There’s a lot of things in life everyone should know how to do.
How to boil an egg and how to change a flat car tyre are 2 important skills that come to mind.
But another equally important and quite possibly life saving thing to learn is how to jump start a dead car battery.
A dead battery can be a real pain and potentially dangerous if you’re not equipped with the right tools and knowhow. You don’t want to find yourself stuck in the desert in this sticky situation!
But fear not Shazza fam, we gotchu. With a few simple tools, you can get your car running again in no time.
Here are the signs of a dead battery:
Dimming headlights
Clicking sound when you turn the key
Car won't start without pressing the accelerate/gas pedal
Backfires
Long cranking time
If you're experiencing any of these signs, you'll need to jump-start your battery. Here's how to do it:
Find another car to help you - this is critical! Can’t jumpstart your car’s battery without another energy source.
Park both cars close together, facing the same direction.
Turn off the ignitions in both cars.
Connect the positive cable from the working battery to the positive terminal on the dead battery.
Connect the negative cable from the working battery to the negative terminal on the dead battery.
Connect the other end of the negative cable to a metal surface on the dead car, away from the battery.
Start the car with the working battery.
Let the car run for a few minutes before trying to start the car with the dead battery.
If the car with the dead battery doesn't start, tighten the connections and try again.
Once the car with the dead battery starts, let it run for at least 20 minutes to give the battery a chance to recharge.
Try not to touch the exposed terminals of the batteries with uncovered hands. Wear gloves and if possible, some sort of eye protection - safety first, people!
After you've jump-started your battery, take your car to a mechanic to have the battery tested. This will help to ensure that the battery is in good working order and that it won't die again soon.
Here are some additional tips for jump-starting a battery:
Make sure the cars are in park or neutral.
Turn off all accessories in both cars.
If the dead battery is frozen, warm it up before trying to jump-start it.
If the dead battery is still under warranty, you may be able to get it replaced for free.
By following these simple steps, you can safely jump-start a dead battery and get back on the road in no time.
Here’s to many miles of safe driving on a battery that won’t quit!
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