Step By Step How To Safely Jump Start Your Car

How To Safely Jump Start Your Car

1

Open each car's hood and locate the battery. On most cars, it will be near the front of the car on the right or left side, but on some cars the battery is located near the firewall between the engine and passenger compartment. In some cars the battery is located in the trunk. If unsure, check your car manual for location of the battery. Identify the positive and negative terminals.

·        The positive terminal will be marked with a plus sign (+) and will usually have a red cable attached on it.

·        The negative terminal will be marked with a minus sign (-) and will usually have a black cable attached to it.

2

Park the working car near, but not touching, the disabled car. Park the car in such a way that the distance between both car batteries is as small as possible. Turn off the engine, radio, lights, A/C, fans and all other electrical components. Make sure that all of these things are off in the disabled car, too. Don't let the cars touch at all.

·        If the cars are touching, jumping the battery can cause a dangerous electrical arc between the vehicles

·         

·        3

Put on safety gear (goggles and gloves) if you have it. Inspect batteries for cracks, leaks or other damage. If you find any of these things, do not jump start the car. Call a tow truck instead or replace the battery.

·        It may be necessary to remove the disabled automobile's battery cables from the battery terminals and clean both cables and terminals. Use a stiff wire brush to remove all corrosion. Reconnect the cables to the battery terminals and jump the car.

·        Remove any positive (+) red post protective covers if applicable.

4

Untangle and unwind your jumper cables. Like your battery, your jumper cables will probably have red and black cables and will have heavy-duty clamps to connect to the battery terminals. You must make sure that the red and black ends of your jumper cables never touch each other once they are connected to the batteries; permitting them to do so can result in serious arcing and/or damage to one or both cars.

5

Connect the jumper cables in the order described below:

·        Connect one red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery.

·        Connect the other red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery.

·        Connect one black clamp to the negative (-) terminal of the good battery.

·        Connect the other black clamp to a piece of grounded metal on the dead car,preferably the bolt where the thick negative cable from the battery connects to the chassis. If this is not practical, look for shiny metal (not painted or oily) that is attached to the engine. Usually a nut, bolt or other protruding shiny metal will work. You may see a small spark when you connect to a good ground. As a last resort, you may connect to the negative (-) post of the dead battery, but this risks igniting hydrogen gas coming off the battery.

·        Make sure none of the cables are dangling into the engine compartment, where they could be exposed to moving parts.

6

Start the working car. Let it idle for a few minutes. Do not race the engine, but do rev the engine a little above idle for 30 to 60 seconds. You do this to charge the battery in the dead car, because the starter in the dead car will draw most of the required current (well in excess of 100 amps) from that battery, not through the cables. Common retail jumper cables are not built to pass the current required. Charging the dead battery is a must. If 30 seconds doesn't do it, try charging for the full 60 seconds by keeping the engine at a high idle. A good, clean connection between the battery cables and the battery terminals is essential.

7

Try to start the disabled vehicle. If it does not start, shut the engine off and disconnect the last connection temporarily while you slightly twist or wiggle each of the four clamps to help ensure a good electrical connection. Restart the working car again. Allow another five minutes for charging before attempting to start the disabled vehicle. If this does not work after a few tries, you may need to have the car towed or the battery replaced.

8

Remove the jumper cables once the car starts. Do this in the reverse of the order in which they were attached, and don't let any of the cables or clamps touch each other (or dangle into the engine compartment).

·        Disconnect the black clamp from grounded metal on the dead car.

·        Disconnect the black clamp from the negative (-) terminal of the good battery.

·        Disconnect the red clamp from the positive (+) terminal of the good battery.

·        Disconnect the red clamp from the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery.

·        Replace any positive (+) red post protective covers if applicable. These covers help prevent accidental short circuiting the battery.

9

Keep the recently-disabled car's engine running. Run the car above idle (slightly revved up with your foot on the gas) for five minutes and then on or above idle for 20 minutes before turning it off. This should give the battery enough charge to start the car again. If it does not, you probably have a dead battery or a dying alternator.

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Get Ready, Get Set, Go Winterize Your Car

Winter's just around the corner and chances are your vehicle needs some preventive maintenance to get it ready for the cold weather ahead.

