jump cable PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1996 Owners Manual

Page 207 of 387

To turn off the flashers,
pull out on the collar.
When the hazard w;?ming
flashers are
on, your turn
signals won't work.
Other Warning Devices .%
If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at
&e 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
Pontiac. But please follow the steps below to do
it safely.
I
CAL SION:
Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous
because:
0 They contain ,acid that can burn you.
0 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:
Remember that ignoring these steps could result
in costly damage to your vehicle that wouldn't be
covered
by your warranty.
Trying
to start your Pontiac by pushing or
~ pulling it won't work, and it could dam'age
your vehicle.
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Page 208 of 387

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 Pontiac, and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.
You could be injured
if the vehicles roll. Set the
parking brake firmly on each vehicle. Put an
automatic transaxle in PARK (P) or a manual
transaxle
in NEUTRAL (N).
3. 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
I 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.
An electric fan can start ~ even wl 3 the engine
is not running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away
from any underhood
electric fan.
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Page 209 of 387

Using a match near a battery can cause battery
gas to exp1ode: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 Deko Freedom@ battery
installed
in every new GM vehicle, But if a battery
has filler caps, be sure the right mount 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. Find the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on
6. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or
each
battery.
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 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.
A CAUTION: I .
m Fans or other moving engme parts can injure yon
badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts
once the engines are running.
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