battery jump start

How to Get Your Car Started When the Battery Is Dead

A dead battery can be a frustrating experience, especially if you’re in a hurry. But don’t worry, there’s an easy way to get your car started again: a battery jump start.

What is a battery jump start?

A battery jump start is a process of using a working car battery to provide power to a dead car battery. This will give the dead battery enough power to start the car.

There are two types of battery jump starts:

• Using jumper cables: This is the most common method of battery jump starting. Jumper cables are long, thick cables with clamps on each end. One clamp is connected to the positive terminal of the working battery, and the other clamp is connected to the positive terminal of the dead battery. The other two clamps are connected to the negative terminals of the batteries.
• Using a portable battery jumper: This is a newer method of battery jump starting. Portable battery jumpers are small, portable devices that contain a battery and jumper cables. To use a portable battery jumper, simply connect the clamps to the positive and negative terminals of the dead battery.

How to jump start a car

Using jumper cables:

1. Park the working car close to the dead car, but not touching it.
2. Turn off the engines of both cars.
3. Open the hoods of both cars.
4. Locate the batteries. The battery is usually located in the front of the car, near the engine.
5. Identify the positive and negative terminals of the batteries. The positive terminal is usually marked with a red (+) symbol or a red cover. The negative terminal is usually marked with a black (-) symbol or a black cover.
6. Connect the red clamp from the jumper cables to the positive terminal of the working battery.
7. Connect the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
8. Connect the black clamp to the negative terminal of the working battery.
9. Connect the other black clamp to an unpainted metal part of the dead car’s engine, away from the battery and the carburetor/fuel-injection system.
10. Start the engine of the working car. Let it run for a few minutes to charge the dead battery.
11. Try to start the engine of the dead car. If it doesn’t start, wait a few minutes and try again.
12. Once the dead car has started, remove the jumper cables in the reverse order that you connected them.
13. Let the dead car run for at least 15 minutes to charge the battery.

Using a portable battery jumper:

1. Follow the instructions that come with your portable battery jumper.
2. Generally, you will need to connect the clamps to the positive and negative terminals of the dead battery.
3. Once the clamps are connected, the portable battery jumper will automatically start the dead car.
4. Disconnect the clamps from the battery once the car has started.

Tips for jump starting a car

• Make sure the working car’s battery is of the same voltage as the dead car’s battery.
• Do not connect the jumper cables to the battery if the engine is running.
• Do not smoke or use a cell phone near the batteries.
• If you are not comfortable jump starting a car yourself, you can call a tow truck.

How to prevent a dead battery

• Keep your battery clean and corrosion-free.
• Check your battery’s voltage regularly.
• Make sure your alternator is working properly.
• Park your car in a garage or under cover to protect it from the elements.
• If you don’t plan on driving your car for a while, start it up and run it for at least 15 minutes every week to keep the battery charged.

By following these tips, you can help prevent a dead battery and keep your car running smoothly.