If you’re stuck in the middle of the road or in your driveway, there can be many issues with your car. One is the car’s poor battery, which doesn’t allow the engine to ignite, leaving your vehicle in the same spot no matter how many times you try. To overcome this situation, the top & accessible solution is to jump-start your car and equip it to run to the garage for a detailed inspection.
Don’t know how to jump-start? Don’t worry. In this blog, you will learn this life-saving skill and become a seasoned mechanic for unforeseen events.
What is Jump Start?
A jumpstart is the process of powering up a dead battery with a healthy battery from another vehicle using jumper cables. You have to keep the second car turned on to allow it to transfer the charge to the other battery. If you turn off the car, the alternator won’t work to power up the dead battery to run it properly.
Tools You Need
To successfully execute your jump-start, below are the tools you need for this task.
- Jumper cables to access the other car’s battery terminals.
- Mechanical gloves or disposable gloves for protection.
- Flashlight to easily locate the components at night or in dark areas.
- The owner’s manual will assist and clarify the confusion immediately.
Steps to Jump Start a Car
Let’s learn the hassle-free steps you have to follow to get your car back on the road in a matter of minutes.
Arrange Another Car
To jump-start your car, you need another car, which can be your friend’s or a neighbour’s, once they agree to help you park both of them in front of each other (facing front). The aim is to keep both cars close till a point so the cables can easily reach.
Prepare Both Vehicles
Before starting the car, ensure both gears and neutral are engaged and then shift the parking gear. After that, turn off every electrical component, including lights, fans, and radio, because we have to jump-start the dead battery only, not any electrical gadget or component.
Locate the Battery Terminals
Pull up the bonnet of both cars and locate the battery terminal points of each. You will quickly identify the positive and negative terminals with + & – sign on each. Some cars may have coated covers that you have to remove before you hook the cables.
Connect the Jumper Cables
Now, the time has come for cable connections by stretching them to untangle them. Since they’re coloured, don’t get confused. The red one is for the positive terminal, while the black one is for the negative terminal.
You have to connect the red jumper cable to the dead car’s battery + terminal and the same for the black-coloured -ve terminal, but not with the dead battery’s -ve terminal. Instead, the second clamp for the -ve cable will be connected to the unpainted metal, which can be a grounding spot or a bare bolt.
Jump-Start the Car
Done with connecting cables? Now the healthy car battery driver has to ignite the vehicle for some minutes. During this, a good battery will transfer its power to the dead battery. And you can also ignite the second car and let it run for some moments.
Unplug the Cables
Once done, carefully remove the clamps from the dead battery. First the black cable and them the red one from +ve terminal and leave them on the ground ensuring they don’t intact with each other.
Now repeat the same process with a good car’s battery. Remove the cable from the –ve terminal first then from the +ve terminal. Lastly, roll them nicely for future use.
What if the Car Won’t Jump Start?
Have you tried the above method and still struggling with your car not starting up? There are multiple reasons behind it. But the quick fix here is to leave your car after jump-starting for a bit longer time to sufficiently charge the dead battery. Or you’ll face the issue again.
Tip for a Stress–Free Jump-Start
Jump-starting your car isn’t rocket science for any driver, but we recommend you follow some tips before you dive into this process. Such as:
- Don’t consider jump-starting blindly without reading your car manufacturer’s manual.
- Never, ever jump-start a frozen or leaky battery, as it can be very dangerous for the car and for nearby individuals.
- Keep a keen eye on the clamps and don’t allow them even to get closer. Even if they touch each other by mistake, you’ll get an electrical shock.
- If you’re wearing metal jewellery, take it off for this task to reduce the risk of any injury and electrical shock.
- Drive the car in a low-traffic area for half an hour to get the charge back.
The Bottom Line
We hope you’ve successfully jump-started your car with our detailed and straightforward guide. Since it’s a basic task that can be done in emergencies, if your car still doesn’t start, it indicates that something is wrong. Either the mechanical failure is restricting your car’s start-up, or some internal issue demands professional inspection.
So, if you experience any uncommon issue, don’t wait to reach out to AM & Sons Recovery. We have the right tools and machinery to jump-start or tow your car to the nearby garage for a detailed check-up. You can get immediate help by calling 07956261249, 02071013175 anytime, anywhere.