Having a set of jumper cables is a must-have for your car. Why? Whether you’re riding around town or planning an adventurous road trip, life is unpredictable. You won’t come across them every day, but there are occasional situations that could leave you stranded. Being prepared can make all the difference.
This is especially true in winter months. Colder temperatures can cause car batteries to lose their charge more quickly. In Rexburg, knowing how to jump start your car is a great skill to have in your back pocket.
Learn how to jump start a car with us so you can be prepared for life’s unpredictable moments.
What You’ll Need
- Jumper cables
- Another vehicle with a fully charged battery
Steps to Jump-Starting Your Car
-
- Park a working vehicle close to the car with the dead battery. The two batteries should be close enough to connect with the jumper cables, but make sure the vehicles are not touching. Turn off both cars and put the parking brakes on for safety.
2. Connect the jumper cables. It’s very important to follow this order EXACTLY. Attaching the cables in the wrong order could lead to electrical damage or injury.
-
- Attach the red (positive) clamp to the dead battery’s positive terminal.
- Attach the other red (positive) clamp to the working battery’s positive terminal.
- Attach the black (negative) clamp to the working battery’s negative terminal.
- Attach the other black (negative) clamp to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car (such as a bolt or engine block). This helps prevent sparks near the battery.
3. Turn on the working car and let it run for a few minutes. This will transfer some charge to the dead battery.
4. After a few minutes, try to start the car with the dead battery. If it doesn’t start immediately, wait a few more minutes and try again.
5. Once the dead car starts, remove the jumper cables. Carefully disconnect them in reverse order:
- Remove the black (negative) clamp from the previously dead car.
- Remove the black (negative) clamp from the working battery.
- Remove the red (positive) clamp from the working battery.
- Remove the red (positive) clamp from the previously dead car.
6. Even though your car has started, the battery is probably not completely charged. Let your car run for 15-20 minutes to recharge the battery. It’s a good idea to drive around for a few minutes as well to help fully recharge the battery.
Important Safety Tips
- Never let the clamps touch each other while attached to a battery.
- Check your car’s manual for any specific instructions related to jump-starting.
- If the car doesn’t start after several attempts, the battery may need replacement or there could be another issue. If this happens, contact Rexburg Car Shop. We will help you diagnose the problem and get your car running again.
If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! Our only goal is to help you get where you need to go.