• Latest
  • Trending
jump start car

The Ultimate 10-Step Car Jump Start Guide

3 years ago
RoboCop Rogue City - Unfinished Business Review

RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business Review: High-Rise, High Caliber, High Jank

Billy Joel And So It Goes Review

Billy Joel: And So It Goes Review: The Definitive, If Not Complete, Story

Suspicious Minds Review

Suspicious Minds Review: A Heist Built for Two

JUJUTSU KAISEN Hidden InventoryPremature Death - The Movie Review

JUJUTSU KAISEN: Hidden Inventory/Premature Death – The Movie Review: A Beautiful, Unavoidable Tragedy

Untamed Review

Untamed Review: A Man, a Mountain, and a Murder

Invincible Season 5

Prime Video Gives Invincible Season 5 Go‑Ahead Before Cameras Roll on Season 4

13 hours ago
Fixed

Netflix Unleashes Red‑Band Trailer for Genndy Tartakovsky’s Fixed

13 hours ago
Ballad of a Small Player

Netflix Stakes October Release on Colin Farrell’s Ballad of a Small Player

14 hours ago
Assassin’s Creed

Netflix Locks New Showrunners for Assassin’s Creed Series

14 hours ago
Madly Review

Madly Review: Too Much Concept, Not Enough Connection

Life After Review

Life After Review: A Noir Documentary with No Easy Answers

ISLANDERS: New Shores Review

ISLANDERS: New Shores Review: Building Paradise, One Point at a Time

  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Gazettely Review Guidelines
Friday, July 18, 2025
GAZETTELY
  • Home
  • Movie and TV News
    Invincible Season 5

    Prime Video Gives Invincible Season 5 Go‑Ahead Before Cameras Roll on Season 4

    Fixed

    Netflix Unleashes Red‑Band Trailer for Genndy Tartakovsky’s Fixed

    Ballad of a Small Player

    Netflix Stakes October Release on Colin Farrell’s Ballad of a Small Player

    Assassin’s Creed

    Netflix Locks New Showrunners for Assassin’s Creed Series

    Colin Farrell

    Colin Farrell Douses Penguin Season‑2 Hopes, Teases Third Batman Film

    Benjamin Evan Ainsworth and Bo Bragason

    Nintendo Casts Rising Stars as Link and Zelda in 2027 Live‑Action Film

    James Gunn

    After Superman Surge, DC Chief Teases “Unexpected” Saga Lead

    After The Hunt

    Julia Roberts Faces Campus Reckoning in Guadagnino’s “After the Hunt” Trailer

    Harrison Ford

    Harrison Ford’s First‑Ever Emmy Bid Lands at 83

  • Movie and TV Reviews
    Billy Joel And So It Goes Review

    Billy Joel: And So It Goes Review: The Definitive, If Not Complete, Story

    Suspicious Minds Review

    Suspicious Minds Review: A Heist Built for Two

    JUJUTSU KAISEN Hidden InventoryPremature Death - The Movie Review

    JUJUTSU KAISEN: Hidden Inventory/Premature Death – The Movie Review: A Beautiful, Unavoidable Tragedy

    Untamed Review

    Untamed Review: A Man, a Mountain, and a Murder

    Madly Review

    Madly Review: Too Much Concept, Not Enough Connection

    Life After Review

    Life After Review: A Noir Documentary with No Easy Answers

    Bookish Review

    Bookish Review: Secrets, Spies, and Split Infinitives

    Amy Bradley Is Missing Review

    Amy Bradley Is Missing Review: A Tragedy Turned Into Streaming Content

    I Know What You Did Last Summer Review

    I Know What You Did Last Summer Review: This Secret Should Have Stayed Buried

  • Game Reviews
    RoboCop Rogue City - Unfinished Business Review

    RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business Review: High-Rise, High Caliber, High Jank

