MICHELIN^® SMART JUMPER CABLES™ LET MOTORISTS CHARGE AHEAD

 

Patented Technology Helps Avoid Injury, Electrical System Damage

 

GREENVILLE, S.C. (November, 2009) – Improper use of ordinary jumper cables can result in sparking or shorting which can result in serious injury to the user. This can also produce a power surge that causes damage to a vehicle’s expensive electrical system vital to such things as engine and transmission operation, entertainment and navigation functions.

 

But MICHELIN’S new Smart Jumper Cables™ can help avoid personal injury and costly electrical damage incurred during an improper jump-start. The patented safety technology in Smart Jumper Cables provides built-in surge protection and automatic polarity adjustment from either positive or negative connections.  Their ease of use and safety features makes a traditional jumper cable design and process obsolete.

 

“Many motorists won’t associate the power surge from traditional jumper cable use as the root cause of their vehicle’s electrical system problem or failure because there can be a time lag between the two events,” said Alexia Hayes, a product development engineer for Pylon and mother of two young children.

 

Hayes adds battery problems are a year-round occurrence and the driving patterns of many parents with young children, new drivers and seniors make them especially vulnerable. 

 

“There are many factors that can cause a battery to fail,” said Hayes.  “Motorists that frequently forget to turn off their lights or take many short trips on a daily basis are at risk. The combination of performing many starting cycles, coupled with short run times can leave a battery below the ideal charge specification for most of its shortened life.”

 

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While motorists recognize automobile batteries are affected by cold temperatures and winter weather, few are aware that prolonged exposure to heat also contributes to battery failure.  Auto service experts place the life expectancy of a typical automotive battery at 3-5 years in average climates, but only 2-3 years in areas with high heat or extreme cold.

 

Beginning this fall, MICHELIN Smart Jumper Cables are available in North America at auto supply retailers and mass merchandisers for around $40 (U.S.).  Visit www.michelinsmartcables.com for store locations and details for online purchase.

 

In addition to the built-in surge protection and automatic polarity adjustment, Smart jumper cables offer a number of other premium features that make traditional jumper designs obsolete, including:

·         Cable clamps that can attach to either the positive or negative connections – eliminates guesswork 

·         LED indicator lights – confirms correct connections are made

·         Textured grips – improve handling, especially in cold weather

·         Heavy-duty cable with insulated clamps – stays flexible, tangle free, cold weather resistant

 

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (www.michelin.com) employs 22,600 and operates 19 major manufacturing plants in 17 locations.

 

For nearly 40 years, Pylon Manufacturing Corporation (www.pylonhq.com) has been a leading automotive aftermarket supplier specializing in the design, engineering and marketing of wiper blades.  Located in Deerfield Beach, Fla., Pylon is an ISO 9001-certified division of the Qualitor, Inc. family of automotive companies.  Pylon is the exclusive licensee responsible for the distribution and marketing of the Michelin^® Smart Jumper Cables™ and premium wiper blades throughout North America. 

MICHELIN^® Smart Jumper Cables™ Frequently Asked Questions

 

1) How are MICHELIN Smart Jumper Cables different from conventional jumper cable designs?

MICHELIN Smart Jumper Cables automatically adjust polarity which means you can connect the clamps to either positive or negative connections. Conventional jumper cables require that the clamps are specifically connected to the positive and negative battery terminals. Failure to properly attach conventional jumper cables can result in sparking, shorting, exploding batteries, engine fires, and expensive electrical system damage.

 

2) When and where can I purchase MICHELIN Smart cables and what is the MSRP?

Retail availability begins in the fall at around $40 (U.S.). Smart Jumper Cables make an excellent gift and are available for purchase at a number of major retailers in North America and via the Internet.  The list of retailers that will sell the cables includes Wal-Mart, Advance Auto Parts, Pep Boys, Rite Aid, Strauss and Fred Meyer and Zellers in Canada.  Visit www.michelinsmartcables.com for store locations as well as instructions for making an online purchase.

 

3) How do I know if the MICHELIN Smart Jumper Cables can be used to jump my vehicle’s battery?

Prior to using MICHELIN Smart Jumper Cables, check your vehicle owner’s manual for any special precautions or considerations specific to your particular vehicle.  Like traditional jumper cables, MICHELIN Smart Jumper Cables are designed for use on passenger vehicles and light trucks, most of which utilize a 12-volt battery.

 

4) What are the recommended steps for jump start using MICHELIN Smart cables?

