For many of us, the prospect of jump starting our vehicle can be intimidating.
While the process is not difficult, if it is done incorrectly it can be dangerous.
After making sure that you or your Good Samaritan has jumper cables, the following is the correct procedures on how to jump start your car safely: 1.
Determine the location of your battery.
Pop the hood and check which side your battery is located.
If you are not sure where it is, consult your owner's manual.
It is also important to determine the location of the battery in the car providing the jump to position it correctly next to yours.
2.
Position the car providing the jump correctly.
Nothing is more frustrating than having the car that you are getting a jump from in the wrong location where your jumper cables cannot reach.
You should park the car close enough where the jumper cables will reach both cars' batteries comfortably.
Open the hoods on both of your cars and secure them so they will not close.
Make sure that the car providing the jump is shut off.
3.
Attach the cables.
Clamp one end of the jumper cables onto the battery of the car providing the jump.
The cables are color-coded - red for positive and black for negative.
Connect the red clamp to the red post on the battery first then connect the black clamp to the black post of the battery.
While doing so, make sure that the metal clamps on the other end do not come in contact with each other.
If they do, it could create a dangerous electrical spark.
4.
Connect the cables to your car's battery.
Again, make sure that the remaining clamps do not touch each other.
Connect the red clamp to the red post on your battery.
Connect the black clamp to either the metal of your vehicle or to the black post on your battery.
By connecting the black clamp to your engine rather than the battery post, it can reduce the likelihood of a spark being produces around the battery.
5.
Start the engine of the car providing the jump.
Run the vehicle for 5 to 10 minutes to charge the dead battery then shut off the engine.
6.
Start your car.
Turn your key in your ignition to see if your car will start.
If it does, follow the next steps.
7.
Clamp removal.
Remove the black clamp from the car providing the jump and then the red clamp.
Again, do not allow any clamps to touch.
Remove the clamps from your car in the same order, black followed by red.
It is important to take your vehicle to your technician after jump starting to determine if you need to replace your battery, battery cables or contacts.
It is also recommended that they do a full check up of your vehicle's electrical systems to make sure there are not any other factors that led to your battery's in-operation.
While the process is not difficult, if it is done incorrectly it can be dangerous.
After making sure that you or your Good Samaritan has jumper cables, the following is the correct procedures on how to jump start your car safely: 1.
Determine the location of your battery.
Pop the hood and check which side your battery is located.
If you are not sure where it is, consult your owner's manual.
It is also important to determine the location of the battery in the car providing the jump to position it correctly next to yours.
2.
Position the car providing the jump correctly.
Nothing is more frustrating than having the car that you are getting a jump from in the wrong location where your jumper cables cannot reach.
You should park the car close enough where the jumper cables will reach both cars' batteries comfortably.
Open the hoods on both of your cars and secure them so they will not close.
Make sure that the car providing the jump is shut off.
3.
Attach the cables.
Clamp one end of the jumper cables onto the battery of the car providing the jump.
The cables are color-coded - red for positive and black for negative.
Connect the red clamp to the red post on the battery first then connect the black clamp to the black post of the battery.
While doing so, make sure that the metal clamps on the other end do not come in contact with each other.
If they do, it could create a dangerous electrical spark.
4.
Connect the cables to your car's battery.
Again, make sure that the remaining clamps do not touch each other.
Connect the red clamp to the red post on your battery.
Connect the black clamp to either the metal of your vehicle or to the black post on your battery.
By connecting the black clamp to your engine rather than the battery post, it can reduce the likelihood of a spark being produces around the battery.
5.
Start the engine of the car providing the jump.
Run the vehicle for 5 to 10 minutes to charge the dead battery then shut off the engine.
6.
Start your car.
Turn your key in your ignition to see if your car will start.
If it does, follow the next steps.
7.
Clamp removal.
Remove the black clamp from the car providing the jump and then the red clamp.
Again, do not allow any clamps to touch.
Remove the clamps from your car in the same order, black followed by red.
It is important to take your vehicle to your technician after jump starting to determine if you need to replace your battery, battery cables or contacts.
It is also recommended that they do a full check up of your vehicle's electrical systems to make sure there are not any other factors that led to your battery's in-operation.