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* Parts cannot be purchased directly from the factory, please contact your local dealer to purchase parts.

Storage & Maintenance Tips
Error Code Quick Reference Guide
Understanding the GEM Vehicle
   - Instrument Panel
   - Charging your GEM
   - Storing your Vehicle
   - Brake Fluid Level
   - Battery Level
   - Tire Pressure
 

Storage & Maintenance Tips  Top

The Master Disconnect Switch (MDS) is located under the bench seat on the passenger side. This switch will disconnect all power on the vehicle. When you charge your vehicle the MDS must be in the on position. When maintenance is performed on the vehicle or the vehicle is being stored, turn the MDS off. The control system has been designed to minimize current drain during storage. A fully charged vehicle can be safely left with the key switch off for up to 2 weeks without any significant loss of charge. Turn the MDS off when the vehicle is left for more than 2 weeks. If the time extends 60 days or more make arrangements to have the vehicle recharged every 60 days while in storage.

Your GEM has 6 batteries - two under the hood and four under the seat. To keep batteries in good working condition, check the water level at least once a month. Remove the tops off the batteries with a flat head screwdriver to find 6 cells per battery. The water level should be 1/2-inch above the plates. Do not fill to the top of the batteries, this could cause damage to your batteries and the surrounding parts by over filling. Add distilled water only after charging unless the water level is below the top of the plates. In this case, add just enough distilled water to cover the plates, charge and then check the water level again.

The Brake fluid reservoir is located under the hood. The fluid level should be check about once a month. If the fluid level is near the minimum level, add standard brake fluid.

To get the maximum range out of your vehicle your tire pressure should also be checked monthly. The Nakang tires PSI should be 35, and the Goodyear tires PSI should be 30.

Please remember this is just a quick reference guide, for more detailed information please refer to your owner's manual.

Error Code Quick Reference Guide  Top

When the wrench icon is selected an error code is displayed.
-04 Park brake is engaged.
Fully release park brake.
-06 Pedal depressed with no direction selected.
Release pedal and select a direction.
-11 Pedal depressed at key on.
Release pedal.
-15 Battery voltage is too low.
Charge the vehicle for 8 to 10 hours.
-16 High voltage on battery pack.
Turn on your headlights for 30 seconds, then cycle key switch.
If you see other error codes please contact your dealer.

When the battery icon is selected the vehicles battery life is displayed.
If the display reads below 25 the battery pack should be put on recharge as soon possible.

When you turn the key switch off, the hourglass icon will light up for two seconds. The dash display will cycle between the total hours and miles on the vehicle. This takes place only on older vehicles. Newer vehicles do not show the hours, but only the miles.

Understanding the GEM Vehicle  Top

Instrument Panel  Top
When you first get into the GEM you will see the Instrument Pod Face. It has a key switch, digital display, direction switch, road & turf switch, headlight switch, wiper switch, horn button, turn signal, and charger light indicator. When the key switch is first on you will notice the right hand side turn signal light on. It is a seatbelt reminder that will stay on for about 5 seconds. Also the digital display will come on at the same time, and the wrench icon will have a green light over the top of it. It will show an error code of –04 which means the emergency brake is engaged and has to be fully released. (If you see other error codes refer to your owners manual or dealership for help.) Once you release the emergency brake you will hear a clunk under the dash. This is a normal sound you will hear every time you release the emergency brake. Now the display will show a green light over the battery icon, this is the battery state of charge. When you find the road and turf switch pick which best fits the driving conditions you will be using. Turf is for golf course conditions, and has a slower acceleration rate with a top speed of 15 MPH. Road is for approved traffic routes, and has a faster acceleration with a top speed of 25 MPH. Next choose between forward and reverse. If you choose reverse you will hear a back up alarm. Once you have chosen a direction decision press down on the accelerator and go. When you are done driving pull the emergency brake up and turn off the key switch. After you turn the key switch off you will see a light over the hourglass icon, and numbers will flash on the display. On older vehicles it will flash total hours for two seconds, then total miles for two seconds. Newer vehicles will just flash the total miles. Another feature the newer vehicles have is a charge indicator light. It is a little bulb light located above the digital display. When a vehicle has reached a full charge the light will stay a solid green.

