It is important to know how to jump start your car. Before we get started, you’ll need a few things…
Necessary Jump Start Supplies:
- Jumper Cables
- Mechanic Gloves
- Flashlight
- Paper Coveralls
- Owner’s Manual
You will need to find someone with a vehicle to provide the jump to your dead battery. Don’t accept help from anyone you don’t feel comfortable around. Also, call a loved one to let them know exactly where you are and what’s going on.
A Few Words of Caution:
- First, read your owner’s manual. Your manufacturer may advise against jump starting a vehicle due to sensitive electronic circuitry.
- Don’t jump a frozen battery.
- Do NOT jump a battery that is cracked or leaking.
- Ensure that the battery isn’t dry. Check individual cells for fluid levels and add water accordingly.
- If there is corrosion (white or greenish powdery stuff) on the battery, try to clean it off with a wire brush, aluminum foil or anything but your hand as the chemicals can be damaging to your skin. Be sure you cover your nose and mouth to avoid inhaling the dust as it is a lung irritant.
- Once you begin the process of hooking the cables up NEVER allow any of the hook-up clamps to touch. Each person should hold an end of the cables and keep the two clips separate (one to each hand is a good idea).
Step-by-Step Jump Start Guide:
- First, Protect your clothes and hands with protective clothing or a blanket on the ground and gloves.
- Pop the hood.
- Locate the battery.
- Have the donor car parked close to yours and turned off.
- Take a POSITIVE (red) clamp and attach it to the dead car’s positive terminal post (+ or red).
- Take the POSITIVE (red) clamp at the opposite end of the cables and attach it to the positive terminal post (+ or red) of the good, working battery.
- Next, take the NEGATIVE (black) clamp on that end and attach to the (-) terminal of the good, working battery.
- After, take the final NEGATIVE (black) clamp and attach it to a non-painted metal surface on the main engine block of the car that is being jump-started (yours). A good metal surface could be a metal nut or bolt and farther away from the battery is better to allow for solid grounding.
- Start the donor car. After a few minutes, try to start your car. If your car won’t start, then wait several more minutes and try again.
- If this doesn’t work, t’s time to call for professional help.
- If your car does start, let it run for a few minutes to help charge the battery further.
- Unhook the clamps in the reverse order of how you put them on. Be sure to drive your car for about 30 minutes before stopping again so the battery can continue to charge. Otherwise, you might need another jump start.
