How to jump a car: a tutorial
Many reasons can lead to having a 'dead' battery in your car: you may have forgot to turn off the headlights, forgot the key in the ignition, or simply the battery got out-of-date. All these can lead to the following situation: being unable to start the engine. If there is a working car nearby or you have a manual transmission, you can bring your vehicle back to life! All you need is to find out how to jump a car.
Source: UGC
Find out how to jump a car using our simple guide.
How to jump a car: a step-by-step guide
Modern vehicles have progressive capabilities which we could only dream of a few years ago. Many people do not know, what to do when the car battery is discharged. Here is how to jump a car.
The procedure is not complicated and safe if you follow the next steps correctly. However, if you do it wrong, it can lead to problems with your car and even injury.
Step 1. Park the other car next to yours
Make sure that the two cars are close to each other. Turn off engines and all electronics in both vehicles. If it rains, this procedure is not recommended. Be sure to prevent moisture from getting under the hood and on the battery terminals.
Step 2. Wear protective gloves and check the batteries
Check the condition of the batteries. If you find leaks, cracks or other damage, do not jump the car. It is better to call a tow truck or replace the battery.
It may be necessary to clean the contacts. Disconnect the wires and clean the contacts (first, disconnect -, then +, connect first +, then -).
Source: UGC
Often, batteries are located in a conspicuous place under the hood, but there are other cars with batteries in the trunk as well as in the cabin. Determine the polarity of the terminals:
- A positive charge is indicated by a plus (+) and usually leads to a red wire.
- A negative charge is indicated by a minus (-), and usually, a black wire leads to it.
Step 3. Unwind the cables that are necessary for jumping a car battery
They, like the wires on the battery, should have red and black colours. There are usually clamps at the ends.
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Step 4. Attach the cables as follows:
- Place one red clamp on the + terminal of the 'dead' battery.
- Put the second red clamp on the other car's terminal.
- Place one black clamp on the terminal of the donor vehicle.
- Put the second black clamp on the grounded metal part of your car (to a bolt or frame under the hood (unpainted metal). The installed clamps should not touch each other or you may burn both vehicles.
- Make sure that the cables are loose and are not be pulled into the engine.
Source: UGC
Step 5. Start the donor vehicle
Let it run for 5-10 minutes.
Step 6. Try to start your 'dead' vehicle
If you cannot start the vehicle, shut off the engine, disconnect the cables and check that the contact is good.
Step 7. Let both automobiles run for 5 minutes
After 5 minutes, try it all over again. If it still does not work, the battery needs to be changed.
Step 8. Disconnect the cables in reverse order
Remember that the wires must be disconnected in the reverse order.
Source: UGC
We recommend buying recharging wires. The wires may come in handy in a critical situation. Also, always monitor your battery charge level. As for the process of how to jump a car, it is simple and you can do it by yourself.
DISCLAIMER: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
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Source: Legit.ng
