Learning How to Jump-Start a Car

Knowing the proper way to jump-start a car is helpful in a number of situations. You never want to be stuck in terrible weather, unable to start your car, because your battery has decided it didn’t want to turn over. Following this guide from Don Hattan Dealerships, you won’t need to call a jump-start car service, giving you a sense of independence when life’s little emergencies flare-up near Derby. Being able to jump-start a car battery can be vital, so let us help prepare you on how to jump-start a car.

How to Properly Jump-Start a Car

When you’re trying to find out the proper way to jump-start a car, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got a set of jumper cables as well as another vehicle. If for some reason your car won’t jump-start, you’ll need to call a jump-start car service like AAA for additional assistance. However, if you’re ready to jump-start a car battery, just follow these simple steps: 

1. Make sure the vehicle with the good battery is parked, so the two batteries are facing each other, and turn both vehicles off. Engage parking brakes on both vehicles. 
2. Open the hood on both vehicles and expose the batteries. You might need to remove the engine hood. 
3. Locate the positive and negative posts on the batteries. 
4. On the dead battery, connect the red cable to the positive post.
5. Connect the other red cable to the positive post on the active battery.
6. On the good battery, connect the black cable to the negative post. 
7. Connect the final black clamp to a metal, unpainted, section of your car’s frame.
8. Now start the engine of the car with the live battery, and then start the engine of the vehicle with the dead battery.
9. Once the dead vehicle has been jump-started, start with the black cable connected to the frame and remove it carefully. Then the black clamp from the live battery, the red clamp from the live battery, and finally the red clamp from the jump-started vehicle.
10. Keep the engine running for at least 10 minutes. This lets the weak battery build up power to make sure that it does not die as soon as the engine has been turned off. Some models may need more time, so consult your owner’s manual.

More Battery Tips and Tricks

If your car doesn’t jump-start at all, then you are in need of a battery replacement, but it’s also a good idea to make sure that isn’t the start of a more serious issue. Not only is it important to know how to properly jump-start a battery in an emergency, but regular maintenance can help maintain health for years to come. View some of our tips and tricks below:

1. When you try to start the car and only hear a clicking noise, the starter for your engine may need replacement. Our service center will be able to replace that easily, so you can keep driving near El Dorado.
2. If your electrical system turns on, but the engine doesn’t turn over, then you could have an issue with the ignition switch, battery, starter, fuse, or more. Call our service center to schedule service as soon as possible to have it inspected.
3. Keep your car running after it has been jump-started so that the battery is able to recharge. Turning it off early will cause the battery to die again, and may make it more likely that the car won’t jump-start again.

Don Hattan Dealerships is Here To Help With All of Your Service Needs

It’s good to know how to properly jump-start a car, but it’s also important to keep regular maintenance. Let our expert service techs keep you up to date on oil changes, engine maintenance, battery replacements, and more for you. Contact us today, whether you’re near Newton or Derby to schedule service.