Are you experiencing difficulty starting your car’s engine because of a flat battery? Are you worried about being stranded because there are no auto mechanics around to help you out?
You don’t have to fret unnecessarily. The solution is just three words, “Use Jumper Cables.” Your car’s engine may refuse to start because of a flat battery, among other problems.
This situation may leave you stranded and frustrated if you do not know how to jump-start a car.
The process can be pretty easy, and there are different methods on how to jump a car with manual transmission and those with automatic transmission. However, some methods work for both.
If you discover that your car battery has died, you don’t need to panic; follow the steps unveiled in this article to dissolve your worries.
Vital information that is relevant to cars with manual transmission and automatic transmission has been provided in this article to enhance your understanding of how to overcome being stranded because of a flat battery.
WARNING!!! Never connect the black clip of the jumper cables on the negative (-) terminal of the flat battery; otherwise, you risk irreparable complete electrical damage to your car or an explosion of your car’s battery.
Basics of a Car Battery and Jumpstarting
How to jumpstart a car safely? Well, before getting into that, understand the steps of starting a car.
The car battery is responsible for delivering electrical energy to the engine and other components for smooth running. Forgetting to switch off the headlights, snowfall, or corroded terminals, all these conditions, over time, lead to difficulties in ignition.
How does jumpstarting work? It uses a battery from another vehicle or a portable jump starter to provide power to the engine for a quick start.
It is like a temporary boost of current offered to the engine to start, while allowing the alternator to recharge the battery naturally.
Things to consider? Connect the cables to the right terminals and follow the steps in the correct order – this will prevent damaged sensors, alternator failure, battery explosion, and blown fuses.
What Does Jump Starting a Car Do?
Many car owners do not know what does jump start a car mean, and they simply refer to it as pushing the car to restart a dead battery or thinking of charging the battery otherwise.
But to be precise, jump starting a car battery refers to recharging a drained battery by using different methods until it becomes capable of running your car again!
Sometimes you may not have the luck to get another car’s battery to charge yours, which is when this article will come to your rescue as you will eventually get to know how to jump start a car without another car!
But if you have another vehicle at your disposal, you can charge your car’s dead battery using the battery of another car.
So, let’s discuss how does jump starting a car work? For that, you will need another fully charged battery from the second car.
You then have to connect two positive terminals and two negative terminals of the battery to each other. When the battery generates the same voltage, the electricity flow will be zero.
But since the batteries die down because of the increasing resistance between terminals, it will result in the flow of charge from the full battery to the dead one, which will eventually make it rerun your car!
How to Jump-Start a Car?
- Pick up your jumper cables.
- Switch the gears of both vehicles to “Neutral (N) or Park (P)” and turn off both cars’ ignition. Then, pull their hand brakes too.
- Fix one of the cables’ red clips to the positive (+) or (POS) terminal of your car’s battery.
- Fix the other red clip of the cable to the positive (+) or (POS) terminal of the other car’s battery.
- Fix one of the cables’ black clips to the other car’s battery’s negative (-) terminal.
- Fix the other black clip to a metal surface without painting on your car. Ensure it’s not close to the battery.
- Start the other car and allow the engine to run for 5 or 10 minutes.
- Then, start your car too.
If your car starts, make sure you drive it around for between 20 to 30 minutes to enable your flat battery to recharge instead of shutting off your engine immediately.
Then, if your car fails to start after that time, it could result from a faulty battery cable or your battery no longer holds power. It would help if you got an auto technician to check out the problem.
On the flip side, if your car fails to start, check the cables again for proper connections; then, let the other person run their car’s engine for another 5 minutes or thereabout.
Then, start your vehicle again. If it refuses to start, it could result from bad terminals, or your car needs a new battery.
How to Jump Start a Car by Yourself?
The most common method how to jump-start a car by yourself is the push-starting method. To do this, switch your car’s ignition to ON position and set the car on gear 2.
Then, get somebody to help you push the vehicle until it speeds up a little bit. After that, release the car’s clutch pedal to enable the transmission to turn the engine over to the point where it can start. However, this method is only possible for cars with manual transmission.
How can I jump in my car without another car?
Let’s do this!
Push-Starting
Push-starting, also known as pop- and/or bump-starting, is a method of resurrection by which the engine is spun to life by force instead of a battery-powered starter.
You’ll need a short, flat distance of street or a slight incline and a strapping friend or two to do the pushing.
Ready?
- Direct your friends to the rear of the car and have them get ready to push.
- Hop into the driver’s seat and turn the ignition to “on.”
- With the parking brake still engaged, push the clutch in and shift to second gear. First gear isn’t recommended as it may cause the car to buck harshly.
- Press the brake pedal and release the parking brake.
- Release the brake and have your friends start pushing.
