"Bandit" (2bandit) 12/13/2013 at 10:28 • Filed to: None

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Got 3hrs of sleep. I am sick. Today will be fun. Something to make this post apply to cars: I had to jumpstart two cars yesterday. Neither of them had any clue how to use jumper cables. Isn't that suppose to be common knowledge.

davedave1111 > Bandit 12/13/2013 at 10:30

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Depends what you mean by knowing how to use them. Different cars have different recommendations from the manufacturer, so you always have to check the manual for the correct connections and order before jump-starting. Just connecting things up the old-fashioned way can cause severe damage to modern electronics, or so I'm told - I've never made the magic smoke escape in that way myself.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > davedave1111 12/13/2013 at 10:36

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Generally throwing the cables on the terminals and grounding the negative one on the bad car works every time, we do it with every BMW/Mini at our dealership as well as every used car we have.

Bandit > davedave1111 12/13/2013 at 10:42

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Red to red and one black on the battery the other on the block.

This is a decent picture

TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H! > Bandit 12/13/2013 at 10:54

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I guess I'm lucky. The last time I needed a jump, I was off and running less than 45 seconds after I asked. Also, I'm sure you know this, but, CARRY YOUR OWN DAMN SET OF CABLES. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU WILL NEED THEM. THEY FIT INSIDE THE SPARE WHEEL. THEY ARE 10 DOLLARS. THERE IS NO EXCUSE.

/rant.

Leadbull > E30Joe drives a Subaru 12/13/2013 at 11:17

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Some cars don't even have a negative terminal—the manual just tells you to ground it.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Leadbull 12/13/2013 at 11:23

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Most new BMW's have a little spot under the hood especially for ground the negative terminal as well as a little post for the positive terminal, pretty hard to mess it up.

davedave1111 > E30Joe drives a Subaru 12/13/2013 at 11:34

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The AA says:

Check the vehicle handbook before using jump leads. All include general advice on jump-starting but some include model specific procedures. If this is the case you must follow the manufacturer's procedure rather than the steps described below.

That's now the standard advice. Most cars are still the default, I think, but definitely not all. And if you make the electrical system go bang, it's going to be a seriously expensive repair. I've heard stories of people setting off the airbags by jump-starting wrong, and that kind of thing.

Edit: https://www.google.com/search?q=jump+… - try changing the search to stuff like 'warning light' instead of airbag, as well. There's a lot of hits.

davedave1111 > Bandit 12/13/2013 at 11:37

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https://www.google.com/search?q=jump+… - try changing the search to stuff like 'warning light' instead of airbag, as well. There's a lot of hits.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > davedave1111 12/13/2013 at 11:39

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Today is probably the day I set off every air bag in a car while jumping it.

davedave1111 > E30Joe drives a Subaru 12/13/2013 at 11:42

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While jumping it?

That's allowed. While jump-starting it is a fail, though.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > davedave1111 12/13/2013 at 11:46

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I did jump a raptor that we got in on a trade last winter, don't tell my boss...

davedave1111 > Bandit 12/13/2013 at 11:49

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That's the normal/default way, but it's not the only way. Modern cars are getting more sensitive to the connection order amongst other things. It's important to check if the manufacturer says to do it the normal way or another way, because you could potentially end up with a very big repair bill otherwise.