A flat battery can cause all sorts of issues and completely derail plans, especially when your knowledge of how to jump-start a car is somewhat lacking. If you are someone who hasn’t experienced this issue before, and even if you have, it’s natural to be nervous about what to do when this situation arises, especially if you haven’t prepared.
At S.S.C Mechanics, we are experienced in a wide range of mechanical repairs and car services. So, if you suspect that your vehicle is having battery issues, you should bring it in for a checkup before any issues have a chance to manifest. However, if it’s too late for preemptive action, fret not, for we’re here to teach you everything you need to know about how to jump-start your car.
When it comes to jump-starting a car, it’s important to stay prepared. That said, whilst you may not think you have some of these items, you may find that you happen to have some lying around in your boot. If not, then you’ll likely need a friend to come and provide you with some assistance, if your situation allows for it.
Once you have the items you’ll need, it’s important to then learn how to use them safely. Remember, batteries can be dangerous when used improperly, which is why we always suggest utilising the services of an experienced mechanic where possible. With that said:
Sometimes, your battery dying is a symptom of an underlying issue. This can become quite dangerous for those that are jump-starting their car depending on what issues are present. That’s why it’s good to check your battery before starting. For example, if your battery is leaking, this is a sign that you should call a mechanic and avoid interacting with it until they arrive.
You should also stop if your jump leads are visibly damaged or get hot during the process. These are signs that something may be wrong and should be treated as a sign to stop and wait for help.
Attempting to remove your jumper leads while your engine is running can cause lasting damage to the car’s electrical components, and should be avoided wherever possible.
Now that we’ve gone through some of the initial safety precautions, we can start on how to jump-start your car.
Before you start trying to use your jumper leads, it’s important that your two vehicles are unobstructed and can easily reach from one battery to the other.
The red jumper leads should connect to the positive terminals of each battery, whilst the black ones should connect to the negative terminals.
It’s best to keep the engines off for a few minutes before starting, but once you do, leave the car with the functioning battery on for a minute before turning on the car with the flat battery.
Leave both cars on and idling for ten minutes to ensure the jumper leads have time to do their job.
Once the ten minutes is up, turn off both vehicles. Do NOT attempt to disconnect the jumper cables before the cars have been switched off.
Make sure the leads don’t touch the car or each other whilst you are removing them.
Once all of the work is done, try turning your car on again to see if you have been successful. If so, great! If not, then it’s time to call a mechanic or tow truck for assistance.
Ideally, a car battery should be changed every 5-7 years. If you think it’s time to get your battery swapped over, contact one of our specialists at S.S.C Mechanics today!
Want to stay up-to-date with more vehicle tips, tricks and information? Keep visiting our blog for more posts on car care and maintenance every month!
Looking for more how-to guides to make car repairs easy? Check out some other guides that might help you!
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