Page 194 of 368
yellowblue
4-30
CAUTION:
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill
you. You can't see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check
around again from time to time to be sure snow
doesn't collect there.
Open a window just a little on the side of the
vehicle that's away from the wind. This will help
keep CO out.
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.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all four
wheels on the ground. If your vehicle must be towed,
see ªTowing Your Vehicleº in the Index.
NOTICE:
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground will damage drivetrain components.
Recreational Vehicle Towing
You can tow your vehicle behind another vehicle for use
at your destination. Be sure to use the proper towing
equipment designed for recreational towing. Follow the
instructions for the towing equipment.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 207 of 368
yellowblue
5-3
Jump Starting
If your vehicle has a dead battery or a battery with low
voltage, there are two override access slots that will
allow you to override the park lock system. See ªShift
Lock Releaseº in the Index.
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 below to do it safely.
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
burn you.
If you don't follow these steps exactly, some or all
of these things can hurt you.
NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
The ACDelco Freedom battery in your vehicle
has a built
-in hydrometer. Do not charge, test or
jump start the battery if the hydrometer looks
clear or light yellow. Replace the battery when
there is a clear or light yellow hydrometer and a
cranking complaint.
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.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 208 of 368
yellowblue
5-4
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 firmly on both vehicles involved in
the jump start procedure. Put your 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
lighter or accessory power outlet. 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!
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. (Your
vehicle's battery is located toward the front of the
passenger's side of the vehicle's engine, under a
diagonal brace.)
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.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 209 of 368
yellowblue
5-5
5. Find the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on
each battery. Your vehicle has a remote positive (+)
jump starting terminal. The terminal is on the same
side of the engine compartment as your battery. To
uncover the remote positive (+) terminal, squeeze the
sides of the red plastic cap and pull the cap upward.
You should always use the remote positive (+)
terminal instead of the positive (+) terminal on
your battery.
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.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 210 of 368
yellowblue
5-6
6. 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 heavy, unpainted 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.
CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engine is running.
7. 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.
8. 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.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 211 of 368
yellowblue
5-7
9. 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. 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.
10. 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.
11. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for a while.
12. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery. If it
won't start after a few tries, it probably needs
service.13. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent
electrical shorting. Take care that they don't touch
each other or any other metal.
14. Be sure to reinstall the remote positive (+) jump
starting terminal plastic cap on your vehicle.
A. Heavy Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery
ProCarManuals.com
Page 241 of 368
6-
yellowblue
6-1
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 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-6 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-12 3800 Supercharged (Code 1)
V6 Engine (If Equipped)
6
-12 Engine Oil
6
-18 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-19 Passenger Compartment Air Filter
6
-21 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-25 Engine Coolant
6
-29 Power Steering Fluid
6
-30 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-31 Brakes
6
-35 Battery
6
-36 Bulb Replacement
6
-45 Tires6
-55 Appearance Care
6
-56 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-58 Cleaning Glass Surfaces
6
-59 Cleaning the Outside of the Windshield
and Wiper Blades
6
-59 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-61 Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels (If Equipped)
6
-61 Cleaning Tires
6
-63 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-64 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-65 Electrical System
6
-70 Replacement Bulbs
6
-71 Capacities and Specifications
6
-72 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6
-73 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
6
-73 Vehicle Dimensions
ProCarManuals.com
Page 250 of 368
yellowblue
6-10
When you open the hood on the 3800 (Code K) V6 Engine, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Radiator Fill Cap
D. Remote Positive (+) Battery TerminalE. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
G. Engine Oil Dipstick
H. Engine Oil Fill CapI. Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Dipstick
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
ProCarManuals.com
