It can be a good idea to keep a car battery booster pack in your car. That way, you can jump start your battery even if you can’t get another car to help you.
Before you start, make sure:
- The car battery doesn’t look damaged and isn’t leaking.
- You’ve taken off any metal jewellery or watches and removed dangling clothing like a tie or scarf.
Steps to using a car battery booster
1. Check the battery booster
- Make sure the packs fully charged
- Put the battery booster pack somewhere stable. Don’t put it on the engine as it might fall off when the engine starts.
2. Connect the red jump lead
- Connect the red positive (+) jump lead from the battery pack to the positive (+) terminal of the car battery.
3. Connect the black jump lead
- Connect the black negative (-) jump lead to an earthing point on your car. Unpainted metal on the engine block or chassis is the best.
4. Switch on the pack
- Once the battery packs connected, switch on the pack.
5. Try to start the car
- Try to start your car by turning the key in the ignition.
- If it doesn’t start after a few tries, there’s probably a more serious problem that needs help.
6. Let the engine run
- If the car starts, keep the engine running for about 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes switch off the booster and allow the engine to run for a further 5 to 10 minutes.
7. Turn off and disconnect
- Turn off the engine.
- Remove the leads in the reverse order to how you placed them on (first disconnect the black lead, then the red lead).
8. Restart your car
- Try turning the keys in the ignition to see if the car starts up again.
What to do after you’ve jump started your car
If you’ve managed to jump start your car, the engine will need to recharge again fully.
Charge the engine by driving normally (not in stop-start traffic) for at least 30 minutes. You can also use a portable car battery charger to top up the charger on your battery.
How often should you change a car battery?
On average, batteries last between 5 and 7 years but you should only consider changing a car battery when it’s showing signs of deterioration.
If the battery’s more than 5 years old and seems like it’s struggling to start the car, get if checked out. It’s better to be safe than sorry-it’ll be worse if it’s a roadside emergency or on a cold morning when you’re already late for work.
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