The Proper Way to Jump Start A Car

Sooner or later, just about everyone is going to have a dead battery, which is why it’s important to know the proper way to jump start a car. Whether it’s because the lights were left on or it’s just an old battery, it never happens at an opportune time. Having the knowledge, and the right jumper cables, are essential to safely getting back on the road.

It’s necessary to know that when looking at the battery that there is a positive (+) red clamp and a negative (-) black clamp on each end of the jumper cables. Likewise, each battery has a positive (+) red terminal and a negative (-) black terminal. If there are protective covers on the battery terminals they need to be removed.

Here are the steps to jump starting a dead battery:

1. Have the working car park near, but not touch, the disabled car. Turn off the engine, lights, radio and air conditioning in both cars.

2. Connect the batteries of both cars to each other in the following order:

• Connect a red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery
• Connect the other red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery
• Connect one black clamp to the negative (-) terminal of the good battery
• Connect the other black clamp to a piece of grounded metal on the dead car. Look for shiny metal to attach the clamp to, not oily or painted metal

3.) Start the working car and let it idle for a few minutes. Don’t race the engine, but rev it a little above the regular idle for 30-60 seconds

4.) Try to start the disabled car. If it starts, be sure to let the previously disabled vehicle have its battery working for at least 20 minutes, preferably 30, to let the alternator fully charge the battery. If it doesn’t start, wiggle the clamps on the battery to make sure they have a good connection. If the battery still won’t start it very well may be necessary to replace the battery or have the car towed.

5.) Remove the jumper cables when the disabled car starts.

It is very IMPORTANT that the red and black jumper cable clamps never touch each other when any clamp is attached to either of the vehicle’s batteries.

How to jump start a car with a manual transmission:

1. Position the car, if possible, at the top of a hill. Otherwise, have people push the car forward

2. Completely depress the clutch

3. Have the car in second gear

4. Turn the key in the ignition without starting the car. This can be done by turning it once to the right. Twice will start the car, which is not yet desired

5. Let go of the brakes

6. When the speed reaches 5 miles per hour let go of the clutch quickly. If it doesn’t start, depress and release the clutch again. If this doesn’t work it may be necessary to replace the battery or have the car towed.

It is advisable to always have high quality jumper cables in the vehicle to have them available if, or when, the need arises.

Taylor and Sons Chevrolet advises that car battery strength be tested whenever the oil is changed. We carry a complete line of batteries of the highest quality and reliability available anywhere. Stop in and get your battery tested today by our Sandpoint battery service experts.

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