How to Jump Start a Car
Are you getting late for an important meeting, family event, party, etc? You are all geared up to have a smooth ride, adjust your seatbelt, twist the key, and click, click, click. Hold on! It’s the horrible sound of a dead battery failing to fire up the engine. Exactly, at the moment, when you don’t want this to happen. You are not going anywhere.
When this happens, you have two options: request roadside assistance or do it yourself. If roadside assistance is unavailable, the solution is JUMP-START!
A dead car battery can leave you abandoned and can be stressful. But here is a simple trick! If you carry jumper cables or a jump starter in your trunk. And have the skill to utilize them appropriately, your problem is solved instantly.
Jump-starting a car is simple. As long as you keep all the cautions in mind, you can do it. Since the car battery is situated in the motor compartment, where combustible gases might be near, a spark could light a fire. So while attaching the weak battery to the live battery in the booster car, do it carefully without creating any sparkles. Otherwise, it can be dreadful.
CAUTION: Connecting the jumper cables properly can reduce the risk of lighting up a spark.
Keeping all these matters in mind, we have highlighted a beneficial kit and a step-by-step guide to jump start a car. That way, you can avoid injuries and become your own hero. So, keep scrolling!
HOW TO JUMP START A CAR
Keeping the following jump starter pack in your car at all times is a win-win choice for you:
Jumper Cables
Mechanic Gloves
A Flashlight
Paper Coveralls
Owner’s Manual
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO JUMP-STARTING A CAR
OBS: It is essential for all drivers to know how to jump start a car safely. Let’s get started to get you back on the road smoothly.
Step One: Select an Excellent Pair of Jumper Cables/ Portable Jump Starter
You have to carry them in your car, in case they are needed. The cables must be thick, with sufficient protection and clean metal clamps.
At times, the cables come with a proper chart that helps you remember the correct order to connect them step-by-step. Helpful, right?
Also, if you have a portable unit, ensure its battery is ultimately charged before attaching it to your car.
Step Two: Align the Two Cars Properly
Park the flat battery car close enough to the booster (car whose battery is working fine).
Mostly, the vehicle’s battery is placed in the engine bay. However, a few models have them mounted in the boot or even under a seat.
Remember to shut off the ignition in both cars!
Move all metal items out of the way of two batteries. Remove loose-fit clothing and gems which could latch-on to pulleys and cause a spark. (Ensure that the two batteries and your jumper cables are not damaged.)
Step Three: Locate Positive and Negative Battery Terminal
The wire running from the vehicle to the positive terminal is red; the wire to the negative terminal is black. (Sometimes they differ. So always look for the plus (+) and minus (-) signs stamped into the battery case.)
First, connect one end of the positive (often red) clip of the jumper cables to the positive terminal of your dead battery.
Second, attach the other end of the positive (red) jumper cable to the positive terminal of the good battery.
Third, attach one end of the negative (black) jumper cable to the negative terminal of the good battery.
Lastly, attach the other end of the negative (black) jumper cable to a ground location on the vehicle with the dead battery. (Heavy-duty, bare metal parts of the engine or chassis make good points for a ground connection.)
The jumper cable clamps are coded in red and black. So it’s not difficult to realize what goes where, as you get set for a jump-start.
OBS: Check closely that you are connecting the right parts of the battery.
Warning: Do not connect the negative (black) jumper cable to the negative battery terminal of the dead battery. Doing so can create sparks that ignite the hydrogen fumes from the battery.
Step Four: Safety above everything
Remember, while connecting the positive cables to the batteries, you must always begin with connecting the dead battery first. Feeding energy into the cables before they are associated with your battery is a high safety risk.
If, at any time, you feel unsure or unsafe about any step, we recommend you call for professional assistance. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Step Five: Start the Engine of the Second Car and then yours
Ensure the jumper cable is directed away from moving parts, similar to the vehicles’ fans or extra belts.
Once you are done with all the steps, you can start the engine in the car with a good battery. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to trickle a small charge into your vehicle’s drained battery.
Now, attempt to start your car. Take your time! This step may require some time.
Start your vehicle while it is still connected. If it doesn’t start immediately, give it another minute and then try again.
Step Six: Disconnect Jumper Cables
Now is the time to disconnect the cables, but in the reverse the connection order.
Disconnect the negative cable from your vehicle. After that, remove the negative cable from the other car. (Repeat the process with the positive cable.)
Start your vehicle, and you are good to go now!
Wrapping Up:
Did you know your battery charges while you drive? Yes, you heard it right.
So, once your car is started, consider taking the scenic route to your destination to give your battery the required time to recharge. Regardless of whether your battery bounces and recharges. This is, by the way, an underlying drained battery issue. Which means your car needs a battery replacement.
If you have followed all the steps accordingly, pat yourself on the back for a great job.
GREAT WORK!