1998 CHEVROLET PRIZM battery

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves
fuel. When you
run the engine, make it go a little faster
than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This
uses less fuel for the heat that
you get and it keeps the
battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to
restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on
with your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine
off and close the window almost
all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again
and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable
from the cold. But
do it as little as possible. Preserve the
fuel as long as you can.
To help keep warm, you can get
out
of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or
so until help comes.
Loading Your Vehicle
VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT
RECOMMENDED TIRE SIZE
SEE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Two labels on your vehicle show how much weight it
may properly carry. The Tire-Loading Information label
found in the glove compartment tells you the proper
size, speed rating and recommended inflation pressures
for the tires on your vehicle. It also gives you important
information about the number
of people that can be in
your vehicle and the total weight that you can carry.
This weight is called the Vehicle Capacity Weight and
includes the weight
of all occupants, cargo and all
nonfactory-installed options.
4-28

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Jump Starting
If your battery has run down, you may want to use
another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
vehicle. But please follow the steps listed in this part
to do it safely.
I
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
0 They contain acid that can burn you.
0 They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
0 They contain enough electricity to
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or
all of these things can hurt you.
burn
you.
1 NOTICE:
~~
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling
it won’t work, and it could damage your vehicle.
~~~
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
1 NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
5-3

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 2. 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 vehicle, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette lighter. Turn
off all lamps that aren’t needed as well
as radios. This will avoid sparks and help save both
batteries. In addition, it could save your radio!
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn’t be covered
by
your warranty.
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find
the positive
(+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
I A CAUTION:
I-
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

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I
A CAUTION:
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 ACDelco 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
1 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 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 a metal
engine part. Don’t connect positive
(+) to
negative
(-) or you’ll get a short that would
damage the battery and maybe other parts, too.
-
A CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands
away from moving parts
once the engine is running.
5-5

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ..,. ... .' . ... ..
. ..
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.
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
(-) terminal.
Don't let the other end
touch anything until
the next step.
5-6

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 9. The other end of the negative (-) cable doesn’t go
to the dead battery. It goes to a heavy unpainted
metal part on the engine of the vehicle with the
dead battery. 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 a while.
11. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery.
If it won’t start after a few tries, it probably
needs service.
12. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take care that they don’t
touch each other or any other metal.
A. Heavy Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
5-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 0 Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then
it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your
vehicle, and
a part devoted to its appearance care.
6-2
6-
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6-5
6-6
6-
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6-9
6-12
6-16
6-18
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1
6-22 6-23
6-25
6-25
6-26
6-27
Service
Fuel
Fuels in Foreign Countries
Filling Your Tank
Filling a Portable
Fuel Container
Checking Things Under the Hood
Engine Oil
Air Cleaner
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Manual Transaxle Fluid
Hydraulic Clutch
Engine Coolant
Radiator Pressure Cap
Thermostat Power Steering Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid
6-28
6-32
6-33
6-37
6-44
6-45
6-47
6-47
6-48
6-53
6-53
6-5
8
6-59 6-60
Brakes
Battery
Bulb Replacement
Tires
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside
of Your Vehicle
Cleaning the Built-in Child Restraint
Care of Safety Belts and Built-in Child
Restraint Harness
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN)
Electrical System
Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Air Conditioning Refrigerants

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When you open the hood on a 1.8 L (Code 8) engine, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer
D. Engine Oil Dipstick I. Air Cleaner
Fluid Reservoir
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap
J. Battery
B. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
F. Radiator Pressure Cap K. Engine Compartment
C. Engine Compartment
G. Engine Coolant Reservoir Fuse Blocks
Fuse Block
H. Brake Fluid Reservoir
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on properly.
6-11