    ISLANDERS: New Shores Review

    ISLANDERS: New Shores Review: Building Paradise, One Point at a Time

    Donkey Kong Bananza Review

    Donkey Kong Bananza Review: Groundbreaking Fun

    Missile Command Delta Review

    Missile Command Delta Review: Two Games at War

    Crown Gambit Review

    Crown Gambit Review: Forging a Kingdom, One Card at a Time

    Music Drive: Chase the Beat Review

    Music Drive: Chase the Beat Review: All Vibe, No Substance

    Persona 5: The Phantom X Review

    Persona 5: The Phantom X Review: Stealing Hearts and Your Stamina

    Mecha BREAK Review

    Mecha BREAK Review: Giant Robot Combat Done Right

    Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream Review

    Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream Review: Polished Puzzles in a Flawed World

  • The Bests
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Movie and TV News
    Invincible Season 5

    Prime Video Gives Invincible Season 5 Go‑Ahead Before Cameras Roll on Season 4

    Fixed

    Netflix Unleashes Red‑Band Trailer for Genndy Tartakovsky’s Fixed

    Ballad of a Small Player

    Netflix Stakes October Release on Colin Farrell’s Ballad of a Small Player

    Assassin’s Creed

    Netflix Locks New Showrunners for Assassin’s Creed Series

    Colin Farrell

    Colin Farrell Douses Penguin Season‑2 Hopes, Teases Third Batman Film

    Benjamin Evan Ainsworth and Bo Bragason

    Nintendo Casts Rising Stars as Link and Zelda in 2027 Live‑Action Film

    James Gunn

    After Superman Surge, DC Chief Teases “Unexpected” Saga Lead

    After The Hunt

    Julia Roberts Faces Campus Reckoning in Guadagnino’s “After the Hunt” Trailer

    Harrison Ford

    Harrison Ford’s First‑Ever Emmy Bid Lands at 83

  • Movie and TV Reviews
    Billy Joel And So It Goes Review

    Billy Joel: And So It Goes Review: The Definitive, If Not Complete, Story

    Suspicious Minds Review

    Suspicious Minds Review: A Heist Built for Two

    JUJUTSU KAISEN Hidden InventoryPremature Death - The Movie Review

    JUJUTSU KAISEN: Hidden Inventory/Premature Death – The Movie Review: A Beautiful, Unavoidable Tragedy

    Untamed Review

    Untamed Review: A Man, a Mountain, and a Murder

    Madly Review

    Madly Review: Too Much Concept, Not Enough Connection

    Life After Review

    Life After Review: A Noir Documentary with No Easy Answers

    Bookish Review

    Bookish Review: Secrets, Spies, and Split Infinitives

    Amy Bradley Is Missing Review

    Amy Bradley Is Missing Review: A Tragedy Turned Into Streaming Content

    I Know What You Did Last Summer Review

    I Know What You Did Last Summer Review: This Secret Should Have Stayed Buried

  • Game Reviews
    RoboCop Rogue City - Unfinished Business Review

    RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business Review: High-Rise, High Caliber, High Jank

    ISLANDERS: New Shores Review

    ISLANDERS: New Shores Review: Building Paradise, One Point at a Time

    Donkey Kong Bananza Review

    Donkey Kong Bananza Review: Groundbreaking Fun

    Missile Command Delta Review

    Missile Command Delta Review: Two Games at War

    Crown Gambit Review

    Crown Gambit Review: Forging a Kingdom, One Card at a Time

    Music Drive: Chase the Beat Review

    Music Drive: Chase the Beat Review: All Vibe, No Substance

    Persona 5: The Phantom X Review

    Persona 5: The Phantom X Review: Stealing Hearts and Your Stamina

    Mecha BREAK Review

    Mecha BREAK Review: Giant Robot Combat Done Right

    Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream Review

    Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream Review: Polished Puzzles in a Flawed World

  • The Bests
No Result
View All Result
GAZETTELY
No Result
View All Result
jump start car

Top 12 Spring 2022 Travel Destinations

Who is Mike Tyson? All About The Baddest Man on the Planet!