- At around 5 mph, release the clutch abruptly. The engine may sputter or buck slightly as the engine engages.
- If the engine starts, you’re all done!
- If it doesn’t, repeat the process at a higher speed.
- If it still doesn’t start, your problem isn’t the vehicle’s battery.
Utilizing a Jump-Start Box
Jump boxes are essentially small portable batteries with jumper cables attached. They also use software to prevent voltage spikes that can damage your car’s electrical system, so they’re safer than jumper cables.
Some come with onboard safety lights, AC outlets, and USB ports to charge your phone. They’re also inexpensive and available at hardware, auto parts, and online stores. For all they can do, it’s worth getting one to keep in the car in case of emergencies.
Here’s how to use one:
- Make sure your jump-starter is fully charged.
- If not, plug it in and charge as directed.
- Most new jump-starters come with integrated cables, but if not, connect your own cables to the proper (positive and negative) posts on the jump starter.
- Connect the red clamp to the positive post (+ symbol or red cover) of the dead battery.
- Connect the black clamp to an unpainted, grounded metal surface somewhere on the vehicle’s frame.
- Once everything is connected, turn the jump-starter on as directed.
- After a minute or two, start the car.
- If the engine doesn’t start, let sit for a few minutes to give the battery time to charge and try again.
- The car started? Fantastic.
- Turn off the jump-starter’s power switch.
- Remove the clamps in reverse order; black clamp from the grounded surface, red clamp from the dead battery.
- It’s a good idea to recharge the jump-starter after every start.
- You’re done, congrats!
Call For Roadside Assistance
Roadside assistance is often built into your car or motorcycle’s insurance plan, although you’ll have to check your specific coverage—roadside assistance phone numbers are usually printed on your insurance card.
Local towing services will have jump-starters for dead-battery situations.
- Find the tow service’s number either on your insurance card or with your phone. AAA Roadside Assistance.
- Call that number.
- Wait for roadside assistance.
- Prepare small talk for your meeting with the service tech, (e.g. the weather, your favorite sports team’s victory, why you deserve that raise, etc.)
- Find a crisp $5 bill, or even a crumpled one, for a tip to show your appreciation. Always keep a few fives on you, grampa always said.
- They’ve arrived? Huzzah, you’re done!
Advantages Of Jumping A Car Without Another Car
Jumping a car without using another car has several advantages:
- Convenience: You don’t need to wait for another car to help you jump-start your car.
- Portability: Portable jump starters or spare batteries are compact and easy to carry, making them perfect for emergencies. It gives the energy to jump start your car in case of emergency.
- Safety: Boosting a car without external assistance eliminates the risk of damaging the electrical system of either vehicle.
- Time-Saving: You don’t need to spend time searching for the help of another vehicle or waiting for someone to stop and help you.
- Cost-Effective: Purchasing a portable jump starter can be a cost-effective solution compared to hiring a professional or replacing the battery.
Overall, jump start your car without another vehicle can be a quick and easy solution to get you back on the road. However, it’s important to keep your car’s battery well-maintained to prevent future problems.
Potential Risks of Jump-Starting a Car Without Another Car
Jump-starting a car without another car may have some potential risks, such as:
- Damage To The Battery: Using a portable jump starter with the wrong amperage can damage the battery or other electrical components in the car.
- Injury: Portable jump starters are a way to jump start which carries a risk of electrical shock or burns if not used properly.
- Incorrect Connection: Connecting the jumper cables to the wrong terminals or reversing the polarity of battery cables can cause serious damage to the car’s electrical system.
- Failure To Start: If the battery is completely dead or the car has other mechanical issues, jump start a dead battery may not work.
- Short Circuits: If the battery is damaged or leaking, jump-starting the car could cause a short circuit or even a fire.
To minimize these risks, it’s essential to read the instructions carefully and follow proper safety procedures when using a portable jump starter.
If you’re unsure about the process to jump start your vehicle or the condition of your car’s battery, it’s always best to get your car to some professional for help.
When You Shouldn’t Jump Start a Car
Even though now you know how to jump start a car, sometimes it’s not an option or can be dangerous. You shouldn’t try to jump-start it if:
- Your battery is frozen
- Your car battery is leaking or cracked
- Your battery is dry (there is no fluid in the cells)
- You notice white or greenish power on the battery (it means the battery is corroded)
- Your car manual warns against jump-starting the battery
- Your jumper cables are old and/or damaged
- You can smell a rotten egg smell from the battery (usually means a damaged battery)
It’s important to note that it can be risky to jump-start modern cars, as a surge in power can damage your vehicle’s computer.
A damaged computer can be much more costly than getting a new battery or paying for roadside assistance, so it’s probably a job for the car experts if you’re unsure what to do.
FAQs.
Q: Which car do you put jumper cables on first?
