How to Jump Start Your Car

If your car will not start because the starter does not operate or barely turns over, suspect a dead battery. Remove and clean the battery cables, reconnect them and try again. If your headlights do not work, or grow very dim when the starter is being operated, you can be almost certain that the problem is a dead battery. If the light shine brightly when the starter is in use, the trouble is in the starter or its wiring, and you will need a mechanic.

A car with a dead battery can be started with a set of jumper cables and a second car that is running. Be sure that both cars have 12-volt batteries which has 6 filler holes. It is best to wear safety goggles when attempting to jump start a car. If possible, bring both cars to face each other and open their hoods. Set both parking brakes, and turn off both from both cars the ignition and all electrical accessories.

1. Remove the vent caps from both batteries and allow any built-up gases to escape. Then cover the vent holes with a clean rag.

2. Determine which of the battery posts in each car is the positive terminal. The positive post is generally fatter than the negative post. It may be marked with a plus sign .

3. Attach the red booster cable to the positive terminal of both batteries.

4. The other battery post in each car is the negative one. If the posts have different diameters, the negative one will be smaller. It may be marked with a minus sign.

5. Attach one end of the black cable to the negative terminal of the good battery. Attach the other end to a good ground on the second car, such as an unpainted bolt or flange on the engine or the body.

6. Make sure all hands and cables are clear of the fans and other moving parts on both cars, then start the engine of the car with the good battery and have a helper rev it up moderately

7. Start the second engine. If it still will not start, check for additional problems in the ignition and fuel systems.

8. Keep the formerly stalled car running and carefully remove the cables in the opposite order from which they were attached, black cable from the dead car, then from the booster car: red cable from the dead car then from the booster car.

Replace the vent caps and drive the formerly stalled car for at least 30 minutes to fully recharge its battery.