Over time, car batteries can become less reliable and will not hold a charge as well as they used to. This means that eventually, your car will refuse to start, which can leave you stranded. However, by asking someone for help, you can use another vehicle's battery to jump start your own battery and get the engine running. If you notice that your car battery is dying frequently, it's a good idea to visit a mechanic and see if the battery should be replaced (or if there is another reason why your vehicle has difficulty starting).
Before You Begin
Before you jump your car's engine, you should have a set of jumper cables. It's a good idea to always have a pair stored in the trunk of your car in case your battery dies, or if you need to help out a stranger in need. Furthermore, make sure that your vehicle is off and in park before you do attempt to jump the engine.
Jumping a Car Engine
Open the hoods of both vehicles, and locate the battery in each engine compartment: they are large, black boxes usually clearly marked and located in the middle of the compartment.
Attach one of the red clips of the jumper cable to the positive terminal to the battery of the vehicle that won't start. The positive terminal is usually marked with the word positive, or a large plus sign. It is also usually larger in size when compared to the negative terminal.
Attach the opposite red clip to the positive terminal of the other battery.
Then, connect one of the black clips to the other terminal (the negative one) on the battery of the working vehicle. It should be clearly marked, but if not is the smaller terminal of the two.
Then, take the other black clip and attach it to a piece of exposed metal – any metal that isn't covered by paint or any other substances – on the vehicle that refuses to start. There is usually exposed metal around the edges of the engine compartment, depending on the model of vehicle.
Turn on the car that will start, and let it run for a minute or so. Then, start your own vehicle. If the connections are on properly, both vehicles should be able to run.
However, if your vehicle does not start, turn both vehicles off, and ensure that all the clips are properly secured. If they are, let the working vehicle run for a few more minutes before trying again. If it still won't start, the issue isn't with your battery, and you'll have to call a tow truck.
For further assistance, contact a local auto repair shop, such as Brandywine Coach Works.
Share18 April 2016
After trying in vain to fix my car for a few months, I realized that I needed to hire a professional. I was tired of dealing with repairs that I was unfamiliar with, and I knew that I needed to get some help. I started looking around for a great auto mechanic, and even though one business was more expensive than others, I decided to work with them. They worked hard to fix my car, and I was really pleased with how great of a job they did. This blog is all about investing in proper auto service so that you don't have to deal with problems in the future.
