Winter, frost, and the engine won't start? A familiar situation. Many rush to get a jump-start from another car, but a single mistake with the cables can lead to expensive electronics repairs. This is especially true for modern cars packed with sensors and control units.
Here's a brief guide for you on how to jump-start a car:
1. Study the manuals for both vehicles – especially for hybrids and electric cars (they often cannot be used as "donors").
2. Make sure the cables are thick enough and not damaged.
3. Don't try endlessly – if the engine doesn't start after 2–3 attempts, call professionals. Anything further risks the electronics.
Correct Sequence (memorize!):
CONNECTION:
1. Red (+) cable → to the positive terminal of the donor → then to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
2. Black (-) cable → to the negative terminal of the donor → then to an unpainted metal part on the body or engine block (not to the negative terminal of the dead battery!).
STARTING:
1. Start the donor car's engine.
2. Try to start the broken-down car (no more than 10 seconds!).
3. If it starts – turn on the heater, rear window defroster in the "jumped" car to smooth out voltage spikes.
DISCONNECTION:
1. First, remove the black (-) cable from the body, then from the donor.
2. Then remove the red (+) cable from both cars.
What NOT to Do:
· Do not allow the positive and negative terminals to come into contact.
· Do not get a jump-start from a hybrid/electric car if prohibited by the manual.
· Do not crank the starter for more than 10 seconds.
· Do not turn off the donor car immediately after a successful start.
After a Successful Jump-Start:
Drive for at least 20–30 minutes, avoiding unnecessary consumers (music, seat heaters). However, for a full charge, it's better to use a stationary battery charger.
Not sure or afraid of harming your car?
Better call professionals – it will save your nerves, time, and budget for repairs.
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