There may be a time in your life when you go to turn on your car only to find that you have a dead battery, which is why knowing how to jump-start a car is an essential part of car ownership. If you're interested in learning how to jump-start a car, stick around and follow our step-by-step guide below.
Dead battery? Follow this Step-by-step guide and get back on the road in no time
Dead battery? No problem. Here's how to jump-start a car the right way:
1. Park a second vehicle close to your own
Because you won't be able to move your car, you'll need to park another one near yours. To make sure the jumper cables reach between each car, make sure to park the second vehicle directly in front of your own so both hoods are near each other. Make sure your disabled vehicle is shut off and that the parking brake is on. The same goes for the working car.
2. Grab your jumper cables
The next thing you'll need to jump-start a car is jumper cables. If you've come prepared, you may find jumper cables in the trunk of your vehicle. If not, you'll need to ask the other vehicle for their jumper cables.
3. Find your car battery terminals
Now, you'll need to locate the battery terminals on both of the car batteries. You'll notice that each of the car batteries has a positive terminal and a negative terminal. You'll also notice that your jumper cables have positive and negative symbols on them. Oftentimes, the positive cable is red, while the negative cable is black or blue.
4. Connect your jumper cables to your battery terminals
Next, you'll want to clamp one end of the positive cable to the dead battery’s positive terminal. Then, clamp the other end of the positive cable to the positive terminal on the working car's battery. You'll then want to repeat this action for the negative cables. Start by clamping the negative cable to the negative terminal on the new battery first, then connecting the other cable end to the negative terminal on the good battery, which should look like a black clip. Remember, do not let the clamps touch each other, as it can electrocute you.
5. Start your engine
Once the two batteries are connected, turn on the working car. Once the car starts, you'll need to recharge the dead battery for at least five minutes. Generally speaking, 10 to 15 minutes is optimal. Once the vehicle has undergone a recharge, you can go ahead and turn on the dead car. If the dead car turns on, then jump-starting it has been successful. If the dead battery does not jump-start the car, you may need to replace the old battery with a new battery altogether.
6. Disconnect the cables
Go ahead and shut off the working vehicle and the other car. You'll now need to remove the jumper cables from each of the battery terminals. Keep in mind that you will need to disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse order. First, disconnect the negative cable from the unpainted metal part of the battery. Then, remove the red clip from the positive terminal on your car's battery.
Again, make sure that the cables don't touch. Go ahead and place both ends of the jumper cables on the ground. Finally, remove the red battery cables from the working vehicle and then from the negative terminal, again preventing both of the cables from touching.
If you don't feel comfortable doing so on your own when your battery dies, we recommend calling a friend or family member for assistance. You can also find instructions listed in your owner's manual for further assistance.
How long does a car battery last?
Generally speaking, a car battery will last up to three years before you will need a new one. In some cases, car batteries can last up to six years before you'll need to have the battery replaced with a new one.
What about electric vehicles? How long can you expect an electric car battery to last? Generally speaking, an electric car battery will last up to 160,000 kilometres or more before you experience a dead battery and have it replaced. That being said, electric vehicles still need to undergo routine maintenance.
Factors that affect battery lifespan
Factors that influence the lifespan of a car battery may include:
- Extreme temperatures: Warm temperatures can accelerate chemical reactions within your car battery, causing the battery to degrade faster. In contrast, cold temperatures can prevent the battery from holding a charge.
- Short trips: Your batter needs time to recharge before your next trip. Frequent, short trips prevent the alternator from fully recharging the batter, which can lead to premature breakdowns.
- Draining battery: Forgetting your lights on can drain and lead to a dead battery overnight.
- Age: As your battery ages, the more electrical components your car has, the harder it will be on your battery, which will shorten its lifespan.
- Corroded or loose terminals: Corroded negative and positive terminals can reduce your battery lifespan by preventing it from delivering power to your car.
Signs your battery is about to die
Ensuring your car battery is well-maintained is crucial. If you observe the following signs, your battery might be failing:
- Your electrical system is not working properly.
- When you turn the key and try to start the engine, you will hear a clicking sound.
- Deteriorated battery terminal connectors.
- You've used jumper cables to connect your car's battery terminals more than once in the last month.
- Your engine crank is slow.
Tips to extend battery life
Let's explore some simple tips to extend the life of your car battery. Remember, maintaining your car battery can save you money over time. Keeping it in a cool, dry environment can also help prolong its lifespan:
- Clean battery terminals: Remove any buildup or corrosion on your battery terminals.
- Turn off accessories: Before leaving your car, unplug accessories to your devices and ensure your lights are off.
- Park indoors: During the winter and other extreme weather conditions, park your car indoors.
- Test battery annually: Test your batteries a couple of times a year to ensure to avoid an unexpected dead battery.
Other reasons your car won't start
So your car won't start, and it's not because of a dead battery. What other types of problems could you be experiencing? Here's a closer look at what may be wrong:
Bad alternator
An alternator is the part of a car that recharges the battery and keeps the vehicle's electrical system working once it has been started. As a result, if your alternator fails, your car may struggle to start.
