Since the COVID-19 pandemic, some households are using their cars less and less. With cars standing for extended periods of time, you may experience a flat car battery. When your car battery is dead, you need two things: a set of jumper cables, and an obliging person with a car and a working battery.
IMPORTANT TIPS:
- It is not recommended to jumpstart a flat battery using jumper cables in modern cars as it can send excessive current into the system and damage the electronics. Modern cars are packed with electronic wizardry and a careless connection can cause damage and result in expensive repairs. For all cars, it is recommended to always refer to the owner’s manual for the correct jumpstarting procedure for the vehicle.
When connecting the jumper cables, do the following for both vehicles before connecting the jumper cables: apply the handbrake, turn off all switches and place the gear selector in Neutral or Park.
- STEP 1: Connect one cable to the positive post of the discharged battery.
- STEP 2: Connect the other end of the same cable to the positive post of the booster battery.
- STEP 3: Connect the second cable to the negative post of the booster battery.
- STEP 4: Make the final connection of the second cable to engine block or chassis of the stalled vehicle.
- STEP 5: Crank the engine of the stalled engine.
- STEP 6: To remove cables, reverse this exact procedure.
You can also watch this handy video on how to use jumper cables to jumpstart your vehicle.
