The truth about jump-starting
Can jump-starting really damage your battery?
Many of us are familiar with that feeling you get when you’re about to head off in your car somewhere but all you hear when you turn your key are the sounds caused by a dead battery. It’s a complete let-down and soon you find yourself trying to find someone kind enough to help jump start your car.
But is it possible to damage your car battery by jump starting your car the wrong way?
According to MotorHappy, you can jeopardise your battery if it’s not done properly, and here are some things to remember the next time you find yourself in that situation:
1.Ensure that both batteries have the same voltage. You can check this information in your owner’s manual.
2. Park both vehicles on flat ground, close enough to connect the cables but far enough not to be touching.
3. Both cars should be in neutral gear or ‘Park’. Also make sure that both handbrakes are up and both ignitions are off.
4. Attach the positive cable clamp to the positive terminal of the flat battery.
5. Attach the other end of the positive cable to the positive terminal of the good battery.
6. Attach the negative cable to the negative terminal of the good battery.
7. Attach the other end of the negative cable to an unpainted metal part of the engine (like one of the metal struts that holds your car’s bonnet open) in the car with the weak battery.
8. Start the car with the good battery, let it charge the weak battery for a few minutes, then try to start the car with the weak battery.
If your car still doesn’t start after a few attempts at a jump start, it’s time to replace your battery.
Considering that the average lifespan of a car battery is one year, having Roadside Assistance (often included in Service Plans and Maintenance Plans) which offers free jump starts is always beneficial in case no one is around to help you.
Source: MotorHappy