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5. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or missing insulation. If
they do, you could get a shock. The vehicles could be damaged, too.
Before you connect the cables, here are some basic things you should
know. Positive
(+) will go to positive (+) and negative (-) will go to
negative (-) or a metal engine part. Don’t connect (+) to (-) or you’ll
get a short that would damage the battery and maybe other parts, too.
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6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+) terminal of the
vehicle with the dead battery. Use a remote positive (+> terminal if the
vehicle
has one.
Dead Battery (+) Good Battery (+)
b
7. Don't let the other end touch metal. Connect it to the positive (+)
terminal of the good battery. Use a remote positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one.
8. Now connect the black negative (-) cable to the good battery's negative
(-) cable.
Don't let
the other end touch anything until the next step. The other end
of the negative cable doesn't go to the dead battery. It goes to a heavy
unpainted metal
part of the vehicle with the dead battery.
Good Battery (-) Heavy Metal Engine Part
.: . .
I
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9. Attach the cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the dead battery,
but not near engine parts that move. The electrical connection
is just as
good there, but the chance of sparks getting back to the battery is much
less.
10. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine for
awhile.
1 1. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery.
If it won't start after a few tries, it probably needs service.
Remove Cables in this Order
1. Heavy Metal
Engine Part
2. Good Battery (-)
3. Good Battery (+)
4. Dead Battery (+)
12. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent electrical shorting.
Take care that they don't touch each other
or any other metal.
Towing Your Vehicle
Try to have your GM dealer or a professional towing service tow your
vehicle. They can provide the right equipment and know how
to tow it
without damage.
If your vehicle has been changed since
it was factory-new, by adding such
things like fog lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and wheels, these things
could
be damaged during towing.
Before
you do anything, turn on the hazard warning flashers.
When you call,
tell the towing service:
That your vehicle has rear-wheel drive, or that it has the four-wheel
drive option.
The make, model, and year of your vehicle.
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Towing From the Rear
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your vehicle instrument panel.
If you have a diesel engine, you will also find a low coolant light on your
instrument panel.
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If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
I NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep driving with no
coolant, your vehicle
can be badly damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered
by your warranty.
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If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no steam, the problem may
not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam, try this for a minute
or
so:
1. If you have an air conditioner, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan speed and open the
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to “N’ (Neutral).
window
as necessary.
If you
no longer have the overheat warning, you can drive. Just to be safe,
drive slower for about ten minutes. If the warning doesn’t come back on,
you can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there’s still
no sign of steam, push the accelerator until the engine speed is
about twice as fast as normal idle speed. Bring the engine speed back to
normal idle speed after two or three minutes. Now see
if the warning stops.
But then, if
you still have the warning, TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND
GET EVERYONE OUT OF THE VEHICLE until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service help right away.
Cooling System -Gas Engines
When you decide it’s
safe to lift the hood,
here’s what you’ll see:
A. Coolant recovery
“I tank
B. Engine fan(s)
C. Radiator pressure
cap
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If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling, don’t do anything
else until it cools down.
P
The coolant level
should be at or above
the
COLD mark. 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.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine without coolant isn’t \
covered
by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, start the engine again. See if the fan speed
increases
when idle speed is doubled by pushing the accelerator pedal down.
If it doesn’t, your vehicle needs service. Turn off the engine.
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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
COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of clean water (preferably distilled)
and a proper antifreeze at the coolant recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolant”
in the Index for more information about the proper coolant mix.)
NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the engine, radiator, \
heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant.
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