Is there anything more frustrating than heading out early for the day only to find your car won’t start because the battery is dead? It has to be in the top ten at least. Whether you accidentally left your headlights on or the cold weather zapped your battery, knowing how to jump-start your car is a must for every driver. It might seem tricky at first, but we’re here to break it down for you.

What causes battery failure, you ask?

There could be several reasons why your car battery might go flat, some of them have been mentioned below: 

• Often someone might leave the lights on overnight or the door remains ajar for a while and that drains the battery of its charge. It’s an honest mistake, but it’s very frustrating to hear the dreaded click instead of the engine starting. 
• Sometimes, the battery may go flat because it isn’t getting fully recharged, that could be due to:
• Frequent short drives that don’t allow it to recharge properly.
• A lack of routine maintenance and changing batteries every few years. Car batteries are consumables; no matter how well they are maintained, they won’t last forever.
• Mechanical issues preventing effective charging.
• If the battery has previously gone completely flat, sulphate crystals can form on the lead plates, reducing its efficiency and lifespan- especially if this happens often.

Even when you’re mindful of all the possible ways for the car battery to die on you, one thing’s for sure- your battery will likely decide to give up at the most inconvenient moment. That’s just how it goes!

For any car with an internal combustion engine, that awful clicking sound usually means one thing – a dead battery. Unless you have the time and tools to hook up an external charger, your quickest solution is to jump-start it.

We know it’s not always as simple as it sounds. Done incorrectly, a jump-start could damage your battery- or worse, put you at risk of injury. To help you do it safely, here’s a step-by-step guide to getting your car back on the road.

A step-by-step guide to jump-starting your car!

Step 1: Position the cars

If you’re using another vehicle for the jump-start, park both cars facing each other or side by side, close enough for the jumper cables to reach easily. Make sure both cars are in Park (automatic) or neutral (manual) with the parking brake engaged. Turn off the ignition and all accessories (lights, radio, AC).

Step 2: Identify the battery terminals

Pop the hood and locate the battery in both vehicles. You’ll see two terminals:

• Positive (+) terminal – usually red
• Negative (-) terminal – usually black

If the terminals have corrosion, wipe them off with a dry cloth or brush. 

Step 3: Connect the jumper cables

Follow this exact order to avoid sparks or damage:

1. Connect the red (+) clamp to the dead battery’s positive terminal.
2. Connect the other red (+) clamp to the working battery’s positive terminal.
3. Connect the black (-) clamp to the working battery’s negative terminal.
4. Connect the other black (-) clamp to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car, like a bolt or the engine block, to act as grounding. (Do NOT connect it directly to the dead battery—it can cause sparks.)

 Step 4: Start the working car

Turn on the car with the good battery and let it run for about 5 minutes to charge the dead battery in the other car.

Step 5: Start the dead car

Try turning the key or pressing the start button. If it starts, let it idle for a few minutes before disconnecting the cables.

If it doesn’t start, wait a few more minutes and try again. Continuous attempts in quick succession could cause further damage to the dead car’s electrical systems. If it still doesn’t work, your battery may be completely dead, or there could be another issue. 

Step 6: Disconnect the cables

Remove the jumper cables in the reverse order:

1. Black (-) clamp from the metal surface of the previously dead car
2. Black (-) clamp from the working battery
3. Red (+) clamp from the working battery
4. Red (+) clamp from the previously dead battery

Step 7: Keep the engine running

Let the jumped car run for at least 15-20 minutes with the lights off, or take it for a drive. This helps recharge the battery and ensures it will start-up properly the next time.

Some final tips

• Keep a set of jumper cables in your car at all times.
• Consider a portable jump starter for emergencies.
• If your battery dies frequently, have your alternator checked, or it might just be time for a new battery.

By following these steps, you can safely jump-start your car and get back on the road without waiting for roadside assistance. A little preparation can save you a lot of hassle down the road. Even if your car is fine, you could help someone else and be a local legend.