Have you ever found yourself stranded with a dead car battery? It’s the worst feeling in the world, especially if you’re running late for an important appointment. But before you grab a Pocket Battery Jumper and attempt to jumpstart your car battery, there are some common mistakes people make that can actually cause more harm than good. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at five of these mistakes so that you can avoid them and get back on the road smoothly.
Mistake #1: Not Wearing Protective Gear
One of the most common mistakes people make when jumpstarting their car battery is not wearing protective gear. This can include gloves, goggles, and earplugs. Without this gear, you risk serious injuries if the battery explodes.
Mistake #2: Using the Wrong Jumper Cables
There are two different types of jumper cables: alligator clips and screw-type terminals. Alligator clips are the most common type of jumper cable, and they’re designed for use with standard car batteries. Screw-type terminals, on the other hand, are intended for use with sealed lead-acid batteries.
If you use the wrong type of jumper cable on your car battery, it can cause a short circuit. This can damage your car’s electrical system, and in some cases, it can even start a fire. So if you’re not sure which type of jumper cable to use, be sure to ask a professional before you start jumpstarting your car battery.
Mistake #3: Connecting the Jumper Cables Incorrectly
One of the most common mistakes people make when jumpstarting their car battery is connecting the jumper cables incorrectly. If you connect the positive cable to the negative terminal on the battery, or vice versa, it can cause a spark that could damage the electrical system in your car. It’s important to make sure that you connect the positive cable to the positive terminal on the battery and the negative cable to the negative terminal.
Mistake #4: Not Jumpstarting in Neutral
When you go to jumpstart your car, it’s important to make sure it’s neutral. If it’s in gear, your car could lurch forward when you start the engine, which can damage the transmission.
Mistake #5: Not Checking for Alternator Problems
Your car’s alternator is what charges the battery while the engine is running. If it’s not working properly, your battery will eventually die, even if you regularly drive and use it. That’s why it’s important to check for alternator problems before you start jumping your car battery.
There are a few ways to tell if your alternator might be going bad. One is if your car’s headlights are dimming or flickering when you’re idling. Another is if your car stalls or has trouble starting up after sitting for a while. If either of these things is happening, it’s a good idea to get your alternator checked out by a mechanic.
In Conclusion
Jumping into a car with a dead battery is never fun, but it’s even worse when you realize that the reason the battery died in the first place was because of a faulty alternator. So save yourself some headaches down the road, and make sure to check for alternator problems before you jumpstart your car’s battery.