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You might own a set of jumper cables, but do you know how to use them? Using jumper cables is a must for every car owner today. You never know when they might come in handy when you are on the road.
However, if the jumper cables that you have do not come in good quality and are used incorrectly, the situation of a dead battery could morph into something worse than a car that won’t start. The situation could escalate to a burning vehicle, leaving you stranded and/or needing to buy a new car or worse, putting your life in danger. In this light, choosing the best and the right jumper cable to use is of primary importance for everyone who hits the road.
Choosing The Best Jumper Cable
The first step: you will need to decide what jumper cables to purchase. Many people do not realize that it does matter what kind of jumper cables you should buy. Quality, durability, and usability are important factors to consider.
In general, jumper cables cost $40 to $60 a piece. Hardware stores and Amazon have a great variety for you to choose from. When purchasing the best jumper cable for you, remember that the thicker the cable is the better. The width of the cables makes all the difference, but do not be deceived by the “heavy-duty” labels. This is not always the case. The gauge amount determines how great the cables really are.
With gauge, bigger is not better. Do not buy 10 gauge cables……ever. 8 gauge is sufficient enough for most vehicles, 6 gauge is better still, and 4 gauge is probably more than most people need. Gauge 4 is used to jump semi-trucks usually. In reality, the lower the gauge, the more power it has to jump a vehicle.
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Also, take note of the clamps. If the clamps are sturdy, they will stay better on the battery terminal. Clamps with teeth give people even more peace of mind that they will not slip off the battery. Even clamps that are rubber-coated will decrease the chances of shock from a battery to an individual.
With length, most cables have at least twelve inches of reach, but more can be helpful in awkward car placement situations. However, this is not always better. The cables can be easily tangled, if not put away correctly.
How To Use Jumper Cables?
When using jumper cables, you need to make sure that you follow each step exactly as stated. Many jumper cables, on the market today, have instructions or a label to help with the process.
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First, you will need a car that can be used as the boost. Park the cars, the boost and the dead car, close to one another, but make sure they are not touching, to decrease the likelihood of damaging the cars altogether. In some situations, you will not be able to park the cars directly in front of each other, but you can park the boost car next to the dead car and even further away, if the length of your cables is long enough.
To start, be sure that both engines are turned off completely and the cars are parked, to prevent unnecessary safety issues. First, attach the red jumper cable, or the positive cable, to the dead car’s positive terminal. The battery terminal will be marked with a “+” sign. The clamp will need to be connected tightly to the battery itself.
Next, attach the other end of the cable to the boost car’s battery terminal. This side will also be marked with a “+” sign. Make sure this clamp is also connected appropriately. The black jumper cable, or negative cable, is next. Start by connecting the black cable to the boost car’s negative terminal, which is marked with a “-“ sign. Furthermore, you will need to attach the other end of the black cable to a metal surface of the engine on the dead car. This can be a plate, bolt, or screw in the front of the vehicle. On the dead vehicle, this provides grounding to help jump start.
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During this process, make sure none of the jumper cables are touching engine parts at all. This could lead to some severe damage to the vehicle including battery and engine issues.
To this point, you have connected everything appropriately and now can start the boost engine of the working car. Let it run for a few minutes to get warmed-up. After these minutes have passed, you will now need to start the dead engine, and let it run for a few minutes more.
After both the cars are running, start by disconnecting the black cable from the formerly dead car. Next, release the black jumper cable from the car that was your booster. Finally, remove the red cable from the boost car and the other red cable from the other car, and you will be good to drive on the road again.
In some circumstances, your battery might not be jumpstarted with jumper cables. This might not be an issue with your battery, but something more. It might be the time to call for help or a tow truck.
About Author:
My name is Morris Rollison and i’m a automotive reviewer. I have some reviews in car blog. I choose this job because I feel as though I would have a lot of personal experience to bring to you. Hople you enjoy my article and leave some feedback for us. Website: http://mygaragestory.net/
Azad Shaikh
Azad Shaikh is an internet geek at heart. From reviews about computer components to playing X-box one games, Azad takes pleasure in writing about anything and everything about computers. He is a computer engineering graduate and certified ethical hacker. In his leisure time, he reads and explores the internet.
