How To Jumpstart A Car

If you are viewing these instructions, then your car is most likely not starting due to a dead battery, and you are extremely frustrated. Do not worry! We are here to help with easy-to-follow instructions that will get you back on the road. Remember though, even if you successfully jumpstart your battery, you still need to take your car to an automotive shop and have the battery checked for safety reasons. You most likely need a new battery, and who wants to constantly jumpstart a car battery before heading out?

Step 1 Warning

Jumpstarting a car battery is very dangerous and can result in electric shock, injuries, and death if done incorrectly. The following instructions are written to avoid these results. Therefore, please pay close attention to every disclaimer and follow each step included in the instructions to avoid these risks.

Comments

[lowetom65]

The final connection should be at the dead car but not on the battery. As other posters have indicated the battery creates Hydrogen and it is very explosive. The connection should be 12 inches away and preferably below the battery. Hydrogen is lighter than air so making the connection below will reduce the risk of explosion.

[phoeny]

Why should i turn of the cars?

after 5minutes there is not enough power in the battery to start up the car again...

[ToolboxGuy]

+1 jorsher

Use a frame ground instead of the dead battery negative post - the metal bumper mount if the cable can reach it. Remeber it needs to connect to metal, not painted metal. The fender (under the hood bit) works well, as long as it isn't corroded too.

Your last connection is going to provide a spark. Many low batteries have too little water left in them, and can be giving off some hydrogen gases. Open sparks and hydrogen gases don't mix - think Hindenburg....

The initial goal is to start the other car, not recharge the dead battery anyway. I've literally driven a car with the battery disconnected - tape the ends of the cables so they don't short out against the car or bounce around into the fan or other internal parts. You don't have to tape the ground cable, but secure it from bouncing around too.

[wrksnfx]

Plus if there is a surge in the charging system you can FRY your cars computer if it has a computer and a used one is not to bad just the cost of a used car depending on how new your cars is.

[ffsman]

I found some other important tips on boosting the battery http://howtohacklife101.blogspot.com/2011/05/how-to-jump-start-car.html

[Jorsher]

I thought I should mention, it's highly suggested to attach it to ground on the dead car, instead of the negative terminal. Of course, it will need to be connected to something that's attached to the rest of the car chassis. The strut tower or motor mount (if accessible) is usually a good, easy to find place for this.

While you can use the negative terminal, it's not recommended.

[Phil B]

Instructions I have seen say do not connect both cables to the battery, but clamp one cable to the positive terminal and the other to the metal frame of the engine or of the car as far away from the battery as possible. This is because the battery may give off explosive hydrogen gas during charging and during jumping the battery with another car. When the both cables are disconnected at the battery, a spark can ignite the hydrogen and cause an explosion that sends jagged shards of battery case and blobs of battery acid through the air, causing some really bad injuries. The safer procedure is to disconnect the ground cable from the frame of the car first and then disconnect the positive cable from the battery post. This way there is no sparking near the battery.

[zazenergy]

These sound like great tips! Thanks!