I'm pleased to present the winter 2006 online edition of Perspective, PEMCO's customer newsletter. Thank you for subscribing. We've now issued three online editions, and I'm glad you find this e-mail version useful and convenient. As always, feel free to share Perspective with your friends, and watch for the spring issue coming out in May. I welcome your feedback about Perspective. Simply send your comments to perspective@pemco.com.

Jon Osterberg
Perspective editor

How to use jumper cables to start your car

You turn your ignition key and hear a sickly “rrr – rrr – rrr.” You switch on your headlights. Dim. You try the wipers. Nothing. Chances are, you have a dead or low battery.*

If you’d rather pick up a cell phone than lift the hood, now’s the time to test drive any roadside assistance service you may have. But if not, and you have a set of jumper cables in the trunk, you can handle this emergency yourself.

First, check your owner's manual to see if your car has any peculiarities when it comes to jump-starting. For example, instead of attaching jumper cables to the battery terminals on some new cars, you attach them to special jump-start lugs – a safety feature that allows the potentially damaging current surge to bypass the electrical system (and all your car's fancy onboard computers).

Next, find a willing soul to provide a booster car and follow these 10 steps:

1. Park the two vehicles hood-to-hood or side-by-side, but not touching. Turn off the ignition switch and accessories in both cars, put them in "Park" or neutral, and set the emergency brakes.
   
2. Shield your eyes with safety glasses (something you should carry with jumper cables). There’s a slim chance that even correctly connected cables can cause a battery to explode (spewing acid) if there’s a short circuit in either battery.
   
3. Clip one end of the red jumper cable to the red positive (+) post of the dead battery. If the posts are corroded, clean them first with a wire brush or post cleaner.
   
4. Clip the other end of the red jumper cable to the red positive (+) post of the booster battery. Take care not to let cables dangle in either engine compartment, potentially becoming entangled in belts or other moving parts.
   
5. Clip one end of the black cable to the black negative (-) post of the booster battery.
   
6. Clip the other end of the black cable to an unpainted, relatively clean part of the engine block or frame of the dead car (a bolt or bracket is good). DON'T CLIP IT TO THE BATTERY! It may create a spark, so choose a bolt or bracket away from the battery. Also, avoid the exhaust manifold or other parts that get hot.
   
7. Start the booster car.
   
8. Turn the ignition key of the dead car. If it doesn’t start within seconds, stop cranking and jiggle each cable end. You might have a bad connection.
   
9. Try starting the dead car again. If it still doesn’t start, it’s time for a tow.
   
10. Remove each cable end in the reverse order that you attached them. Take care not to touch the metal ends of the cable and don’t let them touch each other.
    

Driving an extended distance can help recharge a healthy battery. Consider having the battery and charging system tested, though. You might have a dying battery or a broken alternator.

*If your engine cranks but won't start, your battery isn't the problem and a jump-start won't help. Ditto if the wipers, radio, and lights work fine. Call a tow truck and have a mechanic evaluate the problem.