2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX Owners Manual

5-
5-1

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 flasher
button is located on top of
the steering column.
The hazard warning flashers work no matter what
position your key is in, and even if the key isn't in.
Press the button to make your front and rear turn signal
lamps flash on and off. Press the button again to turn the
flashers off.
When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn
signals and brake lamps won't work.

5-3
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. Be sure to follow the steps listed 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.

5-4
NOTICE:
If the other system isn't a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
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 an automatic transaxle
in PARK (P) or a manual transaxle in NEUTRAL
before setting the parking brake.
NOTICE:
If you leave your radio on, it could be badly
damaged. The repairs wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.
3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Unplug
unnecessary accessories plugged into the cigarette
lighter or in the accessary power outlets. Turn off the
radio and all lamps that aren't needed. This will
avoid sparks and help save both batteries. And it
could save your radio!

5-5
4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries. Find the
positive (+) and negative (
-) terminal locations on
each vehicle. You will not need to access your
battery for jump starting. Your vehicle has a remote
positive (+) jump starting terminal for that purpose.
The terminal is located in the engine compartment
on the passenger's side of the vehicle, near the
diagonal cross brace. See ªEngine Compartment
Overviewº in the Index for more information
on location.
To uncover the remote positive (+) terminal, squeeze
the sides of the plastic cap and slide the cap off. You
should always use the remote positive (+) terminal
instead of the positive (+) terminal on the battery.

5-6
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.
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.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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.
CAUTION:
Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engine is running.
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.

5-7
Before you connect the cables, here are some basic
things you should know. Positive (+) will go to
positive (+) or to a remote positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one. Negative will go to a heavy, unpainted
metal engine part or to a remote negative (
-) terminal
if the vehicle has one.
Don't connect positive (+) to negative (
-), or you'll
get a short that would damage the battery and maybe
other parts, too. And don't connect the negative (
-)
cable to the negative (
-) terminal on the dead battery
because this can cause sparks.
6. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+)
terminal location on the vehicle with the dead
battery. Use a remote positive (+) terminal if the
vehicle has one.

5-8
7. Don't let the other end
touch metal. Connect it
to the positive (+)
terminal location on the
vehicle with the good
battery. Use a remote
positive (+) terminal if
the vehicle has one.8. Now connect the black
negative (
-) cable to
the negative (
-)
terminal location on
the vehicle with the
good battery. Use a
remote negative (
-)
terminal if the vehicle
has one.
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 or to a remote negative (
-) terminal on the vehicle
with the dead battery.