Easy Steps to Jump Start a Car (Complete Guide & Video)

New car batteries are designed to last for approximately 2 to 3 years. If your car refuses to start, it is most likely caused by a dead or weak battery. Other problems that can cause no-start symptoms are a weak or dead starter or a faulty fuel pump.

Here are the easy steps on how to jump-start a car. Using the following methods, you can start your vehicle even if you have a dead or weak car battery.

Materials Needed

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Step 1: Park either Cars Side by Side or Facing Each Other

The first step is to align both vehicles in such a way that the jumper cables can be connected to both cars. You can park the cars facing each other or park the donor car next to the disabled vehicle whenever possible. Make sure that both cars are in distance from each other.

After finding the perfect spot, turn off the engine of the donor vehicle and engage the parking brake. Open the bonnet on both vehicles and take off the jumper cables from the car.

Step 2: Attach the Jumper Cable to the Battery

The car battery has two terminals: the red positive (+) terminal and the green or black negative (-) terminal. If the battery terminals are dirty, take a couple of seconds to clean the terminals using a microfiber or a terry cloth towel.

  • Attach the red (+) clamp of the jumper cable to the red (+) terminal of the dead battery.
  • Next, connect the other end of the red (+) clamp of the jumper cable to the red (+) terminal of the donor battery.
  • Connect the black (-) clamp of the jumper cable to the black (-) terminal of the charged battery.
  • Attach the other end of the black (-) clamp to a metal ground, such as the engine block of the disabled car.

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Step 3: Start the Engine of the Donor Vehicle

Start the motor of the donor car. Let the engine stay idle for 5 to 10 minutes. This is enough time to charge the dead battery of the disabled vehicle.

Step 4: Start Your Car

Now start your car. If it refuses to start, allow the donor car to idle for a bit more to charge the battery in your vehicle.

If your vehicle starts, allow the engine to warm up. This will allow the alternator to continue charging the weak battery. Do not turn off the engine!

Step 5: Take Off the Jumper Cable

The final step after jump-starting the disabled vehicle is to remove the jumper cables in the following particular order:

  • 1
    Disconnect the black (-) clamp from your vehicle.
  • 2
    Remove the black (-) clamp from the donor vehicle.
  • 3
    Disconnect the red (+) clamp from the donor vehicle.
  • 4
    Remove the red (+) clamp from your car.

Conclusion

The steps mentioned above on how to jump start a car are very easy to follow. After starting the vehicle with a weak battery, it is best to drive it to the nearest garage or service station to diagnose the fault.


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