How to safely boost a dead battery
We have all had it happen to us or someone we know. We go to start our vehicle, and the battery is dead or low enough on charge that it cannot start the engine.
There are a few ways to “boost” the battery. Whether that is with an external power source like a battery or booster pack, or with jumper cables hooked up to another vehicle’s battery, we want to ensure this is done safely and without damage to a vehicle’s sensitive electronics!
Your best source of information regarding how to boost your battery is your vehicle owner’s manual. This is the first place you should look to find directions on how to perform this procedure.
However, the most common way to perform this is as follows:
Step 1: Connect the red cable/handle to the dead vehicle’s positive battery terminal (+)
Step 2: Connect the other end of the red cable/handle to the donor vehicle’s positive battery terminal (+)
Step 3: Connect the black cable/handle to the donor vehicle’s negative battery terminal ( - )
Step 4: Connect the other end of the black cable/handle to the dead vehicle’s bare metal (somewhere solid on the body or the engine away from the battery)
Step 5: Start donor vehicle and let it run.
Step 6: Start dead vehicle.
You can then disconnect the cables/handles in the reverse order being careful not to touch them together or to any other metal surfaces.
Always remember to ensure the under hood area is free and clear of debris, and all accessories like the radio and heater are turned off on the vehicle with the dead battery before boosting.
If you notice anything unusual while performing this procedure or feel uncomfortable, make sure to STOP and have a professional take care of this for you. There are cases where this can become dangerous and cause the battery to blow up or leak acid that can harm you or those around you.
Also, if it becomes a repetitive issue that you must have your battery boosted, it is best to have this tested by professionals to determine if it is time for a new battery, or if there is another issue present.
At Hi-Tech Automotive, we would be happy to help take care of this for you or provide a friendly opinion on how to best proceed!
Lets all stay “charged up” this winter!!!