How To Jump-Start a Car In The Cold

The cold temperature might compromise your battery, but jumping a car is exactly the same in the winter as it is in the summer. Follow these tips to get your vehicle running again quickly.

Position Correctly

Have the assisting car face the hood of your car, or at least have them side by side so the jumper cables can reach each other. Attach the clamps to the assisting car first while the engine and battery are off.

Mind Your Colors

The red clamp goes on the positive terminal, marked by a “+” and the black clamp goes on the negative “-“ terminal. Next attach the red clamp to the negative terminal on your dead car, and attach the black clamp to any non-moving piece of metal, thereby grounding the battery and preventing any sparks from lighting the vapors up.

Start Your Engines

Turn the ignition on the assisting car to begin charging. The amount of time will depend on how dead the battery is, how cold it is outside and the size of the cars. Sometimes a small car won’t have the amps to boost the battery of an SUV.

Exit In Order

Remove the black grounding clamp first, then the red clamp from the battery in the jump-started car. Then remove the black clamp from the assisting car before taking the last red clamp.

Get A Charger

In the winter, it is preferable to jump-start a car with a battery charger. A jump-starter pack like Cobra’s might not have enough juice for the cold weather.