When you jump start a car using jump cables to another vehicle or a booster battery, please observe the following precautions.

We have included a simple guide to help you safely jump start your vehicle using standard jump cables, like the ones available from Halfords, Motorama and other motor accessories stores

Please note - always check the physical condition of your flat battery before carrying out any work, inspect for cracks and leaks, some batteries are have a visual acid level, if the level is too low this could be the result of a leak and jump starting your car will have no effect. Lead acid battery produce hydrogen gas which is highly flamable and caution is needed to avoid a spark that may ignite the gas.

Quick guide to Jump starting your vehicle

1. Before connecting the Jump cables or booster battery, make sure that the ignition is switched off.
2. If using cables, ensure that the condition of the jump cables are in good condition prior to start the jump start
3. Ensure that all electrical equipment (lights, heater, wipers etc) are turned off.
4. Take note of any special precautions printed on the battery case.
5. Make sure that the other vehicle or booster battery is the same voltage as the discharged one in the vehicle.
6. If the battery is being jump-started from the battery in another vehicle the two vehicles MUST NOT TOUCH each other.
7. Make sure that the transmission is in neutral (or park, in the case of automatic transmission).
8. Connect one end of the red jump lead to the positive (+) terminal of the flat battery on your vehicle.
9. Connect the other end of the red lead to the positive (+) terminal of the other vehicle or the booster battery.
10. Connect one end of the black jump lead to the negative (-) terminal of the other vehicle or the booster battery.
11. Connect the other end of the black jump lead to a bolt or bracket on your engine block, well away from the battery, on the vehicle to be started.
12. Ensure that the jump leads will not come into contact wtih the fan, drive belts or any other moving components.
13. Start the engine using the booster battery and run it at idle speed.  Switch on the lights, rear window demister and heater blower motor, then disconnect the jump leads in the reverse order of connection.  Turn off lights etc.