How to Jump Start a Car for Women

When we are having car trouble in the grocery store parking lot or at the mall, there is often a gallant gentleman who takes notice and offers to help so that we have no need to get our hands dirty. But what happens when no such hero is on the scene, or Sir Galahad is just as clueless as we are? We ladies need to know how to handle a few minor car emergencies ourselves.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Jumper cables
• KitWork gloves
• Vehicle owner’s manual

1. Use sound judgment in selecting a prospect, and approach the safest appearing individual in the vicinity to request a jump-start. It is particularly important for women to use caution in approaching strangers for assistance. Park the assisting vehicle close (but not touching) to your vehicle, and turn off both vehicles, with the gear in Park.

2. Put on your work gloves, and take the jumper cables from your car’s emergency kit.

3. Using your Owner’s Manual for guidance, attach one red clap of the cables to the positive battery terminal of the dead battery, and the other red end to the positive battery terminal of the car providing the jump.

4. Attach one black clamp of the cables to the negative battery terminal of the dead battery, and the other black end to any non-painted metal surface of the other car, for a ground. Do not attach it to the negative battery terminal.

5. Start the car of the car providing the jump, and wait for a couple of minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure not to touch the clamps together, or to any other surfaces, when any parts of the cables are attached to the battery.
• It is a good idea to wear safety goggles, and to keep a full emergency kit in your vehicle.