how to jumpstart car

That dreaded silence when you turn the key, followed by nothing but a faint click or a dim glow from your dashboard lights, is a feeling every driver knows. A dead battery can happen to anyone, often at the most inconvenient time. But before you call for an expensive tow truck, know that this is a problem you can often solve yourself in just a few minutes. Learning how to jumpstart car is an essential skill that can get you back on the road quickly and safely.

The Essential Gear You’ll Need

Before you begin, you’ll need a set of jumper cables and a power source. This is typically another vehicle with a healthy battery, but a portable jump starter pack works just as well. Ensure both vehicles are in Park (or Neutral for a manual) with the ignition completely off and parking brakes engaged. Pop the hoods on both cars and locate the batteries, identifying the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals.

A Safe Guide on How to Jumpstart Car

Safety is the top priority. Start by connecting one red clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery. Then, connect the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the good battery. Next, connect one black clamp to the negative terminal of the good battery. For the final black clamp, do not connect it to the dead battery. Instead, attach it to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car’s engine block or frame; this is a safety ground.

Now, start the engine of the working vehicle and let it run for a few minutes. Then, try to start the car with the dead battery. If it starts, great! If it doesn’t, let the working car charge it for a few more minutes and try again.

Disconnecting and Next Steps

Once your engine is running, it’s time to carefully disconnect the cables in the reverse order you connected them. Remove the black clamp from the ground on the once-dead car, then the black clamp from the good battery, followed by the red clamp from the good battery, and finally, the red clamp from your car. It’s crucial to drive your vehicle for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the alternator to recharge the battery fully.

While a simple jumpstart can solve an immediate problem, a dead battery can be a sign it’s nearing the end of its life. If this happens frequently, it’s a good idea to have your battery and charging system tested by a professional to prevent being stranded next time.