Especially in the cold winter months it can happen that your vehicle can not be started. This is often the fault of a dead car battery. However, NuRNBERGER Insurance offers you not only first-class car insurance, but also a brief guide on how to properly jump-start your car.
Here’s how to jumper your car properly:
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You need: a jumper cable and a second car. The battery voltage of the two vehicles must be identical. A car with a 12-volt battery must not be bridged with a truck battery with 24 volts.
- The red wire belongs to the positive terminal on both batteries. So clamp one end of the red jump lead to the positive terminal of the dead battery and connect the other end to the positive terminal of the donor battery.
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Now start the car with the dead battery. An attempt should not take longer than 15 seconds. If the start is successful, let both motors run for about 3 minutes. As soon as the engine is on, turn on a function in the breakdown vehicle that consumes a lot of electricity (for example, rear window defroster or fan). In this way, dangerous tension peaks are avoided.
In case of an accident the right car insurance is crucial.
The most common questions about jump starting a car:
How long do car batteries last at all?
On average, car batteries last about 5 to 7 years with regular use. Higher quality pays off here. Expensive models can last more than 10 years, but cheaper ones give up the ghost after only 2 years.
Do I need a jumper cable with protection circuit?
An integrated auxiliary device in this cable prevents expensive damage caused by voltage spikes. But if you conscientiously follow the instructions, regular starter cables are also perfectly suitable.
Can I jumper my car battery when it rains?
Yes, but make sure that the places to be connected by cable are dry. And don’t let the cable ends fall on the wet floor!
Can a motorcycle be jumpered by car battery and vice versa?
In principle this is possible. However, the decisive factor is always that the batteries have the same voltage. Usually this is 12 volts, but with motorcycles sometimes only 6 volts. In this case, the weaker motorcycle battery can be overcharged and leak acid.
Can batteries be bridged with the cigarette lighter??
Some manufacturers offer jumper cables that connect to the cigarette lighters of both cars. However, due to the low current output, the donor vehicle must run for a longer period of time to achieve the desired effect. But even then, this method is not guaranteed to work.
Can you bypass any car?
In modern cars, there may be special connection points in the engine compartment. This is especially true for cars where access to the battery is located under the rear seat or in the trunk. The rule here is: search thoroughly and read the description, and only then connect the starter cable.
Also for passenger cars with automatic start-stop or with energy recovery does not apply the usual procedure of an override. Please do not connect the black negative cable to the negative terminal of the battery in these cars under any circumstances. Read the owner’s manual carefully to find out which connection points are named by the respective manufacturer.
How to bypass the car battery even easier.
For some time now, so-called jump-start boosters have enjoyed increasing popularity. The handy batteries replace the helper car. However, they should only be used if there is no defect in the breakdown vehicle or starter battery. Otherwise, the engine could fail after the cold start while driving.
What are the risks of bypassing the car battery??
You see: Basically, it’s very easy to bypass a dead car battery. However, extreme care and caution is required when coupling two power systems in this way. Even small omissions can cause serious damage to the car battery and the electrical system. The proof of the pudding is in the eating: If you and your helper are not completely sure – for example, what exactly the plus and minus poles are – you’d better call a professional.
Has the helpful neighbor made a mistake and caused damage?? Then you are normally stuck with it. Jump-starting is in fact a courtesy, where a tacit exclusion of liability is assumed. However, it does not apply if commercial roadside assistance or cab drivers have been paid to bridge the car.
Mobility – but safe!
To stay mobile with confidence, reliable protection for your car, drivers and passengers is essential. Which car insurance do you need?