How to Boost Your Car Battery

Imagine you're rushing to work or returning to your car after a long day only to find the battery dead and the engine won't start. This can happen to anyone, and knowing how to jump-start your car can get you back on the road quickly. Also, it’s important to know the correct way to boost your car. 

In this blog, we'll outline the steps to boost your car, along with some tips and tricks to make the process easier and safer.

 

What do you need to boost your car?

To boost your car, you'll need jumper cables and a donor car. 

It's easier to find someone willing to assist than to find jumper cables during an emergency, so always keep a set in your trunk.

The car with the dead battery is the one needing the jump. The 'donor car' refers to the car providing the power. Jumper cables are crucial as they transfer battery power from the donor car to your car.

 

Steps to boost a car battery:

 

1. Get the vehicles in position

Position the donor vehicle close to the vehicle with the dead battery. Ensure they are close enough for the jumper cables to reach but not so close that the vehicles touch.

 

2. Turn off the ignition in both vehicles

Ensure both vehicles are in park mode, engage the parking brakes, and make sure all accessories are turned off.

 

3. Find the positive and negative terminals on your dead battery

The positive terminal is marked with a "+" sign and is usually red. The negative terminal or connections are black.

Avoid connecting to the negative terminal of either battery; instead, use grounding points. Grounding points are any conductive metal parts connected to the vehicle's frame, such as an exhaust manifold bolt or an engine mount bolt. Choose a grounding point that is a safe distance away from the battery for connection.

 

4. Connect the positive jumper cables

Attach the red clip from one end of the jumper cables to the positive terminal of the dead battery. Connect the other red clip to the positive terminal of the other car's battery.

 

5. Connect the negative terminal

Connect the black end of the cable to the negative battery terminal, usually indicated by a "-" sign on the donor car.

 

6. Connect the remaining clamp of the cable

Connect the other end of the negative cable to an unpainted metal surface on the engine of the dead car. This ensures solid ground and reduces the risk of igniting hydrogen gas emitted by the battery.

 

7. Start the donor vehicle

Start the donor vehicle and let it idle for several minutes. The duration of idling depends on the battery's condition. If it's an older battery that has been dead for over a month, it may require a longer idle time. For a new battery drained by lights or accessories, less idling time should be sufficient.

 

8. Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse order

• Carefully disconnect the negative cable from the engine block or unpainted surface of the car that was jump-started.

• Detach the other end of the negative cable from the negative terminal (marked with a "–" sign) of the booster car battery.

• Remove the positive cable from the positive terminal (marked with a "+" sign) of the booster car battery.

• Lastly, disconnect the other end of the positive cable from the positive terminal (marked with a "+" sign) of the previously dead battery.

Make sure the cables don’t touch each other or fall into the engine.

 

9. Drive to a safe location

Drive the vehicle that was just jump-started to a safe location before turning off the engine. Depending on the age and condition of the battery, it might need another boost to get fully charged. When you decide to switch off the engine, park at home or in a place where you can easily get assistance if the battery dies again.

Keep in mind that jump-starting a car battery can be dangerous if not done properly. Always adhere to these instructions carefully and proceed with caution. If you're uncertain or uncomfortable with the process, it's wise to seek help from a professional or roadside assistance service.