How to Jump a Car Battery
Knowing how to jump a car is essential for every driver. It’s important knowledge in case your battery dies, whether you’re at home or on the road. That’s why the McGuire Buick GMC team has put together this step-by-step guide to this essential service.
Essential Materials and Prep
To begin with, you should know what materials you need. In order to jump a dead battery, you’ll need a set of jumper cables and another car that will provide power. This car should be positioned either next to or directly opposite your car to keep the hoods near each other. You might also consider a portable jumpstart kit that will give you charge without needing another car battery.
Connecting the Cables
First, ensure both cars are turned off. Remove the cover to the battery terminals on both cars, and identify the positive and negative terminals. Carefully connect your red jumper cable to the dead battery’s positive terminal, then the other red cable to the positive terminal on the donor battery. (Make sure you NEVER touch the cables to each other during this process.) Following this, attach one black cable to the negative terminal on the donor battery, and the other black cable to a piece of bare metal like a bolt head (unlike the others, it should not attach to a battery terminal).
Jumping the Battery
When the batteries are connected, start the donor vehicle and let it run for a couple of minutes. You may want to gently rev the engine to boost the amperage, although be careful not to rev too hard. After a few minutes, try to turn the engine on your car. If you successfully crank the ignition, turn both cars off and disconnect the cables.
Learn How to Jump a Car in Little Falls, NJ
Need any additional battery service for your vehicle? Contact McGuire Buick GMC to schedule service or order a replacement battery.
Essential Materials and Prep
To begin with, you should know what materials you need. In order to jump a dead battery, you’ll need a set of jumper cables and another car that will provide power. This car should be positioned either next to or directly opposite your car to keep the hoods near each other. You might also consider a portable jumpstart kit that will give you charge without needing another car battery.
Connecting the Cables
First, ensure both cars are turned off. Remove the cover to the battery terminals on both cars, and identify the positive and negative terminals. Carefully connect your red jumper cable to the dead battery’s positive terminal, then the other red cable to the positive terminal on the donor battery. (Make sure you NEVER touch the cables to each other during this process.) Following this, attach one black cable to the negative terminal on the donor battery, and the other black cable to a piece of bare metal like a bolt head (unlike the others, it should not attach to a battery terminal).
Jumping the Battery
When the batteries are connected, start the donor vehicle and let it run for a couple of minutes. You may want to gently rev the engine to boost the amperage, although be careful not to rev too hard. After a few minutes, try to turn the engine on your car. If you successfully crank the ignition, turn both cars off and disconnect the cables.
Learn How to Jump a Car in Little Falls, NJ
Need any additional battery service for your vehicle? Contact McGuire Buick GMC to schedule service or order a replacement battery.
