Chevrolet Sonic Owner's Manual: Jump Starting

For more information about the vehicle battery, see Battery.

If the battery has run down, try to use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your vehicle. Be sure to use the following steps to do it safely.

Warning

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 do not follow these steps exactly, some or all of these things can hurt you.

Caution

Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage to the vehicle that would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Trying to start the vehicle by pushing or pulling it will not work, and it could damage the vehicle.

1. Discharged Battery Positive Post 2. Discharged Battery Negative Post 3. Good Battery Negative Post 4. Good Battery Positive Post

The jump start negative post and positive post are on the discharged battery on the driver side of the vehicle.

The jump start positive post and negative post are on the battery of the vehicle providing the jump start.

The positive jump start connection for the discharged battery is under a trim cover. Open the cover to expose the terminal.

1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery with a negative ground system.

Caution

If the other vehicle does not have a 12-volt system with a negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged. Only use a vehicle that has a 12-volt system with a negative ground for jump starting.

2. Position the two vehicles so that they are not touching.

3. Set the parking brake firmly and put the shift lever in P (Park) with an automatic transmission, or Neutral with a manual transmission. See Shifting Into Park (Automatic Transmission)  with an automatic transmission, or Parking  with a manual transmission.

Caution

If any accessories are left on or plugged in during the jump starting procedure, they could be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Whenever possible, turn off or unplug all accessories on either vehicle when jump starting.

4. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF. Turn off all lights and accessories in both vehicles, except the hazard warning flashers if needed.

Warning

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.

Warning

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 do not need to add water to the battery installed in your new 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 do not, explosive gas could be present.

Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you. Do not 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.

Warning

Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts once the engine is running.

5. Connect one end of the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+) terminal on the discharged battery.

6. Connect the other end of the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery.

7. Connect one end of the black negative (–) cable to the negative (–) terminal of the good battery.

8. Connect the other end of the black negative (–) cable to the negative (–) post for the discharged battery.

9. Start the engine in the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine at idle speed for at least four minutes.

10. Try to start the vehicle that had the dead battery. If it will not start after a few tries, it probably needs service.

Caution

If the jumper cables are connected or removed in the wrong order, electrical shorting may occur and damage the vehicle. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Always connect and remove the jumper cables in the correct order, making sure that the cables do not touch each other or other metal.

Jumper Cable Removal

Reverse the sequence exactly when removing the jumper cables.

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