HELP! I am embarressed to say, that I DO NOT know how to use my Booster Cables to boost a dead battery in my car. :( I have in the past been nervous of getting an electric shock! That was then, and now I no longer want to be IGNORANT! :D Can someone please tell me, with very EASY SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS, how I can boost the dead battery in my car (1993 Eagle Summit Wagon) THANKS. :)

Here's written instructions with pictures.

The only thing I would add, since it's a part of your thought about getting shocked:

In addition to a "+" and "-" sign on the Positive and Negative terminals, the Positive one is usually also identified by Red plastic parts on it: either a red ring surrounding the terminal, or a Red cover covering where the cables of the car attach to it.

You could freeze to death while reading all those instructions. Quite often when your car needs jumped, it is cold, dark, and maybe raining or snowing. The essentials are identifying the positive and negative terminals. The only cases of damage I know about is where the cables were reversed. It can be tough. You might check now, and if your terminals aren't clearly marked, mark them, even a big red plus in nail polish on the positive terminal could help.

The cars only need to be close enough for the cables to reach. No sense fighting snow and traffic to get them closer. Try to remember where your battery is. Usually they are near one front corner. Just pulling the cars head to head should be close enough. It is good to clamp one clamp to the insulated handle of the other before connecting the other end. That way the ends do not touch and spark, a real hazard not covered on that web site.

Many cars don't have a good place to connect the cables besides the battery terminals. There are also bare metal housings better not subjected to high currents. If you can locate something good, fine, use it. When you connect the cables, wiggle them around a little to assure good contact.

Leave the good car running. Otherwise, you could drain its battery and have 2 dead cars. Shutting the car off after it starts is another good way of creating an unneeded problem. May also cause your helper to give you a cursing and leave in disgust. Most people have never read all that stuff and don't follow it. Best to leave the battery terminals alone unless the car won't start. Cleaning dirty ones is important, but better done at home or a repair shop.

Remove the cables as quickly as you can when the car starts, again clamping one clamp to the handle of the other.

I should just add quick steps on how I do it.

- get the working car close enough to the not working one so that cables can reach from one battery to another
- pop both hoods and leave the working car's engine running
- identify "+" and "-" terminals on BOTH working and non-working car's battery
- take the red cable, and connect one side to the "+" terminal of the working car
- connect the other part of the red cable on the "+" terminal of the non-working car
- take the black cable and connect one side to the "-" terminal on the working car
- connect the other part of the black cable to the "-" terminal of the non-working car

Have someone rev the working engine to about 2000rpms while you try to start your car. The alternator which is producing electricity will produce higher voltage at higher engine speeds (up to some level).

Crank your car as you would normally (without being connected by booster cables). As soon as it starts leave it running (in neutral) and go disconnect cables in reverse order of connecting.

It is just important not to touch cables together once they're connected. Also, hold the cables by it's rubber parts only. Rubber is a good insulator.