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At some stage in your driving life, you will probably find
yourself in a situation where either a friend or yourself are in
need of a jump start. This could simply be because you left
on your headlights or an interior light and your car engine simply
won't turn over. We recommend you call for help from your road
service provider or a battery specialist, but in the case of an
emergency it's good to know the right steps for the procedure.
Most modern vehicles with electronic management systems and
electronic ignition must only be jump started with specially
protected leads or major damage can be done to the electrical
system. Make sure you consult the vehicle owner's handbook for the
manufacturer's recommended procedure before trying to jump start
any car.
Basic jump start procedure;
- Check both vehicles have a battery with the same voltage
- Turn off all electrical loads (e.g. air conditioner, etc.)
- Check the vehicles aren't touching, and are in 'Park' or
'Neutral'
- On negative grounded systems, connect both ends of one jumper
lead to the positive (+) terminal of both batteries
- Connect one end of the other jumper lead to the negative (-)
terminal of the booster battery
- Connect the other end of that cable to the engine block or car
frame of the vehicle to be started
- Ensure both jumper cables are clear of fans or other moving
parts
- Start the engine of the booster car
- Attempt to start the engine of the vehicle with the flat
battery
- If the vehicle does not start within 30 seconds, call an auto
electrician
- If the vehicle does start, allow both cars to idle for 10
minutes to ensure the booster car can 'cycle' (reduces the chance
of electrical damage)
- After starting, remove cables in reverse order, starting with
the one connected to the engine block or car frame
Why not check out more driver and vehicle safety tips and
procedures including; changing a tyre, understanding and
locating your tyre placard, understanding driver safety or DIY
health checks on your car. Alternatively find your local Tyres and
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