How to Jump a Battery in a Dead Vehicle

Getting stranded on the side of the road with a dead battery is never fun. If you’re lucky, you have a friend or family member who can come and jump your battery for you. But if you’re not, you’ll need to know how to do it yourself. It is essential that everyone on the road have an idea how to do this just in case you ever need it. Here’s a rundown on the basics of jumping the battery of a dead vehicle. 

What You’ll Need

Jumping a battery is a relatively simple process, but there are a few things you’ll need in order to do it successfully. First, you’ll need a set of jumper cables. These can be purchased at any auto parts store or online. Second, you’ll need another vehicle with a working battery. This will be used to provide the power needed to jump-start your dead battery. Finally, you’ll need some basic knowledge of how to use jumper cables. If you’re not sure, there are plenty of instructional videos and articles online that can help walk you through the process step-by-step.

How to Jump the Battery

If you’re stuck with a dead battery, you can jump it using a set of jumper cables and another vehicle. Make sure both vehicles are near one another and turned off. The red cables are positive, and the black cables are negative. 

The first thing you do is take the red cable (positive) and attach it to the positive post of the battery that does not start. Do the same to the vehicle that does start. Next, you want to take the black cable (negative), and attach it to the post on the battery for the car that does start. This is an important step. Attaching it to the car that does not start can cause damage. Once those three are done, you finally connect the other black cable (negative) to a metal surface that has no paint somewhere around the engine, ensuring there are no parts that move nearby. This grounds the vehicle. 

From there, you start the vehicle that does start and leave it running for a couple minutes to help provide some power to the vehicle that does not start. After 3-5 minutes, start the car that did not start before. Ideally, the dead vehicle should start and be fine to drive around some, as that will help recharge the dead battery. 

Things to Keep in Mind When Jumping a Battery

• Make sure that the battery you are using is in good condition and fully charged.
• Do not use a lead-acid battery to jump start your car. These batteries can release harmful fumes that can damage your car’s electrical system.
• Always disconnect the negative (-) cable first, and then the positive (+) cable. This will prevent sparks from occurring near the battery.
• If possible, use jumper cables that are at least 12 feet in length. This will give you enough length to keep the cables away from the engine while you are working.
• Make sure that the cars are not touching each other when you connect the jumper cables. If they are touching, you could create a circuit that could damage both cars’ electrical systems.

What to Do If the Battery Won’t Jump

If you find yourself in a situation where your battery won’t jump, there are a few things you can do to try and get it going again.

• First, check the connections. Make sure that the clamps are firmly attached to the terminals and that there is no corrosion build-up preventing good contact.
• Next, check the condition of the battery itself. If it’s old or damaged, it may not be able to hold a charge and will need to be replaced.

If everything looks good but the battery still won’t jump, it’s possible that there is something wrong with the electrical system in your car. This is usually a job for a professional mechanic, so take your car to a garage if this is the case.

Always Keep Safety in Mind When Jumping a Dead Vehicle’s Battery

Jumping a battery in a dead vehicle is not as complicated as it may seem. With a few simple tools and some safety precautions, you can easily jump start your car’s battery and get back on the road. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us for assistance.