
That jumpin' jive..
Car batteries can lose their charge for more than a few reasons.
Leaving the lights on overnight has got to top the list, though,
and it's such an unexpected thing that most of us are caught
unprepared. It's times like these when many of us rely on the
kindness of strangers to jump-start our cars, but sometimes YOU
need to be the kindly stranger- or at least the one who knows
which cable goes where.
Before you begin
When you're stranded in the cold rain and snow, asking passing
motorists if they'll provide a jump start for your car, you'll
find that there are two kinds of motorists: those who have jumper
cables and those who do not.
If you get your own set of jumper cables, and keep them in the
car, you'll increase your chances of getting a jump start by about
a thousand percent (or at least it seems that way). Buy a good set
of 100% copper heavy gauge (4 to 8 gauge) jumper cables that are
at least 10 feet long. You'll make back your investment the first
time that you're stuck with a dead battery.
Step 1: Make
Sure The Battery is Not Damaged
Batteries have an electrolyte solution inside them. If that
solution is frozen, don't try to jump-start the car. If your
battery has removable vent caps, you can look inside to see if the
liquid is frozen (replace the caps after looking). It's not easy
to tell otherwise.
- If there are cracks in the battery casing, don't try to
jump-start it. Curse a few times, call a cab and go buy a new
one.
- If there is whitish (or greenish or yellowish) residue
around the battery terminals, clean it off with a wire brush.
Wear gloves, if possible, because that stuff can be nasty if
it touches your skin. When this stuff forms, it's a sign that
you may need a new battery.

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