Ways to Jump-Start Your Car
A dead battery is a common problem that every car owner has faced at least once in their life. A car's battery can die due to many reasons. The main three reasons are- the collapse of the voltage regulator or the diode bridge in the alternator, lack of battery maintenance, and leaving the car unused for an extended period. In such circumstances, a set of jumper cables turns out to be the ultimate tool that helps in jump-starting the car.
Although the task of jump-starting a car may sound easy, it should be performed with extra caution. Every year people get severely injured while connecting the jumper cables from the dead battery to the live battery in the booster car. It is because the engine compartment of the vehicle may contain highly flammable gases (emitted by batteries), and a little spark is enough to blast a fire.
Here we will discuss the proper steps of jump-starting a car along with the safety measures that will help one avoid potential mishaps.
Safety Tips
- The voltage of both the dead battery and the live battery should be equal. Also, ensure that they have the same polarity.
- Keep both cars closer to each other for connecting the cables. But make sure the vehicles do not touch each other as it can cause a short circuit.
- Always turn the ignition switch, lights, and other accessories off during the jumpstart.
- Set the parking brake and keep the vehicle in neutral. Always consider wearing safety glasses.
- Strictly avoid smoking while connecting the jumper cables.
- Never try to jump-start a frozen battery as it will lead to exploding.
- Proper identification of positive and negative terminals of the batteries is essential to avoid mistakes while connecting the cables.
- If the dead battery has any leaks or cracks, do not proceed with the jump-start.
- Use high-quality jumper cables for such heavy-duty actions.
Step-by-step Procedure for Jumpstarting A Car Safely
Step 1: Clamp the one end of the positive jumper cable with the positive pole of the dead battery. Do not let the other end of the cable touch another part of the vehicle, as this may cause a dangerous spark.
Step 2: Clamp the positive terminal of the live battery with another end of the positive cable.
Step 3: Clamp the one end of the negative cable with the negative pole of the live battery.
Step 4: Clamp another end of the negative cable with the negative end of the dead battery through a clean metal part of the engine. It will keep the clamp away from the battery, other functional parts, and the fuel tank of the car.
Step 5: Now start the booster car to recharge the dead battery for 5 minutes. Try to start the engine of the weak car. If it does not start, refasten the clamps while keeping the ignitions of both cars shut. Try it again. As it starts, wait for 20 seconds to ensure the vehicle doesn't stall.
Step 6: Always unclamp the cables in the reverse order that you have attached earlier. Take off the one end of the negative cable from the grounded metal section. Unclamp the other end of the negative cable from the live battery. Disconnect one positive clamp from the live battery and another clamp from the dead battery.
Step 7: Once the jump-start action is successful, keep the engine running for at least 15 minutes to let the alternator to recharge the battery.
Wrapping up
Unexpected situations like dead batteries can occur at any time. However, with little patience and the application of the right method, the car can be jump-started again. All you need is a booster car and a pair of jumper cables. In case the battery dies soon after the jump-start, it is either because the battery got expired or the alternator of the car needs a change. Visit an automobile repair shop for more accurate and professional service.
