Comments on: How To Jump Start a Car

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:36:16 +0000

I’m with Cassie. Please don’t assume I’m in distress because I’m a damsel.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:52:07 +0000

This is stupid. Just take a mechanics class.

By: R. J. Vincent

R. J. Vincent — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:53:00 +0000

I had to jump start my car last winter. My neighbor was home and it took a few minutes to check in her manual (she had just gotten the car) to find the negative ground on her car. Once we found it, it was a matter of a couple of tries to get my car started. Needless to say, I went and got my battery checked and I needed a new one. Problem solved. Another sign that your battery is on its way out is hard starting. If it seems it takes more time to start your car in the morning (or any time) have your battery checked.

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:05:50 +0000

I’ve jump started cars more times than I can count but yesterday my brother’s rented moving truck (Ford S550 Super Duty Diesel) died on him because the batteries were drained (2 battery setup). We didn’t have another Diesel truck to jump start with and couldn’t fit more than one car near by to jump start both batteries so I just used my Explorer and 16′ length of 6 gauge cables and charged it for about 10 min. Nothing. So I removed the negative lead on the dead truck from a (presumably) grounded bolt in the engine bay (no owner’s manual) to the negative terminal throwing caution to the wind. Another 5 min of charging and the truck started right up! Either the bolt I was originally hooked up to wasn’t properly grounded/connected or the truck battery simply needed more time to receive the charge from my vehicle.

Btw, in this scenario I hooked up the cable to the battery closest to the alternator in the dead truck (passenger side in this case).

By: K!P

K!P — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:16:38 +0000

If jumpstarting a car by rolling it, (manual shifter) Most newer cars require to be in 2nd gear, it wil state so in the manual Also, if pushing the car be aware of the sudden braking force when the driver releases the clutch.

Side note: also make sure the key is turned in the start position, not in the least becase the stearing lock might engage when you turn a few degrees.

By: Daily Links - jouzu

Daily Links - jouzu — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 01:32:08 +0000

[...] How to Jump Start a Car – one of those skills that you should know. [...]

By: Important Skills you wonâ€™t learn in College | Zen College Life

Important Skills you wonâ€™t learn in College | Zen College Life — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:02:40 +0000

[...] able to stop and help others. Purchase a good set of jumper cables at your local auto store and check this out from Art of Manliness to learn how it’s [...]

By: not a man, but hey

not a man, but hey — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:23:47 +0000

The one thing this article fails to mention is what to do if the positive post of the battery happens to be the grounded one. Isn’t the case very often, but has implications for what order you hook cables up in (and how many sparks you see if you try to follow these directions!) Be sure you know how your battery is hooked up, or you may end up with your 100A and other fuses fried–an expensive mistake!

By: not a man, but hey

not a man, but hey — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:22:22 +0000

By: Cassie

Cassie — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 01:11:43 +0000

wow, this is the most sexist artical i’ve ever read. what? girls cant do it themselves? why is this the art of manliness????

By: Jumper cables

Jumper cables — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:59:02 +0000

I agree that this article was a big help. Since we luckily don’t have to jump-start our cars often, it is hard to remember what to do. I found another site that has really helpful information. They say to connect the positive end first!! http://www.autotropolis.com/wiki/index.php?title=Jump_Starting_a_Vehicle

By: Ruben

Ruben — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 02:07:42 +0000

Hmm, should be connect positive (red) first and disconnect negative (black) first. Just had to jump start a car yesterday using jumper cables.

By: Luke

Luke — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 11:28:59 +0000

I’m an ASE certified automotive technician, and the best comment I can give on this subject is that jump-starting is bad for most cars. Sure, it works fine for older 80’s models with old-school coil ignitions and simple analog fuel injection, but newer cars are far too sensitive. The best thing to have is a Jumper Box, you can buy em at Home Depot or any auto parts store. It’s basically a battery and two cables in a plastic box with a handle. They usually have a light on them, too. Red clamp goes to positive, black clamp to negative, and you start your car. No need for two cars or worrying about frying something.

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:09:02 +0000

@Michael - The idea here is, that if you don't start the 'good' car, and they either have a.) a weak/old battery, or b.) it takes a little while for the engine to start, you might wear out their battery enough that they have trouble starting it. By running the live car, the alternator will be charging it as you go. Also, if the cables are too thin/too long, they will have a lot of resistance, therefor taking a bit more to turn the dead car over.

By: Randy

Randy — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:37:50 +0000

@Michael –
Because the good car battery can go dead. It’s the same as leaving the lights on; It’s a drain on the battery.