How to jump start a car with a jump start cable and another car
If your car’s battery died and you decide to take care of this problem yourself instead of calling a roadside assistance towing service, you should follow some basic rules for your own safety and of others.
Check for Battery Warnings:
Before attempting a jump start, check your dashboard for any battery warning lights or error messages. These indicators can provide clues about the health of your battery and whether it might need more than just a jump.
Safety Precautions
- First, make sure your car is in a safe place to proceed with the operation and you are not putting yourself and the people that might stop to help you, in danger.
- If you are helped by a stranger or a friend make sure that his/her car battery has at least as much voltage than your battery.
- Hopefully, you have a jumper cable in your trunk or find someone who does. When you purchase your jumper cables you have a few options usually when it comes to the length of it. While the longer ones are convenient to use as you don’t need to move the helping car closer to the vehicle that needs the jump, keep in mind that the longer the cables are the faster they lose power, the farther the energy travels.
- If you frequently experience battery issues, consider investing in a portable jump starter. These devices allow you to jump-start your vehicle without needing another car, offering convenience and safety.
Prepare the Vehicles
- Both vehicles need to be in park if automatic vehicles or neutral if you are dealing with stick cars. Both cars should be turned off with the keys removed from the ignition.
- Read the manual of your vehicle. Some models require a few extra steps to have a successful jump.
Hook Up the Cables Properly
- Your jumper cable has 2 clips on each side. One red – positive (+) and one black – negative (-).
- Be sure the clamps do not touch each other at any time.
- Attach one red (+) clamp to the positive (+) terminal of your car’s battery first, as it has the least power, and the remaining red clamp the same way to the other car.
- Take the black (-) clip and attach it to the negative terminal of the helping car and then the last black clip to a bare metal part of your car that doesn’t have any paint on it and it’s not near the battery, for example to the metal stunts of your vehicle.
Always wear protective gloves and safety glasses when working with the battery. Batteries may emit gases that can be hazardous, and these precautions help protect you.
Start the Engine
First, start the engine of the other car and let it run for at least 5 minutes before you attempt to start yours. If your car does not start on the first attempt, leave it another 5 minutes and then try again. If you are not successful this time either, you should call a towing company to help you out because your car battery cannot be helped this way.
Avoid Repeated Attempts Without Success!
If your car doesn’t start after two or three attempts, avoid continuously trying to jump-start it. Repeated unsuccessful attempts can drain the helping car’s battery or cause damage to the electrical systems of both vehicles. It’s better to call for professional assistance if your car doesn’t start after a few tries.
Disconnect the Cables
Once the dead battery is working again, you can start disconnecting the jumping cable, but you must follow this order: first, disconnect the black (-) clamps and then the red ones.
Charge the Battery
If the process described until now was successful, do not turn your engine off before driving around for 15-30 minutes to give time to your battery to charge. If you don’t, your car might not start the next time, and you could need another jump.
- After jump-starting your car, avoid short drives. Drive for at least 30 minutes or consider using a battery charger to ensure the battery is fully recharged. Short trips may not provide enough time to replenish the battery.
- Cold weather can make it more difficult for batteries to hold a charge, especially in freezing temperatures. Consider parking your car in a garage during winter or using a battery blanket to keep it warm.
What to Do If the Car Doesn’t Start
If you followed all of the instructions and your car won’t start after the next attempt, you might have to replace your battery as it’s not capable of holding a charge anymore. Remember that batteries last about 4 to 6 years on average. We recommend, after each jump start, that your battery be checked out by a professional. Many places in Charlotte, NC offer free battery diagnostic. We recommend, after each jump start, that your battery be checked out by a professional. Many places in Charlotte, NC offer free battery diagnostics.
Monitor the Battery Post-Jump!
After successfully jump-starting your car, keep an eye on the battery over the next few days. If you notice any signs of weakening (such as dimming lights or slow engine cranking), it might be time to have the battery checked or replaced by a professional.
Check for Unusual Smells or Sounds!
If you notice any unusual smells (like rotten eggs) or hear strange sounds while trying to jump-start your car, stop immediately. These could indicate serious battery or electrical issues, and it’s safer to call a professional to inspect your vehicle.
Regularly inspect your battery for corrosion or damage. Cleaning the terminals and ensuring the battery is securely fastened can extend its life and help prevent future issues.
If your car doesn’t start after multiple attempts, the problem may not be the battery. It could be a faulty alternator or starter, and you should consult a mechanic for further inspection.
Take Action
Always have the contact information of a reliable towing service or roadside assistance provider in case your DIY efforts don’t work. Being prepared with a backup plan can save time and stress.
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