Want to Become a Certified Mechanic? Here’s How to Safely Jump-Start a Car

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Jump-starting a car is a basic process that everyone should be able to complete by themselves, especially if you’re looking to become a mechanic. In order to successfully jump-start a vehicle, you must have the right equipment and know a little bit about how a car battery works.

So, to help you become the very best car mechanic you can be, check out this guide for successfully and safely jump-starting a vehicle.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Jump-Starting a Vehicle for Students in Mechanic Courses

Especially during cold Canadian winters, cars not starting is a common problem. During your career after your mechanic courses you may get calls from customers looking for help jump starting their vehicles. Here’s what to do when you arrive on the scene after receiving those calls:

Step 1 Take out your jumper cables and verify their length.

Step 2 Park your vehicle so that the batteries of both cars are as close as possible.

Step 3 Attach one of the red clips to the positive terminal of the other car’s battery. The positive terminal will usually be marked by a (+) symbol or have a red rubber cap over it.

Step 4 Attach the other red clip to the positive terminal of your vehicle.

Ensure that the clips are attached to the correct battery terminal
Ensure that the clips are attached to the correct battery terminal

Step 5 Attach one of the black clips to the other terminal of your vehicle. The negative terminal will usually be marked by a (-) symbol or have a black rubber cap over it.

Step 6 Attach the other black clip to an unpainted metal surface of the other car. You can use one of the metal struts that holds the hood open for this.

Step 7 Start the working vehicle and let the engine run for a few minutes.

Step 8 Start the engine! In the event that the car won’t start, check to make sure that all of the cables are properly connected, and let the engine run for a little longer (5-10 minutes), and try again.

Remember that once the car is running, do not immediately shut off the engine! It’s a good idea to drive it around for 15-20 minutes before shutting it off.

Here’s What You Do Not Want to Do When Jump-Starting a Car

So now you know what you should do if a car needs a jump. But here’s a quick list of things anyone who’s completed a mechanic program should know not to do when assisting customers.

  • Don’t smoke around the battery! Even a small spark could be dangerous.
  • Don’t let the cables dangle outside the car. Once the cables are connected to a working vehicle, they are holding an electric charge.
  • Don’t chance it. If you’re not sure what cable and terminal is negative or positive, don’t risk it. It may look like you have a 50/50 shot of getting it right, but connecting the cables to the wrong terminal could cause even more damage to your or the other automobile.
  • Wear gloves and safety goggles to protect you from dangerous chemicals that car batteries can produce

Wearing safety gloves is important when jump staring a vehicle
Wearing safety gloves is important when jump staring a vehicle

Do you want to become a certified mechanic?

Contact the Automotive Training Centers today to learn about our programs!

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