Starter motor
The starter motor is the portion of the car that receives the electrical signal to turn on the engine; therefore, if anything malfunctions with this component, you may not be able to start your car at all.
Faulty ignition switch
Another step in starting your car is turning on the ignition switch. It operates between the car's battery and the starter motor, distributing power from the battery to the engine. If your ignition switch fails, you will most likely not be able to get your starter motor to turn the engine on.
Bad timing belt
The timing belt moves the engine's camshaft and crankshaft simultaneously, causing each of the cylinders to fire. As a result, if your timing belt fails, the engine may not start.
Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list of why you may be having trouble starting your vehicle. Therefore, if you have a dead car, we recommend calling a tow truck and getting it towed to a mechanic shop for an immediate inspection to determine what's wrong.
Troubleshooting common no-start problems
Whether it's a dead battery or a bad transmission, there are numerous reasons why your car won't start. Being able to identify these issues correctly can help you save time and get the help you need as soon as possible:
Step 1: Identify whether it is a battery or alternator issue
If, when you turn your car on the crank is slow, you hear a clicking sound you likely have a dead battery. If you can turn your car on, but the dashboard lights are dim, you likely have a weak battery.
In contrast, if your car starts and then immediately stalls, or if your dashboard lights flicker as you begin to drive away, it's likely that your alternator isn't charging your battery correctly. What you can do in this situation is try jump-starting your car. If your car dies shortly after doing so, your alternator is the problem.
Step 2: Test if you have a fuel problem
Normally, as you turn your key, you should be able to hear a humming noise coming from the back of your car. If there's no noise, it may be due to a broken fuel pump. So, to check if you have a fuel supply issue, spray a starting fluid into your fuel intake. If your engine starts and then dies right after, you may have a fuel delivery problem rather than a dead battery.
Step 3: Test the ignition system
Lastly, check your ignition system relay by turning your key. If there is no response, change the ignition relay and start the car again. In contrast, if the engine cranks but doesn't start, you may have faulty ignition coils or spark plugs that need repairs.
Step 4: What to do next
- Check your battery: Inspect your battery to ensure that there is no corrosion on the terminals and that the cables properly attach to the battery itself.
- Inspect fuses and relays: To locate your fuses and relays, locate your owner's manual before inspecting them for damages.
- Call for help: If you still can't start your car or you believe you have a dead battery, you'll either have to call roadside assistance if you have coverage with your insurance company, call a tow truck, or contact a friend or family member to jump start your car.
Is your car battery dead? Get back on the road quickly! And while you're at it, ensure you're covered for the unexpected with BrokerLink. Our experts can help you find the perfect insurance plan. Contact us today and drive with peace of mind!
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What to do after you jump-start a car
If jump-starting your car is successful, you can now get back out onto the road. But not so fast, there are a couple of steps you still need to take to ensure your battery can properly charge and prevent future problems. Here's what you need to do:
1. Recharge your battery by driving
After you've jump-started your car, you'll want to drive for a minimum of 20 minutes. This will allow the alternator to charge the battery. If you can, avoid frequent idling by taking a route with fewer traffic lights. You'll also want to avoid recharging your battery with idling alone, as it is not as effective. There are two things to note:
- If your car battery dies shortly after, it is unable to hold a charge, meaning you'll need to have it replaced.
- Should the battery light on your dashboard flash as you drive, it could indicate that the alternator is not able to charge the battery.
2. Conduct a battery and alternator test
If there is an underlying issue with your car, jump-starting it will only provide a temporary fix, which is why you should also test certain components of your car's electrical system:
- Check your battery voltage: You can check your battery voltage by connecting a multimeter to your vehicle's battery posts. If the meter reads 12.6 volts or higher, then your vehicle battery is in good condition.
- Alternator test: When your vehicle engine is on and running, the multimeter voltage reading should increase. If it doesn't, then there is a problem with the alternator.
- Contact a professional: If you do not have access to these devices or feel comfortable testing the battery yourself, you can head over to your local mechanics' shop for a professional battery test.
3. Safety precautions
Generally speaking, relying on frequent jump starts is not recommended for the overall health of your vehicle. To avoid the hassle of a jump start, replace your battery. At the same time, if you conduct a visual inspection of your vehicle's battery and notice swelling or leaking, immediately change the battery, as this is a hazard that can put your safety at risk and cause other issues within your engine compartment.
Preventative car maintenance to avoid a dead battery
Performing regular maintenance on your car is essential to keeping it running smoothly and protecting your battery. Here's what you need to do throughout the year:
Oil changes and engine damage
Routine oil changes are imperative to keeping your engine healthy. Most cars need an oil change every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometres. Without frequent oil changes, you can damage the engine of your car as the oil reduces friction, prevents overheating, and keeps other components clean.