Home Cars

The Ultimate 10-Step Car Jump Start Guide

What do you do when you want to jump-start a car with a dead battery? In this article, we'll show how jump-starting by jumper cables works.

Gazettely Editorial by Gazettely Editorial
3 years ago
in Cars
Reading Time: 10 mins read
A A
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on PinterestShare on WhatsAppShare on Telegram

You get into the car and turn the ignition key, but nothing happens. You hear at best a slight clacking somewhere in the bowels of your vehicle, yet the engine refuses to do its usual job. Good news: It is not necessary to call roadside assistance most of the time. The right car accessories and a second car can help you jump start your own vehicle by bypassing the car battery.

So how do you know when you need to jump start?

If your car won’t start, it’s almost always the battery’s fault. The reasons are many. For instance, in the winter, your battery is under a lot of strain from the mix of heating, lighting, and frosty outside temperatures.

And it doesn’t even matter whether the car is parked outside on the street, half-protected in a carport or a garage. A further classic: You were in a hurry in the evening, didn’t hear your car’s warning signal and forgot to switch off the lights. The battery is dad the next morning, and your car won’t start.

You can start by turning off all the power guzzlers (heater, car radio, lights) and then repeat the starting attempt once or twice. Leave yourself a minute between attempts. If all this does not help, you have to bypass the car battery. Perhaps there is a second car in the garage, or you can ask a neighbor for help. When your car refuses service on the road, you’ll have to turn to a stranger.

Follow the instructions carefully when jump starting your car to avoid doing more damage to your battery.

jump start car

You might also like

Dashboard Lights in Cars

5 Important Dashboard Lights in Cars at a Glance

4 years ago
Enovix

New 3D Battery Technology Pledges Superfast Charging for EVs

3 years ago
well maintained

15 Car Maintenance Tips To Help Your Car Last Longer

3 years ago
car scratch

Researchers Have Developed a Car Paint Coating That Fixes Scratches on Its Own

3 years ago

Power donation by jumper cables on the car – what is the procedure?

When the battery is dead, you can jump start your car with help from another vehicle. All you have to do to do this is get power from the donor car. However, this is easier said than done. Many car owners don’t even know how to jump-start a car properly. We show you what to look out for. But before you do, you have to clarify the question that preoccupies many drivers:

What causes automobile batteries to give up their power?

There are several reasons why the battery of a vehicle is empty, and you need jump-starting:

  • Faulty cables can cause the power supply to be cut off.
  • Electronic equipment that is turned on even though the engine is off.
  • Low temperatures, as equally cold engines, are challenging to get going.

The most frequent cause of a dead battery is cold weather. An engine whose lubricating oil is between 90 and 115 degrees hot will run smoothly like clockwork. At sub-zero temperatures, oil in the engine compartment is as viscous as honey, and gear oil also sticks to the gears like tar. It happens quickly that you need to jump-start your car in such cases.

jumper cables

If you want to start the engine, in other words, get it running, you need to rev it more vigorously than usual. And that is exactly why more electricity is consumed. What is largely unknown is that empty and drained car batteries can even freeze. Even at 0 degrees Celsius, the battery can freeze.

Caution: Never charge a frozen or thawed battery; you must replace it. When charging a battery, dangerous oxyhydrogen gas is produced. It may ignite on a cigarette or the spark of a short circuit and lead to an explosion of the battery – sulfuric acid would then be splashed.

Preparing for jump starting

Move the vehicle that is to provide power close to the broken-down vehicle so that the distance between the two car batteries is as short as possible. However, the cars must not touch each other (risk of short circuit!).

Turn off the engine and ignition of the donor vehicle first. Also, keep the ignition switched off on the car with the discharged battery. On both vehicles, remove the gear (automatic transmission in “P”) and pull the handbrake. Switch off all power consumers (ventilation, lights, etc.) in the car with the discharged battery.

