Page 210 of 338

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Other Warning Devices
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
the side of the road about
300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Jump Starting
If the battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
Catera. Please follow.the steps below to do it safely.
I NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
Trying to start your Catera by pushing or pulling
it won’t work and it could damage your vehicle. Batteries can
hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
They contain enough electricity to burn you.
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
I NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
-~ --
5-3
Page 211 of 338
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2.
3.
Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other.
If they are, it could cause a ground
connection
you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to
start your Catera and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter. Turn
off all lamps that aren’t needed as well
as the radios. This will avoid sparks and help save
both batteries. In addition, it could save the radio!
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. On the Catera.
you’ll
also need to open the “use box cover to
access the positive
(+) terminal on the battery.
I ’ A CAUTION:
An electric fan can start up even when the engine
is not running and can injure you.
Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
5-4
Page 212 of 338

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to explode. People have been hurt doing this,
and some have been blinded. Use a flashlight if
you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water. You
don’t need to add water to the Delco Freedom@
battery installed in every new
GM vehicle. But
if a battery has filler caps, be sure the right
amount of fluid is there.
If it is low, add water to
take care of that first. If you don’t, explosive gas
could be present.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you.
Don’t get
it on you. If you accidentally get it in
your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with
water and get medical help immediately.
5. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or
missing insulation. If they
do, you could get a shock.
The vehicles could
also be damaged.
Before you connect the cables, here are some basic
things you should know. Positive
(+) will go to
positive and negative
(-) will go to an unpainted
metal engine part
or a body metal surface. Don’t
connect positive
(+) to negative (-) or you will get
a short that would damage the battery and maybe
other parts, too. Also, don’t connect negative
(-) to
negative
(-) .
A CAU JON:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engines are running.
5-5