How to jumpstart a car;
might seem like a simple task but using incorrect procedures can result in damage to the car and driver.
When jumpstarting a car, consider safety first. If at all possible,
wear safety glasses.
Also, never smoke or use matches while jumpstarting a car or handling a
battery.
Batteries can release explosive gases.
First, make sure that the cable connectors to the dead battery are not
damaged, broken or have frayed wires. This could also be a reason that
the car is getting no power, since a charge cannot freely pass through
damaged cable ends. If this is not the problem, follow these ten easy
steps to jump start a car properly and safely:
(1) Move car with the "live" battery as close as possible to the car to
be jumpstarted without the cars touching.
(2) Switch off power to both cars and make sure that they are in park.
Set the brakes.
(3) If any corrosion is present, scrape this off with a small knife or
other object. Do not let corrosion come in contact with bare hands. If
possible, wear safety gloves.
(4) Connect the metal clamps of the red cable to the positive posts of
each battery. The positive posts are marked "+" or "POS". The negative
posts are marked "-" or "NEG". Make sure you do not allow the metal
clamps of the red and black cables to touch each other.
(5) Connect the clamp from the black cable to the negative post on the
car with the live battery. Connect the other end of the black cable to
bare metal on the frame of the car with the dead battery, the grounding
connection. This is safer than connecting the black cable to the
negative post of the dead battery.
(6) Keep the cable clear of the fan and fan belt at all times.
(7) Be sure that the ignition is off in the car with the dead battery
and start the car with the live battery, revving the engine lightly to
charge. Attempt to start the car.
(8) When both engines are running, remove the cables by first taking off
the black grounding connection on the body of the car and then the other
end of the black cable. Remove the two red cable ends last. Make sure
that no objects are let under the hood of either car before closing the
hood.
(9) Do not turn off the engine to the car with the dead battery until
you get to where you were going. If possible, let the car run for half
an hour to make sure the battery has a full charge.
(10) An incorrect battery connection could cause an explosion so make
sure to connect red to red and black to black.
If these instructions are followed and the battery will not charge or
loses its charge, take car to a mechanic. The problem might be elsewhere
in the ignition system.
might seem like a simple task but using incorrect procedures can result in damage to the car and driver.
When jumpstarting a car, consider safety first. If at all possible,
wear safety glasses.
Also, never smoke or use matches while jumpstarting a car or handling a
battery.
Batteries can release explosive gases.
First, make sure that the cable connectors to the dead battery are not
damaged, broken or have frayed wires. This could also be a reason that
the car is getting no power, since a charge cannot freely pass through
damaged cable ends. If this is not the problem, follow these ten easy
steps to jump start a car properly and safely:
(1) Move car with the "live" battery as close as possible to the car to
be jumpstarted without the cars touching.
(2) Switch off power to both cars and make sure that they are in park.
Set the brakes.
(3) If any corrosion is present, scrape this off with a small knife or
other object. Do not let corrosion come in contact with bare hands. If
possible, wear safety gloves.
(4) Connect the metal clamps of the red cable to the positive posts of
each battery. The positive posts are marked "+" or "POS". The negative
posts are marked "-" or "NEG". Make sure you do not allow the metal
clamps of the red and black cables to touch each other.
(5) Connect the clamp from the black cable to the negative post on the
car with the live battery. Connect the other end of the black cable to
bare metal on the frame of the car with the dead battery, the grounding
connection. This is safer than connecting the black cable to the
negative post of the dead battery.
(6) Keep the cable clear of the fan and fan belt at all times.
(7) Be sure that the ignition is off in the car with the dead battery
and start the car with the live battery, revving the engine lightly to
charge. Attempt to start the car.
(8) When both engines are running, remove the cables by first taking off
the black grounding connection on the body of the car and then the other
end of the black cable. Remove the two red cable ends last. Make sure
that no objects are let under the hood of either car before closing the
hood.
(9) Do not turn off the engine to the car with the dead battery until
you get to where you were going. If possible, let the car run for half
an hour to make sure the battery has a full charge.
(10) An incorrect battery connection could cause an explosion so make
sure to connect red to red and black to black.
If these instructions are followed and the battery will not charge or
loses its charge, take car to a mechanic. The problem might be elsewhere
in the ignition system.
