Car battery won't start? Battery care and safe jump-starting

Heat shortens battery life, and in Kenya a typical car battery lasts around two to four years. Most failures give some warning.

Signs it's going

• The engine cranks slowly, especially in the morning.
• Headlights dim when you start the car.
• White or green crust on the terminals.
• The battery case looks swollen.

Looking after it

• Keep the terminals clean and tight.
• Have the battery and charging system tested at each service; many garages have a quick tester.
• If the car will stand for weeks, disconnect the negative terminal or use a battery maintainer.

Jump-starting safely

1. Switch off both cars and all accessories. Make sure the cars aren't touching.
2. Connect the red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the flat battery.
3. Connect the other red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery.
4. Connect the black clamp to the negative (−) terminal of the good battery.
5. Connect the last black clamp to bare, unpainted metal on the engine of the car with the flat battery, away from the battery.
6. Start the good car, wait a couple of minutes, then start the other car.
7. Remove the cables in reverse order.

Hybrids and some modern cars have specific jump-start points; check the manual first.