Charging your GEM  Top
When attempting to charge the vehicle use a standard 3 wire (grounded) extension cord, not to exceed the following: 12 gauge wire 50 feet in length or 14 gauge wire 25 feet in length. The Master Disconnect Switch (MDS) is located under the bench seat on the passenger side in-between two batteries, it must be in the on position to charge the vehicle. When maintenance work is being preformed on the vehicle turn off the MDS. When the vehicle is not being used, it is ok to charge the batteries even if they are not fully discharged. The batteries we use are Trojan 30XHS Deep Cycle Marine Battery, which does not have memory. If the display shows 90 you can plug the vehicle in and it will not harm the batteries. Do not let your display get below 20, as it may cause harm to your batteries. When you do charge your car it will take 10-12hrs to get a complete charge. The charger will automatically shut off when it reaches a full charge and will not resume charging unless you unplug the extension cord for 3 seconds and plug it back in.

Storing your Vehicle  Top
A fully charged vehicle can be left for up to 2 weeks without any significant loss of charge. If the vehicle is going to be left longer than 2 weeks, charge the vehicle fully and turn off the MDS. Now your batteries will be safe for up to 60 days. If you plan on leaving your vehicle longer than 60 days make arrangements to have the vehicle recharged every 60 days while in storage. If the vehicle is being stored in a hot climate, check battery water levels before, during, and after storage to help prevent damage to batteries. If the vehicle is being stored in a cold climate it is very important you have a full charge in your batteries. If not your batteries will freeze and crack and eventually leak battery acid.

Brake Fluid Level  Top
The brake fluid reservoir is located under the hood. If the fluid level is near the minimum level, add standard brake fluid. The brake fluid level should be checked once a month.

Battery Level  Top
Caution: Always wear protective clothing, gloves, and eye protection when handling batteries.
The GEM is NOT a maintenance free vehicle. There are certain parts of the vehicle the user is responsible to maintain. Did you know there are a total of six batteries in your vehicle, two under the hood and four under the seat? Checking water levels at least once a month is a must, and in very hot climates or under heavy use the levels should be checked more often. Using a flat head screwdriver pry off the tops of the batteries and look inside to see the water levels. If the water levels are found to be low, charge the vehicle first, then add distilled water no higher than the bottom of the neck opening (1/2 inch above plates). Overfilling will cause batteries to boil and spill onto the floor. The only time you should add water first is when the water level is below the plates. In this case add water until it covers the plates, then charge and check water levels again. Check all battery connections monthly to ensure they are tight and free of corrosion. If corrosion starts to appear wash tops and terminals of batteries with a solution of baking soda and water (1 cup baking soda per gallon of water). Let terminals dry and then spray them with anti-corrosion spray.

Tire Pressure  Top
To get the most range out of your vehicle check tire pressure monthly. If you have Nankang tires the correct PSI is 35, and for Good year tires the correct PSI is 30. When it is time to clean the seats and dash of your GEM, use warm water and soap and rub with a clean cloth. Never spray water directly into the vehicle’s interior, this may cause electrical damage. To remove dust and dirt from your windshield or sunroof use liquid household glass cleaner. Do not use abrasive cleaners on the windshield or sunroof, as they will cause scratches. When cleaning the exterior use mild liquid detergent and lukewarm or cool water. Occasional waxing or mild polishing of your vehicle may be necessary to remove residue from the finish. Covering your vehicle is optional, but prolonged exposure to UV light may deteriorate the exterior and interior finish. Protecting the vehicle with a GEM custom vehicle cover (or equivalent) is recommended.

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