Proper way to jump a car

[sLADe781]

Okay, this may sound super dumb but tonight, my supervisor's car died because he left his lights on and we got to talking about the proper way to jump a car during the process. I had always just put the cables on both sides of the car but he was telling me that he thinks that we are supposed to put the positive side on the dead car first, then the positive on the one that's running, then the negative on the dead car, and then ground the negative on the side of the car that's running. Is that how you do it? Because sparks flew still and just putting the whole cable on a car caused sparks too so I'm just wondering. Or does it not matter!?! Hehe I never really thought much about it until tonight......maybe I'm just over analyzing.

[Thourun]

Proper jumping of a car requires two things, a small car and a big ramp .

[Cobra_Sam]

Originally Posted by Thourun

Proper jumping of a car requires two things, a small car and a big ramp .

I was taught that you connect the dead battery first (old school) the train of thought behind it is that while you are clamping it to the dead battery should the other clamps accidently touch each other you won't short out the good battery or cars electrical system or blow a fuse. You will get some sparks if the car to be started has something left on such as the interior light because the door is open or the ignition key was left on after trying to start the car or the lights that was left on that killed the battery...... all the best
Sam

[Igovert500]

Take keys out...connect two ends to live battery, connect other 2 ends to dead battery terminals...insert keys...turn live car on with all accessories(lights stereo) off. Then try and turn dead car on...if this doesn't work...let it run for a few mins with the dead car's keys on the 'ON' position...try again.

If this doesn't work, take battery to autozone, and get them to charge it.

Once you get the dead car started...leave it on or drive it for over half hour so it has time to recharge the battery.

[sLADe781]

Hmm, so we don't need to ground anything? Okay....funny thing is that after his car started, he took off the cables on my side and accidently touched the positive and negative together and his car died again. LOL But yeah, okay, thanks guys.

[Im2Fast4U]

Igovert500 hit it. Although I usually do 1 end to dead battery, both to good battery then second to dead battery. Then start car with good battery. Try and start dead car. If it doesn't start, let it run for a minute or two then try again (in personal experience I've noticed that revving the engine of the good car a bit somtimes helps). Once started, disconnect tehm in the same order.

Hmm, so we don't need to ground anything?

The negative terminal of the battery is grounded, so by connecting to it you are grounding that end.