Connecting the jump leads – the right sequence

  1. Connect the red jumper cable to the positive terminal of the donor car.
  2. Connect the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal of the discharged battery.
  3. Connect the black cable to the negative terminal (also the ground terminal) on the donor battery.
  4. Connect the other end to a ground point (e.g. engine block) of the receiver car – do not connect to the negative pole of the battery.
  5. After a successful start, disconnect the jumper cables in reverse order (ground of receiver car, negative terminal of donor car, positive terminal of receiver car, positive terminal of donor car).

jump start car

Step by step car jump start instructions

In this section of our article, we will, step by step, tell you how you can properly jump start a car. Stay tuned!

Step 1: find the right jump start vehicle

  • A strong car needs a strong helper vehicle

Batteries installed in small cars are less powerful than those in sedans and SUVs. When your Mercedes S-Class has given out, you should – if possible – find a comparable car. When a small Fiat 500 has to be jump-started, it might overtax it, and your car will stay dead. Vice versa, it is no problem if a more powerful car jump-starts the small car.

Step 2: check if the helper car has a battery with the right voltage

  • Test the voltage of the batteries

Have you found a friendly helper with a suitable car? First, check if the battery has the same voltage as yours. Usually, though, you’re probably in luck because most car batteries have 12-volt voltage. It never hurts to be on the safe side, though.

Step 3: Properly position the second car

  • Parking the cars close to each other – They should not touch each other

The car being jump-started should be parked opposite (nose to nose) or beside (side to side) of your defective car, ensuring that the jump-start cables are long enough for the distance to be bridged. Most importantly, make sure the bodies of the two cars are not touching. Incidentally, on rare occasions, the battery is not located in the engine block but in the trunk.

jump start car

Step 4: Turn off the engine of the helper vehicle

  • Switch off the engine of the helper vehicle

Suppose the helper vehicle has been moved into the correct position the first time, the helper switches off the engine. Now you have to connect the cable correctly.

Step 5: Attach the clamps correctly

  • Red to plus, black to minus

Observe the sequence. Look carefully at the terminals of the jumper cable: The terminal of the red cable goes to the positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery (that is, inside your vehicle) and the positive (+) terminal of the helper vehicle’s battery.

One terminal of the black cable goes to the negative (-) terminal of the helper vehicle’s battery. The second terminal of the black cable is clamped to a metal part in the engine compartment of your vehicle. Now you are ready for the helper to jump start.

  • Connecting the positive terminal and negative terminal in what order?

You should follow this order: When connecting the cable, it’s essential to connect the positive terminal of the vehicle’s dead battery first. Then, connect the cable to the positive terminal of the charged battery. Only now is the negative terminal connected. It is important to note that the negative terminal of the donor vehicle is connected first.

Step 6: Start the engine of the helper vehicle

  • Switching on the engine of the helper vehicle

It goes without saying. The helper sits down in his car and starts the engine. The ideal is that now current should be transferred via the contacts into your battery.

jump start car

Step 7: Starting the engine of your vehicle

  • Send a push prayer!

Now it is your turn: Send a shock prayer to St. Christopher, the patron saint of drivers if you like and activate the starter. In an ideal case, the car will now give a sign of life and start.

Step 8: Prevent voltage peaks

  • Turn on power guzzlers

To prevent voltage peaks, switch on a power guzzler in your car, such as the heater or the fan.

Step 9: remove the clamps

  • Observe the sequence

Run the engine and get out to remove the clamps. Attention: First, remove the black clamps, then remove the red ones. Pack the jumper cable away, say thank you to your helper, and then drive off.

Step 10: Driving the car for about an hour

  • Recharge the battery by driving

Were you going to drive to the workplace ten minutes away or to the supermarket? Sorry, that’s not enough. For your car battery to recharge sufficiently, you must drive for at least one hour. The better choice is long distances without stops, for example, on the highway or country roads with few traffic lights. Stopping and going in city traffic only puts additional strain on your battery.

jump start car

Are jump starts bad for the car?

