A set of jumper cables can be a real lifesaver if you are ever stranded somewhere with a dead car battery. While there are many good Samaritans that are willing to help you out by giving you a jump start, not everyone carries a set of jumper cables. So making sure that you keep a pair of jumper cables in your trunk for emergencies will always allow you to be prepared in the event your car battery dies at an inopportune time. However, jumper cables are not much good if you don't know how to use them. So, this article will teach you how to use a set of jumper cables.
Using a Set of Jumper Cables
When getting someone to jump start your vehicle, you should have them park their vehicle directly in front of yours with the two engines facing each other. You should also tell the person giving you a jumpstart to let their vehicle continue running. If you attach the jumper cables to the other car's battery while the other engine is off, you run the risk of damaging the other person's car battery as well.
To jumpstart your car, connect the battery cables to your car first. Connect the red cable to the positive terminal on your car battery and the black cable to the negative terminal. Then, make sure that the other two ends of the jumper cables do not touch each other before you connect them to the other person's vehicle battery.
Then simply connect the positive or red cable to the other person's positive battery terminal and the black cable to the negative terminal. Once the cables have been connected on both vehicles, instruct the other person to slightly rev up his/her engine and attempt to start your vehicle. If there are no other problems with your vehicle, your cars should start after only one or two attempts. Then, reverse the process for removing the cables--the other car first then yours.
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