How to Jump Start a Car

Knowing how to properly jump start a car battery is a skill that every Mansfield driver should have, and can save you the expense of calling for a jump start car service. But what if no one has ever shown you the proper way to jump start a car? Don’t worry, our service center staff is here to help. That’s why we’ve put together the guide below on how to jump start a car. We’ll also talk about what to do when your car won’t jump start.

The Proper Way to Jump Start a Car Battery

Maybe you subscribe to a roadside assistance program, and jump start car service is included in the plan. The fact is that it can sometimes take hours for someone to show up to jump start your car battery. On the other hand, if you know how to jump start a car yourself, you can be back on our Lexington roads within minutes. So, just follow the steps below on how to properly jump start a car:

How to Jump Start a Car Battery

1. The proper way to jump-start a car begins with parking the working vehicle close enough to the disabled vehicle so that the jumper cables can comfortably reach from one battery to another.
2. Turn both vehicles off.
3. Clamp one end of the red cable to the positive (+) post on the dead battery, then connect the other end to the positive post on the good battery.
4. Connect one end of the black cable to the negative post (-) of the good battery.
5. The other end of the black cable should be attached to the metal frame of the car.
6. Start the engine of the working car, and let it run for a minute or two.
7. Try starting the car with the dead battery.
8. Once the car has started, remove the clamps, beginning with the black cable, then the red.
9. Allow the jump-started vehicle to run for a few minutes, and take it for a short drive, which will allow the alternator to charge the battery further.

What if Your Car Won’t Jump Start?

Sometimes a car won’t jump start, even though you’ve done everything correctly. There are still some things you can try yourself that might possibly get the car started. Try the suggestions below if you’ve followed all the steps in our How to Properly Jump Start a Car guide and your car still won’t start: 

• The jumper cables may be loose. Make sure they are well-connected.
• The posts or terminals may be corroded. Clean them thoroughly.
• The starter may be broken. If this is the case, you should hear a clicking noise.
• The battery may have reached the end of its life.
• If none of the above works, schedule a service appointment with us online.

Trust Your Car to the Battery Experts at Spitzer Kia Mansfield of Mansfield

It is sometimes the case that a car battery has just reached the end of its life, and it’s time to get a new one. The experts in our service center will quickly be able to determine if that is the case, and get you back on your way. If you found this post to be helpful, check out our other automotive tips. We’re conveniently located near Shelby and Ashland, so drop by or contact us today!