Having a dead battery can seem like the worst thing of the day, but there’s no need to feel discouraged. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be back on the road in no time.
Gather your supplies:
– a set of jumper cables
– another vehicle, a charged battery or portable power unit
– safety equipment, such as gloves and safety glasses
1) Identify the positive terminal on both batteries, marked with red.
2) In the vehicle with the dead battery, identify an unpainted metal surface that is not next to the battery.
3) Connect a positive (red) jumper cable clamp to the positive (red) post of the dead battery.
4) Connect the other positive (red) jumper cable clamp to the good battery’s positive (red) post.
WARNING: Do NOT allow the positive and negative jumper cable clamps to touch once connected to a battery. This will generate sparks.
5) Connect the black (negative) clamp on that same end of the jumper cable to the negative (black) post of the good battery.
6) IMPORTANT: Connect the other negative (black) clamp to the unpainted metal surface under the hood of the car with the dead battery. DO NOT connect to the negative post of the dead battery – this could cause an explosion.
7) Start the good vehicle, allow it to run for about 5 minutes with the jumper cables connected. Attempt to start the disabled vehicle; if the engine won’t turn over, try repositioning the negative (black) jumper cable connected to the unpainted metal surface. Ensure the surface is clean so as to allow for a good connection. If the engine doesn’t turn over after a couple more minutes, try to race the good vehicle’s engine a little so the alternator delivers more amperage.
8) Once the dead vehicle has started, remove the jumper cables in the reverse order they were connected. Allow the vehicle to run for at least 10 minutes before turning off, to recharge the battery.
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