How to Jump Start a Car, a Simple Yet Thorough Step by Step Guide

Car Problems 101: Jump-Starting a Dead Battery

It can happen to anyone, at any point of owning a car. One day, you go to turn your car on, and it won’t play ball.

There are a few reasons why this might be happening, but the most likely is a dead car battery. 

At this point you have two options: 

1. Seek the help of an automotive professional
2. Learn how to use jump leads to get your car started yourself.

Option 2 might sound a little daunting, but jump-starting your car is not as scary or complicated as you might think. 

In this article, we’ll explain how to do it safely with step-by-step, easy-to-follow instructions. 

Key Takeaways

Engine off! – Make sure both engines are off before attaching your cables

All about the order – Attach your jumper cables in the proper order 

No touching, please – Make sure the cable clamps don’t touch when attaching and removing them from the terminals

Carry those leads at all times – You won’t be jump-starting anything without them!

First Things First: Perform a Battery Check

Is the battery really the problem?

Check to see if you can unlock the doors, light up the dashboard, and turn on your headlights. If not, then we definitely have ourselves a dead battery. It’s worth noting, however, that these components all use far less power than the starter, so your battery may still be undercharged even if they do turn on. 

If you hear a loud click when you turn the key in the ignition, then you may have a faulty starter motor. In this case, you’ll need to take your vehicle to a mechanic to check both this and the electrical system. 

Finally, check if the issue is the alternator. To do this, you’ll first need to try a jump-start. If you follow the steps below and your vehicle dies again shortly after restarting, your battery might not be getting enough juice from the alternator. In this case, take your vehicle to a mechanic. 

How to Jump-Start a Car With Another Vehicle

Things You’ll Need

• Your car
• Another working vehicle (aka “donor car”)
• Jump-start cable (16mm for regular vehicles, 25mm for vehicles with larger engines)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Park

Park both cars facing each other and set the parking brakes. They should be roughly 12–24 inches apart. Both engines should be turned off.

Next, open the hood of both cars and locate the batteries. With most cars, the battery will be toward the front of the vehicle and slightly to the right or left. In some cases, however, it may be between the passenger compartment and engine, near the firewall, or even in the trunk.

If you’re unsure, check your owner’s manual.

Step 2: Attach the Jumper Cables

On both the dead battery (your car) and the good battery (the other car) look for the negative terminal (-) and positive terminal (+).

WARNING: When attaching the jumper cables to the batteries, ensure that the cables don’t touch. This is specific to the metal part of the cables; the rubber around the cables doesn’t conduct electricity.

Start with the red cable. Connect this to the dead battery’s positive terminal, which is marked with a ‘+’. Then connect the other end of the cable to the positive terminal of the battery in the donor vehicle.

Next, connect the negative cable (black) to the negative battery terminal on the good battery, which is marked with a ‘-’. Connect the other end of this cable to any unpainted metal surface (any nut or bolt will do) on the dead vehicle.  

Step 3: Charge the Battery

Start the vehicle with the working battery. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then rev the engine for 1–2 minutes. The electric current will pass through the cables into the dead battery.

Step 4: Start the Dead Battery

Now, it’s time to see if the dead battery is charged and working by attempting to start the car.

If this doesn’t work, turn both cars off again, wiggle the cables and their connections a bit, and repeat the entire process.

If this doesn’t work, consider replacing the battery.

Step 5: Remove the Cables

Remove the jumper cables from the terminals in reverse order, starting with the negative terminal and clamp on the (formerly) dead car and ending with the positive cable (red) on the dead car. 

Again, make sure the cable clamps don’t touch.

Step 6: Keep the Engine Running

Once you have removed the cables, keep the recharged battery running by leaving the engine turned on. Do this for at least 20 minutes, with your foot lightly pressing on the gas. This will ensure that the alternator will charge your car’s battery.

Step 7: Take a Bow

And that’s it, you’ve just jump-started a car!

If by this point your battery still won’t charge, you may be dealing with a completely dead battery or a faulty alternator.

Final Thoughts

And there you have it! You’re now equipped with all the knowledge you need to jump-start your vehicle!

By following these steps, you can successfully jump-start your vehicle and get back on the road in no time. Just remember to exercise caution, follow proper safety procedures, read the owner’s manual, and enlist the services of a professional if you run into trouble or have any doubts. 

Safe driving!

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