How to Jump Start a Car

Jumper Cables

There’s nothing like hitting the open roads with your Jeep or RAM in Clear Lake, but what if your vehicle refuses to budge? Sometimes your car could use a little help, and it’s necessary to jump-start the car battery. Learning the proper way to jump-start a car can save you a lot of time and effort on the Houston roads. That means you can get home faster, so you can schedule your service faster! Find out how to properly jump-start a car with Big Star Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat Clear Lake, and get in touch with our service center if you have any questions.

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The Proper Way to Jump Start a Car

While you can always call a jump start car service in a pinch, you can also take matters into your own hands in most cases. Learning how to jump-start a car only requires a set of jumper cables, a helping hand with a working car, and a few simple steps. So, what’s the proper way to jump-start a car? 

 

  • Both the working and non-working vehicles should be parked with batteries facing each other. For most cars, this means facing the two vehicles hood-to-hood. Activate the parking brake.
  • Make sure both batteries are easily accessible. If there is a plastic hood covering the terminals, remove it before you get started.
  • Locate the positive and negative terminals on your battery. Make sure they are clean and free of corrosion.
  • Grab your jumper cables and separate the red ends from the black ends. Don’t let them touch you throughout this process, or you could create sparks.
  • Connect the red clamp to the positive post on the non-working battery.
  • Connect the other red clamp to the positive post on the working battery.
  • Connect the black clamp to the negative post on the working battery.
  • Connect the last black clamp to an unpainted, grounded surface on the non-working vehicle – usually on the car’s frame.
  • Ask the helper with the working vehicle to start up the engine. Allow the engine to run for several minutes.
  • Try to start your car. If your car won’t jump start, allow the process to work a few more minutes and try again. Your battery may need more time to charge.
  • Once your car starts, let the engine run for 10 minutes or longer to ensure that the battery is strong enough for the ride home.

What If My Car Won’t Jump Start?

Now, you know how to properly jump-start a car, but what if the car won’t jump-start? Do you need to call a jump start car service? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

 

  • Is it a problem with the battery? Sometimes the battery is not your problem, but the alternator. If you hear a clicking sound when you try to start the car, schedule a service. We can do some troubleshooting for the alternator.
  • Is the electrical system working? This also indicates that the battery might not be your problem. Sometimes the car won’t start when dealing with a broken ignition switch, starter, or fuse. Schedule a service visit to get the problem diagnosed and resolved.
  • Did your car die again after a jump start? When you jump-start the car battery, a newer battery can hold the charge for some time. However, an older battery might be too weak – forcing you to jump-start the car battery all over again! If your battery is 3–4 years old, consider a replacement.

Get More Advice on How to Jump Start a Car

So if you have any questions about how to jump-start a car, just contact us or visit the dealership in Webster. Our team would be happy to go over some tips and tricks with you. You can also schedule your service online for quality repairs and maintenance around Pearland.