How to Safely Use Jump Leads to Start Your Car
Car batteries are dependable, but accidents like leaving lights on will quickly drain them. To start a car with a flat battery, you’ll need a set of high-quality jump cables and a second vehicle with a functioning battery. Always select leads with heavy-duty cables and strong clamps, and never use damaged ones, as they can overheat and catch fire. Additionally, avoid jump-starting a leaking or broken battery, as it may explode. This article will guide you through the safest way to jump-start your vehicle and get back on the road.
Necessary Equipment
To safely jump-start a dead car battery, you’ll need jumper cables and another vehicle with a charged battery. Jumper wires connect the batteries’ positive terminals and the functional battery’s negative terminal to the dead car’s unpainted metal surface.
Ensure both vehicles are turned off, and keep safety glasses, gloves, and equipment (such as wrenches or pliers) on hand for protection and simple connection. With your equipment acquired, you’re ready to begin the jump-start process by taking safety precautions.
Gys 056206 Jump Cables 32 A 16mm² (2x 3m)
Bolle BANCI Bandido Safety Glasses – Clear
N-Durance 2-LCTC-ND-9 NPro Grip General Use Gloves
Safety Precautions
Before attempting to jumpstart a car, you must take safety precautions to protect yourself and your vehicle from harm. Follow these steps:
- Ensure that both cars are turned off.
- Apply the parking brakes to prevent movement.
- Check the battery for cracks, leaks or corrosion; if it is broken, do not attempt to jump-start the vehicle.
- To avoid an electric shock, remove any metal jewellery or accessories.
- Untangle jump cables to ensure a good connection.
- Locate each car’s battery before attempting to connect the cables.
Connecting the Cables
| Step | Action | Details |
| 1 | Position vehicles | Ensure they are close enough for the cables to reach but not touching. |
| 2 | Connect red (+) to dead battery | Attach the red clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery. |
| 3 | Connect red (+) to good battery | Attach the second red clamp to the positive terminal of the good battery. |
| 4 | Connect black (-) to good battery | Attach the black clamp to the negative terminal of the good battery. |
| 5 | Connect black (-) to dead car’s metal surface | Attach the final black clamp to an unpainted metal part in the dead car’s engine bay, away from the battery. |
| Final Check | Ensure secure connections | Make sure all clamps are properly attached before proceeding with the jump-start. |
Gys 056206 Jump Cables 32 A 16mm² (2x 3m)
Silverhook D/ISSJL200 Jump Leads – 2.5m / 200 amp
Draper 91874 Heavy Duty Booster Cables (6.5m x 50mm²)
Starting the Cars
Start the aiding (good) vehicle and let it to run for a few minutes. This will allow the dead car’s battery some time to recharge. Once the aiding car has been operating for a while, try to restart the dead car. If it does not start on the first try, wait a few minutes before trying again. Patience is essential in ensuring that the battery receives enough charge to start the engine.
If the dead vehicle still doesn’t start after several attempts, there could be a problem other than the battery. In this scenario, it is recommended to contact a specialist.
Disconnecting the Cars
| Step | Action | Details |
| 1 | Remove black (-) from the dead car | Detach from an unpainted metal surface of the repaired vehicle. |
| 2 | Remove black (-) from the good battery | Carefully disconnect from the negative terminal of the good battery. |
| 3 | Remove red (+) from the good battery | Take off the red clamp from the positive terminal of the aiding car. |
| 4 | Remove red (+) from the dead car | Finally, remove the red clamp from the positive terminal of the repaired battery. |
Draper 23779 12V Jump Starter, 3000A
Draper 23724 12V 1200A Lithium Jump Starter
Sealey RS1200 RoadStart® 12V Lithium-ion Jump Starter 1200A
Aftercare
- Run the engine for at least 20 minutes to allow the alternator to recharge the battery.
- Drive the car if possible to provide a more thorough charge compared to idling.
- Test the battery by turning the car off and restarting it.
- If the car does not restart, the battery may need to be replaced or the charging system should be inspected by a professional.
Conclusion: How to Safely Use Jump Leads to Start Your Car
Jump-starting a car is a straightforward technique if done correctly and with the proper equipment. Following the steps suggested above can help you avoid damage to both vehicles and get back on the road quickly. Remember, if you’re unclear about any of the processes or detect any indicators of danger, it’s always best to seek expert help.
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