There’s nothing worse than being stranded somewhere because of a dead battery. But if you are, it is a good idea to know how to jump-start your battery. After all those jumper cables you (hopefully) carry in your trunk aren’t just for looks! Here are some steps to take to get your car moving again.
Check the Battery First
Before attempting to jump-start your car, take a look at the battery to make sure it is safe to do or even worth doing. If your battery is frozen don’t attempt to jump-start your car, the battery could explode. Batteries have an electrolyte solution inside them that contains sulfuric acid. If that solution is frozen, don’t try to jump it. If your battery has removable vent caps, you can look inside to see if the liquid is frozen (replace the caps after looking).
If there are cracks in the battery casing, there’s no point in trying to jump start it. Get a ride and buy a new one.
If there is white or green or blue “snow” around the battery terminals, clean it off with a wire brush. Wear gloves, if you can, because that stuff can be nasty if it touches your skin. When this “snow” forms, it’s an indication that you may need a new battery.
Steps to Take
Make sure that the batteries in both cars are the same voltage. The cars should not be touching, and both ignitions should be off. Each battery has two terminals, one is marked positive (+); the other is negative (-). The positive terminal usually has a cover over it and a bunch of other wires attached to it. The negative cable is usually just an uncovered, plain black cable.
Attach the cables in the following order:
1. Attach one end of one cable to the dead battery’s positive terminal.
2. Attach the other end of the same cable to the positive terminal of the battery in the starting vehicle.
3. Attach one end of the other cable to the negative terminal of the battery in the starting vehicle.
4. Attach the other end of that cable to the engine block of the car with the dead battery. Look for unpainted metal surfaces and be sure it will clear anything moving when the car starts. Do not attach the negative cable to the dead battery itself.
Stand back from the hood areas of the cars. Start the car that’s providing the jump-start.
Wait about five minutes, and then try to start the car with the dead battery. If it does not start, stop trying and wait a few minutes longer. Try again for no more than thirty seconds. If the car still doesn’t start, chances are that it’s not going to. Time to call a tow truck.
Remove the cable connections in the reverse order that you put them on. That means that the first disconnection is from the block, and the last is from the positive terminal of the car that has just been started.
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