We’ve all been there: You get in your car and turn the key, and nothing happens. A flat battery is one of the most common reasons for car troubles, and fortunately, it’s a fairly easy fix. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you back on the road safely.

What You’ll Need:
Jumper cables: You can easily purchase this online from Shopee or Amazon. Jumper cable gauges range in size, and a 4-6 gauge wire with about 400-600 cold cranking amps should be sufficient for a regularly sized vehicle. Make sure they are in good condition with no exposed wires before connecting them to a power source.
Another vehicle with a healthy battery of the same voltage (or a portable jump starter if you have one).
Gloves (optional but recommended for extra safety).
Step 1: Safety First
Before attempting to jump-start your car, be aware of the following these safety precautions:
Turn the engine of both cars off. Both the flat car and the car with the good battery should be off, with keys removed.
Ensure the cars are in park or neutral, with the parking brakes engaged.
Step 2: Position the Vehicles
Position the two vehicles close enough for the jumper cables to reach both batteries but make sure the cars are not touching.
Step 3: Connect the Jumper Cables
You should have 2 jumper cables, red (positive), and black (negative). Follow the steps in the order below to connect the cables:
Red clamp to dead battery: Connect one red clamp to the positive terminal (+) of the flat battery.
Red clamp to good battery: Attach the other red clamp to the positive terminal (+) of the working car’s battery.
Black clamp to good battery: Now, connect the black clamp to the negative terminal (-) of the good battery.
Black clamp to an unpainted metal surface: Finally, attach the second black clamp to an earthing point-- unpainted metal surface on the dead car, such as a bolt or bracket, away from the battery. This grounds the connection and reduces the risk of sparks near the battery.
Step 4: Start the Working Car
With everything connected, start the vehicle with the good battery. Let it run for about 5-10 minutes. This allows the dead battery to gain some charge.
Step 5: Start the Car with the Flat Battery
Try to start the car with the dead battery. If it starts, great! Let both cars run for a few minutes to ensure the flat battery has time to charge.
If the car doesn’t start, you may need to wait another 5 minutes before trying again. If it still doesn’t start after several attempts, the battery may be too far gone, and you’ll need to replace it or call for roadside assistance.
Step 6: Disconnect the Cables
Once the car is running, disconnect the cables in the reverse order of how you connected them. Take care not to let the positive and negative terminals come into contact with each other to prevent shorting the connections.
Step 7: Let the Battery Recharge
After successfully jump-starting your car, let the engine run for at least 15-20 minutes to allow the alternator to charge the battery. If you can, take it for a drive. This helps the battery regain more charge.
Knowing how to jump start the battery of your car can save you from sticky situations, and with the right preparation and equipment, you can get your car up and running quickly without having to wait for assistance. While you are equipped with the skill, always keep in mind the proper safety procedures for working with electricity, and when in doubt, seek help from a professional.
If you have tried jump starting your car but to no avail, it could be due to a completely dead battery that needs replacing. AutoSprint provides a quick and fuss free battery change service for those who need a replacement, so bring your car down to our workshop on Leng Kee road and let us take care of it for you.
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