| February 7, 2006
10:07 AM EST (15:07 GMT)
Drive far enough and long enough and you are likely to run into a situation involving a dead battery ... yours or someone else's. Getting the disabled vehicle back on the road will require some means of sharing energy from the healthy battery with the disabled one.  |  | NASCAR Performance Network | |
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Typically to help the engine to start. The transfer of electrical energy is usually done using heavy sections of wire with clamps at either end called booster cables. Connecting and disconnecting should be done in a safe sequence to protect people and vehicles from harm. Separate and untangle cables. Turn off all accessories and ignition switch of disabled vehicle and make certain that both vehicles are in neutral or park and that parking brakes are set. Then carefully follow the steps below: Attach one clamp (typically the one marked with red) to the positive (+) post of the disabled batteryAttach the opposite end of the same cable to the positive (+) terminal of the source or "good" batteryConnect the clamp from the second cable to the negative (-) terminal of the source of "good" batteryWhen ready to start the disabled vehicle, attach the remaining clamp to a suitable ground some where away from the disabled battery. The alternator mounting bracket or similar spot is usually a convenient spot.Switch on the ignition of the disabled vehicle. If it doesn't start immediately (after few seconds of cranking), switch it off and start engine of the other vehicle with the "good" battery. Then attempt to start the disabled vehicle again by cranking no more than 10 seconds. If it has not started, wait 10-15 seconds before trying again. Three attempts without a start may indicate that other problems are present.When finished, disconnect booster cables in reverse order. Always be careful to keep cables separated from each other and vehicles to prevent sparking. Always wear eye protection when working around batteries and machinery and protect exposed skin. Batteries use acid and if it gets on skin or clothing it burns. If battery acid does get on skin or clothing, flush with large amounts of water and take first aid precautions. Proper ventilation is also required Batteries generate hydrogen gas, which can be ignited by sparks. Fuel vapors can also present an explosion hazard since booster cables operate using high amperage levels, some sparking when connecting or disconnecting must be expected. For more information, click here . | 