According to AAA, the most frequently uncovered problems in its annual vehicle inspections are improper tire pressure or low or dirty motor oil, anti-freeze, or other automotive fluids.

AAA offers the following advice for motorists preparing for the winter driving season:

Get ready: Before you drive long distances, check the weather conditions along your route. Remember to bring a cellular phone and a winter driving kit that includes a flashlight with fresh batteries, a snow shovel and brush, traction mats, ice scraper, booster cables, a blanket, flares, heavy gloves, window washing solvent and a first-aid kit.

Get set: Inspect your vehicle thoroughly before leaving your driveway. Ensure that your tires are properly inflated, fluid levels are full, front and rear lights are operating, and hoses and belts are in good condition.

Keep in mind that one of the most common causes of cold-weather breakdowns is a weak or dead battery. Good indicators that your battery is weak and may need replacement include a starter motor that cranks the engine slowly when the ignition key is turned or headlights that dim noticeably when the engine speed drops to idle.

Visit a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility for expert maintenance and repair services if you are unsure about any aspect of your vehicle's condition.

Go: Now that your vehicle has the green light, here are some winter driving tips to get you to your destination safely.

* When driving in slippery and icy conditions, slow down and keep a safe distance from other vehicles. Minimize your brake use and remember that traction is greatest just before the wheels spin. Applying gentle pressure on the accelerator pedal when starting is the best method for retaining traction and avoiding skids.

* The most effective way to stop on ice and snow is to apply your brakes gently, well in advance of the point where you intend to stop. If your car has 

antilock braking system, do not pump your brakes; continue to apply firm pressure to the brake pedal until your vehicle comes to a complete stop.

* Keep your seatbelt fastened and make certain that all passengers are securely restrained.

* When driving in falling snow or fog, lower your speed, use your low-beam headlights or fog lights and keep a safe distance from vehicles in front of you.

* To help avoid gas line freeze up, keep your gas tank at least half full to minimize condensation.

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High Gas Prices and Ways to Save

With Labor Day around the corner, the great American travel season is here. During the summer, most Americans take at least one extended vacation, and four fifths take that trip by automobile. Unfortunately, this year, the price of gas is at record highs, and no one likes to spend their vacation money on gasoline. While there is little to be done about the price of gas itself, there are some things the average vacationer can do to help ease the costs of auto travel.

Tune up the car. Making sure that your car is running at its best will help you achieve better gas mileage. In addition to tuning up your car, you should also check to make sure that your tires are inflated to their proper pressure.

Other small things that can help with gas mileage are keeping your car washed and waxed and keeping your luggage inside of your vehicle. Bicycles, luggage, and canoes tied on top create additional air resistance, which increases gas consumption.

Make sure that your air conditioner works properly. While the use of your air conditioner increases gas consumption, it's better than driving with your windows open.

If you have a credit card that offers a cashback bonus, such as the Discover card, use that for gas purchases instead of an oil company credit card. Discover even offers a credit card now that is made especially for gas purchases. It offers a larger cashback bonus for than the regular Discover card.

Some gas stations offer a lower price if you pay cash. If that's the case, then pay cash.

Shop around. The gas stations closest to the Interstate may not have the lowest prices. You might save a bit by purchasing your gas a bit further from the highway.

Drive at or near the speed limit. Most cars get better gas mileage at 55 miles per hour than they do at 70.

Shop around before you travel. There are several Websites, such as GasPriceWatch.com, that can show you gas prices throughout your travel route.

Each of the items listed above will offer slight savings in the price of gasoline or in gas consumption. The effect of each one may be small, but the cumulative effect should be noticeable. And every penny you save on gas is a penny you can spend on a memorable souvenir, instead.

Happy 4th of July from Huletz Electric

Happy 4th of July from Huletz Electric !!

No-Bummer Summer: How to Use your Car for Fun this Season

Post Memorial Day Weekend, if you close your eyes, you can hear a classic summer-time movie voice-over: “Hi everybody, this is your cousin Brucie. Whoa! … Ping pong in the west arcade, softball in the east diamond … Complimentary dance lessons in the gazebo.” Summer has begun, and you’re ready for the usual suspects: swimming, barbequing, sports, camping. The usuals are great, but this year, Quoted has a way to mix up your summertime activities and avoid that inevitable mid-summer slump: this year’s fun is all about your car.