If you are trying to jump-start a car at home and are confused about the car to put the jumper cables on first, here’s a way out.
You should clamp one of the red clips of the jumper cables on the positive (+) or (POS) terminal of the flat battery first, which is the car’s battery you are trying to start.
Ensure that it doesn’t touch any metal. Then, the other red clip should be clamped on the positive (+) or (POS) terminal of the boosting battery, which is the car’s battery you are using to start the car with the flat battery.
Q: Should a car be running when jump-starting?
You could indeed jump-start your car with another car’s battery while its engine is running. However, it can result in damaging the car’s alternator.
Therefore, before commencing the jumpstart process, ensure to turn off the ignition of both cars, put the gear on “Neutral (N) or Park (P)”, and engage the park brakes.
Q: How can I start my car with a dead battery?
Starting your car with a dead battery is dependent on whether the car has an automatic transmission or a manual transmission.
If you drive a car with a manual transmission, you can jumpstart the car without jumper cables. You need to know how to jump-start a car by pushing. This method requires you to turn your car’s ignition to the ON position and put the car on gear 2.
Then, get someone to push the car; after it speeds up a little, release the clutch pedal. The transmission will turn the engine well enough to start the car.
Meanwhile, a car with automatic transmission will require you to use a set of jumper cables connected to your car’s battery and another car’s battery that you intend to use to boost your car’s battery to enable it to start, or you could find out how to jump-start a car with a battery charger. This method would require you to have a battery charger.
Q: Can you ruin your car by giving someone a jump start?
Yes, you can if you are not careful enough. If you fail to properly connect the jumper cables to the battery of the car that you are jump-starting and your car’s battery in the correct order, it could cause electrical damage in your car or explode your car’s battery.
Therefore, you must ensure to check the connections properly in the process of jump-starting a car to avoid any form of damage.
Q: What should you never connect to the dead battery?
Ensure that you never connect the black clip of the jumper cables on the negative (-) terminal of your dead battery; otherwise, it could lead to the explosion of your battery.
Also, ensure that you search your car’s manufacturer’s manual carefully to ascertain the recommended method of jump-starting your car because the process may differ in some specific vehicle makes and models.
Q: Can jumping in a car kill your battery?
It depends on whether the jumper start is done correctly or wrongly. If done correctly, it won’t kill any of the batteries of the two cars.
But, if there is a mistake in the process, it could either kill your battery or lead to some other more expensive problems for your car or the person helping you with the jump start.
Q: Why does my car only start when I jump?
If your car only starts by jump starting, the battery is most likely bad and needs to be changed. A dead battery won’t hold a charge; hence, it can’t start a car normally, except by jump-starting.
A car with a manual transmission whose battery is dead can be jump-started by pushing. In contrast, a car with automatic transmission will either require another car’s battery or a battery charger. You could also jump-start a car with a spare battery.
Q: Is it bad to jump-start a car multiple times?
Yes, it isn’t nice when you consistently jump-start your car. If your car’s battery runs down repeatedly, thereby requiring a jump start, it could damage your car’s alternator and eventually kill the battery completely.
It would be best to take your car to an auto mechanic to find out why your car won’t start without a jump start. The problem is usually a result of corrosion, loose connections, weak battery life or dead battery, etc.
If this is the case, you should clean battery corrosions, check for loose connections, tighten them, or change the battery. If otherwise, let the mechanic repair any faulty component that is responsible for the problem.
Q: What happens if u hook up jumper cables wrong?
If you mistakenly hook up jumper cables wrongly, the dipole-dipole intermolecular forces between the car’s electrical system and the dead battery will experience a reversal for a moment.
This occurrence can completely damage most of the sensitive electronic components of the car, such as electronic sensors, onboard computers, etc.
Be extremely careful never to hook the jumper cables wrongly on a car’s battery, especially in modern vehicles with diverse electronic components.
Q: Do I turn my car off before removing the jumper cables?
It is ideal for you to turn off the engine of both cars before removing the jumper cables. The jumper cables must be removed in the reverse order to how the clips were fixed, starting from the black clips from your car (the car with the flat battery) and ending with the red clip from the other car (the car boosting the flat battery).
Q: How long should you leave jumper cables on?
You wouldn’t have to leave jump starter cables on when starting older cars; they could start immediately after connecting the cables and starting the car with the powered battery.
However, modern cars with computerized systems would require you to leave jumper cables on for about 5 to 10 minutes before starting the car with a flat battery. The waiting time may be more in some cases.
Final Words
Understanding how to jump-start a car would save you from being stranded when that becomes the only option you have to start your car and continue your journey.
You need to buy a portable jump start car toolset and keep them in your car’s trunk in case you would need them anytime. However, it is advisable to ensure that your car’s battery is in good shape before driving out. It would save you a lot of unnecessary stress.