Jump-starting a car or light truck battery seems routine, but we rarely do it, and something this simple is still hazardous. Here is a refresher on the do’s and don’ts.
What Are the Steps to Jump-Start a Vehicle Safely?
Connect the cables in the right order and avoid sparks near the battery.
- Park the rescue vehicle close enough for the cables to reach, but do not let the vehicles touch
- Turn off the ignition on both vehicles
- Clamp one end of the positive cable to the dead battery’s positive terminal, then connect the other end to the good battery’s positive terminal
- Connect the negative cable to the negative terminal on the good battery
- Connect the other end of the negative cable to a ground on the dead vehicle, such as the engine block or another metal surface away from the battery, not to the dead battery itself, which could cause a spark
- Keep the cables away from moving parts and never let the two clamp ends touch
How Do You Finish and Disconnect Safely?
Let it charge, then disconnect in reverse order.
- Start the rescue vehicle and let it run a minute or two, then start the vehicle with the weak battery
- If it does not start, check, tighten, or clean the connections
- If it starts, let it run at least 20 minutes to recharge the battery before shutting it off
- If it still does not start, there may be another problem or the battery may need replacement
- Disconnect in reverse order, removing the negative clamp from the bare metal ground first, then the positive clamp from the dead battery, then the clamps from the good battery, keeping them separated and not touching
Jump-pack systems are a safer alternative that only require one vehicle, and at their low price they are a worthy addition to your emergency supplies.
