several miles-per-hour faster or slower. velocity vehicle strikes

In

addition, this threshold

will

be considerably higher if

an

:

in

will

only inflate

15

on

the vehicle design

object such as a parked

if

mph

the

will

car which impact. The air bag is also not designed to inflate rear impacts where the inflation would provide no occupant protection benefit.

It

is possible that the two air bags This

is

rare, but can happen

severe enough In

any

particular crash, the determination of whether the air bag should have inflated cannot be based solely on the level of damage on the vehicle(s). Inflation is determined by the angle of the impact and the vehicle's deceleration, of which vehicle damage is only one indication. Repair cost is not a good indicator of whether an air bag should have deployed.

move and deform on

in

rollovers, side impacts, or

in

a crash, only one of

in

your Geo will deploy.

in

a crash just

to

make an air bag inflate.

What makes an air bag inflate?

In

a frontal or near-frontal impact of sufficient severity, the air bag sensing system detects that the vehicle is suddenly stopping as a result of a crash. The sensing system triggers a chemical

in

reaction of the sodium azide sealed inflator. The reaction produces nitrogen gas, which inflates a cloth bag. The inflator, cloth bag, and related hardware

the

are all packed inside the steering wheel and in the instrument panel in front of the

passenger.

How

In

near-frontal collisions, even belted occupants can contact the steering wheel or the instrument panel. The air bag supplements the protection provided by safety belts. Air bags distribute the force of the impact more evenly over

the occupant’s upper body, stopping the occupant more gradually. But air bags would not provide protection in many types of collisions, including rollovers and rear and side impacts, primarily because an occupant’s motion is not toward the air bag. Air bags should never be regarded as anything more than a supplement to safety belt protection in

moderate to severe frontal and near-frontal collisions.

What

part

of the air bag inflator modules

does

an

air

bag

restrain?

moderate to severe frontal or

will

you

see

after an air

bag

inflation?

After the air bag has inflated, it will quickly deflate. This occurs that some people may not even realize

so

then

quickly

that the air bag inflated. Some components steering wheel hub for the driver’s air bag or the instrument panel for the passenger’s time, but the portion into contact with the touch. There will be small amounts of smoke and dust coming from vents in the deflated air bags. The air bag will impede steer the vehicle, occupants from exiting the vehicle.

In

many crashes severe enough to inflate

an

air bag, windshields are broken by vehicle deformation. Additional windshield breakage may occur in vehicles with passenger air bags because

the windshield acts as a reaction surface for the inflating air bag.

0

The air bags are designed to inflate only once. After they inflate, you’ll need some new parts for your air bag system. If you don’t get them, the air bag system won’t be there to help protect you in another crash. system will include air bag modules

and possibly other parts. The service manual has information about the need to replace other parts.

&the air bag module in the

bag

may

be

hot

for a

of

the bag that comes

you

will not be hot to

the

driver’s vision or ability to

nor

will it hinder the

short

A

new

Your vehicle is equipped with

,diagnostic module, which records

information about the air bag system.

The module records information abou the readiness of the system, when the sensors are activated, and whether the

driver’s safety belt was in use. Let only qualified technicians work

your air bag system. Improper service can mean that your won’t work properly. See for service.

air

bag system

your

a

01

dealer

NOTICE:

If

you

damage the cover for the

driver’s or air bag, they may not work properly. You may have to replace the air bag on the steering wheel or both the bag and the instrument panel for the passenger’s air bag. break the air bag cavers.

the right-front passenger’s

air

Do

not open or

211

Seats

Is

the smoke from an air bag inflation

harmful?

