Don’t get stranded: Tips for jumpstarting your car

Have you ever jumped into your car, turned the key, and nothing happened? If so, did thoughts like this start racing through your head?

• I wonder what’s wrong?
• What am I going to do now?
• Whom can I call?
• I hope this isn’t going to be expensive.

A dead battery can occur at any time. While dead car batteries seem like a winter phenomenon, they're not. Hot climates can reduce battery effectiveness as well. 

A car battery can last an average of three to five years if the vehicle is driven regularly. A car kept in storage and not driven for an extended period may need a new battery sooner.

If you’re left stranded and need a jump-start, here are the appropriate steps to get you back on the road.

1. Take a deep breath. I’ve been in this position before. Once help arrives, there’s a lot of commotion. Always think before you act. If you’re on the side of the road, pay attention to your surroundings. Before exiting your car, make sure it’s safe. If you're in a parking lot, pay attention to swinging doors and other vehicles around you.

2. Position the vehicles appropriately. Once help arrives, position the vehicle with the dead battery and the running vehicle so they face each other. If you’re in a parking lot, getting them as close together as possible may be difficult. Automatic transmission cars should be placed in park, and manual transmission cars should be put in neutral. For extra safety, use the parking brakes in both cars.

3. Turn off the running car. Once the vehicles are positioned appropriately, turn off the radio, headlights, interior lights, etc. Once this has been done, turn the car off.

4. Identify the battery terminals. The positive has a red indicator or a plus (+) sign. The negative terminal has a black indicator or a negative (-) sign.

5. Identify the jumper cables. The red clamp is positive and the black clamp is negative. A stripe on the cable may also indicate the positive cable.

6. Attach the jumper cables. It’s essential to attach the jumper cables in this order.

• Attach the positive cable (red) to the positive terminal on the dead battery.
• Attach the positive cable (red) to the positive terminal on the functioning battery.
• Attach the negative cable (black) to the negative terminal on the functioning battery. Please note that the cables are now live! Be careful in handling the remaining negative cable.
• Attach the negative cable (black) to a non-painted piece of metal or a bolt on the car with the dead battery. Make sure the cable is clear from moving parts.

7. Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines. Start the car with the functioning battery and allow it to run for one to two minutes. Next, try starting the car with the dead battery. The good car's engine can be idled at 3,000 rpms to help transfer the energy through the jumper cables.

8. Disconnect the jumper cables. Now that the car with a dead battery is running, it’s time to disconnect the jumper cables.

• Start by disconnecting the black or negative cable on the previously dead battery.
• Disconnect the black or negative cable on the functioning battery.
• Disconnect the red or positive cable on the functioning battery.
• Disconnect the red or positive cable on the previously dead battery.

If the car with the dead battery didn’t start, try:

• Re-connecting the cables following the steps in #6.
• Allow the functioning car to run for five to ten minutes with the jumper cables attached to the dead car.
• Consider calling a tow truck or using roadside assistance. 

Here are some additional resources that can help you become more familiar with the jump starting process.

Do you have any suggestions or information you’d like to share? I’d love to hear from you. Please share them in the box below.

Sources:
https://www.pepboys.com/car_care_corner/car_care_basics/maintenance/jump_starting_your_battery_using_another_car/