How to Jump Start a Car

How frustrating is it when you get in the car after a long day and it won’t start? Often the cause of this a weak battery. Learning how to jump start your vehicle can change a major problem into a minor one.

Before You Get Started

Before jump starting your vehicle check the owner’s manual to make sure there are no special conditions that apply to your vehicle’s make and model. Just a reminder, when a battery quits, it emmits any remaining hydrogen gas into the air. Always be careful because there is a possibility of explosion, so never use a lighter or match as a source of light.

What you Need

You will need jumper cables with clean clamps and a vehicle that is similar in size to yours. As an alternative to another vehicle you could carry a jump start station.

Lets Get Started

1. Park the two vehicles next to each other so the jumper cables can reach both batteries. Make absolutely sure the two vehicles are not touching in any way. Turn off both vehicles and remove the keys. Put both emergency brakes on.
   
   
2. Open both hoods. Now you must connect the jumper cables, do not let the ends of the cables touch each other. If the terminals of either battery are corroded this could cause a poor connection. Steel wool can be used to clean the terminal.
   
   
3. Begin with the vehicle that has a dead battery. Locate the positive terminal (the side with the “+” sign) using the red clamp connect it to the terminal.
   
   
4. Connect the other red clamp to the positive terminal on the charged battery.
   
   
5. On the vehicle with the dead battery look for a place to connect the black clamp that will create a solid ground. This is usually a bracket, nut or bolt on the engine but sometimes you can use a metal unpainted part of the vehicles frame. This is important that the charge has somewhere to ground out in order to prevent fire and explosion.
   
   
6. Returning to the vehicle with the charged battery, attach the other black clamp on the negative battery terminal (the side with the “–“sign).
   
   
7. Check to make sure all connections are good.
   
   
8. Wait a few minutes and start the vehicle with the charged battery. Let it run for a minute. Then try starting the vehicle with the dead battery.
   
   
9. Once the vehicle with the dead battery starts let both vehicles run for a few minutes. Then shut the vehicle with the charged battery off and disconnect the cables in reverse order.
   
   
10. Leaving the vehicle running will charge the battery back up. You can drive it or leave it parked. Once you have driven the vehicle to a safe place try to start it on its own. If you continue to have trouble starting it you may need a new battery.

DISCLAIMER: Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and safety of the information in this document. Neither NRHA, any contributor nor Aubuchon Hardware can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of the information in this document.

Aubuchon Hardware

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