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A dead battery is one of the most common reasons for car breakdowns. It can happen to anyone. Sometimes you accidentally leave your car’s headlights on all night. Other times, a parasitic draw is the cause of your weak battery. If you have a manual vehicle, you can easily jump-start it or even start it by pushing. But can you jump-start an automatic car?
Automatic cars are different from manuals, but they, unfortunately, suffer the same problems sometimes. One such issue is a dead car battery. Keep reading as we explain everything you need to know about jump-starting an automatic car.
Table Of Contents
Can You Jump-Start An Automatic Car?
Yes, you can jump-start an automatic car in the same way as a manual car. Jump-starting involves tapping power from another vehicle with a working battery. In most cases, you’ll use a portable jump starter or battery pack to spark a dead battery back to life.
Tip: It’s best to seek assistance when jump-starting a car even if you have all the necessary equipment and power source.
Most people mistake jump-starting for push-starting or bump-starting, but they are not the same. Push-starting involves pushing your car so it can generate enough momentum and then pressing the clutch to make the engine start. This method works well for manual cars, but you can’t get your automatic car to start this way because it has a different drivetrain system.
See how to start an automatic car under normal conditions.
When Is It Impossible To Jump-Start An Automatic Vehicle?
It is impossible to jump-start an automatic vehicle if there is battery damage, internal battery failure, a faulty charging system, electrical issues or incompatibility between car batteries. Leakage or deformation in the battery and problems with the voltage regulator may also make it difficult to jump-start an automatic car.
Things To Consider Before Jump-Starting An Automatic Car
Jump-starting an automatic car can be an intimidating task, especially if it’s your first time. But with the right preparations and safety precautions, you can get your vehicle running and ready for driving in no time. Let’s go over five major things you need to consider when you want to jump-start a car.
- Battery Compatibility: Before anything else, make sure that the battery on your assisting vehicle is compatible with the one on the casualty car. Most car batteries are 12 volts, and using a battery with a different voltage can damage the electrical system in both the cars.
- Battery Condition: Inspect the battery for corrosion or damage. Jump-starting a cracked or corroded battery may cause sparks or an explosion.
- Check Manual: Read your car’s owner’s manual to find out if there are any peculiarities involved in jump-starting it.
Jump-starting a car is usually only a temporary fix. You have to replace the battery or find the cause of the battery discharge.
- Correct Jumper Cable Connections: You have to be sure that you can connect the jumper cable between both cars correctly because a mistake can damage the vehicle’s electrical systems. If you have any doubts, contact a professional or someone with more experience.
- Safety Precautions: It goes without saying that taking safety precautions while working around electrical currents should never be ignored. It’s not a bad idea to wear eye protection glasses and rubber gloves during this process, as sparks may fly off from either car’s terminals due to faulty connections or incompatible parts.
How To Jump-Start An Automatic Vehicle
You jump-start an automatic vehicle by tapping power from another vehicle. The three steps below explain how to do this.
1. Gather The Necessary
You’ll need a pair of jumper cables and a charged battery from another working car or a portable jump starter to safely jump-start your car.
2. Make The Connection
Once ready with all the necessary items for jump-starting, it is time to connect them. Make sure both cars are off during this step. You’ll want to connect each end of the red jump lead to its respective terminal: one on the positive terminal (+) of the dead battery and one on the positive terminal of the functioning vehicle’s battery.
Do the same for negative (-). Take the other ends of the black jump lead and attach them to the negative terminal of the working car’s battery and then to any metal part that is far away from the battery to serve as a secure ground. Grounding helps prevent sparks or electrical arcs that can cause fire in the event of a short circuit.
Take off your jewellery to prevent it from coming into contact with the batteries and causing a spark.
3. Turn On The Ignition
Now that everything is connected securely, turn on the ignition key to start up the vehicle with the live battery and let it run for about two minutes. Next, try to start the vehicle with a dead battery, which should work within a few attempts. Keep the car stationary for about 5 to 10 minutes to allow enough charge to build up in the dead batteries.
SDVH offers a range of automatic cars within the UK. You can hire an executive car for a special occasion or explore our economy car rental options for basic errands.
4. Removing The Jump Leads
With the car running again, you can disconnect the jump leads in the reverse order (first negative ones). It’s best to try to restart your car and see if it can be switched on without the leads. Also, the battery gets power by driving, so it’s good to drive your car at a somewhat higher speed after restarting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Jump-Start An Automatic Car Without Jump Leads?
No, you can’t jump-start an automatic car without jump leads. To jump-start an automatic car, you need jump leads to transfer power from the batteries of the working vehicle to the dead battery. However, you can push-start (or bump-start) your vehicle, but only if you have a manual gearbox system.
Can You Jump-Start A Manual Car With An Automatic?
Yes, you can jump-start a manual car with an automatic. The voltage systems of both cars must be compatible for it to work properly. Make sure that the battery on the manual transmission car has enough power, and then carefully follow all instructions to avoid any potential damage or harm.
Can You Jump Start An Automatic Hybrid Car?
Yes, you can jump-start an automatic hybrid car. You will need a battery and jumper leads to connect the hybrid car’s battery to the regular car. Make sure that all auxiliary systems (lights, electronics) are switched off in both cars before connecting the jumper cables for a successful jump start.
Can A Car Battery Be Too Dead To Jump?
Yes, a car battery can be too dead to jump. If your car’s battery is completely discharged or has a low voltage, even a jump-start may not be able to get it to work again. Your car is more likely to suffer from this problem if the battery is old or damaged. When this happens, you have to replace it. In case of an emergency breakdown where jump starting doesn’t seem to work, you can hire a car transporter to move your vehicle.
Why Won’t My Car Jump-Start With Cables?
Your car won’t jump-start with cables if there is a weak or dead battery, poor cable connections, issues with the ignition switch or starter motor or electrical system problems. Additionally, corrosion on any of the connections may prevent your car from starting. It’s better to replace damaged batteries than jump-start them.
Conclusion
So, can you jump-start an automatic car? Yes, you can jump-start your automatic-transmission vehicle when its battery is weak. However, the push-start method, which works in manual cars, will be ineffective in this scenario. The only way to bring your dead battery back to life is by tapping power from another car or a jump starter using a jump lead.
Hi, there! What can be a cause of battery discharge?
Hello, Duncan. There are different reasons for a battery discharge, but it mostly happens when you leave electrical devices, like the headlights, running in your car. Alternatively, it may be because of a defective charging system or faulty alternator diodes.