Dubai offers bustling streets and a vibrant lifestyle. It can present unexpected challenges, including a dead car battery. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, knowing how to start a manual car is an essential skill. It will allow you to navigate Dubai’s roads with confidence. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of jumpstart a car with a battery safely.
Steps to Jumpstart the Car with Dead Battery
Following are the steps of how to start a car with a dead battery:
Step 1: Safety First
Before attempting to start the car without a battery, prioritize safety. Park both vehicles in a safe location away from traffic. Thus, ensuring there’s enough space to work comfortably. Turn off the engines of both cars and engage the parking brakes. Additionally, wear gloves and eye protection to guard against any accidents.
Step 2: Gather Equipment
You’ll need a few essential tools to jumpstart a car:
Jumper cables (ensure they’re in good condition)
A functioning vehicle with a charged battery
Safety gloves and eye protection
Step 3: Position the Cars
Next step of how to jumpstart a car is to position the functioning vehicle close enough to the one with the dead battery. So that the jumper cables can reach both batteries comfortably. However, ensure that the cars don’t touch each other.
Step 4: Connect the Jumper Cables
Follow these steps to connect the jumper cables safely:
Open the hoods of both vehicles and locate the batteries.
Identify the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on both batteries.
Connect one end of the red jumper cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
Connect the other end of the red jumper cable to the positive terminal of the functioning battery.
Next, connect one end of the black jumper cable to the negative terminal of the functioning battery.
Finally, connect the other end of the black jumper cable to an unpainted metal surface on the car with the dead battery. This can be a bolt or a metal bracket, ensuring it’s away from the battery and any moving parts.
Step 5: Jumpstart the Car
With the jumper cables connected securely, start the functioning vehicle and let it run for a few minutes. This will charge the dead battery.
Step 6: Start the Dead Car
After allowing the functioning vehicle to run for a few minutes, attempt to start the car with the dead battery. If it doesn’t start initially, wait for a few more minutes and try again. Once the dead car starts, leave it running for a few minutes to allow the battery to charge further.
Step 7: Remove the Jumper Cables
Once the dead car is running smoothly, carefully remove the jumper cables in the reverse order of how you connected them:
Start by removing the black jumper cable from the unpainted metal surface on the car with the dead battery.
Then, remove the black jumper cable from the negative terminal of the functioning battery.
Remove the red jumper cable from the positive terminal of the functioning battery.
Finally, remove the red jumper cable from the positive terminal of the dead battery.
Step 8: Keep the Engine Running
After removing the jumper cables, keep the engine of the previously dead car running for at least 15 minutes to allow the battery to recharge further.
So, can a car run without a battery? No, it cannot. There must be another power source to move the car.
What to Do if Jumpstart is not Working?
If jumpstarting didn’t work, it means your battery might not be totally dead. Try these fixes:
Revive the battery by push-starting. Find a hill to roll down, it’ll make restarting easier.
Check for loose battery terminals. Tap them to fix any loose connections. Clean corroded terminals with acidic solutions.
Disturbed electrical connection. Put your car in neutral and try restarting. If it starts, you’re good. If not, contact a pro.
What Else to Try?
Roll start for manual cars
Get some friends to help push your car while you start it in second gear.
Call for pro help
If nothing works or you’re unsure, get a professional to fix or replace the battery.
Find out why
Check for reasons like lights left on, alternator issues, or loose cables.
Replace your battery
Consider replacing it if it’s over 4-6 years old or causing repeated problems.
Conclusion
Knowing how to jumpstart a car is a valuable skill for any driver in Dubai. By following these step-by-step instructions, you can safely and efficiently jumpstart a car with a dead battery, ensuring you’re back on the road swiftly and confidently. Remember, safety should always be your top priority when dealing with car maintenance tasks.