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How to jump-start your vehicle the right way

JOBURG - A FLAT car battery can leave any driver stranded.

Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA) chairman, Les Mc Master said, “While jumpstarting procedure is relatively standard for all vehicles on the road today, boost starting can cause damage to the vehicle’s electrical system and computer.”
Mc Master said the best way to jump start a car is to:

  •  Check the owners manual for any specific boost starting instructions.
  •  Identify the jump-start terminals in your car.
  •  Jumper cables on hand, line up the car with the flat battery as close as possible to another car with the booster battery.
  •  Make sure both car brakes are up, gear is on neutral or park position.
  •  Turn off both cars and make sure the cars are not touching before you start jump-starting.
  •  300 volts go through when two batteries are connected. Transients can destroy equipment, so turn off headlights, radio and unplugg cellphone devices.
  •  Wipe off any battery acid that may have leaked.
  •  Do not jump-start car if battery has a leak as battery may explode.
  •  Connect one positive end of the jumper cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
  •  Connect the other positive end of the jumper cable to the positive terminal of the good battery.
  •  Connect the one negative end of the jumper cable to the negative terminal of the good battery.
  •  Connect the other negative end of the jumper cable to a shiny nut or bolt on the dead vehicle. You should only connect to the negative terminal on the dead battery as a last option to avoid an explosion by spark.
  •  As the car batteries are hooked together, let them run for a minute or two before you try to start the dead vehicle. Once the dead vehicle starts, remove the cables in the reverse order that you connected them.
  •  After that have the electrical system checked by a registered MIWA service technician.

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