Safe and effective: how to get a jump start
Your car won't start, but you have jumper cables and a second car at the ready? Great, then the basic ingredients are there. The Auto Club Europa (ACE) has a few tips to ensure that the energy donation works properly.
Let's go: Sort the cables and connect them correctly
Important: The ignition of both cars must first be switched off. Then the positive poles of the batteries are connected to the red positive cable - first on the donor vehicle and then on the receiver vehicle. Make sure that the red clamp does not accidentally come into contact with other metal parts of the cars. Otherwise a short circuit may occur.
Next, starting assistants connect the black cable to the negative terminal of the donor battery or the specially designed earth point - depending on the car's operating instructions.
Now connect the other end of the cable to the receiver car. Caution: The terminals of the black cable must never touch those of the red cable, otherwise there will be a short circuit.
Important: Ideally, you should also select the intended earth point here. A non-moving, unpainted part of the metal frame also works. This ensures a secure connection.
However, connecting the jumper cable directly to the negative terminal of the battery of the broken-down vehicle is not an option. This is because sparks can fly when the last terminal clamp is connected. However, if this happens directly on the battery, it can explode.
Start the donor motor and wait a little first
Once the cables have been connected, the donor car's engine is started and left running for a few minutes. Then attempt to start the receiver car. If it does not start immediately, check that the terminals are secure and wait a few minutes until the next attempt.
Once the engine has started, switch on heavy consumers such as the blower, lights or rear window heating in the broken-down car. This will prevent damage to the on-board electronics caused by voltage peaks.
Cable dismantling - the right way to do it
Dismantle the cables in reverse order - first the black ones, then the red ones. Switch off the consumers that are not required. If the weak-starting battery cannot be recharged immediately with a charger, you should drive on a country road or highway for about three quarters of an hour after the jump start to recharge it.
Alternative: Booster instead of cable
A so-called jump-start booster can also be used as an alternative to classic jump-start cables. According to ACE, these devices are available for less than 70 euros. In principle, these are powerful power banks like those used for cell phones or tablets. The advantage of these compact power boosters is that you don't need a second car.
The devices should always be fully charged and stowed safely in the vehicle in a bag that protects them from the cold.
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- Given the impending winter, it's essential for car drivers to install winter tires on their vehicles to ensure better traction and safety on slippery roads during the colder months. The German Automobile Club (ADAC) advises checking tire tread depth and pressure regularly to ensure optimal performance.
- Despite the clear weather forecast, the car driver was caught off guard when their vehicle got stuck on a wet road. Unable to restart the engine, they called for road traffic assistance, which advised changing to four-wheel drive if the vehicle had it as a safety measure until help arrived.
- Consulting the ADAC advisor, a car driver inquired about the best type of winter tires on the market suitable for their specific vehicle and driving conditions. The advisor recommended researching various brands and models, checking their winter ratings, and considering factors like price, tread design, and durability before making a decision.
Source: www.ntv.de
