Wait a couple of minutes and then try to start the dead car. Placing the clamp away from the battery lowers the risk of sparking and fire.Ĭheck that the cables are not near any moving parts and then start the booster car. Next, connect the black (negative) clamp to the negative terminal in the booster car.įinally, connect the other black (negative) clamp to an unpainted metal surface (bolts or brackets work well) in the engine bay of the dead car. Make sure that the black clamps are not touching any metal, then attach the other red (positive) clamp to the positive terminal on the booster car. If the clamps touch metal when they’re hot, it can create dangerous sparks!Īttach a red (positive) clamp to the dead battery’s positive battery terminal, making sure the clamp has a good “bite” on the terminal. If you have someone who can help you, have them hold one end while you hold the other end, making sure the clamps do not touch.įrom this point on, make sure the metal clamps on the jumper cables do not touch each other or any metal surfaces on the car. Read: How to Clean Car Battery Contacts in 4 Easy Steps If you see any of these, don’t try to jump-start it install a new battery. Inspect the battery for cracks, corrosion or leaking battery acid. Use a clean cloth or gloves to wipe away any dirt or debris on the battery. The negative battery terminal will have a “–“ or “NEG” near it. It often has a red plastic cover take it off. The positive terminal will have a “+” or “POS” near it. Pop open the hoods and identify the battery terminals. Turn the booster car off and make sure both vehicles have the parking brake engaged. Depending on where the dead car is parked and where the batteries are located, you could park them side-by-side or nose-to-nose. Locate your jumper cables and find another car that can serve as the “booster car.” Pull that car next to the car with the dead battery. Most portable power packs are only good for a single jump before they need to recharge. If you have a portable jump-starter, make sure you keep it charged. A portable jump-starter allows you to charge your car battery without another vehicle. To be extra prepared, you can also keep a portable jump-starter in your car or garage. Read: Car Emergency Kit Checklist: 13+ Items to Keep in Your Car (The lower the gauge, the more “heavy-duty” the cables.) If you don’t have any jumper cables, pick up a quality pair soon! Look for 4- to 8-gauge cables that are 10–20 feet long. You should always keep a good set of jumper cables in your vehicle. Because if you don’t have a set of jumper cables or a portable jump-starter, you’re not going anywhere anytime soon. Preparation is key when it comes to jump-starting a car. With the right tools and know-how, you can jump-start the car and be on your way in just 5-10 minutes! What You Need to Jump-Start a Car Thankfully, though, a dead car battery is one of the easiest car problems to fix. One of the worst feelings in the world is when you go to turn on your car and- click.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |