How to jump start the battery when the car is out of power, correctly and safely?

During daily use of the car, it is very likely that one day your car suddenly "acts up" and won't start. With this phenomenon, most car users will immediately think of a dead battery. This can happen for many reasons.

Using another vehicle to jump start the battery when it runs out of power is the most popular method used by many people.

Common culprits include a weak battery, a bad alternator, or a worn alternator belt that needs to be replaced or repaired. But it can also be as simple as forgetting to turn off your headlights, or leaving your interior lights on overnight, draining your battery.

In this case, you need to jump start the battery so that you can take the car to a repair shop for further inspection. Here is what you need to know about jump starting or car battery.

One of the first lessons is to buy jumper cables (about 200,000 VND) and always carry them with you. The next lesson is how to use them.

Step 1: Ask for help from another vehicle

If your car battery runs out while you are parked on the side of the road, you don't have to worry too much as you can ask for help from other cars on the road.

Battery jumper cables are usually red and black wires.

In this case, many other car owners will be more than willing to help you. What you need to prepare is a set of jumper cables long enough, usually 2.5m or more to connect between 2 cars easily. The normal jumper cables have 2 colors: Red (connects the positive terminal) and black (connects the negative terminal or ground on the car).

Next, turn off the lighting system, entertainment system and electrical accessories on both cars except the air conditioner fan (to avoid sudden voltage surges), then apply the handbrake or electronic brake if available.

Step 2: Connect the battery jumper wires

After the above steps, now open the car hood and identify the battery terminals by color, usually the positive terminal is red and the negative terminal is black, corresponding to the color of the battery jumper wires.

But sometimes, not all cars have such rules, so you should look for the positions with (+) or (-) signs to determine the battery terminals. At this time, remember the order of connecting the battery jumper wires according tosequential orderas follows:

The order of connecting the jumper cables between the support vehicle and the dead vehicle.

1. Connect one end of the red jumper cable to the positive terminal of the dead car battery.

2. Connect the other end of the red battery cable to the positive terminal of the support vehicle's battery.

3. Connect one end of the black battery cable to the negative terminal of the support vehicle's battery.

4. Connect the other end of the black battery cable to a metal surfaceunpaintedsuch as the pin or bracket at least 10-15cm away from the dead car battery, pay attentionnot negative.

Step 3: Start the car

First, start the support vehicle and let it idle for a few minutes. Next, start the dead vehicle, then let both vehicles idle for a few minutes.

Distinguishing the positive and negative poles of a battery can be based on color or symbols (+), (-).

After the car with a dead battery has started and run stably for about 3-5 minutes, turn on the air conditioning system or heating mode to ensure the generator is operating at maximum capacity. Finally, you start removing the connectors in the reverse order of the way you connected them (4-3-2-1).

Drive the car for at least 20 minutes to allow the alternator to recharge the battery. Do not turn the engine off until you are somewhere safe, in case the battery fails to charge. If your car battery is several years old, it is best to replace it as soon as possible.

Nowadays, in addition to using another car's battery to support, if possible, you can also buy yourself a portable battery booster set with prices ranging from 1-3 million VND, in case the car dies in deserted places with little traffic.

Portable electric jump starter is considered a lifesaver when the car breaks down in deserted places.

The cost is a little bit expensive, and may be used very little, but when needed, battery boosters can show their full value.

Notes during battery charging process that users often make mistakes

- Even if there is a backup vehicle and the car with a dead battery still cannot be started, continue to wait for a few minutes and then try to start the car again.

- When connecting the battery, the car owner must wear protective gloves (can be purchased for a few thousand dong) to avoid contact with the leaked acid solution which can cause burns.

- Only use 12V voltage, as for higher, incompatible voltage levels can damage the car's electrical system and equipment, causing great damage.

- When connecting the battery, you need to be careful not to touch the car with your hands. If you touch the car with your hands, the electricity will pass through your body and you may get an electric shock.

- When removing the cable ends, be especially careful not to let the cable ends touch anything, especially metal or other clamps.

Ngo Minh