HOW TO JUMP START A VEHICLE

So how do I correctly jump start my vehicle???

While jump starting a vehicle seems easy, you must do it correctly to avoid damaging the vehicle or injuring yourself. Remember, automotive lead-acid batteries produce hydrogen gas, which can cause a fire or explosion.

Whenever you work with or near a vehicle battery, wear eye protection in case there should be any sulphuric acid that may splash up.

The two best ways to jump start a vehicle:

1. Jumper cables with another vehicle
2. Portable jump starter box

Here’s how to use jumper cables with another vehicle:

1. Bring the running vehicle close enough so the batteries of both vehicles can be easily reached.
2. Shut off the engine on the vehicle supplying power.
3. Connect the positive (+) RED cable ends to the positive (RED) battery terminals of both vehicles.
4. Connect the negative (-) BLACK cable to running vehicle’s battery and the engine or chassis of the other vehicle away from the battery.
5. Start the vehicle giving power and allow it to idle.
6. After 1 minute or so, try to start the vehicle with the discharged battery. If it still doesn’t start, wait for 2 or 3 minutes before trying again. This allows the discharged battery to charge a little.

When the vehicle with the discharged battery starts, remove the jumper cables in reverse order.

1. Remove BLACK (-) cable from the vehicle being jumped.
2. Remove BLACK (-) cable from the vehicle supplying the jump
3. Remove RED (+) cable from the vehicle being jumped.
4. Remove RED (+) cable from the vehicle giving the jump.

Success! You’ve got the vehicle running!

BTW, when you’re using jumper cables, be careful when attaching them to the vehicles, Don’t allow the positive and negative cable ends to touch each other so you don’t ‘fry’ any of the electronic gadgets in either vehicle!

Portable Jump Starter Box

Okay, so how do you jump start a vehicle if you have a portable jump starter box?

1. Make sure you read and follow the directions for charging and using the portable jump starter.
2. Turn the vehicle’s ignition switch to the OFF position.
3. If needed, attach the cables to the portable jump starter and make sure the cable clamps don’t touch each other.
4. Connect the RED positive (+) cable clamp to the RED positive (+) battery terminal.
5. Connect the BLACK negative (-) cable clamp to the vehicle’s engine or chassis away from the battery.
6. Attempt to start the vehicle.

After vehicle starts, disconnect the portable jump starter in the reverse order:

1. Disconnect BLACK negative (-) cable clamp
2. Disconnect RED positive (+) cable clamp

If needed, remove the cables from the portable jump box.

Well, that was easy! You got the vehicle running!

Wondering about your battery? Have a look here.