

That means it can freeze and expand if it’s left out in the cold. Over time, the acid’s potency can weaken to the point where the liquid is mostly just water.

Most car batteries contain a liquid that’s part sulfuric acid and part water. If a battery is swollen beyond its normal dimensions, you could have an even bigger problem on your hands, according to Hines. Not everyone has the luxury of discovering they have a dead battery while their car is nestled somewhere safe and away from the elements.

Their uses are limited, as Hines points out. Charger boxes and trickle chargers, most often found in mechanic shops and storage facilities, are used to keep projects or stored vehicles charged as they sit for long periods of time. “My first choice would be to use a battery charger if you were in a situation with a dead battery,” Hines tells Road & Track. Your manufacturer’s suggestions may differ from the instructions below.
#Jump starters battery how to
If anyone understands how to bring an electrically-starved car back from the dead, it’s him.īefore you read any further, we suggest consulting your car’s owner’s manual for exact instructions on how to jump-start your vehicle. Hines is North America’s only factory-certified McLaren F1 technician, which means his day job revolves around working on $20-million exotics. Road & Track spoke with Kevin Hines, senior technician at McLaren Philadelphia, to learn the correct way to revive a dead battery and jump-start a car safely. Looking for how to jump a car through the air? Click here for our step-by-step guide. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to revive your car and get you back on the move, with tips from an expert mechanic. A dead battery in your car can mean the difference between getting home safely and being stuck somewhere for hours.
