After a $65 lesson in where to actually place the teeth of the jumper cables on a Mini (it's not straightforward to me -- that is, apparently you don't put the positive on the big + and the negative on the big -, but rather something different which the tow-truck operator knew to do even though he's never seen a Mini Cooper before) I know now the correct way to jump start my car. She's running fine, now, no problem. I just have to make sure not to leave her lights on without turning on the engine.
I am having intermittent problems posting to the blog (due to the wireless access in the hotel) so I will post when possible.
4 comments:
That's correct. One lead has to go on the car body or engine block to act as ground. Lucky you didn't blow the battery up.
How did you guess? And the Positive didn't go on the bolt on the battery, but instead on a little dohickey sticking out from it.
I am trying valiantly not to feel like a fool. I have jumped cars many times (a bad habit of leaving lights on, helped immeasurably by having the dinging noise in the car when I forget). Hopefully $65 I don't want to afford will teach me.
Many moons ago, when I lived in Seattle, and had human hours, I was listening to the radio one morning and the D.J. had an interesting piece of advice which I've never forgotten. He said whenever you turn on your lights, in order that you do not forget that you turned them on, take your watch off and hang it on the light switch. While I realize that you can't do that with every kind of car, it still is a good idea when you can do it.
Mister Cellophane
I have misplaced my manual. Irritating, because I have a nice leather (Mini-Cooper-provided) case, in which is the manual for the radio in the more expensive version I didn't get, a service record book with stamps everytime I've had the dealer service the car, and the "unauthorized" manual, which came from Mini and is full of helpful suggestions such as how to undress in a Mini (open the doors but bend at the knee), how to romance in a Mini (front seats), how to rescue a kitten in a tree after dark to impress a girl (turn on the headlamps and open the bonnet -- the lamps point upwards). But no owner's manual. It's probably in my file at home, with the so far useless extended warranty I bought.
Post a Comment