Have you ever forgotten to turn off the lights in your car or left your headlights on overnight? If you have, there is a chance that your vehicle’s battery may have run out of juice and you need a jumpstart. Many people have unfortunately faced the fact that they have never jumped-started a vehicle and are afraid of the battery because it runs on such a high-voltage. It’s meant to run your whole car, they can only imagine what it will do to them if they mess something up!

Not to fear! Jump-starting your car is easy and can be done very quickly!

How to Jumpstart Your Car

Step 1: Find Jumper Cables

This may seem like a no brainer, but you will need jumper cables to start a car. In many cases you can find jumper cables at your local gas station or auto repair shop. They are relatively inexpensive especially if you go for a short cable (although a longer one is recommended). Once you have found a pair of jumper cables you are ready to move on to the next step. 

Step 2: Find Another Car To Jumpstart Your Vehicle. 

To jump start your vehicle you are going to need another car in most cases. Luckily for you many people have been in your shoes and are generally more than willing to help someone in need. It takes little to no effort for them to help you. The only thing they will need to do is provide you with 2-5 minutes of their time and have a car with a decent battery to get you started. 

Step 3: Face the cars Towards each other.

The easiest way to jump start your car is to have the other vehicle pull up in front of your car, about 2-3 feet from each other. Most jumper cables are between 6-10 feet so if you are parked relatively close, you will have ample room to begin the process. 

In some cases that may not be possible depending on how your car is positioned or where you car is. Not to fear though, If the other vehicle pulls side by side with your car that may be able to work or another option would be to get a longer cable. The charge from the other vehicle should have no problem passing through the cable regardless of the length of the cables. 

Step 4: Locate and Attach the Cables to the Battery.

At this time it is important to be careful. Luckily for you vehicle manufacturers have made it really easy to identify the battery and where to attach the cables. The only thing to look out for is any corrosion on the battery, since that would be a sign of fluid leak coming from your battery, in which case the safest option would be to have your car towed to the closest auto repair shop for a battery replacement. 

Once you locate the battery, it is important that you connect the Red Clamp of the Cable to the Positive Post of the dead Battery first, then connect the Other Side of the cable’s Red Clamp to the Positive post of the Working Battery. Next you will need to attach the Working Battery Side’s Clamp to the Negative post on the working battery. BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO CONNECT THE BLACK CLAMP TO THE DEAD BATTERY’S NEGATIVE POST. If you do this, it will cause sparks to burst out. You will need to attach the last black clamp to an unpainted metal surface of your car.

Step 5: Start the Working Vehicle.

It’s as simple as that! Once your Cables have been connected properly, all you will need to do is start the other vehicle, wait a couple minutes and you will be good to go. Ensure that you do not turn on the Dead vehicle while the other vehicle is on. Ensure that the working vehicle is off and then safely remove the Jump Start clamps and store them properly. Once all the cables have been removed, start the Dead Vehicle and Presto! You will have successfully Jump Started your Vehicle. 

Bonus:

In the event you don’t know anyone will be around when your vehicle dies, you can generally go to your local auto repair shop and purchase a travel size jumpstart battery. This battery will work very similarly to another vehicle and there is only One End of the Cable you will have to worry about (Follow instructions from Attaching the Dead Vehicles Cables). Simply turn on the Battery and you are good to go!

D&D Automotive Repair is the best place to help you maintain your vehicle!

If your vehicle’s battery died on you, and you are unsure why,  Bring your car into D&D Automotive Repair and our friendly associates will ensure that you are confident with the vehicle you are driving and give you good advice on how to maintain your car. We provide great deals on battery replacements and will get you in and out as quickly and affordably as possible! If you are unsure about anything regarding your vehicle, we are here to help!

Come in today for the best price on your next oil change or SMOG check!