So you will learn How to jump start a car using battery leads and a donor car. A dead car battery means you are going nowhere until you either replace it or get it jump-started. Jumping a car battery does not have to be frightening. If you do not know how you can call for roadside assistance, you can also do it yourself.
Any time you work on a car, you need to be safe. Staying safe includes ensuring that others are at a safe distance and that you’re in a spot where it’s safe to get out of the car. You should pull out your owner’s manual, even if you already know how jumping a car battery works, to be sure you’re following the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you are in doubt about jumping your car, then call Roadside Assistance for help with the process.
All you need are jumper cables. You should have these on hand, tucked away for that inconvenient moment when your battery fails.
There are also jump starters, which are essentially the cables with a built-in battery pack so you don’t need another car to help with the process. These are a bit bulkier and shouldn’t be stored in a hot car. Otherwise, a set of jumper cables in your boot is all you need.
Ideally, you want both cars to face each other head-on at about 18 inches apart. Depending on where the breakdown happens, this might not be possible. Do your best to get as close head-on as possible, but do not let the vehicles touch each other. (Some batteries are located under the back seat or in the trunk; consult the owner’s manual if you have trouble finding it.)
It’s important that there be at least 18 inches of space. Err on the side of caution rather than letting the vehicles touch. Be careful of car doors if the positioning isn’t ideal. You don’t want to open the door and have the two cars accidentally touch.
Once the cars are positioned, put both cars in Park for an automatic transmission or neutral for a manual transmission. Set the parking brakes, turn off the ignitions, and remove the keys. Your cars are now ready.
This is the part about jumping a car battery that makes people nervous, but there is no need to worry. Start by opening the hoods of both cars and finding the battery terminals. Usually, the terminals on the battery are red or black and you will see a + (red) and – (black) sign on the top. Make sure you can clearly see these signs because it’s essential if you jump the battery. If the terminals are dirty, use a rag or brush to clean off any dirt or debris until they’re clean.
Attach the red, positive cable clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery. You want this connection to be secure so wiggle around the clamp to get a tight grip if it feels loose. Next attach the opposite end of the red, positive cable to the working vehicle’s positive battery terminal.
Stay over by the working car and attach the black, negative clamp to the working car’s negative battery terminal. Now, walk back over to the dead battery, but do not attach the negative clamp to the negative battery terminal. Instead, attach it to an unpainted metal part of the car like a bolt or the engine block. (Dead batteries can produce hydrogen gas – if there’s a spark you want it away from the battery.)
Start the engine of the working car and let it run a minute or two before trying to start the dead car. If the car won’t turn over at first, wait a few more minutes and give it another try. Speeding up the idle for a minute or so can sometimes help.
If the car still doesn’t start, then you may need to call for roadside assistance. It could be a number of problems like battery corrosion, fuses, or the starter. A professional can diagnose the problem and recommend a repair.
There’s an order to disconnect the cables, too. Remove the black, negative clamps, and do not let them touch while the other cables are attached to the car. Next remove the red, positive clamps. Do not let the red and black cables touch. You can now close the hoods and pack away your jumper cables. Once your car is running, take it to a local repair shop to have the battery fully charged and tested.
It’s easy to learn how jumping a car battery works. With a set of jumper cables and the help of someone with a running car, you can do the job yourself in no time.
