It is nearing that time when vehicles are more susceptible to the weather. Cold weather in particular has a tendency to drain the battery. There are certain steps required to jump start a car that will keep you safe and get that vehicle back on the road again.
Attach one of the red jumper cables to a positive (+) terminal connection on the vehicle that is no longer running. Most people refer to this vehicle as being dead. We will soon fix that. Now connect the second red jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal connection on the vehicle that will be jump starting your vehicle. This is the one with the good battery.
Connect one of the black jumper cables to a negative (-) terminal connection on the vehicle with the good battery. Then connect another black jumper cable to a ground on the vehicle that won't start. A ground would be any metal or metallic part that is not on or near the battery itself. Do not attach it to the negative (-) terminal knob on the dead battery. Also, never attach this cable to the fuel line, carburetor, tubing or any moving parts. The best is a section of the vehicle's frame to secure a good ground.
To do stay close to the vehicles or allow any one else to learn of the vehicles while placing the red or black cables on the vehicles. Make sure you stand back as best you can until the vehicles are ready to be started.
Have someone in each car to turn the ignitions on. The first step is to start the vehicle with the good battery. Then, start the vehicle with the dead battery. Leave cables in place until the vehicle with the dead battery is idling properly.
Since the vehicle with the dead battery is now idling on its own we can take the jumper cables off. They need to be taken off in reverse order. First remove the black ground cable, then the black negative terminal cable, now the red cable from the once dead vehicle and finally the red cable from the vehicle with the good battery.
Once these steps are followed it is okay to turn off the vehicle with the good battery. No need to waste gas. Allow the vehicle that has been jumped to run on its own in an idle for about five (5) minutes before turning it off. If you are able to take it for a ride right away that will also be good to keep the current running to the battery. Once the vehicle is turned off it will be ready to go when you need it again.
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