2000 Cadillac Catera Owner's Manual - Page 218

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 ACDelcoR 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 also be damaged. 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 part on the engine of the vehicle with the dead battery. Don't connect positive (+) to negative (-) or you will get a short that would damage the battery and maybe other parts, too. Also, don't connect negative (-) to negative (-). For more detailed information, read Steps 6 through 12 following. CAUTION: Fans or other moving engine parts can injure you badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts once the engine is running. 5-5