What to Pay Attention to When Charging a Car from Another Car
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Precautions for charging a car from another car: 1. Pay attention to the charging duration: Leaving the car charging for too long can cause safety issues, including battery damage and potential self-ignition; 2. Turn off in-car devices: It is best not to stay inside the car or turn on configurations like air conditioning or music while charging, as simultaneous charging and power consumption can lead to battery wear and overheating, which is particularly unsafe in summer. Car battery precautions: 1. First, use distilled water or a dedicated battery replenishment fluid to adjust the battery's liquid level to the specified height; 2. Before charging, connect the battery to be charged according to the rated voltage and current of the charging equipment; 3. The charging current is selected based on the battery's capacity, and constant current charging is carried out in two stages—the first stage's charging current is one-tenth of the battery's rated capacity, and the second stage's is one-twentieth; 4. After charging, check the density of the battery's electrolyte.
Recently, while helping a friend jump-start their car, I repeatedly emphasized safety measures. Both vehicles must be parked on level ground with at least a meter of space between them to avoid collisions, and the engines must be completely turned off before starting. During the operation, I wore thick rubber gloves to prevent accidental contact. When connecting the jumper cables, first attach the red clamp to the positive terminal of the donor car, then to the positive terminal of the recipient car. Next, attach the black clamp to a metal bracket on the donor car's engine hood, and finally to a similar bracket on the recipient car—getting the order wrong can cause an arc short circuit. After connecting, start the donor car and let it run for five minutes before attempting to start the recipient car. Once done, disconnect the cables in reverse order, taking care not to rush. Also, inspect the battery's exterior—if there’s any leakage, abort the operation as acidic fluid can harm the skin. Stay alert throughout the process and avoid doing this during thunderstorms. If the recipient car still doesn’t start, the battery might be completely dead, and it’s best to tow it to a professional shop. After a successful jump-start, it’s advisable to drive for at least half an hour to allow the alternator to fully recharge the battery. Regular maintenance, like cleaning corroded terminals, can prevent such issues—I usually apply Vaseline for protection.
