How to start car if battery is down

There are few things more frustrating than hopping in your car and turning the key, only to hear a clicking noise instead of the usual engine roar. This is a sign that your car battery is dead or dying, and it’s an unfortunately common issue – especially during wintertime or after periods of prolonged inactivity.

Don’t panic if your battery is dead, however. There are several ways to jump-start your car and get back on the road, even if you don’t have access to a traditional set of jumper cables. In this article, we’ll cover a variety of methods for starting your vehicle, some of which require nothing more than a friend’s car or an AA battery pack.

By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to quickly and safely get your car up and running – even in the face of a depleted battery.

Using jump cables

Step 1: Ensure safety

Before jumping your car, make sure both vehicles are turned off and parked next to each other. The jumper cables should be untangled, and the clamps should not touch each other or any metal surface.

Step 2: Connect the cables

Connect the red (+) clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery. Then connect the other red (+) clamp to the positive terminal of the working battery. Connect the black (-) clamp to the negative terminal of the working battery. Finally, connect the other black clamp (-) to a metal surface attached to the engine block of the dead battery.

Step 3: Start the working car

Start the working car and let it run for a few minutes to charge the dead battery. Keep the RPMs high by pressing on the gas pedal to produce more electricity.

Step 4: Start the dead car

After a few minutes, try starting the dead car. If it doesn’t start right away, wait a few more minutes and try again. Once it starts, let both cars run for a few more minutes to ensure the dead battery is fully charged.

Step 5: Remove the cables

Remove the cables in reverse order of connection. Disconnect the black clamp from the metal surface on the dead car first. Then disconnect the other black clamp from the negative terminal on the working battery. Disconnect the red clamp from the positive terminal on the working battery, and finally, remove the red clamp from the positive terminal on the dead battery.

Step 6: Drive the car

Drive the car for at least 30 minutes to allow the battery to recharge fully. Do not turn off the engine or the battery may die again.

Push-starting the car

What is push-starting?

Push-starting, also known as bump-starting or push-rolling, is a technique used to start a car with a dead battery or a faulty starter motor, by manually turning the engine using the vehicle’s momentum. This method is typically used for cars with manual transmission.

How to push-start a car

1. Find a flat surface with enough space for the car to accelerate and keep a safe distance from any obstacles.
2. Turn the ignition on and engage the clutch pedal.
3. Ask someone to push the car or get your car moving by rolling down a slope.
4. Release the clutch pedal quickly while simultaneously pressing the gas pedal to increase the engine’s RPM.
5. If the engine starts, keep it running for a few minutes to charge the battery and then drive to a mechanic to get it checked.

Tips for safe push-starting

• Make sure all passengers are out of the car before push-starting.
• Use caution when pushing the car, ensure that the car is in neutral and the handbrake is off.
• Pick a safe location with no traffic around and a distance from any pedestrians or obstacles.
• If you are alone, park the car on a hill and let gravity do the work for you.

Push-starting is a quick and easy way to start a car with a dead battery or starter motor, but it is important to know the right technique and take precautions to ensure safety.

Using a portable battery booster

Step 1: Prep the booster and car

• Make sure the booster is fully charged before use.
• Turn off both cars and remove keys from the ignition.
• Identify the positive and negative terminals of both batteries.

Step 2: Connect the booster

1. Connect the red cable from the booster to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
2. Connect the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal of the booster.
3. Connect the black cable from the booster to the negative terminal of the booster.
4. Connect the other end of the black cable to a metal surface, away from the battery, of the dead car.

Step 3: Start the car

• Wait a few minutes to let the booster charge the dead battery.
• After a few minutes, try starting the dead car.
• If the car starts, remove the booster cables in the reverse order they were connected.
• If the dead battery is still not charging, try giving it a longer time to charge or seek professional help.