On-Line Battery Solutions |
|
Sure-Start PTY LTD |
|
Information... |
|
Jump Starting a Car and Changing a Battery |
|
What you will need: jump start leads (one red and one black), gloves and a small brush for cleaning. When you’ve not driven your car for a long time or you’ve left your headlights on by mistake you might find that your car won’t start because of car battery problems. Quite often all you need is a jump start to get you going again. Follow these easy DIY (Do It Yourself) steps and you’ll soon be back on the road. 1. First of all make sure both cars (the one with the flat battery and the car being used to provide the jump start) have the same voltage. Do this by checking the car battery. This is located under the bonnet but sometimes they are also found behind the back seats. To be sure refer to your car manual. 2. Line the cars up side by side (if possible) leaving a space between the two. This is better than having them face to face as sometimes the car can jump forward and hit the other one. 3. Open the car bonnet on both cars and make sure they are propped up securely by using the metal rod. 4. Make sure that both cars have all appliances turned off for example lights, wipers and radio as leaving them on can cause them to short circuit. 5. For the car with the flat battery make sure it is in first gear. 6. Wearing gloves use the brush to clean all metal connections to the car battery (for both cars). In some cases you may need to remove plastic protectors around the battery. If any of the two batteries have acid corrosion or rust the power will not get through the cables and into the battery to revive it. 7. The jump leads should be two different colours. The positive usually being red and negative black. 8. Firstly connect the positive lead from the car with the dead battery to the car being used to provide the jump start. 9. Then connect the negative lead from the car being used to provide the jump start to the flat battery. When connecting the negative cables connect to shiny and non painted metal part of the battery on the dead car. On the car with the good battery connect to a shiny nut, connecting to a painted or dirty nut will not be successful. Do not connect the negative cable directly on the dead battery as there is a risk of explosion. 10. Make sure there is no one near the car bonnet. Switch on the ignition in the car being used to provide the jump start and accelerate for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes switch off ignition. 11. Try starting the car with the flat battery, remember to switch back to neutral first. If the car still won’t start try again for a further 5 minutes. If there is no success you might need a new battery. 12. To remove the car leads do this in reverse order. Remove the negative from the car with the flat battery then remove the negative from the car being used to provide the jump start. Then remove the positive from the car with the flat battery then remove the positive from the car being used to provide the jump start. Close the bonnet and remember to thank the other driver who helped you jumped start your car. |
|
Changing a Battery |
|
Please note that this is only a general guide and is not specific to any one make or model of vehicle. For more detailed information on your own particular car, please consult a workshop manual specific to your own make and model! If you are not sure of any of the above please contact your local garage. |
|
Because changing a car battery is a fairly quick and easy job, it is suggested that you carry out this job yourself to save money at the garage. Follow these basic steps to change your car battery yourself: Wear safety gloves and goggles while replacing the battery and make sure the vehicle is parked in a safe place and cannot roll or move around. Be sure the battery actually does need to be replaced, by performing the necessary checks, then look out for a build up of blue-white powder around the battery terminal. This is sulphuric acid which can corrode human skin and eyes, so clean it off carefully without letting any touch your skin. Be absolutely sure that you have the right size and type battery for your particular make and model vehicle. Locate the positive and the negative terminals of the old car battery. The positive terminal will have a plus sign and the negative terminal will have a minus sign. Disconnect the negative terminal first - it is very important to disconnect the negative terminal socket before the positive terminal socket. Disconnect the positive terminal and remove the battery. Unfasten the battery holder and remove any screws, clamps or bars holding the battery in place. Carefully lift the battery out of the car. Remember that a battery can weigh quite a bit, so ask for help if you have back problems. A baking soda solution and a wire brush are the best things to clean the battery tray and terminal clamps. Leave the area to dry and then replace the battery. Put the new battery back into where the old battery came out, with the positive and negative terminals on the correct sides. Connect all the screws, clamps or bars that may hold the battery in place. Reconnect the positive terminal and then the negative terminal, securely tightening the clamps, and then spray the terminals with an anti corrosion solution. Check that the new battery is working correctly, and then dispose of the old battery correctly. Ask your local garage for advice on how to correctly dispose of an old battery. |
|
Watch on: |
|
Watch on: |
