|
2torial #0508:
Learn2 Jump-Start a Car
That jumpin' jive..
Car batteries can lose their charge for more
than a few reasons. Leaving the lights on overnight
has got to top the list, though, and it's such an
unexpected thing that most of us are caught
unprepared. It's times like these when many of us
rely on the kindness of strangers to jump-start our
cars, but sometimes YOU need to be the kindly
stranger- or at least the one who knows which cable
goes where.
When you're stranded in the cold rain and snow,
asking passing motorists if they'll provide a jump
start for your car, you'll find that there are two
kinds of motorists: those who have jumper cables
and those who do not.
If you get your own set of jumper cables, and
keep them in the car, you'll increase your chances
of getting a jump start by about a thousand percent
(or at least it seems that way). Buy a good set of
100% copper heavy gauge (4 to 8 gauge) jumper
cables that are at least 10 feet long. You'll make
back your investment the first time that you're
stuck with a dead battery.
 Make Sure The Battery is Not
Damaged
Batteries have an electrolyte solution inside
them. If that solution is frozen, don't try to
jump-start the car. If your battery has removable
vent caps, you can look inside to see if the liquid
is frozen (replace the caps after looking). It's
not easy to tell otherwise.
- If there are cracks in the battery casing,
don't try to jump-start it. Curse a few times,
call a cab and go buy a new one.
- If there is whitish (or greenish or
yellowish) residue around the battery terminals,
clean it off with a wire brush. Wear gloves, if
possible, because that stuff can be nasty if it
touches your skin. When this stuff forms, it's a
sign that you may need a new battery.
 Attach the Cables
Make sure that the batteries in both cars are
the same voltage. You won't find many six volt
batteries around anymore, but there's always the
chance. The voltage will generally be stated on top
of the battery, or look in the owner's manual.
- The cars should not be touching, and both
ignitions should be off.
- Each battery has two metal terminals on it.
One is marked positive (+); the other is
negative (-). Attach one end of one cable to the
dead battery's positive terminal.
- Attach the other end of the same cable to
the positive terminal of the battery in the
starting vehicle.
- Attach one end of the other cable to the
negative terminal of the battery in the starting
vehicle.
- Attach the other end of that cable to the
engine block, or frame, of the car with the dead
battery. Look for unpainted metal surfaces. Do not attach the negative cable to the
dead battery itself, and do not attach it to the
frame anywhere near the battery.
 Start the car
Stand back from the hood areas of the cars. Do
not smoke while you're doing this. Safety goggles
are a good idea.
- Start the car that's providing the
jump start.
- Wait a moment, then try to start the car
with the dead battery. If it does not start,
stop trying and wait a few moments longer. Try
again for no more than thirty seconds.
If the car has not started by now, chances are
that it's not going to. If this is the worst thing
that happens to you in life, consider yourself a
very lucky person.
 Disconnect the cables
You don't have to turn off either car, but definitely leave the car that needed the jump running.
Remove the cable connections in the reverse order that you put them on. That means that the first disconnection is from the frame, and the last is from the positive terminal of the car that has just been started.
Drive your car at least 12-15 miles at highway speed before turning it off again. Otherwise, it's best to go straight to a service shop and have your battery properly recharged.
Thank the person who stopped in your hour of need. Some people are offended when a small payment is offered, while others may expect it and turn it down just the same. Use your own judgement.
-end-
Learn More!
|
