JUMP starting your car may seem daunting, but it's simpler than you might think.
So phone a friend, ask them to bring their car, and get back on the road in no time with this step-by-step guide.
How do you jump start a car?
If your car battery's gone flat, you can revive it using someone else's car - which needs to have a working engine, a similar size to your own - and some jump leads.
Do not attempt to jump start your battery if it is damaged, leaking or corroded.
Your first steps should be to remove the keys from the ignition and make sure the headlights and other electronics are off.
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For safety reasons, keep metal objects away from the battery and don't smoke while jump starting your car.
If you can't get your car to re-start, you may have a bigger problem - and need to call in a mechanic.
If your battery won't start the next time you try it, it's not holding charge and needs to be replaced.
Tips from the experts at Halfords and Auto Repair For Dummies.
- Park both cars in neutral next to each other, so they're close but not touching. Make sure both handbrakes are on.
- Open the bonnets, and connect one of the red clips to the positive terminal on the working battery.
- Connect the other end of the red cable to the dead battery.
- Connect one of the black clips to the negative terminal on the working battery.
- Attach the other end to any unpainted metal surface on your car that isn't near the battery. This works as an earthing cable.
- Start the working vehicle and, after about a minute, try starting the car with the dead battery.
- If this doesn't work, leave it running for up to five minutes, but turn the engine off if the lead gets too hot.
- Once your car is running, leave the engine running for a couple of minutes to charge the battery.
- Remove the leads in reverse order from how you attached them. Make sure they don't touch each other, or any metal surfaces.
- Drive around for at least half an hour, or leave the engine running.
Can you jump start an automatic car?
Yes, jump starting an automatic car is identical to the procedure used in a manual car.
Make sure you follow the recommended procedure for your make and model as this varies from vehicle to vehicle.
It’s very important to do it in the way recommended as it could damage the battery of both cars involved if done incorrectly.
Can you jump start an electric car?
While it is technically possible to jump start an electric car, it is not advised.
Nissan clarifies that the 12-volt battery in its LEAF isn't engineered to supply the power needed to start a gasoline engine.
In contrast, the Ford F-150 Lightning has the capability to jumpstart an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle using the 12-volt terminals located inside its front trunk or "frunk."
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It's always a good idea to read the vehicle’s owner’s manual before using an EV to jumpstart an electric car.
Can you jump start a car in the rain?
Yes, but there are some precautions to take when jumping a car in the rain.
Here is what drivers need to know:
- Protect the battery
- Pay attention to the order of the cable connection. The red one is positive and the black on is negative.
- After the red clamp is connected, link the black clamps
- Connect the black clamp to the negative post on another vehicle
- Start the vehicles and make sure you don’t cross two cables
- Disconnect the cables safely
Experts say jump starting a car in the rain is safe because the voltage of a vehicle is not high enough.
“The water is not an issue as long as you do it in the right sequence,” Auto Club spokesman Jeffrey Spring said. “Drivers need to make sure there is no water dripping on the cables.”