how to jumpstart car with battery

That dreaded clicking sound when you turn the key is a feeling every driver knows. A dead car battery can happen to anyone, often at the most inconvenient time. But before you call for an expensive tow truck, know that you can often get back on the road in just a few minutes. Learning how to jumpstart car with battery is an essential skill that saves time, money, and a lot of stress. With a good Samaritan and a set of jumper cables, you can transfer power from a healthy battery to your own.

The Essential Gear You’ll Need

Before you begin, you need two things: a functioning vehicle with a good battery and a set of jumper cables. It’s wise to keep a sturdy pair in your trunk at all times. Look for cables that are thick, a decent length, and have strong, clean clamps. Safety glasses are also a good idea to protect your eyes from any potential sparks.

A Safe Step-by-Step Guide on How to Jumpstart Car with Battery

Safety is the most important part of this process. Always park the working car close to yours, but ensure the vehicles are not touching. Turn off both engines and put the cars in park or neutral with the parking brakes engaged.

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 clamp, connect it to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car’s engine block or chassis, away from the battery. This provides a safe ground.

Bringing Your Battery Back to Life

Start the engine of the working car and let it run for a few minutes. Then, try to start your car. If it starts, great! If it doesn’t, wait a few more minutes and try again. Once your engine is running, carefully disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse order you connected them. Remove the black clamp from your car’s ground, then the black clamp from the helper battery, then the red clamp from the helper battery, and finally the red clamp from your battery.

What to Do After a Successful Jumpstart

Don’t turn your car off right away! Drive for at least 15-20 minutes to allow your alternator to recharge the battery. This gives you the best chance of restarting your car later. If your battery dies again soon after, it might be old and unable to hold a charge, signaling it’s time for a replacement.

With this knowledge, a dead battery doesn’t have to ruin your day. It’s a straightforward process that empowers you to handle a common roadside issue confidently and get safely back on your journey.