Jump Starting Instructions
Safety Check List
Always Perform this Step Before Use to Ensure Safe Operation.
1. Check to make sure that the clamps and cables are in good working order. Signs
of damage include, but are not limited to the following:
- Burn marks on the jaws
- Damaged clamp handles
- Damaged clamp springs
- Damaged cables where copper wiring may be exposed (insulation jacket
deteriorated, cut or missing)
Verifying these simple check points before every use will keep your Booster Cables safe
to use and increase its service life.
Note: Both the battery to be jumped and the booster source must be of the same
voltage (6 or 12V, etc.).
Note: Power sources other than batteries should not exceed 15V for use with 12V
systems or 8V for use with a 6V system.
Note: Position the “host” vehicle, or other power source, adjacent to the “disabled”
vehicle with the discharged battery so that booster cables can be connected easily
between both vehicles. Make certain that the vehicles do not touch each other.
1. Turn off all electrical loads and set the parking brake on all vehicles. Place
automatic transmission vehicles in “PARK” and manual transmission vehicles in
“NEUTRAL”.
2. Be sure that the vent caps are tight and level on both batteries. Place a damp
cloth over any vent caps on each battery, making certain it is clear of fan blades,
belts and other moving parts.
3. Determine whether the discharged (dead) battery has the negative (-) or the
positive (+) terminal connected to the ground. The ground lead is connected to
the engine block, the vehicle frame, or some other good metallic ground. The
battery terminal connected to the starter is the one that is not grounded. (All
vehicles manufactured in the U.S.A. after 1955 have the negative battery terminal
grounded. All European and Asian passenger vehicles manufactured after 1971
have the negative battery terminal grounded.)
4. On a negative ground system, connect the positive (POS, +) cable to the positive
(pos, +) terminals of both vehicle batteries (host and disabled vehicles). Do not
allow the clamps to touch any vehicle part other than the battery positive (POS,
+) terminal.
5. On a negative ground system, connect one end of the negative (NEG, -) cable to
the negative (NEG, -) terminal of the host vehicle battery. Connect the other end
of the negative (NEG, -) cable to a vehicle ground on the disabled vehicle (engine
block, vehicle frame or other heavy-gauge, non-moving, unpainted metal part –
never connect to carburetor, fuel lines, or sheet metal body parts). Again, do not
allow the clamps to touch each other or a common conductor.
6. Start the host vehicle’s engine and allow to idle.
