How to Jumpstart a Car (Simple Guide for Everyone)

Are you turning on your car and feeling no engine startup sound? There is a high chance that the issue is with your car battery, and you need to jumpstart your car. However, many car owners do not know how to jump start a car or what things are required. If you are one of those, do not worry. In this guide, I will show you the proper way to jump-start a car with detailed steps as well as visual representations for a clearer understanding.

Table of contents

• What Does It Mean to Jump Start a Car?
• What Things Do You Need to Jump-Start a Car
• How to Jump Start a Car (5 Steps to Follow)
• How to Jump a Car Battery with a Jump Starter (If Donor Car Is Not Available)
• Pre-Steps to Jumpstart a Car
• Post Steps After Jump Starting a Car with Jumper Cables
• What If the Jump Start Does Not Work?
• Tips to Avoid Needing a Jump Start Again
• Conclusion
• FAQs

What Does It Mean to Jump Start a Car?

We need to jumpstart a car when the car engine is not starting, and the issue is a dead battery. Jump starting a car is a way to give the battery enough power from another source, or, in other terms, a donor car, using jumper cables or a jump starter. After giving power to the battery from another source, the battery will power up, and the car engine will start.

Why Does a Car Battery Die?

The car battery may die due to carelessness or being too old. Some common reasons for batteries stopping working are the following:

• You left your headlights or inside lights on.
• The battery is old or weak.
• You did not close a door fully.
• It is too cold or hot outside.
• You have not driven your car for a long time.

Moreover, before gathering tools and beginning jumpstarting, make sure whether the issue is with the battery or something else. If the car engine is totally stopped and there is no sound on ignition, the issue can be the dead battery. If the engine is turning on but you feel the car hesitates when accelerating or suddenly jerks, the issue is not the battery.

Now that you know what jump-starting a car is and why it happens, I will explain the right method and tools you need to jump-start a car.

What Things Do You Need to Jump Start a Car

To jump a car with jumper cables, you need a few simple tools, which are listed below:

1. Jumper cables (red and black clips)
2. Another car with a working battery
3. Parking brake on both cars
4. And the owner’s manual of both cars for help

Please never use damaged or leaking batteries for jump-starting your vehicle. Other than these things, there is some optional equipment that I recommend you gather if possible. Here are these.

• Mechanical gloves (for safety)
• Flashlight (helpful to jump a car with jumper cables if it is dark)
• Portable jump starter (if no car is around)

How to Jump Start a Car (5 Steps to Follow)

Now I am explaining all the steps involved to jump start a car with cables. Below are the steps involved for jump-starting the car with a textual description and a visual representation:

Step 1: Park Both Vehicles Close Together to Jumpstart a Car

First, park both cars close enough so the jumper cables can reach easily. Make sure that neither car touches the other, the engines are turned off, and the parking brakes are applied.

Step 2: Open Hoods and Find Battery Terminals

The next step is to open the hoods of both cars to connect the jumper cables. Here are the steps involved:

• Open the hoods of both cars.
• Find the battery terminals.
• The positive terminal is marked with a + (plus sign) and is usually red.
• The negative terminal is marked with a – (minus sign) and is usually black.
• Clean off any corrosion or dirt.

Step 3: Attach the Jumper Cables to Jumpstart a Car

Now the main step begins, which is attaching the jumper cables in the correct order in both cars. The jumper cables are color-coded. The red jumper cable is for the positive terminal of the battery, and the black cable is for the negative terminal. Here is the proper way to jump start a car with jumper cables:

• Red Terminal to Dead: Attach one red clip of the jumper cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery in the affected car.
• Red Terminal to Donor: Attach the other red clip to the positive terminal of the working battery in the donor car.
• Black Terminal to Donor: Attach one black clip of the jumper to the negative terminal of the working battery.
• Black Terminal to Metal: Attach the last black clip to an unpainted metal surface (like a bolt) on the car with the dead battery.

