Instructions for Boosting a Car Battery

What You’ll Need

1. Booster Cables
2. Booster Pack (optional)
3. Another car (similar size or bigger battery)
4. Gloves (optional)

Warning: Be sure to be as for off the road as possible if you can’t find a parking lot for this job.
Introduction

On many makes and models of vehicles there is a battery cover that protects the battery, ensure this is
removed correctly without damaging it or the battery. While under the hood take a look for any leaks
that could be coming from hoses or the battery itself that could cause a potential risk.

Step 1 (Booster Pack): Open the hood and inspect

1. While sitting in the driver’s seat locate the lever that will pop the hood (it will say in the manual
if you can’t find it).
2. After unlocking the hood, walk to the front of the vehicle and slide your hand in between the
bumper and grill until you find the hood latch which will let you fully open the hood.
3. If you don’t have a system on your car that automatically holds the hood up, you will need to
grab the long metal wire towards the front of your car and put it in the corresponding hole to
hold the hood up.
4. Inspect under the hood for any leaks or potential dangers.

Step 2 (Booster Pack): Preparing the battery

1. After locating the battery identify if there is a cover over your battery.
2. If there is a cover remove it using the clips, bungees, or small screws holding it on (All cars are
slightly different)
3. After removing the cover inspect the battery for cracks, leaks, or dirt. (Check to make sure the
battery cable bolts aren’t loose at all because this can be a very easy fix)
4. If the battery terminals are dirty it is a good idea to carefully wipe them down with a cloth, ONE
AT A TIME (Unless you want a shocking surprise).

Step 3 (Booster Pack): Connecting the booster pack

1. Before attempting to connect the booster, pack ensure it is changed to the optimum level.
2. If the booster is good to go, start by connecting the red wire on the booster to the red terminal
on the battery by squeezing the alligator clip on the booster wire and placing it on the terminal.
3. Next connect the black (Ground) wire to the black terminal post on the battery, again by
squeezing the alligator clip side of the wire and placing it over the terminal.
4. The last step to connecting the booster pack would be to turn it on (some boosters are on as
soon as it is connected).

Step 4 (Booster Pack): Starting the car

1. Once the booster pack is connected, I would let it sit for a few seconds to allow the battery to
collect some of the charge being applied to it.
 2. After letting the battery charge up a little bit you can turn the key and attempt to start the car, if
the car doesn’t start try letting the booster charge the car a little bit more.
Step 5 (Booster Pack): Clean up
1. Once you get the car to start you can disconnect the booster by removing the black cable then
the red cable.
2. After disconnecting the booster, you can reinstall the cover plate for the battery, put the
holding arm down for the hood of the car, and then close the hood.

If you decide to use jumper cables it is a very similar process but instead get another car that is started
to park in front of you and tell them to open the hood of their vehicle. After their hood is open
remove the battery cover and remember for each vehicle the jumper cables will go red to red and
black to black. Now you can let your car sit for a few moments then attempt to start (follow the
process above but replace some of the steps above with the writing about using jumper cables.

In conclusion boosting a car battery is very easy but can be very dangerous if done incorrectly as the
battery can explode. Now you know how to boost a car the correct way for future references.