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5-
5-1
Section 5 Problems on the Road
Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.
5
-2 Hazard Warning Flashers
5
-3 Other Warning Devices
5
-3 Jump Starting
5
-8 Towing Your Vehicle
5
-9 Engine Overheating5
-12 Cooling System
5
-17 If a Tire Goes Flat
5
-18 Changing a Flat Tire
5
-27 Compact Spare Tire
5
-28 If You're Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow
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5-2
Hazard Warning Flashers
Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They
also let police know you have a problem. Your front and
rear turn signal lamps will flash on and off.
The hazard warning button
is located in the center of
the instrument panel,
between the two air vents.
Press the button in to make
the front and rear turn signal
lamps flash on and off.
This light located on the
instrument panel cluster
will flash, indicating that
the hazard warning
flashers are on.
Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position the key is in, and even if the key isn't in.
Press the button again to turn your hazard warning
flashers off. When the hazard warning flashers are on,
the turn signals won't work.
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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. 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 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.
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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.
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.
3. To avoid the possibility of the vehicles rolling, set
the parking brake firmly on both vehicles involved
in the jump starting procedure. Put the transaxle
in PARK (P).4. 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 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.
5. Open the hoods and locate the battery on the
other vehicle and the remote positive (+) terminal,
located on the passenger's side of the engine, on
your vehicle. (You will not see the battery under
the hood of your vehicle, since it is located under
the rear seat on the passenger's side.) Find the
positive (+) and negative (
-) terminals on the
battery in the other vehicle.
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5-5
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.
6. Start by lifting and
moving the red
positive (+)
remote terminal
cover away from
the relay center.
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
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.
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5-6
7. 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 a heavy,
unpainted metal engine part. 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 the negative (
-) cable
to the negative (
-) terminal on the dead battery.
CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engine is running.
8. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the remote
positive (+) terminal of the vehicle with the dead battery.
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9. Don't let the other end
of the positive (+) cable
touch metal. Connect it
to the positive (+)
terminal of the good
battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal
if the vehicle has one.
10. Now connect the black
negative (
-) cable to
the good battery's
negative (
-) terminal.Don't let the other end of the negative (
-) cable
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 engine part
(on your vehicle, you may use the windshield washer
bottle stud as shown). Don't allow the red and black
handles on the jumper cable to touch each other.
11. Attach the cable at least
18 inches (46 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.
If the SECURITY light flashes, wait until the light
stops flashing before starting the engine.
12. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run
the engine for awhile.
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13. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery. If it
won't start after a few tries, it probably needs service.
14. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent electrical
shorting. Take care that they don't touch each other
or any other metal. Replace the red positive (+) remote
terminal cover to its original position.
A. Remote Positive (+) Terminal
B. Good Battery
C. Windshield Washer Bottle Stud
(not shown in picture
--located on the passenger's
side corner of the engine compartment)
Towing Your Vehicle
CAUTION:
To help avoid serious personal injury to you
or others:
Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is
being towed.
Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds.
Never tow with damaged parts not
fully secured.
Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by the tow truck.
Always secure the vehicle on each side with
separate safety chains when towing it.
Use only the correct hooks.
NOTICE:
Use the proper towing equipment to avoid
damage to the bumper, fascia or fog lamp areas
of the vehicle.