How To Jump Start Your Car If The Battery Is Flat

Step 1: Secure the vehicle

Carry out the jump-start away from traffic if you can and park

on a level surface if possible. Apply the parking brake and shift into first gear.

In automatic cars move the gear stick to the parking position.

SAFETY WARNING ! Do not smoke whilst carrying out these steps.

Step 2: Open the bonnet

Release the bonnet using the lever in the car's interior and

move the bonnet-catch for final release.

Lift the bonnet and locate the prop rod.

Now, secure the bonnet with the rod.

Step 3: Locate the battery

In most cars, it is usually under the bonnet. In others, the battery is under the seat or in a compartment in the back of the car.

Make sure to have easy access to your battery and its terminals.

On most batteries you have to remove the terminal covers in order to attach the jump leads..

Consult your manual If in doubt about your battery's location.

Also determine your battery's voltage.

With the exception of some new models, most cars allow for jump-starts.

Step 4: Check the state of your battery

you may have just left the lights on; in this case your battery should be back on if you follow all the steps.
There may be, however, more serious reasons for a discharged battery that cannot be solved with a jump-start.

Excessive amounts of solidified, corroded battery acid may be an indicator of severe damage. SAFETY WARNING ! Stop if your battery is cracked, corroded or leaking. A jump-start will not work in this case and there is a danger of explosion

SAFETY WARNING ! Stop if your battery is cracked, corroded or leaking. A jump-start will not work in this case and there is a danger of explosion.

Step 5: Line up both vehicles safely

The batteries should be as close to each other as possible.

However, have a safety gap between the cars as vehicles should never be touching.

Secure the second vehicle.

Turn the ignition off.

Apply the parking brake.

Shift into first gear.

If the vehicle is automatic place the gear stick in the P position.

Step 6: Turn off all electrical devices.

Turn off the lights, indicators and finally the radio.

Accidentally left on devices may get damaged by the high and sudden voltage.

Step 7: Open and secure bonnet

Open and secure the bonnet of the vehicle that is providing the jump start. Do this as made clear in step 2

Step 8: Identify the terminals on the fully charged battery.

Usually the positive terminal (plus) has a red cable, the negative (minus) a black one.

Step 9: Identify the terminals on the flat battery.

The negative terminal has a plain black cable, the positive terminal has a red cable

Step 10: Clean all the terminals

Clean all terminals with wire brush

Step 11: Connect the flat battery

Attach a red clip to the positive terminal of the flat battery.

Step 12: Connect the charged battery

Connect the red clip to the positive terminal of the charged battery.

Step 13: Connect the negative on the fully charged battery

Attach the black clip to the negative terminal on the battery that is fully charged.

Step 14: Connect the earth

To earth the flat battery attach the black clip to any metal part on the actual engine itself.
Make sure the metal part is unpainted and free of grease to guarantee a proper flow of electricity.
Connect to a bolt or a nut, they are typically good contact points. This significantly reduces the danger of explosion from batteries.

Step 15: Start car with fully charged battery

Get ready to start the car with the fully charged battery.

Turn on the ignition,
shift into neutral
start the engine and step on the accelerator.

Make sure any bystanders are at a safe distance from the open bonnets

Step 16: Leave the engine running for 5 minutes

Leave the engine running for about five minutes. Step on the accelerator as this will provide your battery with the necessary charge.

Step 17: Start the car with the flat battery.

Get ready to start the car with the flat battery.
shift into neutral
turn on ignition
start engine
Done! Step on the accelerator for further charge.
If this did not work leave the engine running for 5 minutes and try again.

Step 18: Disconnect the jump-leads

Disconnect the black clip from the engine block.

Disconnect the other black clip from the negative terminal of the battery providing the jump-start.

On the same battery disconnect the red clip from the positive terminal; and finally disconnect the other red clip from the positive terminal to disconnect fully.

Step 19: Close the bonnet

Close the bonnet. Make sure it is properly shut;
and of course, don't forget to thank the friendly driver.
Now that you know how to do it, the next time it'll be you providing a jump-start.