It is essential that everyone knows how to jump a vehicle. Having this knowledge is helpful to ensure that if your vehicle’s battery dies, it is not that scary. Route 20 Auto Repair in Ashtabula, OH, is here to offer some helpful tips to ensure you know how to jumpstart your vehicle properly.
Check The Jumper Cables
The jumper cables may seem intimidating at first, but they are easier to use once you know more about them. Each cable has either a red or black clamp on the end. It is important to never let the clamps touch, especially if one end is attached to a live battery. Before anything, stretch out the cables to see how close the vehicles need to be and inspect the cables for cuts or fraying. Never use any cables that have cuts or frays in them.
Pull The Vehicles Close Together
Once you know the distance, thanks to the cables, it is time to move the vehicles close together. Generally, you would want the batteries as close as possible to each other, but try and leave room for you to pass between the vehicles. Turn the vehicle off once the cars are close enough to connect the cables. Never connect the cables to a vehicle that is running!
Ensure Proper Connection
After both vehicles are turned off, it is time to connect the jumper cables. Remember those red and black clamps? They pertain to the positive and negative terminals on the batteries. It is important to connect one clamp at a time. Start with the red clamp and attach it to the positive terminal on the dead battery. Then attack the other end, the red clamp, to the positive terminal of the good battery. Repeat this with the black clamps on the negative terminals, starting with the dead battery.
Start The Right Vehicle First
Once the cables are attached between both batteries, red on positive and black on negative, it is time to start the vehicle. Begin with starting the vehicle that has a good battery. After letting the vehicle run for a few minutes, you can attempt to start the vehicle with the dead battery. If it does not crank, wait a few more minutes. Once the vehicle cranks, remove the jumper cables in the same order you put them on. Starting with the red claps, removing one at a time. If your battery does not start after 10 minutes of charging, the battery might be completely dead and needs replacing.
If you are concerned that your battery is completely dead, give Route 20 Auto Repair a call today. We can test, replace, and charge your battery for you.