Imagine this: It’s the middle of January. It’s about 5:30 am on one of the coldest and darkest days of the year. You snoozed through your alarm three times and now you’re late for work. You get dressed and brush your teeth, and you’re out the door nearly thirty minutes behind schedule.
You get into your car, turn the key… and CLICK! Nothing… You’ve got a dead battery, on a frigid, cold day, with no jumper cables, and nobody around to help.
Cars often face this issue, especially in extreme weather conditions.
Sure would be nice to have a portable jump starter on hand, right about now.
Jump starters are small portable devices that allow you to boost a dead battery without needing a second vehicle. Thanks to their compact size, they are easy to store and carry in your vehicle for emergencies.
You connect the jump starter to your car battery, turn it on, and it instantly provides you with enough juice to get the engine roaring back to life!
Many jump starters can handle not just cars, but also trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, and other types of vehicles, making them versatile for various situations.
And it's easy to use one!
However, in the following guide, we break down a few safety precautions and the exact steps to take, ensuring that you get your engine roaring back to life as safely, quickly, and efficiently as possible.
Before You Begin: Safety First!
Like every DIYer knows, every successful project starts with a bit of knowledge and some simple safety precautions. Please also note that safety precautions may vary depending on your specific environment or vehicle type.
Now, there’s nothing super dangerous about using a jump starter. And most of the time, people jump-start their vehicles without any problems. But there are a few key considerations to keep in mind to ensure you start your vehicle safely without putting yourself at risk. Let’s take a look!
- Ensure your jump starter is charged - At first glance, this may not seem like a safety precaution. But if you’re going on a road trip to any remote or isolated destination, having a fully-charged jump starter might literally save your life!
- Turn off all electronics (lights, AC, radio) - Before connecting your jump starter, confirm that everything is off to prevent accidental damage to the car’s electronics and reduce the risk of sparking when connecting your jump starter clamps to the dead battery.
- Wear gloves if possible - Safety first means always wearing work gloves when possible. Hand protection ensures you won’t accidentally touch live wires and also reduces your risk of cutting, pinching, or scraping your knuckles while working under the hood.
- Never touch the clamps together - Whether you’re using jumper cables or a jump starter, you must NEVER touch the red and black clamps together. Doing so can cause sparks and electrical discharge, and you could burn yourself or ignite any nearby flammable materials.
Worried about dead batteries and flat tires? Check out our comprehensive guide on jump starters with air compressors to find out why we don't actually recommend purchasing a combo unit.
Image courtesy of Nina Mercado @ Unsplash.com
Step-by-Step: How to Use a Jump Starter to Start a Car
Now that we have all the safety out of the way, let’s get down to brass tacks!
However, before you begin, it's crucial to select the right jump starter for your specific vehicle to ensure optimal performance and safety. Explore our jump starter guide to learn more about these handy devices.
Here’s our step-by-step guide on how to use a portable jump starter.
Step 1 - Locate The Battery
Step one is to pop your hood and locate the battery. This might seem easy. But on some vehicles, the battery may be hidden underneath a protective cover.
If you don’t see it right away, look for any writing or red/black wiring that may indicate the location of the battery.
If all else fails, consult your vehicle’s owner manual to locate the battery, and check the specific page or reference in the manual for the battery location.
Step 2 - Attach The Red (Positive) Clamp
Before connecting either clamp, make sure that your jump starter is turned off.
It’s also important to understand that there is a right and wrong way to connect your clamps.
You MUST always connect the red (positive) clamp to the battery’s positive terminal before connecting the negative clamp.
Connecting your clamps in the proper sequence prevents sparks and battery explosions.
Step 3 - Attach Black (Negative) Clamp
Once you've got the red clamps firmly connected, it's time to connect the black (negative) clamp to the battery’s negative terminal.
If you're having trouble reaching or connecting the black clamp, you can also connect it to an unpainted metal part of your vehicle's body as an alternative. This is known as a chassis ground.
Image courtesy of Michael Lock @ Unsplash.com
Step 4 - Turn On The Jump Starter
Next up, turn your jump starter on. Depending on the model, you may need to press a button or flip a switch to activate it.
Most jump starters also have reverse polarity features that prevent you from using the device if your clamps aren’t correctly connected.
So make sure to check for any indicator lights and audible warnings before proceeding.
Step 5 - Turn The Ignition And Start The Vehicle
No warning lights or sounds? Great! When you’re ready, turn your vehicle’s ignition on and attempt to start the engine. With any luck, it should roar back to life, and you can disconnect your clamps and proceed with the following steps. This process applies to cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, ATVs, and RVs.
However, if the engine doesn’t start, or it does start but dies, wait about 30-60 seconds before trying again. While waiting, check your clamps to ensure a good ground and double-check the device’s warning indicators. Most jump starters can support many start attempts before needing to be recharged.
If you try multiple times and you still cannot get the engine to start, you likely have a more serious problem with your battery. Or it could even be an issue with the vehicle’s starter motor. You may need to take a closer look at diagnosing the problem.
Step 6 - Turn The Jump Starter Off And Disconnect Your Clamps
Once you've started the engine, proceed to turn the jump starter off and disconnect the clamps in the reverse order. Start by disconnecting the black clamps, and then the red clamps.
You'll want to give the vehicle's alternator time to recharge the battery fully. So let the engine idle for at least 15-20 minutes. But the longer, the better.
Alternatively, you can hop in the vehicle and take it for a drive, as driving at higher RPMs will produce a stronger current and charge the battery faster.
Can You Use a Jump Starter on a Completely Dead Battery?
