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How to Jump Start a Car With Another Car?

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Introduction

Many Americans are driving less due to the pandemic, often leaving their car parked for days or even weeks. As a car sits, the battery drains. This is especially true for relatively new vehicles with various electronic systems that consume energy even when the car is parked. Consequently, many motorists have needed a jump start recently.

Ready to work

Before you equip yourself with jump starting skills, it’s critical to establish that the battery is the actual reason the automobile won’t start. If you turn on the ignition and the engine makes a cranking noise, a dead battery is not the problem and jump starting it will be a futile exercise. Conversely, if the car is totally dead upon turning the key and there’s no noise, then it’s highly likely that you have a dead battery in your vehicle and jump starting it is perhaps the only option.

Jump starting a car with a dead battery used to be a simple affair, but since cars have become more complex there are new risks, and you should be cautious if you jump start on your own. Plus, you might want to think twice about asking a stranger for help.

If you must jump start your vehicle on your own, we recommend following the owner's manual to the letter. “These manuals spell out step-by-step instructions on the proper way to jump start the car," he says. "If in doubt, seek help.”

Remember that jumper cables usually have a set of clamps, one marked red for positive and the other black for negative. And battery terminals are usually marked with a + for the positive terminal and a - for negative. You might need to wipe off some grime to see them if your battery is dirty. Jumpstart a car with another car steps here:

Steps to Jump Start a Car With Another Car

  1. First, park the functioning vehicle in a way that both the cars are facing each other, preferably only 1.5 feet apart, but never touching one another. More importantly, park the automatic transmission cars, while putting the manual transmission ones inneutral.  
  2. Make sure to put parking brakes on both the cars, so neither of them moves unexpectedly.
  3. Both vehicles must be turned off, with keys out of the ignition.
  4. Place the jumper cables on the road/ground, while ensuring that the clamps do not touch/collide with each other.
  5. Open the hood/bonnet of both the cars, and find the batteries (consult the owner’s manual for exact location), and battery terminals. Typically, the two terminals on respective batteries shall be color coded red or black, signifying negative “-” and positive “+” charge. 
    Jumpstart a Car with Another Car process, step 1
  6. It’s crucial to correctly identify both the charges to successfully jump start the car. Also, if the battery terminals are grimy, wipe them off with a wire brush or rag.
  7. Attach the red (positive) cable clamp to the (+) terminal of the dead battery. You must firmly connect the clamp to the battery terminal, which may well necessitate some wiggling of the clamps. 
    Jumpstart a Car with Another Car - 2
  8. Now affix the red (positive) cable clamp on the other end of the jumper cables to the operative vehicle’s (+) battery terminal.
    Jumpstart a Car with Another Car process, step 3
  9. After that connect the black (negative) cable clamp to the functional battery’s (-) battery terminal.
  10. Now go over to the automobile with the lifeless Remember, do not attach the black (negative) clamp to the dead battery, instead affix that cable clamp to a metal, unpainted part of the vehicle such as a bright, clean screw on the car engine block. It will help ensure a safe car jump. 
    Jumpstart a Car with Another Car process, step 4
  11. Start the working car.
  12. Wait for a minute or two. Depending on your battery’s age, and how long since it stopped working, you are required to let the car run for a few minutes to allow the jump to work.
  13. Now try starting the inoperative car. If the vehicle does not start, allow the functional automobile to charge the battery for a few more minutes before attempting again. On a few occasions, moderately revving the engine of the operative car while charging the lifeless battery may help.
  14. Once the defunct car is running, you can start disconnecting the jumper cables, beginning with the black (negative) cable clamps. However, don’t let the clamps touch one another while any part of the jumper cables is still connected to a car.
  15. Now, go for a drive. It will enable the battery to build up a charge. Also, the drive will allow the car’s alternator to charge off the battery and assure that your battery won’t die again once you switch off the engine.

A More Convenient Way to Jump Start Your Car

Jumpstart a Car with LOKITHOR Jump Starter

The JA401 is a multi-function car jump starter power pack that delivers 3750A peak amps for starting of 12V vehicles (up to 10-Liter gasoline and 8-Liter diesel). It features a compact design that combines a car booster with a tire inflator, with Lithium-ion battery inside make it can be smaller, lighter, and more powerful.

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Recommend Reading: How Much Voltage Should A Car Battery Has?

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