One can never predict the future, but yes one can secure the present! Before you hit the road, make sure that you have everything in your emergency car kit. Many times it happens that You turn on your car, but it doesn’t start, and the reason behind it is- Battery dead. It can be due to different reasons like you left the lights on or it’s simply that the battery is old, sometimes due to freezing cold outside, or the battery is drained.It can happen anytime, anywhere, anyhow! So, you should know how to boost your car.
It is very difficult to understand the symptom when your car did not start, because it may be a problem with the engine, but in many cases, it may be a dead battery. There are certain possible reasons behind a dead battery such as:
- Headlights or interior lights left on
- The battery is reaching its typical life expectancy
- Extreme hot or extreme cold temperature
- Battery corrosion
All these issues are not a big deal, but if this happens on a regular basis, then you should replace your battery. If you don’t have the time or means to purchase a new battery right away, a jump-start may be a useful idea for you to get going. But, it can only get better by learning how to boost a car properly and safely.
Here are some important points to know before attempting to jump a battery:
- Remember to take safety precautions so you don’t run the risk of electrical shock
- Rubber work gloves
- A pair of splash-proof polycarbonate safety goggles used for auto repair
- Make sure your car is in park or neutral before getting started
- Extremely cold weather can freeze your battery so use caution when attempting to jump-start your car in those conditions
- A pair of high-quality clean jumper cables. The clamps should be rust free.
- A wire brush
- Another vehicle that has a fully charged battery that is the same voltage as the car being jumped.
- If your car won’t jump-start successfully, you may need to have a mechanic check it to determine what’s wrong
Regardless, the type of car you have, the only thing you need is to start it. A car boost is easy if it is done carefully and fairly, but it can be dangerous if precautions are not taken. It is observed that many people take it as an easy task, but when they actually perform it they got confused and make mistakes. As they forget what cables go where? Positive or negative? Ground the positive cable on the car with the good battery? Recognizing which cable is positive and which is negative? Therefore, to help you in this situation, we’ll show you exactly how to boost your car with this guide.
Steps to Boost A Car!
Check for Car Boost
Before commencing to jump-start the first thing you need to do is locate the battery’s in both vehicles. In some cars, the battery is not in an accessible spot in the engine compartment, which is where jump-start lugs come in to play. In this case, simply locate the lugs. Once the battery or the lugs have been located, examine each and make sure you know where the positive and negative terminals are on both batteries. The positive terminal will have (+) sign along with red wires, or a red cover. The negative terminal will have (-) sign and black wires or a black cover. The terminal covers may have to be moved to reach the actual terminal. If the terminal is dirty or has corrosion, then use a wire brush to clean them.
Follow this 11 Steps to Solve the Problem of Car Boost
Step-1 Take a deep breath
Do not ever panic in this situation. Everyone goes through this type of situation once in a while. Always think before you act. If you are on the side of the road, pay attention to your surroundings. Before exiting your car, make sure it’s safe. If you are in the parking lot, pay attention to swinging doors and other cars around you.
Step-2 Park your vehicle next to each other
Park both the cars facing towards each other. They should never touch another and the difference between them maybe about 18 inches apart. Turn off all the auxiliary controls(A/C, radio, etc). Set the parking brakes on of both the vehicles, so that neither can move accidentally. For automatic transmission cars, put the vehicle in the park and for the manual transmission set it to neutral.
Step-3 Both the vehicles should be off
Turn off both the cars and remove the keys. Set down the jumper cables on the ground, making sure the clamps do not touch each other. Now, to attach the cables, open the hoods of both cars, locate the batteries, refer to the manual for battery location and battery terminals. Both the terminals on each battery will be covered with red or black, with a + or – sign on top. If you identified which is positive, and which is negative, you are ready to start your jump-start.
Step-4 Attach the jumper cables:
- Attach the positive cable (red) to the positive terminal on the dead battery.
- Attach the positive cable (red) to the positive terminal on the functioning battery.
- Attach the negative cable (black) to the negative terminal on the functioning battery. Please note the cables are now live! Be careful in handling the remaining negative cable.
- Attach the negative cable (black) to a non-painted piece of metal or a bolt on the car with the dead battery. Make sure the cable is clear from moving parts.
Step-5 Start the working vehicle and let it run for a few seconds
Start the car with the functioning battery and allow it to run for a few minutes. The engine of the working car can be idled at 3,000 RPMs to transfer the energy through the jumper cables.
Step-6 Start the dead vehicle
Now, try to start the dead car. If the car doesn’t start, allow the working vehicle to charge the battery for an additional minute or two before attempting again.
Step-7 If it doesn’t turn on, try revving the engine of the working vehicle
In some instances, slightly revving the engine of the working car while charging the dead battery may help. If still the dead car did not start then reconnect the cables and allow the functioning car to run for five to ten minutes. Again connect the wires and wait for results.
Step-8 Disconnect the Jumper Cables
If the car starts you disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse order. There’s a specific order they need to be disconnected in:
- Start by disconnecting the black or negative cable on the previously dead battery.
- Disconnect the black or negative cable on the functioning battery.
- Disconnect the red or positive cable on the functioning battery.
- Disconnect the red or positive cable on the previously dead battery.
Step-9 Take a short drive to help recharge the battery
Now, take a short drive. This will allow the battery to build up a charge. This driving allows the vehicle’s alternator to charge the battery and ensure that your vehicle does not die again once you turn it off.
Step-10 Caution
Verify that none of the cables are touching any engine parts that will move when the engine is started. Also, don’t touch a grounded part of either car with the clamp of positive cables, and avoid belts, fans, and other moving parts!
Step-11 Final step
Keep in mind that if the battery or alternative is not in good shape, you may need another jump start. You should consider getting your battery checked to see if it needs to be replaced, or having a mechanic check for any other problems, such as a bad alternator, that could be draining the battery.
That’s, “How to Boost a Car”! but remember, a jump is meant to restart the disabled vehicle, not to recharge the battery. Vehicle maintenance is essential to your car’s overall health. After following all the steps, if the vehicle does not start, then there is likely a larger issue with the vehicle. Under this situation, the best thing to do is call roadside assistance, whose experts can advise you on the procedure to follow. For that Aria Towing is available 24/7 in your service with our prestige team and will reach you wherever you are. If you need us to boost your car, call + (604) 773 1090.