How To Jumpstart a Car With Jump Leads

How To Jumpstart a Car With Jump Leads

When your car battery is dead and the car won't start automatically, you will need to know how to jump-start your car with jump leads in order to get the engine running and charge the battery. Jump leads are used to start a car with a dead battery using power from another vehicle. The jump leads are attached to both the dead battery and the fully charged battery of another car.

This must be done properly and in the correct order to prevent sparks or shocks. It's also important to disconnect the jump leads in the correct order. So if you are in the situation where your car won't start because the battery is dead, let OneHowTo explain how to jump a car battery.

You'll need:
  • Jump leads
  • Car with a flat battery
  • Car with a charged battery
Steps to follow:
1

Determine if you need jump leads. If the ignition clicks but won't start when you turn the key, it means that the battery is dead and needs to be jump-started using another car's battery. If the car makes a noise when starting and the electrical system, including lights and the radio, appears to be working, then you can rule out a dead battery, so jump leads will be of no help. In case of the latter, you will need to call a mechanic as the problem lies elsewhere in the ignition system.

2

Untangle the jump leads so that they're straight. Note that each lead has two clamps: a red clamp and a black one.

3

Park the vehicle with the fully charged battery alongside the vehicle with the dead battery. It's important that both batteries are close enough so that the cables easily reach the battery of the opposite car. It's best to park the two vehicles with the engines either nose to nose or side by side. Lift the bonnets of both cars. Make sure that the battery terminals are clean.

4

Attach one of the red clamps to the corresponding positive (red) terminal of the dead battery. The "+" sign will tell you which terminal is positive. The positive terminal is slightly wider than the negative terminal. You may have to remove the plastic cover on the terminal to connect the red clamp. The clamp should be placed on the metal part of the terminal block.

5

Connect the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the working battery. This also has the "+" sign and is slightly larger. Place the clamp on the metal part of the terminal block.

6

Connect the black clamp to the negative terminal of the fully charged battery. This will be indicated by the "-" sign on the battery. Place the clamp on the metal part of the terminal block.

7

Earth the other black clamp to the engine block of the car with the dead battery. Don't panic if removing the booster cables produces some sparks. If you're not touching any metal parts, you won't get an electric shock.

8

Attempt to start the vehicle that has the dead battery. If it doesn't start, check the jump lead connections to the other car.

9

Disconnect the jump leads in reverse order. Remove the black clamp on the engine block first, followed by the black clamp on the charged battery and then the red clamp next to it. Finally, remove the red clamp on the battery.

If your battery is no longer holding a charge then it may be time to change your car battery.

If you want to read similar articles to How To Jumpstart a Car With Jump Leads, we recommend you visit our Car Maintenance and Repair category.

Tips
  • Be sure to drive your car around for 20-30 minutes after using the jump leads to charge the battery. Otherwise, you might have to use them again the next time you want to start your car.
  • Don't touch the metal parts of the jumper cables or batteries at any time during this process. You could get an electric shock if you do. Also, avoid touching any powdery substances on the engine. This is battery acid and causes severe burns. Use a rag to clean the area.