How to Safely Jump Start Your Car

If your battery dies, don't panic! Typically, something simple has created the problem. Lights that were left on, hot weather conditions, or a lousy alternator are common but very fixable problems that cause batteries to die. In the meantime, you most likely want to get your car up and running until you can get the issue resolved. Here are some tips to jump start your car safely.

Get a set of jumper cables.

They are a real necessity that needs to be in the trunk of your vehicle or a storage bin in your truck.

Be sure both vehicles share similar voltage and are parked close to one other. It is safer to have both cars off before connecting the jumper cables.

Connect the red clip to the positive terminal of the battery. Then connect one of the black clips to the negative terminal of the other battery.

The other black clip is attached to a non-painted metal that should be far away from the battery.

If you see leaking on the battery or significant damage, stop the jump and contact a towing professional.
When the dome light in your vehicle comes on, all cables are correctly connected.

Run the other vehicle for around five to ten minutes, then turn it off so your jump start won't damage their alternator.

Now you can start your vehicle. If the car comes on smoothly, drive it for about 20 minutes to recharge your battery. If the car won't start right after that, or next time in use, it's time for you to replace the battery.

If your car stalls in an area that isn't safe, like on the freeway, at a busy intersection, or in adverse weather conditions, it's recommended not to try to jump your battery. Too much can go wrong, and you can get seriously hurt. Instead, call a tow truck.

Towing companies can transport your vehicle to a safer location and jump your battery. Even if they don't move your car, they can use their emergency lighting to slow down traffic, making the situation quite safer.

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