Beyond neglecting your oil changes, using the wrong oil or overfilling can reduce lubrication efficiency. Additionally, driving with a dirty air filter allows dirt and other particles into your engine compartment, which, over time, will wear down the pistols and cause other problems.
An oil change typically takes less than 30 minutes and can be done on your own or at a mechanic's shop. The cost can vary depending on your car's make, model, and age, along with the type of oil you need. However, you can expect to pay anywhere between $100 and $200. However, doing it yourself would be much more affordable. So, make sure to make these a priority.
Battery maintenance
Your car battery health plays a major role in keeping your electrical components working as they should. To maintain a good battery:
- Inspect the terminals on your battery for corrosion. Clean up the terminals to prevent buildup over time.
- Avoid short, frequent tips as much as possible. Longer trips allow your battery to charge and will prevent premature failures.
- Don't forget to disconnect your devices and cables when parked.
- Keep your car parked in a cool, dry place to avoid extreme temperatures that can damage the battery.
Protect your vehicle with high-quality car insurance
To ensure you're protected behind the wheel, having the right car insurance in place is a must. While all motorists in Canada are required by law to purchase minimum auto insurance coverage, there are add-on policies you're able to purchase if you wish to supplement your level of protection:
Third-party liability (mandatory)
Third-party liability insurance protects policyholders in the event they cause bodily injuries or property damage to a third party while operating a motor vehicle. If a lawsuit is filed against them for damages, this insurance policy will cover the cost of repairs, replacements, legal fees, medical expenses, and other costs associated with settling the claim up to their policy limits.
All Canadians are required to purchase a minimum of $200,000 in coverage (will vary between provinces and territories). However, most people choose higher limits for added peace of mind.
Uninsured automobile coverage (mandatory)
Uninsured motorist coverage is another mandatory policy for Canadians. This insurance coverage protects policyholders if they are involved in an accident with another driver(s) who are either underinsured or uninsured by guaranteeing that they will be fairly compensated for damages to their vehicle. Uninsured motorist coverage also protects policyholders if they are involved in a collision with a hit-and-run driver.
Accident benefits coverage (mandatory)
Finally, accident benefits coverage protects policyholders, their passengers, and pedestrians who are injured in a car accident, regardless of who is found at fault. This insurance policy will cover the cost of medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, and other expenses that may arise during their claim up to their policy limits.
Collision car coverage (optional)
In the event you're involved in an at-fault collision that damages your vehicle, collision car coverage will cover the cost of repairs or replacements required. Note that collision car coverage is optional and requires policyholders to pay a deductible before their insurance kicks in and covers the rest of the repairs. Deductibles range from $200 to $1000 and are chosen by policyholders at the time of their car insurance renewal.
Comprehensive car coverage (optional)
Another optional insurance policy is comprehensive car coverage. Comprehensive will cover the cost of vehicle repairs if your motor vehicle is damaged in a non-collision event. Common covered perils include fire damage, wind, falling objects, theft, and vandalism. Again, policyholders will need to pay a deductible for their insurance coverage to kick in.
Roadside assistance coverage (optional)
When getting car insurance, you may also want to consider roadside assistance coverage. The goal of roadside assistance insurance is to deliver emergency services to drivers 24/7. Common services included in this auto insurance include towing, lockout services, a battery boost, fuel top-up, tire services, and breakdown coverage. Because this policy is optional, you will need to request this coverage from your insurance company to have it added to your overall auto plan.
Accident forgiveness (optional)
One final type of optional car insurance coverage popular among Canadian drivers is accident forgiveness. Accident forgiveness is additional coverage that can be added to your car insurance policy as an endorsement to protect your driving record and to help prevent your insurance premium from increasing if you have an at-fault accident claim.
Note: coverage varies by province
What should I do if I run out of gas?
So, you've run out of gas. What exactly are you supposed to do now? The first thing you need to do is pull your vehicle off to the side of the road as soon as you notice you're unable to accelerate. There should be enough power left in your engine for you to do so. Pulling off to the side will keep you safe and prevent traffic jams. Next, you'll need to turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers around you that you're experiencing a vehicle problem. Now, you can go ahead and call roadside assistance or locate the nearest gas station to you.
Will my car insurance cover an engine replacement?
If you have engine damage that causes a full breakdown, you may be asking if your auto insurance will cover your engine replacement. While typical insurance policies do not cover engine replacements unless they are required as a result of a car accident, Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI) may cover the replacement cost. Mechanical breakdown insurance is a type of insurance coverage that covers the cost of repairing certain car parts that fail due to mechanical breakdowns rather than accidents or normal deterioration.
What are the most fuel-efficient cars?
If you commute long distances for work, a fuel-efficient vehicle is an excellent way to save cash on fuel. So, which are the most fuel-efficient cars in Canada? There are many different brands and versions of fuel-efficient cars in Canada, including the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Prius, as well as the Nissan Versa, Kia Rio, and Mitsubishi Mirage.
Contact BrokerLink for affordable car coverage
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