how to jumpstart a car with cables

That dreaded clicking sound when you turn the key is a universal sign of car trouble. A dead battery can happen to anyone, often at the most inconvenient times. But before you call for an expensive tow, know that with a set of jumper cables and a helping hand, you can often get back on the road in minutes. Knowing how to jumpstart a car with cables is an essential skill that saves time, money, and a lot of frustration.

Gathering Your Gear and Preparing the Cars

First, you’ll need a set of working jumper cables and a vehicle with a good battery. Park the working car close to the one with the dead battery, but ensure they are not touching. Turn off both engines, engage the parking brakes, and pop the hoods. It’s also a good idea to turn off all accessories like lights and radios in both cars.

The Step-by-Step Guide on How to Jumpstart a Car with Cables

Connecting the cables in the correct order is crucial for safety. Follow these steps carefully. First, connect 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 clamp, connect it to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car’s engine block or chassis, away from the battery.

Bringing Your Car Back to Life

With everything connected, start the engine of the working car 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, wait a few more minutes and try again. Once the dead car is running, you can carefully disconnect the cables in the reverse order you connected them: black clamp from the grounded metal, black clamp from the good battery, red clamp from the good battery, and finally, red clamp from the once-dead battery.

Important Safety Tips to Remember

Safety is the top priority. Never allow the clamps to touch each other once they are connected to a battery. Always double-check that you have connected positive to positive and negative to a ground. If the battery looks damaged, is leaking, or smells strange, do not attempt a jumpstart. It’s time to call a professional.

With the car running, your work isn’t quite done. To recharge the battery, plan to drive for at least 15-20 minutes without stopping. If your battery dies again soon after, it may be old and need replacement. Keeping this knowledge in your back pocket will ensure you’re never truly stranded by a dead battery.