Welcome to our guide on how to jump start an automatic car! Sometimes your car battery can die unexpectedly, leaving you stranded and unable to start your car. A jump start can give your battery the extra boost it needs to start the engine, and get you back on the road. In this article, we'll go over the steps you need to take to jump start an automatic car safely and easily.
What You Will Need
Before you start jump starting your car, gather the following tools and items:
- Jumper Cables: Make sure you have a set of good quality jumper cables that are long enough to reach from one battery to another.
- Another Car: You will need another car with a working battery to jump start your car.
- Safety Gear: It's important to wear safety gear, including gloves and safety glasses, to prevent injury.
- Owner's Manual: The owner's manual can provide specific instructions for your make and model of car.
Step-By-Step Guide To Jump Start An Automatic Car
Follow these steps to jump start your automatic car:
Step 1: Prepare The Cars
Make sure both cars are turned off and in park or neutral. Make sure the car with the working battery is parked next to your car, with the batteries as close as possible.
Step 2: Connect The Jumper Cables
- Open the hood of both cars and locate the batteries.
- Attach one end of the red jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal on the dead battery.
- Attach the other end of the red jumper cable to the positive (+) terminal on the working battery.
- Attach one end of the black jumper cable to the negative (-) terminal on the working battery.
- Attach the other end of the black jumper cable to an unpainted metal surface on the engine block or chassis of the car with the dead battery. Do not connect it to the negative (-) terminal on the dead battery.
Step 3: Start The Working Car
Start the car with the working battery and let it run for a few minutes.
Step 4: Attempt To Start The Dead Car
Try to start the car with the dead battery. If it doesn't start, wait a few minutes and try again. If it still doesn't start, you may need to have your battery replaced.
Step 5: Disconnect The Jumper Cables
- Once the dead car is running, remove the black jumper cable from the metal surface.
- Remove the black jumper cable from the negative (-) terminal on the working battery.
- Remove the red jumper cable from the positive (+) terminal on the working battery.
- Finally, remove the red jumper cable from the positive (+) terminal on the dead battery.
Tips And Warnings
Here are some additional tips and warnings to keep in mind when jump starting your automatic car:
- Be careful: Jumper cables carry a lot of electrical current, so be careful not to touch the metal parts of the cables together or touch them with your bare hands.
- Don't rely on jump starting: If your battery dies frequently or your car won't start even after a jump start, you may need to have your battery or alternator checked by a mechanic.
- Follow the owner's manual: Always refer to the owner's manual for specific instructions for your make and model of car.
That's it! With these easy steps, you can safely jump start an automatic car and avoid getting stuck on the side of the road. Remember to exercise caution and drive safely.