Have you used your car to give someone a jump since you bought it?

[610Alpha]

I had an eye opening experience last night. Right before my FPU class started a member of the congregation came in to the church asking for a jump...I said sure let me get my car and cables. I pull up get the cables and go to hook up my car but I can't get to the battery...hmm I look and look and don't see any way to get a clamp on the positive batter post at all. I drive a 2000 Chevy Lumina and on that model a bracket and the windshield washer reservoir are over the top of the battery and I can't get the clamp onto the positive post.

Lesson learned - make sure I know how to connect to my battery to give/receive a jump. I know how the cables should be connected I just need to find the remote positive terminal so that I can connect the jumper clamp to it.

To do: Figure out how to connect to the positive battery post on my car as well as how to change the battery on my car.

The person's vehicle was unable to be started and was pushed to a parking spot until they could get someone to work on it.

I will take a pic for and post later tonight.

[610Alpha]

I also realized how cheap my jumper cables are and will be buying a couple of quality 10 Gauge jumper cables are. The plastic seems real flimsy and I want to make sure I have something more durable and pliable.

[Not_Yet_Prepped]

Learn something new everyday! Most people would have just said oh well and ingorned the lessons to be learned. But not a prepper. A prepper sees that Oh I can't jump this person off... What if I needed the jump?

Pull out the owners manual and start reading! Hopefully someone asked the question while designing the car and then got an answer put in the manual.

[610Alpha]

I hope they put it in the manual....sometimes Engineers make me so frustrated. A perfect example of why I liked working on military vehicles...didn't have as much crap in the way.

[Not_Yet_Prepped]

Engineers... sometimes they outwit themselves

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex... It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction. "

~Albert Einstein

[Klayton]

May I suggest for around $130...
I believe the jumper cables are included in the price...

[610Alpha]

@klayton - that would work well if I knew where to put the jumpers on the on the battery post...they are buried underneath the windshield reservoir and a cross bracket. I have looked at the Owners manual and it says there should be a remote positive terminal so until i can find and confirm this I am up a creek without a paddle.

Having one of those in the trunk is a great idea and I will put it on my list.

[Stamper]

@klayton - that would work well if I knew where to put the jumpers on the on the battery post...they are buried underneath the windshield reservoir and a cross bracket. I have looked at the Owners manual and it says there should be a remote positive terminal so until i can find and confirm this I am up a creek without a paddle.

Having one of those in the trunk is a great idea and I will put it on my list.

Some of my older cars and I think my current one had a protective plastic cover containing the battery. Even though there were remote connections barely visable from the back of it, I removed the cover for purposes like this. Even if there are remote connections on your car, connecting jumper cables when in a hurry due to rain or cold may make for a hair raising experience. :eek:

[Benn Gleck]

I've given a couple of jumps since buying this truck in 09. No problem finding the battery or the terminals.

[jmsneorrcom]

some of the newer car batterys are in the trunk or underneath one of the seats

[Klayton]

@klayton - that would work well if I knew where to put the jumpers on the on the battery post...they are buried underneath the windshield reservoir and a cross bracket. I have looked at the Owners manual and it says there should be a remote positive terminal so until i can find and confirm this I am up a creek without a paddle.

Having one of those in the trunk is a great idea and I will put it on my list.

My mistake, I meant to say I think it includes a cigarette lighter/plug which can be used to jump instead of directly going to the battery. DONT quote me on that, I have not done it personally.

[eeyore]

Yep about the battery in the trunk, by the way the batterries in the trunk last 7 to 10 years or more in my area. I have been told it is because they are not subject to extreme cold that the engine compartment gets off the road at speed.

Anyway might want to check you owners manual that came with car (in the glovebox) it should show you how to safely jump and give a jump in your car. Years ago i would have told you to get a "hanyes" or "chilton" manuals, but know a days the ones i have seen and bought for my own vehicles were lacking. They are after market books that used to be very helpful for the shade tree mechanic.

[610Alpha]

I found the remote positive post for the battery so I now know where to hook the jumper cables too...I'll post some pics. There is a red plastic cover that was not over the post, it looked like someone had given a jump and forgot to put it back on the post...

The point being KNOW YOUR EQUIPMENT.

[tired-medic]

I have added a remote plug for battery power. It is a power pole connector mounted on the vehicle with a matching cable , plug on one end clamps on the other. For my use I have a plug on both ends and a short extension cable with the clamps. Nobody ever wants to swipe a cable without clamps. I really like the system. The first kit I found had 30 foot cables so I don't have to turn nose to nose just pull up behind or ahead of the other vehicle, no more raising the hood, much safer. I also can tap power for an inverter, lights or any 12 volt accessory from the plug. I have a friend who has the same plug set on a winch, we made a set for him and he loves them.

[miked2345]

To do: Figure out how to connect to the positive battery post on my car as well as how to change the battery on my car.

Changing a battery is darn near impossible on some cars.... My dad bought a new battery for his car. A plymouth something.

He opens the hood - "Where's the battery?!?!?" No battery... Just two cables coming outa the fender! He called his mechanic, who confirmed.... On his car, you have to REMOVE the fender to see the battery!!! Insane!