How to Jump Start Cars

This article will explain how to jump start a car with a weak battery.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Jumper Cables
• Another vehicle with an operating battery
• Gloves
• Safety Glasses

1. Move the vehicle with the good battery close enough to the car that needs assistance so that the cables will easily reach both vehicles.

2. Raise the hood on both vehicles, and put on your safety glasses and gloves.

3. 
   Typical Car Battery

   Examine the weak battery to determine which post is positive and which is negative and connect the cables accordingly. Note that positive is represented with a plus (+) sign and by the color red. Negative is represented with a minus (-) sign and the color black. Be careful to not let the ends of the cables touch each other once the other end is connected to the battery.

4. Now you can connect the other end of the cables to the working battery. I would advise connecting the Negative or Black side first, then connect the Positive or Red side.

5. Make sure the cables are not laying on the engine or fan of either vehicle. Start the vehicle with the good battery first and let it run for a couple minutes. You should now be able to start the car with the weak battery.

6. Once you have the car with the weak battery started, you can disconnect the cables from both vehicles one at a time. Again, be sure to not let the ends of the cables touch while the other ends are still connected.

Tips & Warnings

• Some people may have a jump start box, aka a booster box, the steps are pretty much the same, except you do not need the other vehicle. The box takes the place of the other vehicle.
• Be careful of moving parts of the engines of both vehicles.
• Jump starting a vehicle may create sparks while connecting or disconnecting the cables. Make sure there are no flammable liquids on your clothing or near the area you are working.

[skiller]

on 11/2/2009 Very useful article. I would recommend connecting the positive jumper cables first, though.

[Panda229]

on 7/12/2009 5*

[athome]

on 3/11/2009 Now I get it. Thanks 5*

[eazye84x]

on 2/27/2009 Real simple instructions everyone can understand! 5*

[loveyourlaugh]

on 2/27/2009 very helpful! thanks. 5*