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I once stopped on one of those one-car-an-hour roads in New Mexico where a couple of Indians had their hood open. Nobody had any jumper cables, so they suggested pulling the battery our of my car, and turning upside down, with the battery posts touching. Sure, I thought, why not. A few minutes later, we were all on our way.
I guess having the battery upside down can't be good for it, but what could 10 seconds hurt?
I would never refuse someone asking for a jump if I didn't have a good reason to do otherwise (which doesn't include not wanting to or being in a hurry), and I would never accept money for that. I like to think that humans are at least half decent, and I would sure hate it if everyone around me had that "let someone else do it" or "I'll only help you people if it benefits me" attitude. How selfish. I try to treat others the way I would want to be treated if I were in their situation, regardless of how far-fetched the likelihood of that is.
Absolutely, ditto!
I've been helped out by complete strangers a time or three myself with car/semi (I drove truck OTR for a while) issues and think the nicest thing to do is pay it forward.
Would never accept money, either. If someone offers I tell them to pay it forward.
Caveat: I'm female and live near some very high crime areas. If I felt that it wasn't safe to stop and help someone out, I wouldn't. That's never happened, though. I've also stopped on a lonely highway in Mexico and given someone who was overheating water for his radiator.
Last nigh as I entered a drugstore I heard a fellow hollering SIR SIR SIR... He followed me in ans said "sir can you give me a jump" I said sorry I didnt have any cables. He said "thats ok I have some but my car is 3 blocks down the street so please give me a ride to it and jump my car off" The guy looked like he was drinking and had some blood under his nose like he may have be punched ....no way in hell was he going to get in my car.. I said sorry Im in a big hurry so he then asked for 5 bucks.....I quickly left....Gezzzz
Wow.. thanks a lot, noname. I even mentioned the reasons why I declined, why I didn't want to mess with it. Obviously a lot of people at the gas station had reservations about doing the boost too. Not everybody out there is comfortable with lifting their car's hood and twiddling around, even with so-called simple maneuvers.
Interesting that you 'thank people for the responses' when they agree with you, but respond sarcastically when people do not.
If you did not want people's opinions, I would recommend that you not ask!
It may be a good idea for you to familiarize yourself with some basics such as changing a tire, replacing a belt, or jumping a battery.
Having AAA might not save you when you are too far out, have no phone signal, or could fix something in 5 minutes vs a 3 hour wait!!!
I saw why you didn't WANT to mess with it.
Quote:
but I didn't want to mess it
I don't claim to be a particularly good christian, but I remember the parable of the good Samaritan.
Has anyone ever helped you?
There's no 'twiddling around, and I made sure my sisters knew how to do basic maintenance when they were learning how to drive. If THAT's your excuse....
As for safety.... I'm a 6 foot tall Marine looking guy. And I typically have 'the difference' if possible.
If you were a 5 foot woman I'd understand.
You didn't feel like helping others in need, and YOUR attitude made worse their already bad day. You feel guilty about it, and post here to get support for your guilt.
Sorry, not gonna play ball.
Your right to do so... I just hope you one day arn't at the mercy of people like yourself.
Hell, I even pick up hitch-hikers. Not all of them (Lot of difference between the 'bad vibe' people in a parking lot and in your car)
And there's a J frame under my left leg when they are in the car.
I was very surprised that no one seems to use a jump box.
Years ago when I started going to teh City fleet auction I noticed the guy assisting in the auction was using a jump box to start the cars and trucks. After about 30 jump starts I knew I had to have one. I have two. A generic from Sam's Club about $50 and a monster $300 that will start anything. The City fleet guy had one more in the $50 range.
First, there is no risk that someone will screw up you alternator by shorting things out. Second, it is far safer than positioning the cars facing each other. Third, sometimes you can't reach the battery location with cables. Fourth, you can jump your own car.
I was very surprised that no one seems to use a jump box.
Years ago when I started going to teh City fleet auction I noticed the guy assisting in the auction was using a jump box to start the cars and trucks. After about 30 jump starts I knew I had to have one. I have two. A generic from Sam's Club about $50 and a monster $300 that will start anything. The City fleet guy had one more in the $50 range.
First, there is no risk that someone will screw up you alternator by shorting things out. Second, it is far safer than positioning the cars facing each other. Third, sometimes you can't reach the battery location with cables. Fourth, you can jump your own car.
I cannot recommend one strongly enough.
Used to keep one when I drove a certain old vehicle.
Havn't had the need for years, and I ride 2 wheels mostly now anyway.
It would be drained between my thinking to keep it charged!
As a rule if I see someone in distress and I have my tools or cables with me I will offer to help. But these guys walking around at night can be bad news...Even in the nice side of town I live in and shop in it seems these dope head drunks still appear......
While camping at a lake with my family and in-laws (about 12 people in all) we were asked to give someone a jump. As we had just sat down to lunch, my FiL told them that we would help them after we ate.
I guess that wasn't good enough. The guy left for about 5 minutes, then came back with 2 Large friends. They started talking all tough about what ******** we were, and challenging us to a fight. My BiL stood up, casually pulled up the edge of his shirt to show the pistol on his hip. Never said a word. All 3 tough guys started backing up, still talking smack. They eventually got a jump from someone and left.
All depends on the situation. For example, most drivers don't realize that getting a jump-start can damage the vehicle's ECU, something that's clearly explained in the owner's manual. So, I go out there and jump start this little lady's very expensive Mercedes and fry the ECU
Also, you will notice that a power switch is installed out of the way on the dash near the steering column with a lot (not all) auto remote starters. If you read in the manual for the starter, the switch should always be turned OFF prior to jump-starting the vehicle so you don't fry the control unit.
Well... I can always park my car in a way that she does not notice my license plates, take the chance to fry her car's ECU, and then drive away.
Yes, I'll give a person a boost, that needs it. I live in cold country and when somebody is stranded, it could mean life or death.
Notice I said "that needs it". I once had a neighbor who had me jump his car instead of him buying a battery. After about the 5th day in a row I told him no. Don't know who he had jump his car at work so he could get home.
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