6 Easy Steps to Safely Jump-Start Your Car

September 24th, 2014 by

Starter cables and a pressure gauge for a car

When it comes to getting work done on your car, it’s always a safe bet to take your vehicle in to find a used car dealership with a certified shop.

Taking your car to a random garage, or trying to do the repair yourself, can turn into more problems for you then you originally had.

That being said, there are a few things that you CAN do on your own, and skills you should have stored in your memory in case of an emergency.

If you are stranded in a parking lot, or at the side of the road, and you find yourself with a dead battery – what do you do? Do you know how to jump start your vehicle? Follow our easy-to-understand steps below, and stay safe while keeping your car on the road.

How to Safely Jump-Start a Car

  1. Find a Car, Line Them Up. Properly aligning your car with the one that is giving you the jump, is important. The two cars should remain in “Park,” and should never be touching.
  2. Figure Out Which Post is Which. The positive post and negative post on a car battery should be carefully studied and confirmed before connecting your cables.
  3. Understand Connections. Your jumper cables will consist of a red line, and a black line. The red connects to the positive posts on the dead battery and the charged battery. Black cables connect to the negative posts on the charged battery ONLY. Connect the other black cable to the hull of the car with the dead battery.
  4. CLEAR! Clamps on the end of the cables should never touch each other. Be sure the cables are free of moving parts as well.
  5. Start the Engine. Once everything has been carefully connected (and double checked), turn on the engine of the car with the CHARGED battery FIRST. Let the car idle for a few minutes.
  6. Drive. Start the car with the dead battery, and disconnect the jumper cables. For the previously dead battery to retain its charge, you must drive continuously for thirty minutes.

Be sure to follow these easy steps, and take your time when jump-starting a car. This process can be easy and uncomplicated if the correct safety precautions are taken.

 

Posted in Used Car Dealers Cincinnati