How to Jump a Car Safely
Turn the key in the ignition. A sputter or two. Nothing. Dead car batteries are inconvenient, but they also indicate that it may be time for a replacement. You can get back on the road quickly by knowing how to jump a car with jumper cables –and what to do next.
Jump Starting a Car – What You’ll Need
The most important part of jumping a car is having a friend! Find a friend, family member or someone you trust to give you a jump. Many roadside assistance programs also provide fast and friendly help if you feel more comfortable getting professional help. Here’s everything you’ll need:
Another car or truck
Jumper cables
About 10-15 minutes
How to Jump a Car, Step-by-Step
Before we get into the details, always be sure you’re in a safe area. Most dead batteries are at home or at a public parking lot, but if you don’t feel safe, contact someone for help and let them know where you are!
Pop the hoods on both the “good” car and the car with the dead battery.
Attach the red positive cable to the positive post on the dead battery.
Attach the other positive cable to the positive post on the live battery.
Attach the black negative cable to the good car
Attach the remaining black cable to any unpainted metal component of the dead car.
Start the engine of the “good” car and let it run for about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on your cables to make sure they aren’t moving or sparking for any reason. If you do see sparks or even smoke, turn off the good car immediately.
Next, start the engine on the car with the dead battery. It may not start on the first try, but if it isn’t turning over after 10 minutes, it may be completely dead.
Let the car with the dead battery and the good car idle for 5 minutes or so.
Leave both cars idling and remove the cables in the reverse order you attached them:
Remove the black negative cable from the unpainted metal surface
Remove the negative cable from the good battery
Remove the positive cable from the good battery
Remove the positive cable from the car that needed the jump
What to Do Next
Thank the person who gave you the jump! Now that your car is running, you’ll need to recharge the battery. If the battery is less than 5 years old, there’s a good chance it was drained by an electrical component and can still hold a charge. In most cases, batteries die because a dome light was left on for several hours. You can charge the battery in a few ways:
Drive for 20 minutes to allow the alternator to charge the battery
Use a car battery charger at home or at a local auto shop
What If My Battery Won’t Take a Jump?
No luck? It may be time to replace your car battery. Just like your laptop or cellphone, car batteries slowly lose the ability to hold a full charge.
Time – Most car batteries last between 3 and 5 years, but your driving habits and climate also play a factor. Drivers who only make short trips may not charge their battery completely every time, which degrades the battery’s ability to hold a charge. Drivers in hot parts of the country usually need to replace their batteries sooner than drivers in mild or cold climates.
Corrosion – During normal operation, car batteries emit trace amounts of hydrogen. When hydrogen mixes with oxygen, it creates moisture. Combined with salt, this can cause corrosion, rust and oxidization of the battery terminals. In some cases, corrosion can impact the flow of electricity from the battery to the ignition.
Get Back on the Road Fast with Garfield Automotive Service Center
Whether it’s a new battery or a much-needed tune-up, Garfield Auto keeps your family on the move. For more than 50 years, we’ve provided quality automotive services at fair prices. We’re the auto shop you can recommend! Schedule your appointment today!