How to Jump Start a Car
If you’ve ever found yourself with a dead car battery, you know how frustrating and inconvenient it can be. Thankfully, jump-starting a car is a relatively easy process that you can do yourself with the right tools and knowledge. In this article, we’ll go over the steps you need to take to safely jump-start a car.
Step 1: Gather your tools
Before you begin, you’ll need to gather the following tools:
- Jumper cables
- A working car with a charged battery
- Safety glasses and gloves (optional but recommended)
Step 2: Position the cars
Park the working car next to the dead car, making sure that the two vehicles are close enough for the jumper cables to reach between them. Turn off both cars and engage the parking brakes.
Step 3: Attach the jumper cables
Open the hoods of both cars and locate the batteries. Attach the positive (red) jumper cable to the positive terminal on the dead battery. Then, attach the other end of the positive cable to the positive terminal on the working battery.
Next, attach the negative (black) jumper cable to the negative terminal on the working battery. Finally, attach the other end of the negative cable to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car, such as a bolt or bracket. Do not attach the negative cable to the negative terminal on the dead battery.
Step 4: Start the working car
Start the working car and let it run for a few minutes. This will allow the working battery to charge the dead battery.
Step 5: Start the dead car
After a few minutes, try starting the dead car. If it starts, let it run for a few more minutes to charge the battery. If it doesn’t start, check the connections on the jumper cables and try again.
Step 6: Disconnect the cables
Once the dead car is running, carefully disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse order that you attached them. Start with the negative cable on the dead car, then the negative cable on the working car, followed by the positive cable on the working car, and finally the positive cable on the dead car.
Step 7: Drive the car
After jump-starting the dead car, drive it for at least 20 minutes to allow the alternator to fully charge the battery.
Portable Battery Jump Starters
You don’t always need another car to jump a dead battery. You now have the option to use a portable battery jumper. These booster packs are compact devices designed to jump-start a vehicle with a dead or discharged battery. They are portable power banks specifically built for jump-starting automobiles, motorcycles, boats, and other vehicles.
The device comes with a set of heavy-duty jumper cables or clamps that can be securely attached to the vehicle’s battery terminals.
To use a portable battery jumper, you need to connect the positive and negative terminals of the jumper to the corresponding terminals on the dead vehicle’s battery. Once connected, the portable jumper provides a surge of power to the dead battery, allowing the vehicle to start. After the vehicle starts, the portable battery jumper can be disconnected and easily stored until its next use.
Portable battery jumpers often include additional features such as USB ports for charging mobile devices, built-in flashlights, and built-in air compressors for inflating tires. They are handy devices to have in case of emergency situations where a vehicle’s battery has died, providing a convenient and portable solution for jump-starting without needing another vehicle or access to power outlets.
Jump-starting a car is a simple process that can save you time and money. By gathering your tools, positioning the cars, attaching the jumper cables, starting the working car, starting the dead car, disconnecting the cables, and driving the car, you can safely jump-start your car and get back on the road. If you’re not comfortable jump-starting a car yourself, be sure to contact a professional for assistance.
Patrick M. is Editorial Director for the always expanding DriveSafe Online library of courses. With over two decades of experience developing award-winning training, he now focuses on innovating online driver safety training. Pulling from his background in journalism, he steers the wheel behind the creation of top-tier content that promotes a better journey—whether on the digital highway of learning or the real roads we travel every day.