Normally, when jump-starting is done correctly, damage does not occur. Some mistakes should be avoided, though, because you could well damage both cars’ batteries and onboard electronics. You should pay attention to the following:

  • As a matter of principle, before performing the jump-start, look at the operating manual and follow the instructions exactly.
  • Donor battery should not be weakened as well.
  • The two batteries must have the same voltage (passenger car: twelve volts).
  • The two cars must not touch each other, as otherwise, a short circuit could occur. That could also happen, for instance, when a door is opened if the cars are side by side.
  • It is also important to connect the jumper cables correctly to prevent a short circuit. Note: red (plus) before black (minus) when connecting and black before red when disconnecting.
  • Never try to connect both cables at the same time.

dead battery car

  • Do not connect the black cable on the receiver car to the battery’s negative terminal but to an earth point in the engine compartment. This will prevent any oxyhydrogen gas escaping from the battery from causing an explosion due to sparking.
  • In case of an oxyhydrogen explosion, the battery housing may rupture, and acid may be ejected. Therefore, wearing safety goggles is also recommended when working on car batteries. Sulphuric acid from batteries causes chemical burns – should contact occur on the skin or eye, flush with plenty of water!
  • Individual attempts to start the engine should not take too long (maximum 15 seconds) – and the number of attempts should be limited (approx. five). Otherwise, too much unburned fuel will get into the catalytic converter. Following unsuccessful attempts, better give the battery a few more minutes to charge before starting the next attempt.
  • After a successful jump-start, but particularly before disconnecting the jump-start cables, turn on power consumers to prevent voltage spikes that can damage the onboard electronics.

push start car

Can I push start the car as well?

An alternative to jump starting is to push start the car. This only works with manual vehicles, though. You should not try this with automatic vehicles!

To start the car, just put it in second gear, press the clutch down, and turn on the ignition. It’s best to find someone to push your car or let it roll down a slope. Once the car starts to roll, let the clutch come up and press the gas pedal. The motor should now start, and you can drive normally. For a while, don’t try to stop and don’t stall the car.

Jump-starting diesel vehicles

Diesel vehicles require more power to start than gasoline vehicles with small engines. Therefore, for jump-starting a diesel vehicle, just as for gasoline vehicles with an engine capacity of more than 2.5 liters, you should use a jumper cable with a wire cross-section of at least 25 mm².

jump start car

If the car stalls after a short distance, then what should I do?

When your car stalls after driving a short distance, you might need to jump-start again. It could be that the two batteries weren’t connected long enough to transfer enough current.

Leave the batteries connected a little longer this time. After that, you should drive around for at least 20 minutes to allow the engine to recharge the battery. Attempt to drive on country roads or highways where you don’t have to stop. This will best charge the battery. If you can’t get that far at all and break down again after a short time, it might be time for a new battery.

In that case, take your car to a repair shop that can tell you exactly where the problem is. When they tell you that the battery needs to be changed, then you may still choose to do it yourself. At the very least, now you know where the problem lies.

The correct jumper cable is important

Suppose it does not work with the jumpering. In that case, it can also be due to the equipment, because besides the correct procedure, appropriate cables for jump-starting are also important. Too small a cable cross-section can put a spanner in the works.

To play it safe, the cross-section should have a diameter of at least 16 mm². In cars with a larger engine capacity (over 2.5 liters), it should even be 25 mm². A weak charging cable can also be a reason why the jumpering does not work. Therefore, jump leads that comply with DIN standard 72.553 or ISO standard 6722 are recommended.

