Why you Shouldn’t Jump your Car Yourself

Dangers of Jump Starting Your Car

Jump-starting your own car can be hazardous. When possible, it is best to have a professional take care of this process for you.  Schedule a service appointment today for assistance.

• A damaged battery has the potential to start a fire when placing the jumper cables on. Car batteries contain sulfuric acid that can become vapors, leaking out of vents. These vapors can be highly flammable. Jumper cables are known to cause sparks and can ignite these vapors, causing fires or even possibly an explosion. If not done correctly, you can cause some serious injuries to yourself and others.
• A car that is jumped in the rain can also pose harmful results. Water is a very good conductor of electricity. While it might not cause you injury, there is a potential of damage being done to your car.
• Jumping your own vehicle can cause damage to the car if not done correctly. Vehicles today are built with more electronics inside than ever before. Improperly jumping your car can cause harm to these electronics. Placing the clamps on the wrong terminals can short circuit or even damage parts beyond repair. This could be an expensive mistake.

It is even plausible to cause damage to the car that has a good battery in it. The last thing you want to do is ruin the day of a good Samaritan who has gone out of their way to help you.

How to Jump Start Your Car Safely

1. First, with both cars off, place one of the red positive clamps to the positive terminal on the dead battery. The other red clamp should then be placed on the battery of the other car.
2. Next, you want to attach the black negative clamp of the jumper cable to the negative terminal on the working car. The other black clamp should not be placed on the dead battery; instead, attach it to a piece of unpainted metal, as far away from the battery as possible, on the dead car’s hood. Placing the negative clamp on the dead battery causes a spark, which could start a fire.
3. Start the car with the working battery, and allow it to run for a few minutes.
4. Next, you want to start the dead car. Once this is done, remove the cables in reverse order of how they were placed on the battery. Once the car is started, you need to let it run for about 20 to 30 minutes to recharge the battery to prevent it from dying again. While it is best to have a professional jump your car, sometimes you find yourself in a situation where it is impossible to have this done. When this happens, it is best to know the proper way to jump your car without causing yourself or the cars harm. If you find yourself in a situation where you have no choice but to jump-start your own car, here are some tips on how to do it safely.

During a jump, it is best to remove any jewelry you are wearing. It is also a good idea to take off any dangle clothing like scarves or ties that might accidentally touch the battery during the jump. Wear protective goggles, if possible.

The best way to prevent a dead battery is to find a car with a fresh battery Contact our service department for more information or to schedule your vehicle service. If you are looking to purchase a new vehicle around Port Charlotte, Florida, Check out Norm Reeves Volkswagen Superstore Port Charlotte. They have new and used cars for sale at reasonable prices. Take a look at their selection of Volkswagens. We look forward to your business!