6 Easy Steps To Jump Start Your Car

With winter around the corner, it's time to start prepping your vehicle for the cold weather ahead. Low temperatures can be especially hard on your vehicle's battery, lowering its capacity and forcing it to work harder to turn over your engine. If the charge drops low enough, it can even kill your battery completely, leaving you stranded. If you do find yourself in a situation where your car won't start, you can jump start your vehicle with a pair of jumper cables and a second vehicle. Here is a simple step-by-step guide to jump starting your vehicle.

Can You Damage Your Car by Giving a Jump Start?

Jump starting a car is a relatively safe process, provided you follow instructions. Here are a few safety tips you should consider before attempting to jump start a vehicle.

• Make sure that the donor vehicle's battery has the same voltage as the dead battery - If the stalled vehicle has a 12-volt battery, the donor vehicle must have a 12-volt battery too.
• Don't jump start a damaged battery - If you notice leaks, cracks or corrosion on the battery, do not attempt to jump start the vehicle.
• Don't jump start dry or frozen batteries - If you have a typical lead acid battery, you can check the electrolyte in the battery's cells. Use a putty knife or screwdriver to pry the lids off the top of the battery's cells and use a flashlight to check. If you see any ice in the cells or find that the electrolyte has dropped low enough to expose the plates, do not attempt to jump start the battery. Note: if you have an AGM battery or one labeled "Maintenance Free," you should not attempt to open the cells.
• Don't touch the jumper clips together - When the jumper cables are connected, touching the clips together creates a risk of shock, so keep them separate at all times.

How To Jump Start Your Vehicle

Step #1 Position & Prep the Vehicles

Begin by parking the donor car close to the stalled vehicle. Make sure they aren't touching and that both vehicles are turned completely off. Pop the hood on each car and locate the batteries. Also, be sure that your jumper cables are unwound and untangled.

Step #2 Connect the Jumper Cables

Your jumper cables will feature four different alligator clips, two red and two black. Connect one of the red (+) clamps to the positive terminal of the dead battery. Then, attach the other red (+) clamp to the positive terminal of the working battery. Next, connect one of the black (-) clamps to the negative terminal of the working battery. Finally, attach the remaining black (-) clamp to any unpainted metal surface of the dead car.

Step #3 Start the Donor Car's Engine

Start the working car, letting it idle for a few minutes so that it can charge the dead battery.

Step #4 Start the Dead Car's Engine

Try attempting to turn over the stalled vehicle's engine. Be aware that it might take a few tries before it starts.

Step #5 Remove the Jumper Cables

Remove the cables in the reverse order of how you attached them. Start by removing the black (-) clamp from the metal surface of the dead car, then remove the black (-) clamp from the negative terminal of the donor vehicle's battery. After that, remove the red (+) clamp from the positive terminal of the working battery and finish by removing the remaining red (+) clamp from the positive terminal of the dead battery.

Step #6 Let the Engine Run

Once the jumper cables have been disconnected, you'll want to keep your vehicle running to charge the battery back up. Drive it for a minimum of at least 15 minutes, preferably at highway speeds.

Can You Jump Start a Car with Keyless Ignition?

Yes, you can jump start your push button vehicle using the same method described above. Just be sure that your key fob is inside the car when you attempt to turn over the engine, the same as you would ordinarily. Does your key fob need a new battery? Bring it to Batteries Plus and we'll be happy to replace it for you.

Can You Jump Start a Car without a Second Vehicle?

Yes, you can eliminate the need for a second vehicle with a jump pack. A jump pack (also known as a portable power pack) is a portable battery powerful enough to jump start a stalled vehicle. It comes with a pair of clamps that attach to the stalled battery similarly to a pair of jumper cables. Batteries Plus has jump packs for nearly any kind of vehicle. Need help using one? Find step-by-step instructions in our blog article entitled "How Do You Jump a Car with a Portable Power Pack?"

Winterize Your Vehicle at Batteries Plus

Batteries Plus has everything you need to get your vehicle ready for winter. Read our blog for tips on how to find the best jumper cables, then shop our selection of jumper cables online. If you're having to jump start your vehicle on a regular basis, you can visit one of our stores and have your battery tested for free. We also offer free battery installation at most of our locations on most vehicle makes and models. We even program and replace vehicle key fobs for cheaper and faster than your dealership. Plus, you can pick up a variety of additional essentials from our Automotive Center.