A jump start is a handy skill that can get you back on the road when your car battery dies. This process involves using jumper cables and another vehicle with a charged battery to boost your car’s dead battery.
Whether it’s because you accidentally left your headlights on or the battery simply wore out, knowing how to jump start a car can save you from being stranded.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to safely and effectively jump start your car, ensuring you’re prepared for those unexpected moments when your car won’t start.
Things to Check Before Jump-Starting a Car
Before you jump-start a car, it’s important to perform a few key checks to ensure safety and effectiveness:
- Battery condition: Inspect the battery for visible damage like cracks or leaks and ensure the terminals are clean and free from corrosion.
- Owner’s manual: Refer to the car’s owner manual for any specific instructions or precautions related to jump-starting, as some modern vehicles may have unique requirements or procedures.
- Battery voltage: Verify that the donor car’s battery has the same voltage with your car and is in good condition.
- Keys: Remove the keys from the ignition.
- Jumper cables: Make sure the jumper cables are in good condition and not frayed or damaged.
Checking these things will help ensure a safe and successful jump-start.
How to Jump Start a Car
Jump-starting a car can be straightforward if you follow the right steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you:
- Park the donor car close to the recipient car, ensuring they don’t touch. Turn off both vehicles and make sure they are in park (automatic) or neutral (manual).
- Your car jumper cables have four clips: RED for POSITIVE and BALCK for NEGATIVE. Here’s the correct order for connecting them:
- RED to DEAD: Red clip to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
- RED to DONNOR: Red clip to the positive terminal of the charged battery.
- BLACK to DONNOR: Black clip to the negative terminal of the charged battery.
- BLACK to METAL: Black clip to a metal part of the dead vehicle.
- Start the engine of the vehicle with the charged battery and let it run for a few minutes.
- Start the vehicle with the dead battery. If it doesn’t start, wait a few more minutes and try again.
- Remove the cables in the reverse order and drive your revived vehicle for 30 minutes to recharge the battery.
Tips After Successfully Jump-Starting a Car
Here are some tips to follow after successfully jump-starting a car:
- Turn off non-essential electrical accessories, like the radio and air conditioning, to reduce the load on the battery.
- Avoid short trips right after a jump-start, as they may not give the battery enough time to fully recharge.
- Turn off the car and restart it after running it for a while to check if the battery is holding a charge.
Conclusion
Jump-starting a car is a straightforward process that can save you from being stranded with a dead battery. By following these steps, you can revive your car and get back on the road.
If your battery still keeps on dying, consider contacting Neighborhood Roadside Assistance. Let our professional team perform your car battery replacement in New Jersey, New York, and Atlanta! We’re available to help 24/7.
