Paul Messam, Gleaner writer
Recharging or jump-starting your car. - File
It's 6 a.m. and your day's time table is fully loaded. You are dressed for your appointment, whatever that is. If you turn the ignition and nothing happens, the worry game begins. Winston Ameir, auto mechanic, explains that if you turn on the ignition switch and the starter does not make a sound, you probably have a dead battery, which needs to be replaced. "Do not keep flogging the battery trying to get it in action. Once, the areas of the electrical system are in good working order a new battery will eventually be needed," Ameir advises.
He gives five steps to jump start your vehicle to your destination or to the battery shop.
Jump step 1: The first thing to do is to position the car with the good battery so that the jumper cables can easily reach the dead battery of the other car.
Jump step 2: Turn off both engines and all accessories. Place the shift levers in 'Park' or 'Neutral'. Apply the parking brakes.
Jump step 3: If either battery has caps, remove the caps to release any accumulated hydrogen. Then lay a heavy piece of cloth over the open vents of each battery in case a battery explodes and gives off a spray of acid.
Jump step 4: Take the positive cable that is the cable that is red or marked with a plus sign (+) and clamp it to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
Jump step 5: Take the negative cable, the one that is black or marked with a minus sign (-), and clamp one end to the negative terminal of the good battery. Clamp the other end to a ground (this is the object that makes electrical connection with the ground), on the 'dead' car's engine block and away from the battery. "The ground prevents a spark at the battery terminal that might set off an explosion" Ameir advises.
Jump step 6: Start the car with the good battery first, and then turn the ignition switch on the other car.
Jump step 7: When the car with the dead battery has started, disconnect the negative terminals first then the positive ones.
Jump step 8: Replace the vent caps and throw away the heavy cloth as it might have acid on it.
