Whether your vehicle has been sitting for months on end in the garage or needs a quick jump start because of a flat battery, this post will teach you everything you need to know!

Jumper leads can cause damage to both cars and people if they’re not used properly, so it’s best to take precautions and stay safe!

Jump starting a car safely: what you need to remember

Car batteries produce flammable gases and can be dangerous if you don’t follow the correct instructions and process. To stay safe when jump-starting your car, here’s a handy checklist to follow:

  • Never try to jump-start a battery that looks damaged or is leaking – if this is the case, call a professional or speak to your mechanic.
  • Make sure the area you are in is well-ventilated
  • Make sure both vehicles are in neutral (if the transmission is manual) or Park (Auto) with the handbrake on
  • Don’t use damaged jumper leads, and don’t continue to use them if they get hot.
  • Don’t let metal objects like jewellery touch the car batteries.
  • Don’t remove the jump leads while the car engines are running.

Line up both cars and connect the jumper leads

The first step is to park both cars so that their batteries are within reach of one another, but you’ll need to ensure they are not physically touching. Also, ensure that the handbrakes of both cars are on and the ignition is off.

Connect the red jumper lead first – attach one end to the working car battery’s positive (+) terminal and the other to the flat battery’s positive (+) terminal.

Connect the black jumper lead next. Attach it to the negative (-) terminal on the working battery and the other end to an earthing point.- it’s best to find a spot of unpainted metal on the engine block or chassis.

Start the car and let the engines run

Start the working car’s engine and let it run for around a minute. Then, start the car with a flat battery. Let both cars idle for at least 10 minutes to give the flat battery a decent charge.

To remove the jump leads, detach them in the reverse order to how you attached them. That means switching off the engines on both vehicles, removing the black jumper lead from the earthing point, and then disconnecting the remaining leads – the red jump lead from the positive (+) terminal on both batteries.

It’s recommended that you drive the car with the flat battery for a good 20-30 minutes once the jump start has been completed.

Still not sure or need a hand with your car battery? Let the experts at Robert St Automotive help. Book an appointment online today!