How to Jumpstart a car
Car batteries can go dead at any time but it tends to happen when you least expect it.
But what surprises me, is just how many drivers don’t know how to correctly jumpstart a car.
There’s nothing w than on a cold day having to wander along the street to ask other drivers if they know how to jumpstart a car.
This blog post is to help and show you that jump starting a car is nice and easy if you know how.
Preparation is Key
To begin with when preparing to jumpstart a car, help yourself out by positioning the vehicles within easy reach of your jumper cables, pop the hood, and make sure to attach them securely to the battery posts.
To give you a touch of background information, batteries go dead for a variety of reasons, but 9 times out of 10 it tends to be our own fault. Perhaps not so clever, but neither such a bad thing either, as it should mean that a simple jumpstart should get you back on the road with in no time.
What You’ll Need to Jumpstart a Car
1. Another car, running
2. Jumper cables
3. Safety glasses (if possible)
4. A wire brush (optional for cleaning connections)
POSITIONING TO JUMPSTART A CAR
Jumpstart a Car
As I mentioned before, you will need to park the live running car adjacent or next to the car with the dead battery, and close enough so that the jumper cables can comfortably reach the batteries of both vehicles. My suggestion before you do this, is to take a quick peek under each hood to work out the position of the batteries, before you position and park the cars up.
Safety Tip: Don’t under any circumstances drive with you car hood up. Not only will you be unable to see out the windscreen, but the chances of you crashing into something or damaging the hood itself is high on the dumbo list.
CONNECTING THE STARTER CABLES TO YOUR BATTERY
Jumpstart a car
When you jumpstart a car, how you connect the starter cables is important.
With both cars switched off, (to protect your car’s electrical system from any surges) connect the jump start cables.
Now try not to feel to tense, but at this point its important to keep in mind that if you mix up the cables serious damage can be done. So find the dead battery, and attach the positive (red) cable to the battery, and then attach the negative (black) cable to a section of bare metal in the engine compartment – a nut or bolt end will do.
Connection steps to jumpstart a car
1. Make sure that both vehicle ignition switches are in the OFF position.
2. Establish the position of the “+” (positive) and “-” (negative) sides of each battery.They should be clearly marked on the battery itself. NB: with newer cars the positive (+) side tends to have a red plastic cover over the battery post and wires.
3. Now attach the red cable to the “+” side of the good car battery
4. Then attach the other end of the red cable to the “+” side of the dead car battery
5. Attach the black cable to the “-” side of the good car battery
6. Attach the other end of the black cable to a section of unpainted metal on the dead car. Anything will do, even a bolt
Tips to Jumpstart a Car
If your posts are corroded, it may help to wiggle the jumper cable around a bit while it’s attached to the car battery, to achieve the most secure connection point.
One thing which is a big jumpstart a car no no, is clamping the negative cable onto the rubber cable covering of the positive side while you are preparing or walking around to the other car. Actually, “it is a hell” NO moment, but you know what… I’ve seen it done so many times. The thing is if one of those sharp teeth was to ever pierce the rubber cover of the positive side and touch the wires inside, serious electrical damage may be done to one or both of the vehicles!
How to Jumpstart a Car With a Dead Battery
To begin with, start up the car with the good car battery and leave it turning over.
If the dead battery was severely drained, it may be a good call to leave both cars connected with the good car running for a few minutes, allowing time for the dead battery to charge before you attempt to start the dead car. Ok, so now start up the car with the dead battery, and all being well it should fire up!
If you continue to have starting problems with your car, it maybe time to replace the old car battery with a new one.
Tips for Disconnecting the Jumper Cables
Make sure while disconnecting the jumper cables, that you don’t allow the red and black cables to touch each other while they are still connected to the battery.
Keep in mind that if the cables do touch the car while they are connected, it’s actually the red (positive) cables which can cause a short to the battery, so I suggest disconnecting the black (negative) cables first, then going back round to disconnect the red cables after.
With all the jumper cables disconnected – you’re read to rock and roll!
My car isn’t turning over?
If your dead car isn’t turning over or is doing so very slowly, it could be the case that your car battery or connections are corroded. If so to jumpstart a car generally a little wiggling of the cable clamps connected to the connection points should do the trick. If this doesn’t work, it may be time to clean your battery connections.
If you need any further help or advice on how to jumpstart a car – please feel free to get in touch.
To health and vehicle happiness,
Your fearless mechanic,
Phil.