Note: The dead represent the dead battery in the faulty car. At the same time, the donor represents the working battery in the working car.

Critical precaution tip for black jumper cable: Never attach the black cable to the negative terminal of the dead battery because it can cause sparks or fire.

Step 4: Start the Working Car to Jump Start a Dead Car

Now the challenging phase of connecting a cable to jump start a car with a jumper cable is finished. The next step is to start the car with a working battery and let it run for 2 to 3 minutes. During this time period, the dead battery will get enough power to start the car. The working battery will send the electricity to the dead battery during this time.

Step 5: Start the Dead Car

After a 2- to 3-minute waiting time, try to start the car with the dead battery. If it does not work the first time, wait a few more minutes and try again. When you become successful at jump-starting a car with jumper cables, do not remove the cables on the spot. Leave them connected for a few minutes to help the dead battery recharge.

Step 6: Remove the Jumper Cables (in Reverse Order)

The final step is to take off the cables in the reverse order. Here is the correct order to remove jumper cables after jump-starting a car:

• Remove the black clamp from the metal surface (dead car).
• Remove the black clamp from the negative terminal (working car).
• Next, remove the red clamp from the positive terminal (working car).
• Finally, remove the red clamp from the positive terminal (dead car).

Never let the clamps touch each other because it can cause a dangerous spark.

How to Jump a Car Battery with a Jump Starter (If Donor Car Is Not Available)

Finding the donor vehicle to jumpstart a car can become difficult sometimes. But do not worry; you can utilize the jump starter or compact battery to charge the battery of your vehicle and start it.

What Is a Portable Jump Starter?

A portable jump starter is a small battery pack that can jumpstart a car without another vehicle. It is easy to use and a great tool to keep in your trunk to deal with an emergency situation. Some of the benefits of Jump Starter are listed below:

• No need to ask someone for help.
• It works fast to jumpstart a car.
• Safer for newer cars with electronic systems

Pre-Steps to Jumpstart a Car

If you are ready to jump start your car with jumper cables, it is important to follow safety measures and stay safe. Follow these safety steps before you jump start your car with a donor vehicle or jump starter:

• Check both batteries for cracks, leaks, or corrosion.
• Make sure both cars are off and in park or neutral.
• Remove all keys from the ignition.
• Turn off radios, fans, lights, and chargers.
• Keep metal objects (like keys or watches) away.
• Always read the manual of your car and its battery to check if jump starting is permitted and safe.

Post Steps After Jump Starting a Car with Jumper Cables

The process does not end with recharging the battery and jump starting the car. Once your car is running again, keep driving it or turning it on for at least 20 to 30 minutes. During this time period, the car battery will get enough charge to start the car again on its own. If your car dies again soon after a jump start, the battery may need to be replaced.

What If the Jump Start Does Not Work?

If your car does not turn on even after you jump start it with jumper cables, the issue might be different. Here are some possible reasons.

• The battery is too dead or old.
• There is a problem with the starter.
• A fuse is blown.
• A wire is loose or damaged.
• It is not a battery issue at all. The issue might be different, like a car overheating or a faulty electrical system.

So, if you fail to jumpstart your car with a donor vehicle or jump starter, call the expert mechanic or visit the workshop.

Tips to Avoid Needing a Jump Start Again

The one and only solution to avoid jump starting a car is keeping the battery in good health. You can keep your battery healthy with these easy tips:

• Turn off lights, radios, and chargers when the engine is off.
• Don’t leave your car unmoved for too long.
• Always monitor the battery light in the car and stay updated with battery health.
• Start your car once a week if you do not drive often.
• Check battery age and health, and replace every 3–5 years.
• Keep emergency tools like jumper cables and a flashlight in your car.

Conclusion

In short, you must gather the right tools and know the right method to jump start a car. Connect the jumper cables correctly with the right terminals in both the donor car and the car with the dead battery. You can either jump start your car with a donor vehicle or with a jump starter. No matter which option you have, always follow the safety measures and follow the proper way to jumpstart a car.