How to use Jumper Cables
No matter where you go in your car, it is always a good idea to carry a set of jumper cables, also known as jumper leads. If you ever experience a flat battery in your car, you'll be very happy that you have packed the leads. Be careful not to touch metal parts of the car during the jumping process to avoid getting an unwanted electric shock; avoid touching white powdered battery acid too—it can burn!
To use jumper cables, first, turn the key in your car. If there is no power at all, no lights or radio comes on, then you know for sure that the battery is the problem here. You need to get the assistance of a motorist who has a car with a charged, working battery. Have them park their car with engine in the OFF position alongside yours or facing with their open car hood to your open car hood. Have the jumper leads unraveled so they are completely straight then attach the red clip to the positive terminal of your battery—the one with a '+' sign. Sometimes there are plastic caps on the terminals, which will need to be removed to expose the metal beneath; make sure that you are clipping to the metal.
Attach the red clip on the other end of the lead to the positive '+' terminal on the battery of the car with the running engine. Next, attach the black clip to the negative '-' terminal of the car with the running engine making sure again to remove any plastic capping off the terminal so that the metal clip is clasped against metal. Then take the other black clip and secure to the engine block (any metal part of the motor) of the car with the dead motor; it is vitally important that you do not touch any metal part with your hand in order to avoid sustaining an electric shock. To prevent sparking off the leads be sure to follow jumper cable and vehicle manual instructions.
Start the engine of the dead engined car, and if it doesn't fire up, re-check the connections on the terminals. Then, disconnect the clips in the reverse order that you attached them. Remove the black one off the engine block of the flat battery car then the black clip off the negative '-' terminal of the car with the running motor; take the red clip off the positive '+' terminal of the running car then finally remove the red clip from the positive '+' terminal of your car. Make sure to keep your car running for the next 20-30 minutes so that your battery can recharge otherwise you may have to use the jumper cables again when you start up next time.