Since jump-starting equipment is usually used in winter, the ADAC also advises paying attention to the cable’s flexibility as the material hardens in cold temperatures. To prevent injuries, the pole clamps should be made entirely of plastic; only the tips of the clamps may be made of metal.

car battery voltage

Also Read:

  • 18 Most Iconic Cars in the History of TV and Film
  • All You Should Know About Android Auto
  • 17 Best Convertible Cars of 2021
  • 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Used Car
  • 2021 Kia Seltos Review, Specs, Pricing

Starting aid for electric cars

Like combustion vehicles, e-cars also have a starter battery with 12-volt voltage. When the starter battery is empty, it is no longer possible to start the electric car – although the drive battery still has sufficient charge. It is possible to jump-start an electric car.

The e-car must be disconnected from the power supply! However, it would help if you were sure to check what the operating instructions for your electric car say in this regard to avoid damage. Using the electric car as a donor – that is, giving another vehicle a jump start. The electric car’s battery may not be appropriately designed to supply a sufficient amount of power to a combustion engine.

If an electric car’s drive battery is empty, it is not possible to jump-start it anyway. The broken-down electric car must then be towed and transported to the nearest charging station.

Also Read

  • best thriller movies
    30 Best Thriller Movies Ever Made, Ranked
  • What’s New on Netflix in December 2024
    What’s New on Netflix in December 2024: Your…
  • Best Crime Thriller Movies
    10 Best Crime Thriller Movies of All Time: A Curated…
  • Best Horror Thriller Movies
    10 Best Horror Thriller Movies You Can’t Miss: A…
  • Best Sci-Fi Thriller Movies
    10 Best Sci-Fi Thriller Movies You Need to Watch Right Now
  • Best 60s Thriller Movies
    10 Best 60s Thriller Movies: From Hitchcock to…
Tags: Car BatteryCar Maintenance
Previous Post

Top 12 Spring 2022 Travel Destinations

Next Post

Who is Mike Tyson? All About The Baddest Man on the Planet!

Discussion about this post

Try AI Movie Recommender

Gazettely AI Movie Recommender

This Week's Top Reads

  • Under a Dark Sun Review

    Under a Dark Sun Review: Come for the Mystery, Stay for Isabelle Adjani

    3 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Mix Tape Review: A Story Told on Two Sides of a Cassette

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • We’re All Gonna Die Review: Promising Sci-Fi Premise Only Partially Fulfilled

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Institute Review: Young Talent Can’t Save a Fractured Narrative

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Dexter: Resurrection Review: The Devil Takes Manhattan

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Rage Review: HBO’s Stylish Masterclass in Anger

    1 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Don’t Call Me Mama Review: Pia Tjelta’s Tour-de-Force Performance

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Must Read Articles

RoboCop Rogue City - Unfinished Business Review
Games

RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business Review: High-Rise, High Caliber, High Jank

1 hour ago
Untamed Review
Entertainment

Untamed Review: A Man, a Mountain, and a Murder

13 hours ago
Bookish Review
TV Shows

Bookish Review: Secrets, Spies, and Split Infinitives

15 hours ago
I Know What You Did Last Summer Review
Entertainment

I Know What You Did Last Summer Review: This Secret Should Have Stayed Buried

1 day ago
Smurfs Review
Entertainment

Smurfs Review: A Monument to Wasted Potential

1 day ago
Loading poll ...
Coming Soon
Who is the best director in the horror thriller genre?

Gazettely is your go-to destination for all things gaming, movies, and TV. With fresh reviews, trending articles, and editor picks, we help you stay informed and entertained.

© 2021-2024 All Rights Reserved for Gazettely

What’s Inside

  • Movie & TV Reviews
  • Game Reviews
  • Featured Articles
  • Latest News
  • Editorial Picks

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About US
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise with Us
  • Review Guidelines

Follow Us

Facebook X-twitter Youtube Instagram
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Movies
  • Entertainment News
  • Movie and TV Reviews
  • TV Shows
  • Game News
  • Game Reviews
  • Contact Us

© 2024 All Rights Reserved for Gazettely