I'm trying to jump start my mother's 2008 Fit with a Duralast bpdl 500 battery charger.

The cover for the Fit's positive terminal pulls back but the terminal itself has this black plastic part around most of it. It doesn't remove easily and I haven't forced it. Is this supposed to be there? I haven't seen this in any instructions or videos anywhere. The jumper cable clamp only fits forward of this black plastic bit.

Also, where should I clamp the negative clamp from the charger? I've seen different ideas on this.

The car isn't starting yet and I'll have to call roadside assistance if we can't get this to work. Seems like it should be simple enough to do ourselves with a few pointers.

Thanks.

 

Yep that assembly on the positive post is normal. Just clamp anywhere you can on it, doesn't have to be directly on the post. As for the negative, ideally you clamp somewhere away from the battery, possibly on one of the intake manifold bolts on the front of the engine - basically anything that's grounded. That said, I've simply used the negative post many times, though it's not recommended due to the remote danger of igniting any lingering hydrogen gas.