Winter is the hardest season on an automobile, especially the battery.

According to mechanic David Zacharias, a longtime employee of Leaser’s Garage Inc., Lehighton, a good battery will hold a 12 volt charge normally, but can be zapped by cold weather.Good indicator that the car needs a jump: If it is a ‘hard start’ or turning the key in the ignition doesn’t start the vehicle.Zacharias said often people call emergency roadside assistance and have to wait to be rescued.For a simple jump when you are stranded, you can save the day yourself with just one set of jumper cables and a good Samaritan.Jumper cables can be found in any automotive parts store or typical box stores. The cables will have one red and one black cord ending in alligator clips to attach to the batteries for the charge.Zacharias says to purchase a new battery shortly after the restart as the car will most likely require another jump. If the dead battery does not start the vehicle after attempting the jump, Zacharias says it could be a number of other issues including a dead alternator.The key to a good jump start is to make sure the correct cables are connected to the correct terminals otherwise there is a high risk of blowing the battery, fuses or internal processor of both the nonstarting and donor cars.Follow these simple steps to jump start a car.1 Turn on the donor car and allow it to run for a few moments, then attach the cables starting with the red cable on the positive or plus sign terminal of the battery of the car that won't start. Next connect the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal on the battery of the working car. Then connect one black cable to the negative or minus sign terminal on the battery of the working car. Connect the second black cable to a ground on the car that won’t start. This would be a metallic/unpainted part of the engine or frame/chassis. This minimizes the chance of a spark.2 Keep the connection for up to two minutes then try to start the dead battery car.3 Unhook the newly charged battery in the order it was connected. Shut the hood, thank the donor car owner and proceed to your destination.