The particles emitted during air bag inflation are Some people may experience difficulty breathing they stay in the vehicle closed after air bag inflation. air bag inflates, should exit the vehicle safe to do so. If you or your passengers can’t get out of the vehicle, try to get fresh air by opening a window, turning on the fan, or opening

and

not

with

Restraint

harmful to most people.

respiratory ailments

with

the windows

So,

you

and any passengers

if

and when

a door.

if

if your

it

is

Systems

Safety

Belt

Use

Pregnancy

during

Servicing your Air Bag-Equipped Geo

Air bags affect how your Geo should be

of

serviced. There are parts system in several places around your vehicle. You don’t want the system to inflate while someone is working vehicle. Your Geo dealer and the Prizm Service Manual have information about servicing your vehicle and the air bag system. The air bag system does not need regular maintenance.

the air bag

on

your

1994

Safety belts work for everyone, including

pregnant women. Like all occupants, they

are more likely to be seriously injured they don’t wear safety belts.

A

pregnant woman should wear lap-shoulder belt, and the lap portion should be worn as low as possible throughout the pregnancy.

The best way to protect the fetus is to

protect the mother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it’s more likely that the fetus won’t be pregnant women, as for anyone, the to making safety belts effective is wearing them properly.

hurt

in

a crash. For

a

if

key

I

sassenger Positions

tight Front Passenger Position

’he right front passenger’s safety belt iorks the same way as the driver’s safety lelt. See “Driver Position,” earlier in this lart.

Yhen the shoulder belt is pulled out all

it

he way,

will lock.

lack all the way and start again.

If

it

does, let

it

go

Rear Seat Passengers

It’s very important for rear seat passengers to buckle up! Accident statistics show that unbelted people

hurt

rear seat are

more often

in

crashes

the

than those who are wearing safety belts. Rear passengers who aren’t safety belted

can be thrown out of the vehicle crash. And they can strike others

in

a

the

vehicle who are wearing safety belts.

Rear Seat Outside Passenger Positions Lap-Shoulder Belt

The positions next to the windows have lap-shoulder belts. Here’s how to wear one properly.

1. Pick up the latch plate and pull

the

belt across you. Don’t let it get

twisted.

2.

Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.

Pull up on the latch plate to make sure

it

is secure. When the shoulder belt is pulled out all

the way,

will lock. If

it

does, let it go

it

back all the way and start again.

is

If the belt Belt Extender” at the end

not long enough, see “Safety

of

this section.

Make sure the release button on the buckle is positioned to unbuckle the safety belt quickly

so you would be able

if

you

ever had to.

Seats

3.

To make the lap part tight, pull down

on

pull up on the shoulder part.

and

the buckle end

Restraint Systems

of

the belt as you

:he lap part of the belt should be worn

1

ow and snug on the hips, just touching

11

he thighs. In a crash, this applies force to

t

he strong pelvic bones. And you’d be

t

11

ess likely

~OU

slid under it, the belt would apply

4

orce at your abdomen. This could cause

f

,erious

S

#boulder

md across the chest. These parts of the

a

Yody are best able to take belt restraining

t

f

orces.

to

slide under the lap belt. If

or

even fatal injuries. The

belt should go over the shoulder

1

The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden

if

;top or crash, or

s

)ut

of

<

the retractor.

you pull it very quickly

e

To unlatch the belt, just push the

button on the buckle.

c

F

:enter Passenger Position lap Belt

F

your vehicle has a rear bench seat,

omeone can sit in the center position.

When you sit in a center seating position, you have a lap safety belt, which has no

To

retractor.

latch plate and pull it along the belt.

make the belt longer, tilt the

Seats and Restraint Systems

To

make the belt shorter, pull its free end

the

as shown until Buckle, position and release it the same

way as the lap part of a lap-shoulder belt.

If

the belt isn’t long enough, see “Safety

Belt Extender”

Make sure buckle is positioned to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

the

belt is snug.

at

the end of this section.

release button on the

so

you would be able

Children

Everyone That includes infants and all children smaller than adult size. every state

every

to some age must be restrained while

vehicle.

in

a vehicle needs protection!

in

the United States and

Canadian province says children up

i

In

fact, the law

in

Smaller Children and Babies

in

a

...

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