Flat Battery? Here’s How to Jump-Start Your Car Safely

You turn the key in your car and there’s no response. Total silence. Panic mode activated. Dealing with a flat battery is never ideal, but it always seems to happen at the worst possible time. The good news is that jumpstarting your car is easier than you might think but you need to know how to do it safely.

On that note; let’s dive into a short guide that will bring your car back to life and get you back on the road.

What causes a flat battery?

Even if you’ve just had a car service in Lakemba, there are a few ways to kill your car battery so listen up if you want to avoid these pitfalls;

Leaving Electrical Components Switched On (Includes the lights, radio, and accessories that drain power)

Lack of Use (Batteries discharge over time)

Extreme Temperatures (Excessive cold and hot temperatures affect the chemical reaction inside the battery)

Old or Worn-Out Battery (Most car batteries last just 3–5 years)

Faulty Charging System (A failing alternator won’t recharge the battery properly while driving)

Parasitic Drain (Includes elements that may cause the power to drain slowly)

Corroded or Loose Battery Terminals

What do I need to jump start my car?

To safely jump-start your car, you'll need a set of jumper cables and you’ll need a second vehicle with sufficient power. The set of jump leads should have at least 3-6 metres of cable and the wiring should be padded to enable the safe transfer of power. The clamps should be colour coded and be in perfect working condition. Alternatively, you may have access to a portable jump starter battery pack. If so, always check the user manual and ask for help if you’re unsure of how to use the pack. Wearing safety gear such as gloves and safety glasses is always a good idea.

Tips for a Successful Jump

Follow the Correct Order: Red (+) to dead battery → Red (+) to donor battery → Black (-) to donor battery → Black (-) to engine block or frame of dead car.

Take Precautions: Remember to never let the jumper cable clamps touch each other while connected. Always ensure a solid metal connection for the black (-) clamp on the dead car to avoid poor grounding. Finally, remember to double-check terminal connections before starting the donor car.

Turn off all Unnecessary Electronics: Do this to avoid draining the power on the donor battery. Also, you want to power up the flat battery as quickly as possible so make sure systems like the radio and the air conditioning are switched off.

Leave the Car Running for at Least 30 Minutes: Once it starts, it’s a good idea to leave the engine running for at least 30 minutes. This will make sure the dead battery is given adequate charge for restarting should the engine be switched off. It’s best to book in for a car service Lakemba as soon as you can to ensure everything is running as it should.

And there you have it...we hope these tips can help get you out of an emergency and back on the road!