DRIVE-INS

If you haven’t been to the drive-ins since you were a kid, you’re missing out. Snuggling up to watch a movie on a giant outdoor screen with sleeping bags, plenty of snacks, and the soundtrack crackling over your radio is just as fun in adulthood as it was when you were a kid. One of the biggest perks is the double feature: most drive-in movies have two showings—a kid-friendly movie for the little ones, and after, usually something more grown-up. Follow our completely non-expert tips for making the most of your drive-in experience:

• Arrive early enough to get a spot about halfway back, and about halfway in the row, not too close to the concession stand
• Bring lots of snacks and drinks—the sweeter and saltier the better
• You can never have too many blankets
• Open the hatch if you have a larger truck and set up a little movie-watching love nest

Also remember that the experience isn’t just about the movie, so you can be less picky than you might in a theater.

DRIVE-UP RESTAURANTS

We think there’s something special about eating still-piping hot burgers and fries with ice-cold shakes in your car like you’re a too-cool teen in the ‘50’s—and doesn’t that mouthwatering combo just sound like summer?

Quoted scoured the web for the coolest local drive-up spots (because the chains just aren’t as much fun). If you live near one, you might consider loading up your family or friends and eating al fresco:

• Dicks Drive-In: serving up the classics at six Seattle-area locations
• Keller’s Drive-In: the Dallas, Texas standby serves up the classics—plus beer!
• Sycamore Drive-In: a spot with many summers under its belt, you’ll find the usual fare with extra flair in Bethel, CT
• All-American Drive-In: this Long Island, NY drive-in eatery lives up to its name in both food and decor
• The Varsity: serving Atlanta classic drive-in diner deliciousness for 87 years
• Frisco’s: located in Long Beach, Calif., this place has a huge menu and even huger following

Didn’t see your city on the list? Thrillist has a few more fun places to drive in and eat up. And if you know of a great drive-up restaurant for fantastic summertime car eating, tell us in the comments—you might help someone else crank their summer to eleven.

OFF-ROADING

Felicity Metzler, from 4 Wheel Online, told Quoted: “We’ll load up our Jeeps and SUVs with snacks and beverages, sunscreen and a change of clothes and go find a beach to drive along, find a trail to explore, or meet up with our local Jeep enthusiast club and find some muddy trails. When we’re all done, we’ll have a big barbeque/car washing party.”

If you don’t have your own Jeep, you can still get in on the offroading fun. From mountain trails to beaches, and SUVs to ATVs, there’s a rental out there for all types.

Consider changing the chore of car-washing into a meditative break.

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EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW

This summer, dust off your old childhood games for some contemporary fun. Just add some expert organizing and, of course, your car.

Heather Piper, co-owner of Thrill of the Hunt, gave Quoted the details: “Thrill of the Hunt takes a traditional scavenger hunt and incorporates social media and technology to make it interactive and even more exciting. Thrill of the Hunt personalizes each scavenger hunt for team building events, fundraisers, corporate outings, educational functions, public hosted events and birthday parties for all ages.” Piper also told us they’ve “Developed scavenger hunts to cover a large distance, either for historic value, to force individuals to get to know an area, or to increase the overall challenge. This scavenger hunt could also include a road trip or an overnight adventure. Pile a few friends in the car and partake in a scavenger hunt!”

CAR WASH

For car lovers—and clean lovers, and those looking for some novel entertainment for restless children—there’s nothing like an all-inclusive car wash to mix up your summertime routine, and even add a little fun. Really! Just picture yourself traveling slowly on the conveyer belt, those huge rollers banging and scrubbing, and all the poured soap and hose action–you could do worse on a slow and sleepy summer afternoon. And if you have restless kids to entertain, tell them a story about caves and witches, or heroes and adventurers fending off monsters. Or, if your kids are very literal, have them guess each step in the washing process–you can bet waxing will stump them. You’re sure to get at least a few fun-parent points out of the experience, with the bonus of a shiny-fresh car.

If you’re more of a DIY type of person, you might consider transforming the chore of car-washing into a meditative break. Hans Desjarlais from Import Insider tells us that washing his car “On a weekly basis is a way to relax and unwind after a busy work week.”