One of the most common issues any car owner will face is a dead car battery. Luckily, the solution to a dead battery is straightforward – jumpstarting it, or more commonly called “boosting it”, with the help of another vehicle. This guide aims to walk you through the process of how to boost a car battery safely.
Understanding Jumpstarting- The Battery Boost
Boosting a car battery, which we mentioned before is also known as jumpstarting, involves using a healthy car battery to provide the electrical power needed to start a vehicle with a dead battery. This process is carried out using jumper cables to connect the two batteries. Now before we jump into safety precautions of boosting a car battery, let’s first go over how essential is to have jumper cables in your car so that when you encounter a stressful situation like this you are able to make it manageable. We recommend keeping a set in your car’s trunk at all times. You can easily purchase jumper cables from most stores that sell auto supplies, like Canadian Tire and Walmart. Remember to choose cables that are thick, heavy duty, and at least 12 feet long, to ensure they can reach between batteries comfortably.
Safety Comes First
Dealing with car batteries requires attention to safety:
1. Turn off Everything: Make sure both cars are turned off. The silence ensures that the engine components aren’t moving, reducing the risk of injury.
2. Engage the Brakes: Place both cars in Park or Neutral and engage the parking brakes. This step prevents any unexpected movements of the cars.
3. Be Wary of Metal Objects: Keep any metallic objects away from the battery. These objects can inadvertently conduct electricity and cause harm.
4. No Flames, Please: Do not smoke or use open flame near the battery. Batteries contain flammable gases.
5. Positive Before Negative: Remember the golden rule when it comes to connecting the cables – positive goes before negative.
Now let’s breathe some life into that dead battery!
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Boost a Car
1. Car Positioning: Aim to park the working vehicle so its battery is close to your car’s battery, but without the vehicles touching. This proximity allows the jumper cables to reach comfortably.
2. Prepare the Jumper Cables: Uncoil your jumper cables and separate the clamps so they don’t touch each other.
3. Identify Battery Terminals: Pop the hood of both cars and locate their batteries. The battery terminals are often marked with a ‘+’ for positive (red) and ‘-‘ for negative (black). If they’re not marked clearly, check your car’s manual.
4. Connect Red Clamp to Dead Battery: Attach one end of the red (positive) jumper cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery. Make sure the connection is solid.
5. Connect Red Clamp to Good Battery: Connect the other end of the red jumper cable to the positive terminal of the good battery.
6. Black Clamp Goes to Good Battery: Take the black (negative) jumper cable and connect one end to the negative terminal of the good battery.
7. Ground the Circuit: The final connection doesn’t go to the battery. Instead, connect the other end of the black jumper cable to an unpainted metal part on the engine block of the car with the dead battery. This step grounds the circuit, minimizing the risk of sparking.
8. Start the Working Vehicle: Start the engine of the working vehicle. Let it run for a few minutes. This patience gives the dead battery a chance to charge a bit before you try to kickstart your car.
9. Start Your Vehicle: Try starting the car with the dead battery. If the car doesn’t start, let it charge a bit longer and then try again.
10. Remove the Cables: Once your car comes back to life, it’s time to disconnect the jumper cables. This should be done in the reverse order of connection – start with the black (negative) jumper cable attached to your car, then the black cable on the good battery. Next, remove the red cable from the good battery, and finally, the red cable from your car.
What Comes Next After a Battery Boost
Keep your car running for at least 15 minutes after the boost to allow the alternator to charge the battery. If this wasn’t the first time you’ve had to jumpstart your car, or if you find yourself needing to boost your battery frequently after this, it may suggest an issue with your car’s electrical system or the battery itself. Car batteries typically last 3 to 5 years, but factors such as frequent short trips, extreme temperatures, or leaving lights on can drain them prematurely.
If you find yourself frequently jumpstarting your car, it may be time to get professional help. After all, we’re here to ensure you’re safe on the road. Booking an appointment with one of our skilled mechanics for an assessment is as simple as visiting our website or giving us a call. We’ll thoroughly check your battery and electrical system and provide you with the best solution.
Knowing how to boost a car battery is an essential skill for every driver. However, frequent battery boosts could indicate a deeper issue, and professional help may be required. Ensure regular maintenance to keep your car running smoothly, and remember, when in doubt, it’s always best to consult a professional mechanic.
