2003 CHEVROLET C/K Owners Manual

5-8
9. Connect the other end of the negative (-) 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, and 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 one or two minutes. If your vehicle
has the high idle option, use it.
11. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery.
If it won't start after a few tries, it probably
needs service.
NOTICE:
Damage to your vehicle may result from
electrical shorting if jumper cables are removed
incorrectly. To prevent electrical shorting, take
care that they don't touch each other or any
other metal. The repairs wouldn't be covered by
your warranty.

5-9
Jumper Cable Removal
A. Heavy, Unpainted Metal Engine Part or Remote
Negative (
-) Terminal
B. Good Battery or Remote Positive (+) and Remote
Negative (
-) Terminals
C. Dead Battery or Remote Positive (+) TerminalTo disconnect the jumper cables from both vehicles, do
the following:
1. Disconnect the black negative (
-) cable from the
vehicle that had the dead battery.
2. Disconnect the black negative (
-) cable from 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.
5. Return the positive (+) remote terminal cover to its
original position.

5-10
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.

Working on air brakes without first using
the release studs to compress the springs
can lead to injury. Never work on the air
brakes chambers without first using the
release studs to compress the brake springs.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

When the brake springs are manually
compressed, you will have no brakes.
Release your air
-operated parking brakes
manually only to tow the vehicle. Never
drive the vehicle with the brakes released.
Consult your dealer or a professional towing service if
you need to have your vehicle towed. They can provide
the right equipment and know
-how to tow it without
damage. See ªRoadside Assistanceº in the Index.
Before you do anything, turn on the hazard warning
flashers (if they have not been damaged).
When you call, tell the towing service:

That your vehicle has rear
-wheel drive.

The make, model and year of your vehicle.

Whether you can still move the shift lever.

If there was an accident, what was damaged.
When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator
know that this manual contains towing instructions.
The operator may want to see them.

5-11
Here are specific towing instructions:
Towing Your Vehicle From the Front
(Front Wheels Off the Ground)
Before Towing
Block the rear wheels of the disabled vehicle. On
vehicles with air brakes, release the emergency brake
system by compressing the brake chamber springs
as outlined in this section. (This is to prevent the
possibility of the emergency brake being applied
during towing.)
On vehicles with hydraulic brakes, release the parking
brake fully by moving the lever to the fully
-released
position.
Disconnect the propshaft at the rear axle (forward axle
on tandem axle models). Secure the propshaft to the
frame or crossmember.
Towing the Vehicle with the Front Bumper Removed
1. Remove the front bumper.
2. Connect and lock the lift chains to the front axle,
outside of the spring anchor plates as shown.
A. Spring Anchor Plate
B. Lift Chain
C. Front Axle
3. Place a 6º x 6º x 5' hardwood beam underneath and
slightly behind the front spring shackle brackets.
4. Connect the lift chains to the tow bar and raise the
tow bar until lift chain slack has been taken up and
the hardwood beam is fully seated against the spring
shackle brackets as shown.

5-12
A. Shackle Bracket
B. Tow Bar
C. Lift Chain
D. Hardwood Beam
5. Raise the vehicle to the required height.Towing the Vehicle with the Front Bumper Installed
1. Connect and lock the lift chains to the front axle,
outside of the spring anchor plates as previously
shown.
2. Place a 6º x 6º x 5' hardwood beam underneath and
slightly behind the front spring shackle brackets as
previously shown.
3. Connect the lift chains to the tow bar and take up the
slack in the chains until the tow bar is within 4º of
the front bumper facing. Place a 2º x 12º x 40º
hardwood board with rubber pads against the front
bumper and secure as shown.

5-13
A. Rubber Pad
B. Hardwood Board
C. Shackle Bracket
D. Lift ChainE. Hardwood Beam
F. Bumper
G. Tow Bar
4. Remove the remaining slack in the lift chains.
The tow bar swing arm should rest against
the 2º x 12º x 40º hardwood board as shown.A. Hardwood Board
B. Swing Arm
5. Raise the vehicle to the required height.

5-14
Single Drive Rear Axle
Disconnect the propshaft at the rear axle. Secure the
propshaft to the frame or crossmember.
Tandem Drive Rear Axles
(Forward Axle Off the Ground)
Raise the front of the vehicle until the forward tandem
axle wheels are off the ground. Remove the rearward
propshaft.Tandem Drive Rear Axle (Both Axles on the Ground
Due to Type of Suspension or Attached Load)
Disconnect the propshaft at the forward tandem axle.
Secure the propshaft to the frame or crossmember.
If there is damage or suspected damage to the axle(s),
remove all axle shafts. Cover the hub openings to
prevent the loss of lubricant or entry of dirt or
foreign objects.
After Towing
1. Block the rear wheels and install axle and propshafts.
2. Check for proper phasing of universal joints.
3. Apply the emergency brake system before
disconnecting from the towing vehicle.

5-15 Towing Your Vehicle From the Front
(All Wheels On the Ground)
Your vehicle may be towed on all wheels provided the
steering is working. Remember that the power brakes
and power steering will not have power assist. Vehicles
with air brakes will not have brakes. There must be a
tow bar installed between the towing vehicle and the
disabled vehicle.
Before Towing
Block the wheels of the disabled vehicle. On vehicles
with air brakes, release the emergency brake system by
compressing the brake chamber springs as outlined in
this section. (This is to prevent the possibility of the
emergency brake being applied during towing.)
On vehicles with hydraulic brakes, release the parking
brake fully by moving the lever to the fully
-released
position.
Disconnect the propshaft at the rear axle (forward axle
on tandem axle models). Secure the propshaft to the
frame or crossmember.
If there is damage or suspected damage to the axle(s),
remove the axle shafts. Cover the hub openings to
prevent the loss of lubricant or entry of dirt or
foreign objects.After Towing
1. Block the rear wheels and install axle and propshafts.
2. Check for proper phasing of universal joints.
3. Apply the parking brake system before
disconnecting from the towing vehicle.
4. Check and fill with oil as required.
Towing Your Vehicle From the Rear
Before Towing
Secure the steering wheel to maintain a straight
-ahead
position. Make certain that the front axle is not loaded
above the front axle Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
as indicated on the vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) label. See ªGross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR)º in the index for more information.
After Towing
Block the rear wheels and release the steering. Apply the
parking brake system before disconnecting from the
towing vehicle.
Refer to the transmission shift label for additional
information.