Do You Know How to Jump-Start Your Car?

Having the ability and the know-how to jump start your car can be a real lifesaver when you have a dead battery. If you have never needed to jump-start your car, consider yourself lucky, but read this guide to prepare for any future battery breakdowns so you know how to handle the crisis if the time should come.

What Do You Need?

Buy a durable set of jumper cables and keep them in your car’s trunk. To jump-start your car, you will also need another functioning car that can charge the dead battery. You could purchase a portable car starter as well, but the most common method is to use a working car battery as a power source.

Position the Other Vehicle

Park the other vehicle so the jumper cables can reach between the batteries. If possible, position the other car so both hoods are facing each other and you have enough space to walk between each vehicle. Make sure each hood is securely propped open and turn the vehicle engine off before you begin.

Connect the Cables

The cable ends will be labeled in two colors: red and black. Each car’s battery’s two terminals also should be marked in two colors: red and black. If there are no color markings, remember that red signifies positive and black signifies negative.

Connect one end of the red cable to the good car’s red or positive battery terminal first. Next, connect the other end of the red cable to the dead battery’s red terminal.

Attach one end of the black cable to the good car’s black or negative battery terminal first. Next, you connect the other end of the black cable to the dead battery’s black terminal, but it is generally considered safer to clip the black cable to a piece of metal (any piece of metal on the car should work).

It is important to make the cable connections in that exact order for a successful jump-start. You should also make sure the cable ends do not touch each either while making the connections.

Starting the Engines

Start the working vehicle’s engine first and let it run for two minutes. Once the engine has had a chance to run, attempt to start the vehicle with the dead battery. When the engine is successfully started, let it run for another few minutes while still connected to the other car. Once the battery has had a chance to charge, disconnect the cables in the reverse order in which they were placed on, starting with the black cable first.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

If the jump start does not work right away, you may need to clean off the ends of either vehicle’s battery terminals. Built-up grime can interfere with the connection. You may also need to reconnect the cables, making sure to connect each in the right order.

If you still are unable to jump-start your car, it probably means your battery is past salvaging and needs replacing. You might also have additional engine problems such as a broken alternator or ignition. Call a reliable towing company like Stauffer’s Towing if you are uncertain about how to jump-start your car and would like professional help, or if you require towing to the nearest mechanic’s shop.