How To Jump-Start Your Car
- May 20, 2008
- 30,635 Views
Writer
Amy_Capetta
Music
Todd Mazierski
Voice Over Artist
Mario Bueno
Actor
Mike Callaghan
- Show:
- Guide
- Transcript
There’s nothing more frustrating than getting into your car, turning the key, and—nothing. The good news is that a quick jump-start is just a jumper cable away.
You Will Need
- Working car
- Jumper cables
Never attempt to jump-start a battery that is frozen, cracked, or damaged in any way. It could explode when connected to another battery.
Step 1: Position cars
Position the working car as close to the “dead” car as possible. Ideally, that means hood to hood with a few inches in between.
Step 2: Turn off both engines
Turn off both engines.
Never light a match or smoke near a car battery. The battery contains hydrogen, a highly explosive gas.
Step 3: Open hoods of both cars
Open the hoods of both cars.
Step 4: Identify terminals on car batteries
Identify the positive and negatives terminals on both car batteries. They will be labeled with a plus sign for positive and minus sign for negative.
Step 5: Connect red clamp to dead battery
Connect one of the red clamps on the jumper cables to the positive terminal on the dead battery.
Step 6: Connect red clamp to working battery
Connect the other red clamp to the positive terminal on the working car’s battery.
Step 7: Connect black clamp to working battery
Connect the black clamp on the jumper cables to the negative terminal on the working car’s battery.
Step 8: Clip black clamp to dead car's engine
Clip the remaining black clamp to a clean metal part of the dead car’s engine to ground the circuit.
Step 9: Attempt to start dead car
Attempt to start the dead car. If it doesn’t start, disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse order: first the black clamps (starting with the once-dead car), then the red clamps (starting with the working car). Start the engine of the working car and allow it to run for about five minutes to boost its battery.
Step 10: Attempt to start again
Turn off the working car and again attempt to jump the dead car by connecting the cables — in order — and starting the ignition.
Step 11: Disconnect jumper cables
Once the car starts, disconnect all the clamps in the reverse order.
Step 12: Charge battery or go to repair shop
If you’re confident that your dead battery was just drained by accident, keep your car running to charge it back up — otherwise, go directly to a repair shop without shutting off the engine, or you risk having the battery die on you again.
Contrary to popular belief, heat — not cold — is the most common cause of car battery breakdowns.
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Comments (13)
Sorry, but you are mistaken. I own this Porsche. While most Porsche's engines are in the rear of the car, on this model featured, a 1985 Carrera 3.2, as with most 911 derived models the battery is actually in the front of the car. So the demonstration is correct.
over 3 years ago by carlo_scialla
Sorry Carlo, you are right, I stand corrected. I should pay more attention before passing judgment next time. A well done video. - Mark
over 3 years ago by cache100
No problem, thanks.
over 3 years ago by carlo_scialla
Great demonstration of the technique... should be required viewing in driver's ed.
over 3 years ago by jbfunk05
Once you've gotten a jump, it makes sense to drive around for a little while to recharge your battery.
over 3 years ago by sanjay
They might want to use a more appropriate car for this demonstration. A Porsche's engine is actually in the back of the car. The guy was attaching the jumper cable to an imaginary battery in the front ... but hey I'm not nitpicking here. Nice video.
over 3 years ago by cache100
Sorry, but you are mistaken. I own this Porsche. While most Porsche's engines are in the rear of the car, on this model featured, a 1985 Carrera 3.2, as with most 911 derived models the battery is actually in the front of the car. So the demonstration is correct.
over 3 years ago by carlo_scialla
I once had a lovely young woman ask if I could jump her. I was half undress before she explained that her car battery was dead :(
over 2 years ago by deckard1
Good video.
over 2 years ago by Rohit_Aggarwal
damn that iss porchee
over 2 years ago by vrv8989
Cool! thanks a lot!
over 2 years ago by littledanniel
I'll try to remember what to connect with what...
over 2 years ago by natanz
maybe ..i think it is mistaken
over 2 years ago by amybush
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