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How to jump start a vehicle
Understanding how to properly jump start a vehicle is something everyone should know. You, yourself may know the reason why. It happens more often than not that we leave some electronic control on, running the battery dead. Most of the time it’s because we are in a rush and don’t think to turn something off. But leaving the lights, radio, and other electronic devices on for an extended period of time will result in depletion of your vehicle’s battery power.
Don’t get caught in this situation without knowing how to solve it. The following are some easy to follow guidelines to jump starting a vehicle. As always safety comes first. Make sure that when the vehicles are positioned correctly that they are in park, are not touching each other, and are turned off before you go any further! Also make sure that all headlights, radios, blinkers, A/C, and other electronic devices are unplugged or turned off. Jump starting a battery can crank hundreds of volts through your electrical system which can damage or destroy devices left on.
Next inspect the vehicle’s battery. Look for any cracks with liquid coming out. If you witness this DO NOT go any further! Call a tow truck or have a qualified mechanic resolve the problem by installing a new battery. Also in extreme cold temperatures make sure the battery is not frozen. Jump-starting a frozen battery can cause the battery to explode!
Be sure to clean off any corrosion around the battery terminals. Do this while wearing hand and face protection. If you do not have hands and face protection, then don’t continue until some can be found. Corroded terminals prevent power from getting to the dead battery.
Become familiar with the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on both the disabled and good batteries. These terminals should be clearly marked at the top or sides of the battery. In most cases the positive (+) wire is red or orange and the Negative (-) is black, but this is not the case for everyone. If you are uncertain, be certain before continuing.
Jump-starting a vehicle can be dangerous if the proper procedures are not followed. For more specific information consult your owner’s manual.
Step 1. Gather materials
Step 2. Positioning
Step 3. Connect positive clamp to disabled battery
Step 4. Connect positive clamp to good battery
Step 5. Connect negative clamp to good battery
Step 6. Connect negative clamp to disabled battery
Step 7. Start engine of good battery
Step 8. Attempt to start engine of disabled battery
Step 9. Disconnect
Step one: Gather the materials you will need to jump start your vehicle. You will need:
- A vehicle with a working battery that is the same voltage as yours
- A set of jumper cables
- Safety glasses or face protection
- A wire brush (optional)
- Rubber gloves (optional)
Step two: Position the vehicle with the good battery close to the one that needs to be jumped, but not so close that they touch. Take note of the length of your jumper cables and the positions of the batteries in both of the vehicles. Make sure the jumper cable is long enough to reach both batteries. Turn off the ignitions to both vehicles and all accessories and unplug all electronics. Set the parking brake and put the vehicle in park or neutral, depending on whether the vehicle has an automatic or manual transmission.
Step three: Before connecting clamps, make sure that at all times the jumper cables are not near any moving parts such as fans, belts, etc. Now clamp one end of the jumper cable to the positive (+) battery terminal of the disabled battery.
Step four: Connect the other end of the positive jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery.
Step five: Clamp the negative cable to the negative (-) terminal of the good battery.
Step six: Clamp the other side of the negative cable to an unpainted metal surface or bolt as far from the battery as you can. This will help prevent the possibility of igniting any hydrogen gas. Do not clamp to the negative (-) terminal of the disabled battery.
Step seven: Do a final inspection, making sure the jumper cables are not near any moving parts (fans, belts, etc.). Now start the vehicle with the good battery. Let the engine idle for several minutes. This allows a charge to enter the disabled battery before you attempt to start it. The amount of time you should wait varies according to age and condition of battery. The newer it is the quicker a charge will be dispersed.
Step eight: Attempt to start the vehicle with the disabled battery. When attempting to start, do not crank the starter for more than 20 seconds. If it doesn’t start in 20 seconds, stop, and wait a few minutes before trying again.
Step nine: When you have successfully jump started the disabled vehicle, disconnect the jumper cables in the opposite order they were connected. Be sure that the clamps do not touch each other or any part of the car and that the jumper cables do not get caught in moving parts.
You are now ready to drive away. It is a good idea to get the battery check out to make sure no damage was caused during this process and to see if a new battery should be installed. If these steps don’t work contact your local auto repair shop. Safe Driving!