How to Jump Start a Car
I decided this was a very practical skill to know how to do, especially with the arrival of winter, so I went out to my car and dug out my "Safety Triangle" (an orange triangle filled with safety stuff), and attempted to learn how to do it. Again, as with changing the oil, my husband was there to help and it was his truck that we used as the rescue vehicle. Since my car wasn't actually dead, we didn't have to start it, but I learned about the safety, and how to attach the cables. If you're curious and don't know, the cable has a red (positive) connection and a black (negative) connection on each end. First, connect the red side to the dead battery, and then the other red to the live battery. Then connect the black side to the negative terminal on the good battery. Make sure the cars are not touching each other, and don't touch the red and black ends together or you'll cause a large spark that can start a fire . . . be very careful. Finally, attach the remaining black end to something metal in the engine compartment of the dead car, but NOT to the black side of the dead battery because if there are leaking fumes and it sparks you could set your whole car on fire . . .eek! Either the latch for the hood release, or a few other spots would have worked on my car. Here is what it looked like:
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| "Dead" Battery |
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| Live battery |
Then start your car :) If it doesn't work after turning the key for 10 seconds, let it rest for a minute and then try again. If it still doesn't work, have the person with the live car rev the engine a little bit to give the battery more "juice" and try again. If it still doesn't work . . . ask someone else, that is the extent of my knowledge right now, sorry ;) Be safe out there!
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