One of the scariest scenarios for most car owners is being stranded in the middle of nowhere due to a dead battery. Even if you jump start the battery, you still need another car to help you out, right? Well, not exactly. There’s a way for you to jump start your car without another car and we’re going to share that with you below.
The Jump Start Process
Now, before we get into the process of jump starting your car without another car, it’s important to understand how this process works in the first place. Jump starting is a pretty straightforward and simple process. All you have to do is find a car with a well-functioning battery. From there, you’ll connect your battery to the healthy battery using the provided terminals and the jumper cables. This is how you charge the depleted battery with the healthy battery and this will power up your car enough for the engine to start. After that, you can fully recharge the battery using your vehicle’s alternator.
Push Starting
Now, the purpose of this article is to help you learn how to repeat the process we mentioned above without the need for another car. You might need this skill one day if your car battery decides to die while you’re driving a long distance or on your way to work. The first thing you need to do is push or pull the car until it starts to gain some momentum. But in order for this to work, you must switch your car’s ignition on using your key and put your car into second gear. Now, you’ll need someone else to help you push the car until it picks up speed while you discharge the clutch pedal. Your car’s transmission will take over from here by causing your engine to start. This is usually enough to get your car going just so you can reach your destination or get to the nearest station. But, it only works for cars with manual transmission. For those with an automatic transmission, we’ve written another guide below.
Use a Jump Box
One of the best investments you can make as a car owner is that of getting a jump box, preferably a new one. Alternatively, you could purchase a jump start battery pack. The latter provides your car with enough energy to jump start your car whenever the battery’s low or dead. All you have to do is connect it to your car’s battery using its cables and this will give it enough juice to jump start your car within a few minutes. Battery packs or jump boxes have gone through many changes since their introduction to the market and now you can find affordable models that offer great value for money.
Using a Booster Pack
If you have a booster pack handy you can jump start your car at any time even if the battery is completely dead.
Here’s how:
Switch Off the Car
The first thing you must do is switch off your car completely. This means turn off the ignition!
Find Where the Battery is Located
Lift the hood of your car to find the battery. It’s the clearly visible black box with two metal posts that are covered by a black and red rubber stopper. Whatever you do, NEVER allow the booster pack’s black and red clamps to actually touch a metal conductor or even each other. This could severely damage your car’s battery and the battery pack, causing an explosion or a dangerous spark.
Connect Your Car Battery to the Battery Pack
Now, switch off your battery pack if it isn’t off already. Next, take the positive (+) red connector and connect it to the positive (+) metal post. In most cases, it’s the one that’s covered with a red rubber stopper. Next, get a negative (-) black clamp and connect it to a grounding point. Any metal component of your car will do, even the frame if it’s made from metal. Switch on the booster pack and get in your car.
Try Starting Your Car
Once you’re in your car, it’s time to turn on the ignition, but only in 5 to 6-second spurts at first. If you push it further than that it could damage your car and the battery pack itself. Then, switch off the booster pack, detach the black clamp and then detach the red clamp. It’s important to note here that you should always start by disconnecting the black clamp first.
Drive It Around
The best way to recharge your battery is to drive your car for at least 20 minutes straight. Then, charge the booster pack as soon as you reach your destination, which will most likely be your house.
Why You Should Jump Your Car Battery without Using Another Car?
It’s always a good idea to keep your car’s jumper cables in the trunk just in case, even if you feel like you won’t really need them. The push start method gives you more control and allows you to jump start your car without the need for another vehicle. But, you could always take the necessary measures to prevent the problem from happening in the first place. Also, you should know that jump starting your car with another vehicle comes with the added benefit of saving you a lot of time and money because you don’t have to buy any extra contraptions. But, it’s still helpful to learn how to jump start your car without the help of another vehicle, just in case.
Safety Tips
Now that you know how to jump start a car without another car, make sure to observe proper safety protocol while doing it. Whether you’re changing your car’s serpentine belt or topping up the oil, you must use caution at all times. Like we mentioned, you need to connect your jumper cables to the right terminal and follow the right procedure even when disconnecting them.
Making the wrong connection or disconnection could literally burn your battery and damage your car. It’s also worth noting here that your car should be in “neutral” if you’re jump starting an automatic vehicle. If you don’t do that, you run the risk of causing your car to hurtle off on its own.
Do you need help with your car’s battery or did it breakdown in the middle of nowhere? Contact us! We will help you at a reasonable price. Pick your city here.