Video: How to Jump Start Your Car
CARS.COM — Winter is coming — and we’re not talking about the ominous refrain from “Game of Thrones.” We are, however, talking about the season of sore throats, frozen pipes … and dead car batteries.
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If you find yourself turning the key to no avail, here’s a quick rundown on jump-starting your car:
- Park the assisting car nose-to-nose with yours, about 18 inches apart. Make sure that both vehicles are in Park, that their emergency brakes are on and that their engines are off.
- Clamp one end of the red cable to the dead battery’s positive terminal and the other end of the red cable to the functioning car’s positive terminal.
- Attach the end of the black cable to the working battery’s negative terminal and the other end to a metal section — such as a bracket or bolt away from any moving parts — to ground it in the dead car.
- Turn the ignition and start the working car. Let it run for 1 to 2 minutes, revving the engine slightly.
- Now give your car a try. It may take a couple of tries, but don’t try to start it more than three or four times in a row, as this could damage your car’s electrical system.
- Once the dead car is running, disconnect the cables in the reverse order you connected them. DO NOT let the clamps touch.
- Now take a quick drive to let your battery charge to full capacity so it will start again next time.
If your car refuses to start after a few jump attempts, it may be due to battery corrosion or a problem with your fuses, generator, ignition switch or starter connection.
Watch the video now and be sure to catch it Saturday morning on TV. Check for local airtimes here.
