Dead battery? There’s nothing worse than being stranded on the side of the road or running late for an important meeting when your car won’t start.
Don’t worry, we have everything you need to know about how to jump start a car safely in just 5 minutes! (Seriously, we timed it ourselves. Although we do suggest you take your time if you’re new to the jump-starting game.)
If you’re a newbie when it comes to jump-starting a car, then you have nothing to worry about. The first thing you need to know is that you should ALWAYS keep a set of jumper cables in your car’s emergency kit. Mechanics recommend that you do NOT choose a set of low-cost jumper cables, but rather invest in a decent set as these will protect your car’s engine in the long run.
Jump-starting your car takes less than 5 minutes. All you need is your set of jumper cables and another running vehicle (you might have to find a good Samaritan to help you out – don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it!).
Read this: When to Replace Your Car Battery: 7 Warning Signs
Some things to keep in mind
The first thing you need to do is check your car’s manual for any specific instructions about jump-starting and ensure that you are aware of the locations for the jump-starting terminals in your car.
A number of modern car’s terminals are placed in more strategic areas. And some modern cars do not allow for jump-starting as this might impact your car’s warranty. Bottom line: read your car’s manual before attempting to jump-start your car.
More modern cars might also have a plastic hood that covers the battery or battery posts. You will need to remove the hood to be able to access the terminal. In cases such as these, it’s advised that you have the proper tools needed to do this before you get yourself into a sticky situation.
Before you are stranded with a car that won’t start, take the time to familiarise yourself with your car’s engine and where the battery and terminal are located.
The jumper cables
This bit’s important, so make sure you pay close attention to this advice. When you are handling the jumper cables, you need to ensure that you keep the black and red clamps from touching one another.
It helps to have one person at each end to make the connections and prevent the cables/clamps from touching. Should the clamps touch when they are hot, this can create sparks in one of the cars and result in blown fuses, melted wires, and other mechanical issues.
Preparing to jump-start your car
Open the hoods of each car and find out exactly where the battery terminals are located. Make sure the vehicle with the working battery is parked in such a way that your cables can reach from the one terminal (in the working car) to your car’s battery terminal.
Before jumpstarting your car, examine the battery of the other car for any obvious damage such as a cracked casing, broken cables, corrosion or a loose battery casing. If there are obvious signs of damage, try to find someone else to help you and advise the driver to get his or her battery checked out and replaced.
Unplug any accessories like a GPS or phone charging in the car as these could short circuit due to the power surge. Switch off all the lights on both cars, including the radio and windscreen wipers. Put on a pair of rubber gloves (if you have some).
Make sure you always remove the negative cables first and replace them last.
How to Jump Start a Car
- Ensure both the cars are in neutral or park and both the engines are switched off.
- Determine which one is positive and negative in the battery terminal. The positive might have a red cable attached to it (black is usually negative), but make sure you look for the plus or minus symbols.
- Brush away any gunk or dirt from the battery posts.
- Connect the one end of the red (positive) clamp to the positive battery post on the dead battery.
- Then connect the other end of the red clamp to the positive battery post on the car that is working.
- Connect the negative or black clamp to the negative terminal of the working battery.
- Next, connect the negative clamp to an unpainted engine bolt or a piece of the vehicle’s frame (as far from the battery as possible). A metal strut that holds the bonnet of your car open is a good idea. This will ensure a safer jumping outcome. Let’s repeat this: DO NOT attach the negative cable to the negative terminal of the dead battery! As this can cause a battery explosion.
Discover: 6 Car Dashboard Warning Lights You Should Never Ignore
Start your engines!
- Start the engine of the car that is working correctly, let it run for about 5 to 10 minutes, gently revving occasionally.
- Start your car.
- Do not switch your engine off after it starts.
- Carefully disconnect the cables, ensuring the clamps do not touch.
- Drive around the block for at least 15 minutes to recharge the battery.
FYI, if your interior car lights come on, but your engine will not start, then there might be another issue with your car. If there is a clicking sound when starting the car, then it might be your starter motor. In both of these cases, you need to get your car checked out by a mechanic.
Hint: if you have Car Insurance with Oneplan, we will help cover the cost of a tow.
Your Insurance Family,
Oneplan
