If your car battery dies on the road, being properly equipped with jumper cables can be a lifesaver. However, using these jumper cables properly is crucial in getting the battery up and running, and for the safety of the vehicle and your own wellbeing. The experts at Car-Title.org encourage all vehicle owners to learn how to use jumper cables correctly and safely before attempting to jump their cars. A mistake when jumping a car battery can be dangerous and can cause further damage to the vehicle, or injuries to you. Here are five common mistakes to avoid the next time you attempt to use jumper cables.
Using Bad or Wrong Jumper Cables
The tools you use when jumping a car are extremely important for the success of the jump, and the safety of the vehicle. If you have old or rusty jumper cables in the trunk of your car, it’s time to upgrade them before you need to use them. According to the team at Car-Title.org, rusty cables won’t create a secure connection with the battery. You should also ensure the jumper cables you have in your vehicle are the correct voltage to jump your battery. There are several voltage choices, so only equip your vehicle with the cables that will efficiently jump your car’s battery.
Not Powering Down Accessories
Before attempting to jump the vehicle, it’s important to unplug all accessories from the vehicle’s power. This includes your cell phone charger or your auxiliary cables. You should also turn off all hazard lights or other features that use the vehicle’s electricity, including the air conditioner or the defroster. Keeping these accessories charging or these features turned on can cause a jolt of electricity to surge through when the vehicle is jumped. This can lead to damage to your electronics or the car’s features.
Ignoring the Vehicle Owner’s Manual
Before you ever attempt to jump your vehicle, it’s important to review the owner’s manual. For some vehicles, it’s simply not safe to use jumper cables, and the vehicle will need to be towed to a professional facility if the battery dies. Jumping these vehicles can void the manufacturer’s warranty, eliminating the possibility of mechanical work being completed on the car with no charge to you. The experts at Car-Title.org recommend reading the manual and adhering to the instructions about jumping a battery that pertain to your vehicle. This will avoid nulling a warranty or causing more damage to the car.
Leaning Over the Engine as the Car is Being Jumped
Even if you’re experienced at jumping a car battery and take all the necessary precautions, it can still be a dangerous task. The battery, itself, can cause an explosion or smoke when it’s being jumped. To stay safe, you and all others involved should back away from vehicle when attempting to jump it. The group at Car-Title.org recommends keeping thick gloves and safety glasses in your car, along with the jumper cables. Wearing these precautionary items while jumping the car can guarantee you’ll stay safe, even if something goes wrong. Leaning over the battery or putting your head under the hood of the car when jumping it can lead to serious injury.
Turning the car off after a jump. After you’ve successfully jumped your vehicle, the battery will need to continue charging, so it can gain enough juice to actively power the vehicle. A common mistake made when jumping a car is turning the vehicle off after it’s been jumped. This doesn’t give the battery the time it needs to charge. If a vehicle is turned off right after a jump, it will usually need another jump before it can start running again. The team of experts at Car-Title.org recommends allowing the car to continue running for at least 30 minutes after a successful battery jump. Revving the engine a few times while the vehicle is in ‘park’ can also help the battery to charge. Allowing the car to continue running for even longer can give the battery more charging time, allowing you to successfully drive back home or to an auto repair shop.