What do you mean by jump-starting a car
Jump-starting a car means using a pair of jump leads that are attached to a healthy working battery of a car on one side and the other side is attached to the flat battery of the other car. In doing so, you help to jump-start a car whose battery has drained or is dead.
Things needed for jump-starting a car
– Pair of jump leads
– A car with a flat battery
– A car with a fully-charged working battery (try to avoid an electric or hybrid car)
Steps on jump starting a car
Try finding someone on the road to help or call a friend who is nearby, and could help you out to jump-start a car. Also, ensure that the next person has a fully charged battery with the same voltage (12 volts) as your car. Future Towing company in Winnipeg provides Tow Truck Winnipeg services 24/7.
1) Both cars are lined up facing each other
Make sure both the car ignitions are off and the parking brakes are applied. Park both the cars with the engines facing each other or make sure that the batteries are within each other’s reach.
2) Red jump lead
Connect the red jump lead to the positive terminal (+) of the working battery on one side and to the positive terminal (+) of the flat battery on the other side.
3) Black jump lead
Now connect the black jump lead to the negative terminal (-) of the working battery on one side and connect the other side to an earthing point away from the flat battery or the fuel system.
4) Starting the engine
After following the above steps, now start the engine of the working car and keep it running.
5) Complete the jump leads
Now connect the other end of the black jump lead from the earthing point to the negative terminal (-) of the flat battery.
6) Starting the other engine
Now turn on the engine of the other car with the flat battery.
7) Both cars running
Now leave both the car engines running at an ideal speed for around 5-8 minutes.
8) Turn off and disconnect
Now turn both the car engines off and disconnect the jump leads oppositely as they were connected. Removing the black jump lead first followed by the red jump lead. Also, make sure that the jump leads don’t touch each other while removing them from the battery terminals.
9) Restart your car again
Try to turn on the engine again to see if the car with the flat battery starts up or not.
10) Call for professional help
After you have followed all the steps above to jump-start a car and in case your car doesn’t start, then you will have some other serious problem that may require professional attention. Call a mechanic and they will come to help you out. In Winniter you also need help with Flatbed Towing services near me.
How to use the jump leads safely?
The batteries produce flammable gases, so always stay safe before jump-starting a car. Here are a few tips:-
– Try to avoid jump-starting a car whose battery looks damaged or is maybe leaking.
– Never use jump leads that might look crooked or damaged.
– Stop immediately if the jump leads get too hot.
– Make sure no metal objects are in contact with the car batteries. They may cause a spark to occur and the battery could explode.
– Never allow any kind of naked flames or smoking around either battery.
– While the car engine is running, don’t remove the jump leads as it could cause serious damage to the car’s electronic system.
Things you can do to avoid a flat car battery
Car batteries usually last for 2-3 years but you should consider changing it only when it starts showing signs of deterioration. Cars should be driven regularly to make the car alternator maintain the charge in the battery. If you are going on a vacation or need to park your car for a long period, then try using a battery maintainer, trickle charger, or maybe even disconnecting the terminals from the battery. Try using alternative cars if you have more than one at your home, this helps keep the batteries charged in all of the cars. Most of these car battery problems occur especially during the winter, so make you take precautions and check the battery levels now and then. Other signs which show that a car’s battery is dying or draining are the engine check lights flashing on, headlights don’t work and the car’s stereo system also doesn’t work. Never leave the lights on in the car, always make sure to shut them off when not using the car as it becomes one of the factors for the drainage of the battery. Also, make sure to get your car batteries inspected whenever you visit your mechanic.
