2000 GMC Savana Van Owner's Manual - Page 220

yellowblue 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 your automatic transmission in PARK (P). 3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. Turn off all lamps that aren't needed, and radios. This will avoid sparks and help save both batteries, and could save your radio. NOTICE: If the other system isn't a 12-volt system with a negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged. If you have a diesel engine vehicle with two batteries (or more) you should know before you begin that, especially in cold weather, you may not be able to get enough power from a single battery in another vehicle to start your diesel engine. If your vehicle has more than one battery, use the battery that is under the hood of the vehicle -- this will reduce the electrical resistance. 5-4