Overview:
This project will show you how to jump start a car. The sound of silence can be deafening, especially when it's the "sound" of a key in an ignition that isn't starting. You should know how to do this, but you can't do it alone. A jump-start is a tag team event. If you need help with a jump-start, try to call a friend, the state highway patrol or tow truck company.
Tools You'll Need:
roadside safety kit
Before You Begin:
If someone approaches you do not get out of your car. Roll down your window an inch or two and tell them you have already called for help and are expecting it momentarily.
Barbara's Tips:
Before you touch your battery, make sure it is not wet and that the sides are not bulging or swollen. If you encounter any of these conditions, DO NOT touch the battery or try to jump-start your car. The liquid is sulfuric acid and will burn your skin and eyes. Call for service.
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Step 1: Assess the Battery
Open the hood and locate the battery. If it is wet or the sides are bulging or swollen, DO NOT continue. Do not touch the battery under any circumstances. The liquid is sulfuric acid and will burn your skin and eyes. Call for service. If it isn't wet, proceed to Step Two.
Step 2: Safety First
Use glow sticks or an SOS banner to alert other drivers. Take off all jewelry and pull back your hair. Don't even think about smoking.
Step 3: Assemble Your Tools
Take out your jumper cables and gloves. If it is night, use a lantern or flashlight to illuminate under the hood. If you have a portable battery recharger, you can go right to Step Five and follow the directions that come with the recharger.
Step 4: When Help Arrives
Make sure the cars are facing each other, with the hoods up. Do not let the cars touch each other. Turn off all lights, car radios, air conditioning, heat, etc. in both cars and make sure both cars are in Park.
Step 5: Ready, Set...
Pull back the plastic covers to expose the battery terminals. Identify the positive(+) and negative(-) terminal on each battery. Red is positive(+) black is negative(-). Now identify the positive(+) and negative(-) on the jumper cables. Like the battery terminal, red indicates positive(+), black is for negative(-).
Step 6: Jump
Attach the positive/red cable to the positive/red battery terminal of the dead battery. Attach the other end of the positive/red cable to the positive/red terminal of the live battery. Clamp one negative/black jumper cable on the negative/black terminal of the live battery. Attach the other end of the negative/black jumper cable to a piece of metal like a bracket on the engine, though NOT on the battery itself. It may spark. Unpainted metal is best, but if it is painted, jiggle the clamp so it bites through the paint to connect with metal. Be sure you have good connections with all four clamps.
Step 7: Start Your Engines
Try to start your car. It may take a few tries. Once your car has started, do NOT shut it off. Keep it running so it can charge your dead battery while you remove all the cables. Be sure not to let the cables touch until they are disconnected. Thank your co-jumper and hit the road. Your battery will recharge as you drive. You just did it yourself!
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