How To Jump Start A Car
I wrote this site because I know that if my daughter were stuck somewhere and here car would not start. She would Google “how to jump start a car” on her Droid and I would want her to find the right directions. So just for fun we Google'd for directions and what we found was, well quite frankly, wrong. They had directions that did not make sense and directions that could possibly harm a car.
I thought that it would be a good idea to make a plain and simple site that explains how to jump start a car. That way, if my daughter, or someone else's daughter, is stuck and using their smart hone for directions – they could easily find them.
So if you are stuck somewhere and reading this on your phone – congratulations. You found the right site.
Disclaimer – A Little Word Of Caution
Before you follow these directions. Pull out your car manual and make certain that you are able to jump start your particular car. Some cars are not ever supposed to be started using jump start procedures. I know I had a Jaguar once and gave someone jump. Immediately my check engine light went on and I had to go to the dealership to fix the problem. They told me I could have ruined the electrical system. Lesson learned. Always consult your cars manual before attempting a jump start.
Also, jump starting a car wrong is dangerous. Therefore, if you do not think you can do this, or you are confused in any way by the directions. Stop! Call a tow company to help you. If this is an emergency then you can always call Allstate at 1-800-255-7828. They have a tow plan that has a set pre-negotiated fee for emergencies. This way you will not be overcharged. And the good thing is that you do not have to be a member of Allstate to use their service. Unlike other tow plans like AAA.
Steps to Jump Start A Car
1.OK. Here is the first step in how to jump start a car. Did you read the owners manual? Just checking. If you have not then stop here and read the manual. Once again, some cars have special procedures you have to follow in order to safely “jump them”. Also, other cars have areas that you are supposed to connect the jumper cables other than the battery terminal. It is imperative to read the owners manual. The directions that follow are for the traditional jump start method – not for the cars that have
unique procedures.
2.Make certain both cars are near enough to each other that the cables will reach the battery terminals. The cars cannot be touching and the cables need to be able to cross from car to car without getting into or laying on top of the engine or any moving parts.
3.Make certain that when you are connecting the cables that both cars are completely off. Take the keys out if you have to. This means totally off – no radio, no lights, nothing on – key removed.
4.You need to wear some sort of protection for your eyes. These need to be true glasses made for eye protection. Not just sunglasses. If you do not have any then call a tow company for help and then purchase the glasses should you ever be stranded again.
5.Look at the battery. There are two terminals on the top or side of it. One has a “+” symbol and the other has a “-” symbol on it. Normally the “+” cable has red on it and the “-” is black – but this is not the case every time. So make certain you find the “+” and “-” symbols. If you cannot locate the symbols – call the tow company. Placing the jumper cables on the wrong terminals can be very dangerous.
6.OK now unravel and stretch out the jumper cables onto the ground. Do this is such a way so that the end clamps do not touch. Make certain no clamps touch at all. In fact for this entire procedure none of the clamps should ever touch each other. You should also inspect the cables. Make certain they have an SAE certification tag and make certain that there are no exposed wires. Nothing should be exposed. Not across the entire length of the cable and not near the handles of the clamps. If you see exposed
wire – do not use those cables.
7.OK. Now you need to take one end of the red jumper cable and clamp it onto the positive “+” battery post of the dead cars battery. So red clamp, dead car positive terminal.
8.Attach the other side of the red cable to the others cars “+” or positive battery terminal. Remember – do not allow any clamps to touch each other or anything else – not even the body of the car.
9.Connect one of the clamps from the black jumper cable to the “-” negative terminal of the live cars battery. Once again – black clamp to “Live” or “working cars” “-”/negative battery terminal. Stop! I know you want to immediately connect the other black clamp to the dead cars battery but do not do this! This is wrong and dangerous.
10.On every car there is a piece of metal that they have left unpainted. This piece of metal will be attached to the engine or alternator. If you cannot find this unpainted metal part then locate another part that is attached to the engine that is not painted. Make certain this part is not near any moving parts of the engine and make certain it is attached, by metal, to the main engine. Oftentimes people use the metal brackets that hold the air conditioner or alternator to the engine.
11.Once you find that part – connect the other side of the black jumper cable to it.
12.Let's look at what you now have. Two cars completely off. Red cable from “+” positive battery terminal on the dead car to the “+” positive battery terminal on the working car. Black cable from the working car's “-” negative battery terminal to the unpainted metal bracket attached to the engine of the dead car.
13.Now you need to start the working car. Once the working car is started then start the dead car.
14.If the dead car does not even “turn over” then you need to sit and wait for several minutes with the working car still running and cables connected. Then try to start the dead car again.
15.Once the cars have started then you need to follow the steps above in reverse to disconnect the cables.
16.Now be careful because now you have two engines running and a lot of moving parts in the engine compartments. Make certain to keep your hands, clothes, and the jumper cables away from these moving parts.
17.Take the black clamp from the unpainted metal bracket. Then take the black clamp from the “-” negative battery terminal.
18.Now take the red clamp from the “+” positive terminal of the original “working” car. Then take the clamp off the “+” positive terminal from the car that was originally “not working”.
And that is it. You now have learned how to jump start a car. Before we finish another little reminder below.
