How to Jump start your car

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How to Jump Start Your Car

We have all had this experience; you get in the car, turn the key and nothing. You try it again the same result. While it might be time for a new battery or alternator, it is definitively time for jumper cables. Jumper cables are easy to use and quick to learn. The only other thing you’ll need besides the jumper cables is a vehicle that is already running or one that will start.

Here’s how you do it:

1.	Ideally you would like the cars to face each other, but side-by-side works if the jumper cables are long enough. Make sure both vehicles are in park, not running or touching. You should also set the emergency brake in both vehicles.

Ideally you would like the cars to face each other, but side-by-side works if the jumper cables are long enough. Make sure both vehicles are in park, not running or touching. You should also set the emergency brake in both vehicles.

3.	Remove the cap(s), some batteries may not have caps, from both car batteries.

4.	Remember Red=Positive {+} and Black=Negative {-}.

Attach one of the red clips on the jumper cable to the POSITIVE (+) terminal/post of your battery {this terminal/post will be marked + or POS or it will be larger than the negative terminal/post} and attach the other end to the POSITIVE terminal/post on the battery
of the other vehicle. Warning: DO NOT let the black and red clips touch when attached to a battery!

Attach one of the black clips to the NEGATIVE terminal/post of the other car battery and the other end to either the NEGATIVE terminal/post of your car battery or if you can’t reach the NEGATIVE terminal/post, to the metal frame or a metal surface near your car battery. {This must be metal and not aluminum}.

7.	Start the vehicle that can start.

Get into your vehicle and put the key into the ignition and turn to start. If your car doesn’t start, check the connections and try starting your car again. If you are still having problems, let the other car run for a few minutes with the cables still connected to both batteries. Then try starting your car again. When your vehicle starts let it run for at least 10 minutes to recharge. Shutting off your vehicle right after a successful jump will not give your vehicle’s battery enough time to charge and you will need to do the whole procedure over again.

9.	Disconnect the clips in the reverse order, i.e. remove the black or negative clip from your car, then the other car, then remove the red or positive clip from your car then the other car.

10.

Take your vehicle to a mechanic or service center for charging system check. Some auto parts stores will do a charging system check for you for free. Some will even install a battery for you if you buy the battery from them.

To Avoid Getting Shocked Do Not: