Service Tips

Regular vehicle maintenance and normal driving habits can reduce fuel consumption and lower vehicle emissions... Both of which puts money back in your pocket and contribute to a cleaner environment...

Keep your vehicle properly maintained to optimize fuel efficiency - change your engine oil & filter regularly

• Check tire pressure - At least once a month and watch for signs of unusual tire tread wear. Make certain they have equal pressure. A 20% drop in pressure will increase fuel consumption by about 10% and reduce tread life by 15% Spotting Tire Tread Wear >>
• Good spark plugs and a clean air filter - add to better gas mileage Spotting Good/Bad Spark Plugs
• Remember that excessive idling (like warming up your vehicle on cold days) - wastes a lot of fuel and can be hard on your engine
• A faulty cooling system thermostat - that doesn't allow the engine to quickly reach or maintain its correct operating temperature can dramatically increase fuel consumption and affect the overall performance of electronically controlled engines
• Give yourself plenty of time to get your destination - if you are racing against the clock, you're likely to drive too fast and accelerate too quickly... both of which wastes fuel
• Shop aggressively for the best price of gasoline - read your vehicle's owner manual and use the grade of fuel recommended by the manufacturer
• Lighten your load - avoid carrying non-essential heavy items such as tools, equipment (remove roof racks when they are not being used)
• On longer trips - plan your route to mitigate stops and starts

Tips on how to do it properly...

Before you start... PLEASE read and understand all procedures and precautions in your Owner's Manual before attempting this process...

• Gases emitted from a battery can be explosive. Keep cigarettes, lighters, spark or open flame far away during this procedure.
• Do not attempt to push start your vehicle. This could damage the engine.
• Avoid contact with battery acid - it's corrosive to skin and clothing.
• Be certain the input to your vehicle is 12 volts. Do not use a 24 volt power supply - as it can harm your electrical system.
• Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled vehicle - this could also damage the electrical system.
• Be certain vehicles "ARE NOT TOUCHING". Also, make sure you do not become a "bridge" between the 2 vehicles. Electricity will travel through a human body.
• Switch off all accessories, except for the heater fan. Turn it on (in both vehicles) to help protect against an electrical surge.
• Connect the RED cable to the POSITIVE (+) terminal of the disabled battery and then to the POSITIVE (+) terminal of the boosting battery. Be careful to prevent the clips on the jumper cables from touching together.
• Connect the BLACK cable to the NEGATIVE (-) terminal of the booster battery, then connect the other end to the alternator mounting bracing stud of the disabled vehicle. DO NOT connect directly to the NEGATIVE (-) terminal of the disabled vehicle - this could cause sparks and lead to an explosion.
• Start the boosting vehicle and rev engine slightly.
• Start the engine of the disabled vehicle.
• Run both vehicles for 3 minutes before disconnecting leads.
• Remove cables in reverse order (both NEGATIVE (-) sides first).
• Allow jumped vehicle to run for a while to "relearn" its idle position.
  

• BOOM - Rhythmic sound, like a drum roll or distant thunder. May also cause pressure on eardrum.
• BUZZ - Low-pitched sound, something like a bee, usually associated with vibrations.
• CHATTER - Rapidly repeating metallic sound.
• CHUCKLE - Rapid noise that sounds like a stick against spokes of a spinning bicycle wheel.
• CHIRP - High-pitched rapidly repeating sound, like chirping birds.
• CLICK - Light sound, like a ballpoint pen being clicked.
• CLUNK/THUMP - Heavy metal-to-metal sound similar to thump, like a hammer striking steel.
• GRIND - Abrasive sound like a grinding wheel or sandpaper rubbing against wood.
• GROAN - Continuous, low-pitched humming sound, similar to a moan.
• GROWL - Low, guttural sound, similar to a howl, like an angry dog.
• HISS - Continuous sound, like air escaping from a balloon.
• HOWL - Low, guttural sound, similar to a growl, like an angry dog.
• HUM - Continuous sound of varying frequencies, like a wire humming in the wind.
• MOAN - Continuous, low-pitched humming sound.
• KNOCK - Heavy, loud repeating sound like knock on a door.
• PING - Similar to knock on a door, except a higher frequency.
• RATTLE - A sound suggesting looseness, such as marbles rolling around in a can.
• ROAR - Deep, long, prolonged sound like an animal, or winds and ocean waves.
• RUMBLE - Low, heavy continuous sound like that made by wagons or thunder.
• SQUEAK - High-pitched sound, like rubbing a clean window.
• SQUEAL - Continuous, high-pitched sound, like running finger nails down a chalkboard.
• TAP - Light, hammering sound, like tapping a pencil on edge of a table... may also be rhythmic or intermittent.
• WHIR - High-pitched buzzing sound similar to a whine, like an electric motor or drill.
• WHINE - High-pitched buzzing sound similar to whirring noise, like an electric motor or drill.
• WHISTLE - Sharp, shrill sound, like wind passing a small opening.