Here’s How To Jump Start A Vehicle

1 Is Your Battery Actually Dead?

Having a dead car battery could be a painful affair. But most of us often mistake a weak battery with a dead battery. If you hear the engine cranking, it’s not because the battery is dead. If you try to start the engine and all you hear are clicks or nothing, it means the battery is dead or has a low charge. If your battery isn’t dead, it probably means that your battery is drained out. 

2 What Causes The Battery Drain?

Several things can add up to a dead car battery. Here are some of the most common causes: 

Leaving The Car Parked For A Long Time:

The most frequent cause of a dying car battery is when the vehicle remains parked and unused for an extended period, such as during a lockdown. During these situations, the battery can lose power rapidly, particularly if it is already weak or aging.

Leaving The Interior Lights Or Headlights On:

If you leave your car’s interior or headlights on after parking, it can rapidly deplete the battery. However, newer vehicles come equipped with features that can alert you if you have left the lights on.

Leaving The Music System On:

Forgetting to turn off the music system after muting it for some or other reason can drain the car battery too. If the key is left in the ignition while the music plays, the battery may eventually die, leaving a dead car behind.

Charging Any Electrical Gadget In The Car:

Overcharging electronic devices is a most common way for depleting car batteries. Given the widespread use of smartphones, tablets, and other electronic gadgets, it is common to charge them in your car while it is operational. However, if you forget to unplug the device after charging, the battery may drain.

Harsh Weather Conditions:

Harsh weather conditions such as extreme cold or heat can cause the car battery to drain faster. Cold temperatures slow down the chemical reactions inside the battery, making it harder for it to produce enough power to start the engine. On the other hand, high temperatures can cause the battery fluid to evaporate, reducing its overall lifespan. Both of these scenarios can lead to a weakened battery that is more likely to fail.

You can jump-start your battery to get it running temporarily before you’re able to get a new battery. 

3 Why Do You Need To Jump-Start A Battery?

When the car battery runs out of juice or dies, it can’t provide enough power to start the engine or other electrical parts. In this case, there is only one thing you can do: charge the battery. You can do it by plugging the battery into an outlet (which requires charging equipment), or you can push-start the car, which is hard to do unless you can find a slope to push the car down.

The third and easiest option is to use another car to jump-start the vehicle. You can easily find a car with an excellent battery to donate to charge the battery in your vehicle. You can quickly charge a dead battery with a jumper cable.

4 What Do You Need To Jump-Start A Battery?

To jump-start a battery, you will need the following:

• An active battery from another car or a portable charger
• Jumper cables
• Personal protective equipment

How To Jump-Start A Battery?

It’s easy to jump-start a car, and it could be a fun do-it-yourself project. The process is not as hard as the word “jump start” makes it sound. But before you start the process, you need to find a car (donor) with a fully charged battery and a jumper cable. Once you know what you need, park the cars next or back to back with the fronts facing each other. Next, use the steps below to jump-start the vehicle.

• Step 1: Turn off the ignitions of both cars and connect the red jumper cable to the dead battery’s positive terminal. Next, connect the other end of the red wire to the positive end of the battery that has been charged. Make sure you put the cables in the same order each time and connect the cable terminals right.
• Step 2: Connect the black jumper cable to the charged battery’s negative terminal. Connect the other end of the wire to a metal part of the car that is not painted and has no paint on it. It brings the circuit down to the ground.
• Step 3: Once the cables are connected, turn on the car’s engine while the battery is still charged. Let it sit still for a minute so the battery has enough power to charge the dead battery.
• Step 4: Start the car’s engine with the dead battery. It should start smoothly. If not, ensure the cables are attached to the correct terminals and start the vehicle.
• Step 5: Take the jumper cable off as you put it on.
• Step 6: Turn off the car’s engine only if the battery is alive. Let it sit still for about 30 minutes, so the battery can charge.

How To Jump Start A Dead Car Battery Using A Portable Charger?

Having a portable charger on hand is a good idea always. Since it allows you to jump-start your car’s dead battery even when a donor vehicle is unavailable. Follow these simple steps to jump-start your car using a portable charger quickly and effortlessly.

• Step 1: Ensure that the portable charger is fully charged and placed in proximity to the dead battery. Keep the charger away from the engine and any moving parts.
• Step 2: Make sure that the vehicle is switched off, and all other electrical components are turned off, including the headlights, air conditioning, and music system.
• Step 3: Connect the red cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery, and connect the black cable to the negative terminal of the dead battery. Next, connect the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal of the portable charger, and connect the other end of the black cable to a metallic part of the car’s frame that is away from the battery.
• Step 4: Turn on the portable charger and allow it to establish a connection with the dead battery. Always check the charger’s manual for specific instructions on how to do this.
• Step 5: Once the connection is established, try to start the car. If it doesn’t start, wait a few minutes and try again.
• Step 6: Once the car starts, disconnect the cables in the reverse order that you connected.
• Step 7: Allow the car to run for a few minutes to enable the battery to recharge before switching it off.

NOTE: If your attempts at jumpstarting your vehicle are unsuccessful after following these steps, it is highly recommended to have your vehicle inspected by a local auto mechanic. They can identify any issues and advise you on the necessary repairs or replacements, such as swapping out a faulty battery with a new one.

Tips To Use Jumper Cables

The only other thing you need to jump-start a car is a car with an excellent battery to use as a “donor.” Each end of a jumper cable has two thick electric wires. Clips are put on the ends of the cables so they can connect to the battery terminals. When connecting the jumper cable to the battery, one should be careful. A bad connection can cause a spark or explosion. So, figure out which ends of the battery and jumper cable go where before you start the process.

• Here are a few things you need to watch out for when using a jumper cable.
• Check to see if the jumper cable is in good shape.
• Connect the jumper cable to the correct terminals and in the proper order.
• After you connect the jumper cables, ensure they don’t touch each other.
• Ensure that both the red and black wires are on the jumper cable. If any of the wires need to be included, don’t try to jump-start the car.

Tips To Jump-Start An Automatic Vehicle

Most cars on the road today have automatic transmissions. Automatic cars are easy to drive because you don’t have to deal with the clutch or shifting gears by hand. Whether your vehicle is manual or automatic, the process for giving it a jump start is the same.  However, going through your vehicle’s owner’s manual is equally important as it helps you know your vehicle better. 

Make sure the car is in “Park,” and the parking brake is on before you start the procedure. Follow the steps above to connect the jumper cables and activate the automatic car with a dead battery.

What Should I Do After I Jump-Start The Battery?

Once you jump-start a car with a dead battery, you need to let the engine run for about 30 minutes so the battery can charge. If you turn off the car’s engine right after jump-starting it, the battery won’t be able to charge, and you might not be able to start the car when you want to go somewhere. After you jump-start the vehicle, you should take it for a short drive to ensure the battery has enough charge. Also, turn on the AC and music system at different times to charge the battery faster. 

A dead car battery can be a frustrating issue for car owners, particularly during these challenging times when vehicles have limited mobility. However, the jumpstart method offers a quick solution to recharge the battery, which is a simple task that can be done independently. Nevertheless, if you are unfamiliar with jumper cables or lack knowledge about car batteries, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a professional mechanic. They can provide valuable guidance and ensure the safety of your vehicle.