Jump Starting A Car: There’s Nothing To Be Afraid Of

Girls can do it too.

Have you hosted on Pesach?

Have you taken 4 kids to Chuck E. Cheese by yourself (aka the only adult)?

Have you survived without cleaning help?

Have you flown somewhere (yes, on an airplane) with a toddler?

Have you driven a car in Brooklyn, NY?

All the above: scary.

Jumping a car: Piece of cake, compared to all the above.  

Why is it that when our car won’t start, we call The Hubby immediately (even if he’s currently on a business trip in Nebraska, and you positively knew before you called. But you called anyway), then the brother-in-law, and then finally Chaveirim? Who decided girls cannot pop open a hood and get the job done?

Well, a few years ago, my minivan was having a rough winter. Every few days the battery died. Yes, we eventually got to the bottom of the problem and fixed the issue, but until I got there… let’s just say, necessity pushes you out of your comfort zone. After being late to the umpteenth appointment because of it, I had Hubby teach me how to jump-start it.

I was surprised how easy it really was.

Every woman needs to know how to do it, herself. We have too many minivans with too many lights and b’H many kids who make sure to leave one said light on overnight.

So, here goes:

First, you will need jumper cables. Order a set here or borrow a pair from a neighbor. You will need to borrow a car too, so one trip shall take care of both.

 Bring the car as close as possible to the hood of your car. Turn off the engine.

Now, open the hoods of both cars. Read this post to learn how to open the hood.

1. Clamp the positive (red or yellow) cable to the positive terminal of the weak battery. Clamp the other end of the positive cable to the positive terminal of the good battery.
   
   
2. Clamp the negative cable (black) to the negative terminal of the good battery. Clamp the other end of the negative cable to a clean metal part of the engine (like a bolt head or bracket) in the car with the weak battery.
   
3. Now start the car with a good battery, let it charge the weak battery for 5 minutes, then try to start the one with the weak battery. If it doesn’t start, shut off both ignitions, make sure the cable clamps are making good contact and then try it again. When the car with the weak battery starts, wait (about 15 seconds or so) to make sure it doesn’t stall. A weak battery needs to run for a bit, to make sure it doesn’t die out again. Let your car run. But you can disconnect from the “good car.”
4. Disconnect the cables in the reverse order: First remove the negative cable from the car you jumped, then the negative cable from the car with the good battery. Then remove the positive cable from the car with the good battery (don’t touch a grounded part of either car with the clamp of the positive cable). Finally, remove the positive cable from the car with the weak battery. Remember, both engines will be running (with any luck!), so work carefully as you remove cables to avoid belts, fans, and other moving parts.
5. Shut your hoods. You’re good to go!