How to Safely Jump Start Your Car?

How to Safely Jump Start Your Car?

A Step-by-Step Guide.

Imagine you are alone on a dark and desolate road and your car's battery is dead, leaving you in a dead-end until help arrives. At times like these, you want to have an emergency starter kit that will get you on the road safely. 

What is a Jump Starter?

A Jump starter is a short-term portable device that allows the engine to start by charging the battery of a car. It is self-contained and does not require a second car battery.  USB ports, flashlights, and compass navigation devices are often equipped with rechargeable batteries. They are especially important when there is no help, such as when you are away or alone. 

Why is the Jump starter important for long drives?

safely jump start your code

The main benefit of a car jump starter is the ability to quickly start your car without tangled cables or a second car. Finding a friend or family member to help you jump start isn't always easy, and many companies or services will charge for it. With this tool you can do everything yourself.

Another advantage of this is the peace of mind  that you can jump start the car wherever you are. We can tell from personal experience that when the car is towed with a dead battery, it is difficult to leave a family or friend who can help you for hours.

Here are some reasons for the convenience of using jump starter as a safety backup: 

  1. Freedom and convenience: You don't have to rely on someone else or a second car to help you to start your car. You can start the car yourself, saving time and the hassle of calling outside help. 
  2. Prepare for emergencies: Keeping a jump starter in your car so that you can be prepared for unexpected battery problems. Having a quick starter gives you peace of mind knowing that you can make decisions without relying on others, even if you're far from anyone who can help. 
  3. Save time and money: Asking for help is time consuming and calling for towing vans can be expensive. Instead of waiting for help or paying a fee, you can make your car run faster with an emergency start. It allows you to get  on track and continue with your plans as soon as possible. 
  4. Safety and reliability: Jump starters are designed to provide consistent and reliable power to your vehicle. These include protection against problems such as reverse polarity, overcharging and short-circuiting and provide safe jump starting.

How does a jump starter work?

Safely jump start your car

Let's say the Jump Starter kit is a battery that can be used in a jump starter car in an emergency. How you use your portable emergency starter depends on what you have and you should always read and follow all manufacturer's instructions for safe and effective use. There are two ways to jump start your car:

From the outside of the vehicle directly to the battery: 

  1. Connect the jumper wire clips to the battery terminals (red for positive first, then  black for negative). 
  2. Connect the jumper cables to the jumper cables.  Wait for the green LED on the jump lead to illuminate before starting the vehicle.
  3. In reverse order, disconnect the jump leads from the emergency start and then from the battery. 
  4. It's important to remember that if your vehicle doesn't start after a few tries, your emergency ignition system should not start  (or go into "back mode") to protect the battery from heat. This can happen if the vehicle's battery is dead and won't start. 

From inside the vehicle: 

  1. Turn off all vehicle equipment and connect the 12V jumper to the emergency starter. 
  2. Depending on your vehicle, turn the ignition] to the accessory position or press the start button.
  3. Connect the 12V jumper  to the accessory port. 
  4. Wait for the  Portable emergency starter to initiate the ready signal (1000A will display "Exit Ready" and 5 items charging handle); this will take about 15 minutes. 
  5. Start your car. Remove the 12V jumpers from the auxiliary port and the emergency starting power.  

What's the best jump starter to buy?

safely jump start your car

A jump starter is proven to be your reliable friend when you’re stuck somewhere on the road with a dead battery. It is compact, portable and easy to carry whenever on the go!

1. RD overseas jump starter comes with a digital display as your all-in-one emergency tool, it is a compact, portable device that allows you to store this conveniently even in your glove compartment. It takes minimal space while ensuring you power to your dead battery when needed.

2. The CRAFTSMAN’s jump starter gives a rich experience when jump starting your car battery acting as your portable power supply.

3. Schumacher’s  jump starter comes with a digital display and high output AGM battery, to ensure and secure road experience.

Does jump starter always work?

Jump starter can be considered as a reliable tool to if and when your car battery runs out of power. A jump starter only provides enough power to get a car started. It does not supply enough power to continue driving it, but if you start driving as soon as you jump-start it, you will charge the battery. 

If your car has broken down, jump starts are a better option. If your car's battery is dead, a jump starter can provide instant power. They enable an addition of power to a vehicle in the absence of a plug socket. Even if you don't need one, jump starters are small enough to keep in your vehicle.

Frequently Asked Question.

Is it safe to keep a jump starter in the car?

It's beneficial and safe to keep a jump starter in the car, especially with lithium-ion batteries, which are much smaller and lighter than the older, larger lead-acid jump starters. There is no danger in keeping a jump starter, but make sure that you regularly check your jump starter.

How long does it take a jump starter to work?

Jumpstarting your car should only take a few minutes once the cables are connected. Most likely five minutes maximum in regular circumstances and thirty minutes in extreme situations. After starting the car, you must drive for at least 15 minutes for the battery to fully recharge. 

How long will a jump-start battery last?

According to manufacturer ratings, the typical lifespan of a modern lithium battery is two to three years, or roughly 300 to 500 completely charged cycles. This does not imply that your jump starter will stop working or die after two to three years. It indicates that the jump starter's real battery capacity may reduce by 20% and its starting ability may decline by 20% after 300 to 500 full charge cycles.

Conclusion

A jump starter is a crucial and reliable tool for long drives and emergency situations. It allows for the convenience of starting your car without relying on any other assistance. This tool saves time and money by allowing you to quickly and independently get your vehicle back on the road. It also provides safety and reliability by providing consistent power to your vehicle. 

However, it's crucial to note that a jump starter provides enough power to start a car but not to continue driving it. After a jump-start, it is recommended to drive for at least 15 minutes to allow the battery to recharge. Maintaining a jump starter is safe, especially with compact and lightweight lithium-ion batteries. Regularly checking and maintaining your jump starter ensures its longevity and effectiveness. To conclude, a jump starter is a valuable safety backup that can help you get back on the road quickly and independently during a car battery failure.

Back to blog