Many of us have experienced hearing the “click-click” sound when you’ve tried to start your car, and nothing happens. A dead car battery! Now what? Protecting yourself and your car requires more than just excellent car insurance. Keeping an eye on regular maintenance and car safety will go a long way! That’s why you should have your battery checked by your automotive service provider when the seasons change in the fall. If you ever find yourself in a position where you need to boost your car battery, be sure to have booster cables (pre-purchased in case of emergency,) a friendly stranger or family member, and another car for the boost. Then, follow isure’s step-by-step guide below:
1. First, turn off everything in your car!
As soon as you realize your battery is dead, turn your engine off.
2. Connect the positive booster cable (Red) first
Booster cables are great to have if you know how to use them properly. Most people don’t know how to use them and if you’re not careful, you could end up damaging your car, which can be costly and unnecessary. First, connect the positive cable (+)(red) to the positive post (+)(red) of the dead car battery.
3. Connect the other end
Now connect the other end of the positive cable to the working battery in the other vehicle.
4. Now connect your negative booster cable (Black)
Grab your other negative cable (-) (black) and connect it to the negative post of the working battery in the other vehicle.
5. Connect the other end
Connect the other end of the negative cable to a metal part of the dead vehicle’s engine. DO NOT attach the negative cable to the negative post.
6. Try starting your engine
Start the engine of the working vehicle, than start the vehicle with the dead battery. Once it’s started, let them run for a few minutes so that the dead battery can hold the charge.
7. Disconnect your cables
If your engine seems to be up and running, safely disconnect the cables in reverse order.
When do you think most of the damage to your car battery happens? Summer or winter? If you’re thinking “winter,” then you would be incorrect. In actuality, most of the damage happens to your battery in the summer due to the extreme heat and high temperatures. During extreme temperatures, be sure to start your car and let it run for a few minutes, even if it’s not being used.
Parking tip
If you are going to park your car, you should either pull through the spot or back into it. The reason being is if you have a car battery that is dead, it will be easier to get the booster cables to the car battery. If the front of the car is blocked, it’ll be more difficult to get to the hood!
When all else fails, just know that you can rely on reputable companies, such as CAA, to help you boost your car battery. A driver’s rule of thumb is to keep an emergency car safety kit handy at all times in case of emergency. Luckily, isure has got you covered with our ultimate winter safety kit.
