No matter what kind of vehicle you own, you could someday need to jumpstart it. Although jumpstarting a car is quite simple, it can be dangerous if a few measures are not kept in mind before doing so.
This blog will make you aware of the do’s and don’ts of jumpstarting your car and will help you prevent common issues faced and safely get your car operating again.
If a dead battery is causing frequent jumpstarts for your vehicle, it might be the time to contact a reliable battery replacement service. But if you want to do it on your own, ensure to follow these do’s and don’ts.
The Do’s Of Jump Starting A Car
Many precautions are required to avoid accidents, injuries, and car damage during jumpstarting a car. Here are some crucial do’s you should consider while jumpstarting your vehicle.
Read Owner’s Manual
Every brand and model of battery has a unique form and structure. Make sure you have read your owner’s manual before trying a jump start.
Some car owners restrict jumpstarting the vehicle entirely, and doing so may void the warranty. As a result, you must take specific precautions, such as turning on the defroster or disconnecting a fuse, before jumpstarting the vehicle.
Verify The Voltage
Before trying a jump start, ensure that both of the vehicles have the same voltage system, which is typically 12V. Maintaining voltage uniformity is critical to avoiding electrical damage, fires, and even explosions.
Mixed voltages can badly damage electrical circuits, if the voltages do not match, do not proceed with the jumpstart.
Turn Off The Engine To Save Battery
To ensure a safe and successful jump start of your car, all electrical components must be turned off first, like headlights and accessories such as the radio, phone, GPS and other equipment.
By doing this, you can avoid electrical surges and minimize any potential damages that might harm your vehicle’s electrical system or reduce battery life.
Ground The Negative Cable
Before jumpstarting your car, make sure the black jumper cable is firmly fastened to a solid metal ground on the dead car, like a bolt on the frame, engine block or transmission.
To avoid electrical arcing, place the cord at least 12 inches away from the dead battery and avoid connecting the cable to fragile parts such as electrical, brake, or fuel lines.
Wear Protection
While you jump start car, wear your protective gear to increase safety and avoid any injury. This also comprises closed-toe shoes and pants for protection and rubber or nitrile-insulated gloves.
By taking these preventive steps, you can protect yourself from potential risks like an electrical shock from damaged wires or connections, corrosive battery acid spills, and exposure.
Clean Your Battery Terminals
If your battery is older than it should be, the battery terminals may contain a substance that appears as a white powder that should be cleaned before jumpstarting the car.
You can also apply terminal cleaner if required to stop any further corrosion in the future. Ensure to look for wear, cuts, or frays on the wires and clamps and replace them if necessary.
The Don’ts Of Jump Starting A Car
Jumpstarting a car is an easy solution if you are stuck somewhere, but it must be done carefully to avoid bad consequences. Keep these important don’ts in mind to protect your car and yourself.
Don’t Rush The Process
Jumpstarting the car requires techniques to be followed correctly in order to minimize the dangers. Rushing the process can be dangerous since it might result in errors like misplaced cables, electrical shocks, or harm to the electrical system.
To avoid these dangers, approach the task methodically. Follow the proper steps, double-check connections, and take necessary safety precautions while trying a jump start.
Avoid Jump Starting When Battery Is Leaked
If you are trying to jump start a battery that is leaking acid or is cracked, you have a risk of causing electrical shocks, acid spills, explosions, respiratory problems, and even severe burns.
To protect yourself and your car from possible harm, take a reliable battery replacement service or have it properly fixed. Leaking batteries in the car are hazardous and require prompt treatment to prevent future accidents.
Keep Checking Cables Dangling From The Car
When the cables are connected, they are charged. If that charge comes into touch with a puddle, you could receive an electric shock. To avoid this, don’t leave the wires hanging in the car.
These hanging wires have the potential to get caught in moving parts and harm the person handling them.
Never Ignore Warning Signs
When jumpstarting the car, be aware of warning signs, such as strange noises like grinding or sparking, overheating, electrical shocks, or a burnt smell.
You should also check cables and connections for damage and make sure attachments are secure. For comprehensive instructions, consult the owner’s manual for your vehicle.
Avoid Using Low-Quality Cables
When jumpstarting your car, the cables you use play a crucial role in ensuring safety and effectiveness. Low-quality cables can overheat, cause sparks and endanger the person jumpstarting a car.
Therefore, avoid using low-quality cables and choose reliable ones to protect your vehicle and yourself. Your jumping cables need to be in good shape, must be color-coded and at least three meters long.
Jumpstarting a car becomes a necessity if you have a depleted or dead battery. But before you jumpstart a car, you should be aware of basic do’s and don’ts.
Ensure to apply these precautions while jumpstarting your car. If your car has certain issues, such as a leaky battery, you can get it serviced by a reliable battery replacement service like Dial A Battery.
They have expertise and are committed to empowering drivers with the knowledge and services to handle battery issues confidently.
Contact them for any professional guidance or assistance whenever you’re unsure about a jump start.
