1998 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE jump cable

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 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 to do it safely.
I A CAUTION:
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
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.
burn
you.
NOTICE:
Remember that 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.
NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
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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.
To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake
fiiy on both vehicles involved in
the jump
start procedure. Put an automatic transaxle
in PARK (P) before setting the parking brake.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
I 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.
A CAUTION:
lighter. Tu& off all lam@ that aren’t needed as well
as radios. This will avoid sparks and help save both An electric fan can start up even when the engine
batteries. In addition, it could save your radio! is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away
from any underhood
electric fan.
5-4

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 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.
6.
Find the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery.
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 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.
I

Battery
Every new Pontiac has an ACDelco Freedom@ battery.
You never have to add water to one of these. When it’s
time for a new battery, we recornend
an ACDelco
Freedom battery. Get one that has the replacement
number shown on the original battery’s label.
Bulb Replacement
For any bulb changing procedure not listed in this
section, contact your vehicle dealer’s service
department.
Halogen Bulbs
Vehicle Storage
If you’re not going to drive your vehicle for 25 days or more,
remove the black, negative (-) cable from the battery. This
will help keep your battery fiom running down.
I A CAUTION:
Batteries have acid that can burn you and gas
that can explode. You can be badly hurt if you
aren’t careful. See “Jump
Starting” in the Index
for tips on working around
a battery without
getting hurt.
1
Contact your dealer to learn how to prepare your vehicle
for longer storage periods.
Also, for your audio system, see “Theft-Deterrent
Feature”
in the Index.
A CAUTION:
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and
can burst if you drop or scratch the bulb. You or
others could be injured. Be sure to read and
follow the instructions on the bulb package.
If you go through a high pressure car wash, or it is very
humid, your headlamps may “fog up.”
This is normal.
The lenses should clear by themselves in time.
Headlamps
For the proper bulb type, see “Replacement Bulbs’’ in
the Index.
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