[downeaster]

I checked the Owner's Manual of my 2010 vehicle. Not only did it not warn against jump starting, it explained exactly how to do it properly. The same instructions came with my jump cables.
I also researched this subject on the internet. I did not find anything but instructions on how to do it.

[CarGuys]

Originally Posted by downeaster

I checked the Owner's Manual of my 2010 vehicle. Not only did it not warn against jump starting, it explained exactly how to do it properly. The same instructions came with my jump cables.
I also researched this subject on the internet. I did not find anything but instructions on how to do it.

In the hands of a qualified person. Most at the time of no start panic and do not follow directions. You might and then you might just cross the terminals or touch cables together and short out the donors car.

OK this may sound harsh but you thrw out the glove. So here goes.

My information comes from direct factor data and training not a owners manual. The for your eyes only certified technician stuff. Go to school pay for the service take the national exams you get the good material.

Factor trainers for Ford BMW Chrysler GM and Toyota have all warned us. Heck even car salesman are taught how to use a battery jump pack.

37 years of teaching Automotive, Co - Hosting a Radio Talk Show. Co- owner of ATCS consulting service. ASE Master certified, L1 certified has let me be mentored by trainers who say NOOOOOOOOO bad habit old school jump starting cars period. Can it be done yes. Is it best practice no. Does your car company care if you cross the cables and let them repair you car. NO!

Heck most people can't even find the battery any more. It's hidden on many cars. And cables! Unless you can substitute them for bar bells and do bicep curls from the heavy copper weight they are no good. Those whimsy aluminum Jumpers cannot carry the current.

They get so hot the burn your hands.

So unless were talking apples to apples it's still best practice to use a jump pack and not risk your car the one jumping starting you and the risk of damaging both vehicles electrical systems.

Wanna jump start my Toyota Prius! 500 volts if you hit the wrong terminals! That will fry you in second. We train on how to drag a dead smoldering body away from the vehicle with a long wooded staff and lineman's gloves.

If your a tech were done with this discussion. This advise is for those not in the " Repair Business ". A dead battery CANNOT BE TOTALLY recharged by a vehicles Alternator. A Alternator is a battery maintainer not a battery charger.

You get jumped and take off with a near dead battery you can cause failure of the Alternator. Today's cars are running electrical fuel pumps injectors and other loads that require a battery to act as the reserve capacitor. At a light your car is not charging. The battery is keeping the car alive.

Just like spare tires that are going away. The old procedure of Jump starting a car is being discussed as a outdated task and may soon be out of a owners manual.

Thanks for your point of view.

[Wayne_TN]

Originally Posted by CarGuys

A battery jump pack is THE safest bet in the hands of someone who is car smart.

.

CarGuys - thanks for all the good info - i always thought jumper cables were safe if you used them correctly, but you have convinced me otherwise. Sooo, if i don't want to rely on AAA and want to use a "Battery Jump Pack" as you suggested, is that "Mighty Jump" referred to in reply #3 on this thread what you are talking about? Thanks!

[CarGuys]

Originally Posted by Wayne_TN

CarGuys - thanks for all the good info - i always thought jumper cables were safe if you used them correctly, but you have convinced me otherwise. Sooo, if i don't want to rely on AAA and want to use a "Battery Jump Pack" as you suggested, is that "Mighty Jump" referred to in reply #3 on this thread what you are talking about? Thanks!

Jump packs are available in parts stores, some AAA do carry them and of course on-line. They are also refered to as emeregency jump start packs.

The nice thing about them is many have emergency lights on them and a electrical plug outlet for a phone charger or what ever.

Storm comes and Power goes off you can run a 12 volt light or use it to recharge a cell. Stranded in your car you have back up power.

They can be recharged in the car through a power outlet or at home plugged in to an electrical outlet.

If you need to start a car or cart or lawn tractor they carry to the dead vehicle. No running cords or trying to manuver a jump vehicle. They also provide a in parallel support battery if the other is so dead it cannot run the car.

You still must follow the same safety rules and hook up procedures as in the owners manual. Always make and break the jump pack with the negative cable as the last hooked and first released. Many make and break on the positive and that can cause voltage spikes that can set off a air bag.

[buzzy]

How long do they hold their charge when kept in the car in Florida heat?

[CarGuys]

Originally Posted by buzzy

How long do they hold their charge when kept in the car in Florida heat?

Battery jump packs hold their charge pretty darn well. Another option is Emergency starter batteries. These are a sealed system that will sit in your trunk for up to 10 years. When the car is dead a adapter allows the unit to be hooked up to the power outlet in the car.

I just heard about this today. A caller on my radio show told me about it. Will have to research that. Makes sense and is more compact and less weight that a jump pack. A one time use item. Jump Packs last much longer.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Auto-Emergency-Jump-Start-Battery/dp/B000TN2BFA]Amazon.com: Auto Emergency Jump Start Battery, Start Me Up 2: Automotive[/ame]

[PJOHNS2654]

Originally Posted by zcaveman

AAA does jump start cars and will check also check out your battery. In my case, the car would not start after the jump, so they left to car running so I could take it down to Hilton Auto for a full checkout.

Like CarGuys said with the new technologies I would preder AAA with their knowledge and experience instead of employing my driveway technology and end up having to buya new comupter for the car and all of the other devices I would probably blow out.

Z

several days last spring our 08 expedition didn't get driven as we packed it for our trip north. Power lift gate multiple uses apparently ran battery down. The morning we were leaving would not start. Called AAA got it jumped and the guy said it tested bad and we would never make it home. He tried to sell us a new battery he had with him at a price that was inflated. We decided to wait and get a new one at Sams Club if needed. Almost four months and 5,000 miles later just had the battery tested and it is still good.

[Sable99]

Originally Posted by PJOHNS2654

several days last spring our 08 expedition didn't get driven as we packed it for our trip north. Power lift gate multiple uses apparently ran battery down. The morning we were leaving would not start. Called AAA got it jumped and the guy said it tested bad and we would never make it home. He tried to sell us a new battery he had with him at a price that was inflated. We decided to wait and get a new one at Sams Club if needed. Almost four months and 5,000 miles later just had the battery tested and it is still good.

I think you should call AAA and tell them about the company and what happened. I have never had anyone they sent try to sell me something!