Yes, even if a car’s 12V battery is completely dead, you may still be able to start it by using a jump starter, provided the battery still has the capacity to take and hold a charge.
Some units also provide helpful information about battery status, alternator health, or other charging progress diagnostics, which can help you monitor the process.
If you can't jump-start the vehicle, you can try connecting your dead 12V battery to a battery charger (not a jump starter), which will provide it with a slow, trickle charge to replenish the charge.
These methods have been tested and are effective in most cases. However, if you attempt multiple times and still cannot get the engine running, you may have an issue with your alternator, starter motor, or a faulty battery that needs to be replaced.
So, make sure to inspect the battery, looking for bulges, cracks, or heavy corrosion, which can all be signs that the battery is too damaged to use.
Image courtesy of senivpetro @ Freepik.com
Can You Use A Jump Starter In The Rain Or Cold?
Yes, as long as your jump starter is rated for use in the rain, it will be safe to use. Some jump starter series, like JumpForce Pro, are specifically designed for use in extreme weather conditions.
So performance may vary depending on the model and weather conditions. However, even then, you always want to keep electronics, battery connections, and wiring protected from moisture as much as possible when trying to jump-start a dead battery.
Just a quick reminder! Tool Trooper’s 1000A JumpForce Pro is fully waterproof and rated for use in all weather conditions. It has a rugged, shockproof design that’s guaranteed to work in sun, snow, rain, or sleet.
Jump Starting Without Another Vehicle? Yes, You Can!
Being able to jump-start your car’s dead battery on a frigid January morning when you’re running late for work is the main benefit of having a portable jump starter.
But it’s not the only one!
Some jump starter models also have other handy features that make them well worth having with you when you’re on the road.
For example, JumpForce Pro comes with a built-in power bank and LED flashlight for extra roadside safety. What is the difference in jump starter types? Check out our comprehensive guide on the best jump starter options currently on the market! Our recommendations are based on independent content and unbiased reviews to help you find the best jump starter for your needs.
Now, you might think that you no longer need jumper cables with you anywhere. But we don’t recommend getting rid of them.
Jump starters are definitely more handy to have with you since you won’t even need another person or vehicle to boost your dead battery. However, if you’ve forgotten to charge your jump starter, you’ve forgotten it at home, or your grown kids borrowed your jump starter and forgot to bring it back (true story!), those jumper cables could come in handy!
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5 Common Jump Starter Mistakes To Avoid
We've already covered most of the dos and don'ts of using a jump starter.
However, to ensure you're using yours correctly, let's review five common mistakes we've often seen people make.
- Mixing up clamps - Always remember the proper connection sequence (red first, black second), and ensure that the red clamp is connected to the battery's positive (+) terminal and the black clamp to the negative (-) terminal.
- Not charging your jump starter - Portable jump starters are great to have on hand! But that's only if they're fully charged and ready to go. One of the silliest and easily avoidable mistakes we see people make is forgetting to recharge their jump starter on a regular basis. Note: You can also register with Tool Troopers to receive monthly reminder notifications to recharge your jump starter!
- Disconnecting too quickly - Once you've started your engine, give it a minute to run before disconnecting your clamps. The starter and engine may need to draw power from the jump starter for 20-30 seconds before the alternator provides the battery with sufficient current.
- Jumping a damaged or leaking battery - Always inspect your vehicle's 12V battery before connecting it to a jump starter. Check for leaking battery acid, corrosion, or any other signs of damage that may make the battery unusable.
- Jumping in heavy rain - JumpForce Pro is fully waterproof, but other jump starters may not be. Always keep your battery and jump starter dry to ensure optimal performance. Keep your hood low to protect from heavy rain if needed.
Worried about damaging your vehicle by using a jump starter? You're not alone! Read our featured blog: Can a jump starter damage your car or battery?
Image courtesy of peoplecreations @ Freepik.com
Frequently Asked Questions - How To Use A Jump Starter
If you’ve never used a jump starter, you might be intimidated by the idea of connecting one to your car battery. However, as the steps above outline, it’s extremely easy to do.
Whether you’re using it on a car, motorcycle, RV, or diesel engine, following the proper steps ensures your next dead battery boost will be as simple, safe, and stress-free as possible.
But in case you’re still not sure how it works, let’s take a look at a few frequently asked questions we hear from our readers.
How do I know if my jump starter worked?
Did your vehicle start? Is it running normally after using the jump starter? If yes, then you can rest assured that it worked. On the other hand, if your vehicle did not start, or if it started and then died again, you may have a more significant issue with your battery, alternator, or possibly even the starter motor. If your first attempt doesn't work, make sure your clamps are correctly connected and try again. If you're still having trouble, you may need to test the battery or other components.
Should I drive or idle the car after jumping?
Yes, once you've jumped a dead battery, you should let the car idle for at least 15 to 20 minutes to give the alternator time to charge the battery back up to full capacity. Even better, we recommend taking the vehicle for a drive at higher speeds (although, we never condone speeding or breaking the law) to ensure the alternator produces a sufficient current to recharge the battery fully.
Can you recharge a jump starter with a USB?
Yes, you can recharge your jump starter using a USB connection. However, it really depends on the specific model of jump starter you're considering. The more important thing to remember here is that you should always charge your jump starter with the charging cable and/or power adapter recommended by the manufacturer. Never attempt to charge a jump starter with a USB unless it was designed to be charged in that way.
If you enjoyed this read, we encourage you to check out our other jump starter blog posts, such as Can you use a jump starter on a car, motorcycle, truck, SUV, or RV? & How many amps do you need in a jump starter?