How to Jump Start a Car

How do you tell if your battery is dead?

Before you try jump starting a car, you need to determine that the battery is the reason the car isn’t starting up. Consider these two points:

Before you try jump starting a car, you need to determine that the battery is the reason the car isn’t starting up. Consider these two points. Firstly, if you turn the ignition and hear the engine cranking, the battery is not dead you have some other problem and jump starting your car will not help. Call Townsville Mobile Mechanic on 0400 401 171 Secondly, if you turn the key and the car does absolutely nothing, then there is a god possibility you have a dead battery and jump starting it may get you back on the road.

Jump starting a car is easy but it can be dangerous so before you start it is essential you take some precautions:

Ensure the ignition switch is in the OFF position on both vehicles.

Turn off the lights and power draining functions, such as the stereo and interior light.

Ensure the donor battery is the same voltage as the flat battery.

Ensure the two vehicles are not touching in anyway.

Ensure the vehicles are in either neutral or park with the handbrake on.

How to jump start a car

Take out your jumper cables. It’s a good idea to buy a set of good quality jumper cables or a booster pack and keep them in the boot.Attach the clips.

Attach one of the red clips to the positive terminal of your battery.

Attach the other red clip to the positive terminal of the other car.

Attach one of the black clips to the negative terminal on the other battery.

Attach the last black clip to the negative terminal on your car. Some vehicles do not have the battery in an easily accessible position. These vehicles will have “jump starting terminals” underneath the bonnet as indicated in the owner’s manual.

Make sure you have connected the jumper cables in the correct order.

Start the working vehicle and let the engine run for a few minutes, it is a good idea to turn on your park lights to help prevent power surges, that may damage both vehicles.

Try to start your vehicle.

If it won’t start, make sure that the cables are properly connected.

If the jump works and your car starts, don’t shut off your engine! Drive around for at least 15 minutes to recharge your battery.

How to Jump Start a Car Without Cables

If you have a manual car you can jump start a car without using cables. All you need is a stretch of clear downhill road or a few strong people to push the car.

Fully depress the clutch and put the car in third gear.

Turn the ignition to on.

Take your foot off the brake and start moving (either rolling downhill or being pushed) leaving the clutch fully depressed.

Coast down the hill until you reach about 5 or 10 kilometres per hour.

Release the clutch quickly. You should feel the engine turn and start. If it doesn’t start the first time, depress the clutch and release it again.

Once again if the jump works and your car starts, don’t shut off your engine! Drive around for at least 15 minutes to recharge your battery.

If you have any problems starting your car that you cannot fix yourself call the Townsville Mobile Mechanic on 0400 401 171. Or visit the website at www.townsvillemobilemechanic.com.au .