When Do I Need a Jump Start?
Nothing can be more frustrating than being stranded, whether your car is parked in your driveway, or someplace else. If your car has failed to start, you might be considering having it towed to a local mechanic. However, in some cases, having your vehicle towed might be unnecessary because sometimes a jump-start can be successful. Then, you can drive your car to the mechanic to find out the underlying issue, instead of wasting money on a tow truck.
A jump-start won’t always be successful in every situation in which a vehicle fails to start. Here are some signs that your vehicle might be responsive to a jump start:
- Your car battery is weak or dead
- Your spark plugs are dirty
- There is a malfunction in the starter or alternator
If your car requires a jump-start, your starter could be defective, your battery could be old, the weather could be extremely cold, or your car could have a clogged fuel line. A “clicking” sound when you attempt to start the engine is typically an indication that a jump-start might be successful.
How Do I Jump-Start My Car?
If you’ve never done it before, jump-starting a car can seem pretty intimidating and even downright scary. On the contrary, if done properly, jump-starting a vehicle is relatively simple and can be done quickly. To jump-start your vehicle, follow these step-by-step instructions to do so as safely as possible:
- You will need another vehicle to use as a “booster vehicle.”
- Once you’ve obtained a second vehicle, position it so that the battery can be easily accessed and a pair of jumper cables can reach from your vehicle to the booster car.
- Open the hoods of both vehicles, which will allow access to the battery terminals. Carefully place the battery cables on each vehicle, ensuring that you do so correctly and in the proper order to maintain your safety. Connect the red cable to the positive terminal of your dead battery, and then the black cable to the negative terminal or any unpainted metal surface.
- Next, connect the other end of the cables to the booster vehicle in the same
manner: red to positive and black to negative. Connecting the cables in the wrong manner could blow fuses. - Start the engine of the booster car, and then attempt to start the car with the dead battery. The dead battery might need a couple of minutes to charge, but in many cases, cars in this situation start quickly.
- Once the car with the bad battery starts, disconnect the jumper cables on the jumped vehicle first. Disconnect the black (negative) cable first, making certain that the cables don’t touch each other while connected. Once
you disconnect the red (positive) cable, do the same for the booster car. Don’t turn your vehicle off right away, and it’s best to drive it for at least 15 or 20 minutes to allow the battery to fully recharge.
How to Jump-Start Without Jumper Cables
If you don’t have traditional jumper cables, you can still jump-start your car as long as you have an alternative like a jump-starter pack. There is even a way to push start your vehicle in certain situations.
To jump-start your car using a jump-starter pack, do the following
- Affix the positive (red) battery clamp to the positive terminal of the battery.
- Position the negative (black) battery clamp to any metal surface on the car without paint.
- Try starting the vehicle. If the vehicle does not immediately start, wait a few minutes to allow time for charging.
- Once the engine has started, disconnect the clamps, by removing the black
clamp first, and then the red.
If your car has a manual transmission, you can push-start the vehicle by doing the following:
- Before beginning, turn off all the electronics in the vehicle.
- Unless the vehicle is on a downhill slope, you must push it to get it to
start. Choose an open area where you have room to push the vehicle, if possible. Push-starting will not work if you don’t have enough room to get the car moving. - Make sure your key is in the “on” position. Use the key to turn on the car,
let go, and allow the key to remain in the “on” position. - Press the clutch in, while putting the vehicle into third gear. Next, release the emergency brake. Keep your foot on the brake until you’re ready.
- While push-starting your vehicle, it’s important to realize that you won’t
have power steering, power brakes, or any other power functionality. It will be difficult but not impossible to steer and stop the vehicle. - Allow the car to begin rolling forward. As it gains speed, release the
clutch, and the car should start. Immediately press the brake and clutch, then drive the car for around 20 minutes to recharge the battery.
The Advantages & Disadvantages of Each Jump-Starting Method
There are advantages and disadvantages to each jump-starting method. Here is an overview of each method.
The advantages of using jumper cables to jump-start a vehicle are that you can quickly get the car started, and it’s convenient and easy. Disadvantages arise when there may not be another vehicle available to act as a booster, or you’re not comfortable connecting the jumper cables.
The advantages of push-starting your vehicle include the fact that it’s quick, easy, and requires no special equipment. The disadvantages are that it only works if your vehicle is manual and if you’re able to push the vehicle.
The advantages of using a jump-starter pack are you don’t need another vehicle, the unit is portable, and can easily be stored in a trunk. The disadvantages are the cost (they’re more costly than jumper cables) and the unit must be regularly charged to remain functional when you might need it.
If you would prefer a certified mechanic to fix your battery problem, our team
in the Riser Ford service department in Hot Springs, AR can provide immediate assistance.