Four (4) vehicle preparation steps:

1. Position vehicles so they are not touching but close enough for cable use.

2. Set an auto transmission vehicle in “Park” position; Set a manual transmission vehicle in “Neutral.”

3. Turn the ignition “Off” of both vehicles and set both parking brakes.

4. Raise and secure both hoods.

Four (4) easy boosting steps:

1. To the vehicle supplying assistance: connect one clamp to the positive (red) and the other clamp to the negative (black) battery terminal.

2. To the disabled vehicle: connect one clamp to the positive (red) terminal and the other clamp to exposed metal on the engine block or vehicle frame.

3. Verify both green LED’s are lit on the jumper’s center module. If not, adjust the clamps until they do light up.

4. Start the vehicle supplying assistance and let it idle normally for about 30 seconds. Then start the disabled vehicle.  Once the disabled vehicle is running, disconnect the clamp attached to the engine block/vehicle frame first, and then disconnect the remaining clamps in any order.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5) What safety precautions are recommended during the boosting procedure?

1. Do wear eye protection.

2. Do provide adequate ventilation when working with a battery in an enclosed space.

3. Do inspect battery caps on both vehicles are tight and level.

3. Do not lean over either battery. 

4. Do not smoke.

 

6) Do I have to connect the clamps to the battery terminals in a certain order?

No.  MICHELIN Smart Jumper Cables do all of the thinking for you. Connect one set of clamps to the boosting vehicle’s battery terminals and the other set of clamps to the disabled vehicle – one clamp on the positive battery terminal and the second clamp to metal on the vehicle engine block or frame.

 

7) Why attach one cable to metal on the engine block or body frame of the disabled vehicle?

Hydrogen and oxygen gases are produced during normal battery operation. The recommendation is an added safety precaution in the event gases are present during the jump starting procedure.

 

After connecting both sets of clamps to the battery terminals, the green LED’s on the center module are not illuminated.  What does this mean?

If the green LED’s on the center module are not lit, it probably means that the clamps are not securely fastened.  Adjust the clamps until the green LED’s illuminate.  If the green LED’s still do not light after you have firmly connected the clamps, then your battery is damaged, completely drained (no residual voltage), or has less than the 6 residual volts required for boosting.  The average residual voltage in batteries that require jumping is about 9 volts.

 

9) Tell me more about the surge protection feature.

The technology within the circuitry is designed to absorb or dissipate voltage spikes to prevent them from traveling down the line and causing damage to the vehicle’s electronics. One of the key components responsible for absorbing/dissipating voltage spikes is a varistor.

 

10) Tell me more about the automatic polarity adjustment feature.

The circuitry takes the residual power of the battery and identifies its polarity. Once the polarity is determined, the circuitry adjusts the polarity and switches the cables (if needed) and correctly routes the power.

 

The auto polarity adjustment is performed by five circuits – two voltage polarity recognition circuits (one for the battery to be rescued; the other for the battery providing the power supply) a logic recognition circuit, a driving circuit and a relay switching circuit.

·         The voltage polarity recognition circuits recognize polarity then send a signal to the logic recognition circuit.

·         The logic recognition circuit receives the polarity information then sends a control signal to the driving circuit.

·         The driving circuit receives the logic recognition signal and in turn drives the relay switching circuit.

·         The relay switching circuit enables the two batteries to be accurately coupled. In the event the system detects a connection problem, this circuit switches off the current conductors for safety.

 

 

 

 

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11) I have successfully jump started my vehicle.  How do I disconnect the MICHELIN Smart Jumper Cables?

Disconnect the clamp from the engine block/frame first then disconnect the remaining clamps in any order.

 

12) I have tried several times to start my vehicle with the MICHELIN Smart Jumper Cables attached, but my vehicle will not start.  What does this mean?

If after several attempts you are unable to start your vehicle, then it is likely that your battery is damaged, completely drained (no residual voltage), or has less than the 6 residual volts required for boosting.  The average residual voltage in batteries that require jumping is about 9 volts.

 

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America (www.michelin.com) employs 22,600 and operates 19 major manufacturing plants in 17 locations.

 

For nearly 40 years, Pylon Manufacturing Corporation (www.pylonhq.com) has been a leading automotive aftermarket supplier specializing in the design, engineering and marketing of wiper blades.  Located in Deerfield Beach, Fla., Pylon is an ISO 9001-certified division of the Qualitor, Inc. family of automotive companies.  Pylon is the exclusive licensee responsible for the distribution and marketing of the Michelin^® Smart Jumper Cables™ and premium wiper blades throughout North America.