jump starting your car.
Just knowing about the jump-start procedure not going to help you attain the desired result there might be some mistakes you can make during the procedure or maybe overlook some potential problems that can prevent your vehicle from starting. It is essential to follow procedures correctly and safely to avoid any damage and mishap to your car involved. Here are a few mistakes to avoid while jump-starting your car:
Wrong cable connection
the most common mistake people do is reverse connection which is connecting the jumper cables incorrectly. Keep this in mind that the positive (+) terminal of the battery should be connected with the
positive terminal of the other battery and the negative terminal (-) of one battery should be connected to a metal, that is an unpainted part of the other car’s engine, Not to the negative terminal of the dead
battery. This can cause a short circuit and damage the car’s electrical system.
The ignition on
keep the ignition off from both of the vehicles while connecting jumper cables. If the ignition remains on in both of the cars it can cause
Discharged Battery First
when connecting the jumper cables this step is always crucial that is connect the positive and negative clamps to the dead battery first and then to the working battery.
Clamp loosening
mishaps like loose connections on the battery terminals and metal parts of the engine can cause damage to the electrical system and generate a spark, so make sure that the clamps have a firm grip.
Clamp contact
once the cable is connected to the battery make sure that the jumper cable clamps do not come in contact with each other this can cause a short circuit and leave great damage to you and your vehicle.
Gunning the Engine
it is recommended not to rev the engine of the vehicle providing the jumpstart. After a successful jump-start, let your car engine rest for a few minutes to charge the battery before driving.
Attempting to Jump start Frozen Batteries
Extremely avoid jump starting a frozen battery, as this can cause it to explode. First, thaw the battery in a warm indoor environment and let it defrost naturally. Remember not to use external heating sources like heaters or dryers as it can lead to more complications.
Frequent jump starting
if your car requires jumpstarting repeatedly then this could be a sign of a battery failure and need to be replaced. But if the problem is ignored then it can cause additional stress on your battery and electrical system. Make sure to notice these underlying issues and take proper measures to fix them.
Not Allowing the engine to run
do not disconnect the jumper cable right after the successful jumpstart. Let the engine of the dead battery car run for a few minutes to charge the battery.
Using Incorrect Jumper Cables
always make sure that you are using top-quality jumper cables, which have sufficient gauge and length to handle the current flow. Whereas, if use Low-quality or damaged cables then it may not transfer enough power or could overheat during the process.
Using a Running Car to Recharge
Jump starting a car with a running engine can be effective in charging a dead battery but it should be avoided for an extended period as the alternator of the running car is not designed for this purpose and most importantly this is just a temporary measure to start a dead battery and it should be allowed to recharged via normal driving.
Conclusion
It is important to know the correct way to jump-start a car to avoid any damage. If you are not comfortable jump-starting your car, you should call a roadside assistance service. By avoiding these common mistakes you can prevent damage to your car’s electrical system. Make sure to outline the proper jump-start procedure on
your vehicle manual and learn from someone knowledgeable. Even if you are still confused after learning then get assistance from a professional jump-start service provider.