When faced with the dilemma of a dead battery, drivers need not fret. If you, unfortunately, do not have roadside assistance and a jump-start is required, the first step that a stranded motorist need take is finding the assistance of a working car.
Hopefully, your automobile is well equipped with your essentials for this dilemma. A few things that should be kept in your automobile at all times includes jumper cables, heavy duty gloves for hand protection, a flashlight with charged batteries, and the manufacturer’s owners manual. The owner’s manual will likely have a summary of the steps to follow for a proper jump-start for your automobile.
The Jump
1. Protect your clothing and hands with gloves that should be kept in the trunk of your car.
2. Open the hood of your car. Most models have a button under or near the steering wheel. Press the button, and at the hood of the car, release the latch. Use the lever/stick near the latch to keep the hood open.
3. Be sure the working (donor) car is off yet near the dead car.
4. Consult your owner’s manual for specific information regarding your automobile.
5. Most cars have a positive (+) and negative (-) terminal on the battery. Affix the clamps accordingly in this order: dead car positive (+), working car positive (+), working car negative (-), the last negative should be clamped onto a piece of metal on the engine of the dead car. This will create a proper “grounding” for the jump-start.
6. Start the working car. Wait 1-2 minutes. Start the dead car.
7. Unhook the cables working in reverse order.
8. If the car is started and the battery light is showing on the instrument panel, it is time to seek a mechanic. There may be additional problems with your alternator or other mechanical parts.
Caution:
-Never jump-start a frozen battery.
-Never jump-start a cracked, broken or leaking battery.
-Be sure that the battery has the appropriate fluid levels in the cells. If water is required, add it accordingly.
-Once contact has been made with the battery and the cables, do NOT allow the metal parts of the cables to touch. This will create a spark.
-After a jump-start, allow the car to run for 10-20 minutes (driving or idling) to initiate a proper battery charge.
