There are times when your car will lose its battery and die unexpectedly. This is why knowing how to jump a starter is essential to ensure the longevity of your vehicle. You might be tempted to try this by yourself, so we have created this guide to help get your car back to normal.
To jump a starter, you must check the car battery and find the correct jumper cables for the vehicle. Attach the jumper cables to both batteries and run this for 2-3 minutes before starting the car. If done correctly, your car should start up again.
Remember that jumping a starter can be an extensive process if it’s your first time. We’ll give you detailed techniques on how to do it if your car battery shuts down. Then, we’ll explore why it’s necessary to jump your starter so that you can get the most out of your car.
How To Jump A Starter
First, you’ll need to find someone who has a car to help you. Ensure that their vehicle has the same amount of battery voltage to ensure the vehicle will work.
Park both vehicles next to each other. Turn off the ignitions and hand brakes as they will only cause further complications during this process. Place the parking brakes on both cars to avoid drifting off unexpectedly.
After the vehicles are turned off, place the jumper cables onto the ground. Make sure that no parts of the cars are touching each other to prevent any electrical current from flowing through the vehicles. Only the jumper cables should be providing current throughout this process.
Next, you’ll want to place the jumper cables in the correct places. The red (positive) cables need to be matched with the battery’s positive terminal. Meanwhile, place the black (negative) cable directly onto the negative terminal side of the battery.
Alternatively, there are portable jump starters that you can use for your vehicle. These are a good option during a vehicular emergency, as you don’t need the help of another car to fix yours.
Remember, the jump starter provides enough power to start the vehicle and ignite the engine. After you start the engine, the alternator will turn on.
Here are some examples of why your car is not starting:
- Clogged fuel line: When the fuel lines are clogged, the car will show signs of working by starting momentarily. However, the car will hesitate afterward. That’s because your vehicle is not getting the right fuel to run the engine.
- Dead Battery: Like any vehicle component, your car battery cannot last forever. In fact, car batteries tend to expire faster in colder conditions.
- Note: Even if your battery has power left, it might not be sufficient to start the car’s ignition system. You’ll usually experience this problem if you are starting the car cold. If the battery is on half power, it will lead to further start-up issues.
- Malfunctioned Alternator: Bad alternators are just as bad as dead batteries when starting your car. Unlike bad batteries, a malfunctioned alternator won’t allow a car to maintain its charge.
- Note: You’ll start to see more alternator issues before your car fails to start altogether. For instance, you’ll notice flickering headlights or indicator lights on your dashboard as quick signs your car isn’t working.
Benefits of A Jump Starter
Fewer Connection Issues
When you have to connect two cars together, it can be difficult to get one fixed in the right amount of time. Using reverse connections is dangerous for the vehicles and the users involved.
However, jump starters offer an easier solution. You simply connect the cables to the car and watch it restart the engine. Through jump starters, you can quickly fix your vehicle without extra assistance.
Modern Vehicles
Modern car brands like Tesla have sensitive electronics. Most of their cars operate via electricity, making them a lot more complex than traditional cars. Unstable jumper cables are more likely to transfer electrical current.
That means that the jump starter cables can damage your vehicle by distributing shocking impulses. Even if the jump-starting process is successful, it will hurt your car’s battery life. You can add charges to most modern vehicles with a high-quality jump starter.
Avoid Host Vehicle Damage
With a jump starter, you have everything needed to charge your vehicles. When using two cars, you’ll have to worry if the host vehicle is giving the correct amount of power to the disabled one.
There is always going to be a risk when using two vehicles. Through the use of jump starters, you can protect both cars from experiencing further electrical damage.
What Should I Do After Jumping the Starter
Just because you’ve allowed your Mazda to continue running again, there’s still more after that needs to be applied for your vehicle. Give the car at least 1-30 minutes for it to stay idle or drive around in it for a while.
After that, test the car battery. If the battery is still not working, grab the jumper cables again and restart the process.
Safety Tips
You should jump a start if your battery is damaged. If you notice any odd smells, or your car failing to restart after starting for a few periods, chances are you’ll need to replace the battery.
Also, only use jumper cables with enabled spike protection. Doing so will prevent from experiencing a write-off or expensive repairs.
If you are sure that the battery is not damaged, check your manual to see your car’s instructions. For instance, your Nissan will have a different set of instructions than an Audi, so make sure you read them carefully.
Conclusion
To conclude, jumping a starter is a simple way to recharge your car. Always make sure you’re using the right cables and continue to remain precise throughout the process. Doing so will restart your car and get its engine running smoothly.
