If your car won’t start, you needn’t worry. Hendrick Dodge Cary has your back. From an extensive inventory of new vehicles to quality used cars and lots of handy car care tips, we’re at your service! Learn how to jump-start a car here, or just call a jump-start car service. If you think you need a new car battery, schedule a service appointment online or contact our parts center. We’re here for you!
The Proper Way to Jump-Start a Car
How to properly jump-start a car is relatively straightforward. You will need another person with a working vehicle and a set of jumper cables before following the steps below. If you’re not comfortable recruiting someone to help you, just call a jump-start car service around Apex, like AAA. Otherwise, keep reading to learn how to jump-start a car:
- Park the two vehicles with the batteries facing each other or side by side. After you’ve parked the cars, turn them off and set the parking brakes.
- Locate the batteries. Sometimes you may need to remove a plastic hood to reveal the battery terminals.
- Determine which are the positive and negative battery terminals. Red is positive, and black is negative. Be sure that they are clean and free of corrosion or dirt.
- Look at your jumper cables and separate the red ends from the black ends. Don’t ever touch them together as they could spark. Then, connect the red clamp to the positive post on your dead battery.
- Next, hook the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the working battery.
- Connect the black clamp to the negative post on the working battery.
- Connect the last black clamp to a grounded, unpainted metal surface on the dead vehicle’s frame.
- Once the cables are secured, start the engine of the working vehicle. Then, try to start your car. If your car won’t jump-start, wait a bit and try again.
- Once your car is successfully jump-started, carefully remove the jumper cables in reverse order and keep your vehicle running.
- Be sure to keep the engine running on your car for at least 10 minutes while it’s parked to ensure that the battery doesn’t die again right away and gets a full recharge. Check your owner’s manual for more information. If it dies again, or your car won’t jump-start, we recommend that you get your battery tested or replaced ASAP.
Additional Car Battery Tips & Tricks
Now that you know the proper way to jump-start a car, if your car won’t jump-start, these could be some possible reasons:
- If you only hear a clicking sound, the starter might be malfunctioning.
- If your car’s electrical systems are working, like the stereo and dome lights, but the engine won’t start, then the issue could be a few things, such as the ignition switch, starter, or even a blown fuse.
- After you jump-start the car battery, remember to keep your vehicle running for at least 10 minutes after it’s received a jump to allow the battery to recharge after being drained.
Hendrick Dodge Cary is Always at Your Service and Ready to Help
Hendrick Dodge Cary is near Chapel Hill and always happy to help! We are your best source for auto care, from a new car battery to new tires. Check out our service specials and reach out to us today! We’re here for you!
