Unfortunately it is going to happen at some point. You go to turn your car on and it won’t start. The battery is completely dead. Whether you left the key in the ignition or forgot to turn off the lights, chances are high that at some point you will be faced with a dead battery. One solution is to call for roadside assistance, but what happens if you don’t have it, or you don’t have the time to wait? If you have a set of jumper cables and there is another car around, then you can quickly be on your way once again – as long as you know how to jump start a car. If you don’t know how, follow these step below, and in minutes you will be on your way!
**Keep in mind, if either vehicle has an electronic ignition system or is an alternatively fueled vehicle, the use of jumper cables may damage it.
Items you’ll need: Jump leads or a portable power pack, a working car (with a similar engine size as your own).
Before Jump Starting a Car
Before you begin there are a couple of things you need to check. First of all, make sure the battery is really dead and there is not another cause for your car not starting. How to check?
– if you turn the ignition key and nothing happens at all, there’s a pretty good chance it is your battery. However, if you hear the engine trying to crank and turn over, it is not your battery.
– You can also look at your headlights. Are they dim or bright? (Note that in some cars you will need to turn the ignition on to test the headlights). If they are dim, it’s likely your battery is the culprit. If your headlights are bright, you do not have a dead battery and a jump start will not help.
– Next you should check the battery itself. If it is damaged, leaking or corroded, do NOT attempt to jump start. It’s time to call in a pro!
– Finally, make sure your headlights and all other electronics are turned off, and remove the key from the ignition. Now you are ready to begin.
Continue reader How to Jump Start A Car by clicking HERE.
Image courtesy Charles Williams via Flickr