How to Jump Start a Car - Simple Step-By-Step Instructions

How to Jump Start a Car - Simple Step-By-Step Instructions

Wondering how to jump start a car? If so, then keep reading. This article will guide you step-by-step on how to test a battery, hook up a battery, and how to start a car using nothing but a pair of jumper cables and another working vehicle.

This article assumes that you already have a set of good jumper cables (or can borrow a set), and a working car to give you the jump start. It also assumes that you have both cars positioned close enough for the jumper cables to reach each vehicle.

NOTE: You should always use safety equipment if you have it. A good set of gloves and safety glasses should be an essential part of your roadside emergency kit.

Locate both of the RED, positive (+) clamps on the set of jumper cables, as well as the black or negative (-) clamps. Jumper cables are usually color-coded to make things easier to use - and less dangerous. Ensure that the vehicle containing the GOOD battery is not running and the ignition is turned off in both vehicles. Connect the RED clamp to the positive (+) post on the DEAD battery. Next, connect the other RED clamp to the positive (+) post of the GOOD battery. Third, connect the BLACK clamp to the negative (-) post of the GOOD battery. Here's the tricky part. DO NOT connect the remaining BLACK clamp to the negative post of the dead battery. You will now need to find and connect it to a bit of exposed metal. This can sometimes be a bolt, or piece of the chassis under the hood. You will know that you have a good connection when you see a tiny spark when you connect the final clamp. Warning: If you connect the final clamp directly to the negative post of the dead battery, you run the risk of igniting the highly flammable hydrogen, coming from the battery. Start the car containing the GOOD battery. Wait at least 5 minutes. Attempt to start the car containing the dead battery. If the car doesn't start, you may need to wait longer than 5 minutes, especially in colder weather. When the car containing the dead battery finally does start, you will need to remove the jumper cables as soon as possible. However, you will need to remove them in reverse order, starting with the black clamp that was connected to the exposed piece of metal.

That is how to jump start a car.

If your car battery needs to be jump started on a regular basis, it may be time to replace the battery. When batteries get old, they have more trouble holding enough power to start a car. A good battery typically costs less than 0 (sometimes much less) and is well worth the money, in my opinion.

Also, if you are frequently needing to jump start cars or trucks (not necessarily your own), check out the Schumacher PSJ2212 Jump Starter. It's the only way that I know how to jump start a car without another car around.

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