You’re walking out of your apartment and notice a good looking gal with the hood of her car open, looking at the engine with desperation. You go over and ask what’s wrong. The car battery is dead, and she’s late for class. She asks you if you can give her car a jump. You look down at the ground, kick some rocks, and offer to call AAA instead.
You have no clue how to jump start a car.
Every man should know how to jump start a dead car battery. You never know when you’ll need this knowledge to aid a stranded damsel in distress, or help yourself get out of a jam. While jumping a dead battery is super simple, you’d be surprised by the number of men who have no idea how to do it. And even if you have learned how to jump start a car before, it can be easy to forget what cables go where. Positive on negative? Ground the positive cable on the car with the good battery? Red cable is negative?
To help you avoid looking like a putz when asked to jump start a car and to help prevent you from shocking yourself when you do it, this article offers a complete multi-media rundown on how to jump start a dead car battery. But first…
How to Tell If Your Battery Is Dead
Before you try jump starting a car, you need to determine that the battery is the reason the car isn’t starting up. If you turn the ignition and hear the engine cranking, a dead battery isn’t your problem and jump starting it won’t do a darn thing. However, if you turn the key and the car does absolutely nothing, then there’s a good chance you have a dead battery on your hands and jumping it may be your ticket to getting back on the road.
Your 60-Second Illustrated Crib Sheet to Jump Starting a Car
Whether navigating the woods in a survival situation or hunting for treasure deep in the tunnels of an ancient temple, knowing how to make a torch with just a few common supplies is a valuable skill. Need fire and don’t have matches on hand? Read up on how to start a fire.
The Art of Manliness put together this handy visual guide that makes it easy to remember the steps to get a fire started in the rain.
Knowing how to start a fire is one thing; knowing how to do it in the rain is a whole other. Whether you’re a frequent camper, or an avid hiker, it’s an important skill to have. In an emergency situation, it may very well be the difference between life and death, as fire provides not only warmth, but food as well. (Note that cutting bark from a tree should in fact only be done in an actual emergency, as this can damage and even kill the tree.) Follow the tips above and you’ll never be without the skills to start a fire, even on a damp and rainy adventure.
The holidays are over and you likely have gifts you need to write thank you cards for. Here’s how to do it with class.
Enjoy!
A great thank you note is a lot more than a piece of paper with “thank you” written on it, however. This primer will have you writing thank you notes so good, people will want to give you presents just to receive one.
Thank you notes are a terrific way to show your gratitude, and this video from the Art of Manliness YouTube channel covers all the ins and outs of writing the best thank you note possible. You’ll learn things like:
When it’s appropriate to write a thank you note.
What stationery is best to use.
You should always use a euphemism when referring to a gift of money (like generosity, kindness, or gift).
Ways to show your appreciation for gifts and hosted events by describing what you liked about the event, or how you plan to use an item.
If your note is for someone you don’t see very often, adding a little news about your life can make your thank you note even more appreciated. With the holidays coming to a close, don’t delay, and get those thank you notes sent out as soon as possible.
Ironing a dress shirt is one of those things most people don’t know how to do right. As no one wants to walk into a meeting looking like you just took the shirt out of the laundry basket, here are some tips from Business Insider and The Art of Manliness for properly using your iron on a dress shirt.
