How to Jump Start a CarHere's a video showing you exactly how to use jumper cables on a car with a dead battery.
|
|
How to Jump Start a Car
You left your lights on and now your battery's dead. Okay. Let's give it a jump. Here's how to do it right.
First, park the booster vehicle close to the one that needs to be jumped, but don't park so close that the cars are touching - and actually, this is a good rule whenever you park your car!
Shut off the ignition of both cars, put them in park or neutral and set the parking brakes. Also be sure to turn off your lights, radio and anything else that can drain power.
Now let's hook up the jumper cables. Red is positive, black is negative. Start by clamping the red positive end onto the dead vehicle's positive battery terminal. You should be able to see a plus on the battery. Next connect the other end of the red positive cable to the booster vehicle's positive battery terminal. Make sure the cables do not dangle into either engine compartments where they can get tangled on moving parts.
Now connect the black negative clamp to the booster vehicle's negative battery terminal. Once that's set, connect the other negative end to a large unpainted metal surface in the engine compartment of the dead car. And don't use a surface that can get hot such as an exhaust manifold.
Make a final check to make sure the cables are set and not near any moving engine parts, then start the booster car. Let it idle for a few minutes while it's feeding juice to the dead battery. When you think it's got enough spark, start the dead vehicle and let the two idle together for a few more minutes.
If the dead car doesn't start, don't keep trying. You'll only damage the starter.
Once the dead car is running smoothly, disconnect the cables in reverse order. Again, be very careful not to let them dangle into the engine compartment and don't let the ends touch each other.
Check out Edmunds.com for more info on automotive maintenance.
You left your lights on and now your battery's dead. Okay. Let's give it a jump. Here's how to do it right.
First, park the booster vehicle close to the one that needs to be jumped, but don't park so close that the cars are touching - and actually, this is a good rule whenever you park your car!
Shut off the ignition of both cars, put them in park or neutral and set the parking brakes. Also be sure to turn off your lights, radio and anything else that can drain power.
Now let's hook up the jumper cables. Red is positive, black is negative. Start by clamping the red positive end onto the dead vehicle's positive battery terminal. You should be able to see a plus on the battery. Next connect the other end of the red positive cable to the booster vehicle's positive battery terminal. Make sure the cables do not dangle into either engine compartments where they can get tangled on moving parts.
Now connect the black negative clamp to the booster vehicle's negative battery terminal. Once that's set, connect the other negative end to a large unpainted metal surface in the engine compartment of the dead car. And don't use a surface that can get hot such as an exhaust manifold.
Make a final check to make sure the cables are set and not near any moving engine parts, then start the booster car. Let it idle for a few minutes while it's feeding juice to the dead battery. When you think it's got enough spark, start the dead vehicle and let the two idle together for a few more minutes.
If the dead car doesn't start, don't keep trying. You'll only damage the starter.
Once the dead car is running smoothly, disconnect the cables in reverse order. Again, be very careful not to let them dangle into the engine compartment and don't let the ends touch each other.
Check out Edmunds.com for more info on automotive maintenance.
To post a comment about this guide you must be signed-in
Recent Comments (1 total):
| rearwheeldrive - Sep 9, 2008 11:01 pm | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
