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5-5
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.
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 heavy,
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. And don't connect negative (
-) to
negative (
-) on the dead battery, as this can 
cause sparks.
CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engine is running. 
     
        
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5-6
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. 
     
        
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5-7
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 
(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.
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.
Jumper Cable Removal
A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part
B. Good Battery
C. Dead Battery 
     
        
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5-8
To disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles, do
the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (
-) cable from the
heavy, unpainted metal engine part on the vehicle
that had the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (
-) cable from 
the negative terminal on the vehicle with the 
good battery.
3. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the
vehicle with the good battery.
4. Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the 
other vehicle.
Towing Your Vehicle
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your vehicle towed. See ªRoadside
Assistanceº and ªRecreational Vehicle Towingº in 
the Index.
Engine Overheating
You will find an engine coolant temperature gage on the
instrument cluster and a COOLANT OVER TEMP
message on the Driver Information Center (DIC).
Overheated Engine Protection 
Operating Mode
Should an overheated engine condition exist and the
messages COOLANT OVER TEMP and REDUCED
ENGINE POWER are displayed, along with the Check
Engine light, an overheat protection mode which
alternates firing groups of cylinders helps prevent
engine damage. In this mode, you will notice a loss in
power and engine performance. This operating mode
allows your vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency; you may drive up to 50 miles (80 km).
NOTICE:
After driving in the overheated engine protection
operating mode, to avoid engine damage, allow
the engine to cool before attempting any repair.
The engine oil will be severely degraded. Repair
the cause of coolant loss, change the oil and 
reset the oil life monitor. See ªEngine Oilº in 
the Index. 
     
        
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5-22
NOTICE:
The car engine must be running to avoid draining
the battery while running the air compressor.
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won't
move. See ªParking Your Vehicle, Manual
Transmissionº in the Index.
CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
with the engine running, if the shift lever is not in
NEUTRAL (N) with the parking brake firmly set
(manual transmission). Your vehicle can roll or
move suddenly even when on fairly level ground.
To be sure your vehicle won't move, always 
set your parking brake and move the shift lever
to NEUTRAL (N) when you start or idle 
your engine.
CAUTION:
Idling the engine in a closed-in place or with the
climate control system off can cause deadly
carbon monoxide (CO). See ªEngine Exhaustº in
the Index.
CAUTION:
Inflating something too much can make it
explode, and you or others could be injured. Be
sure to read the inflator instructions, and inflate
the tire to its recommended pressure. Do not
exceed 36 psi (248 kPa).