How to Jump-Start a Car

Jump Start a Car
 
There are many reasons for a dead car battery, such as old age, the interior lights or headlights being left on, leaving a vehicle parked for too long, and extreme temperature exposure. If yours has died, it is possible to jump-start the battery yourself and get back on roads in Sparta and La Crosse. Learn how to properly jump-start a car battery today with Morrie's West Salem Chevrolet and learn what to do if your car won’t jump-start! And remember, our jump-start car service is among the many vehicle repair and maintenance options we offer!

 

 

How to Properly Jump-Start a Car

So what is the proper way to jump-start a car? To jump-start a car battery correctly and safely, you’ll need another vehicle and another person, such as a friend, family member, or co-worker. You’ll also need quality jumper cables and thick work gloves. Once you have what you require, follow these steps:

  1. Park the two vehicles so the batteries face each other. Most vehicles feature batteries in their engines, or under their hoods, though some foreign cars have batteries in the trunks. Once the vehicles are in the right positions, turn them off and use the respective parking brakes.
  2. Remove the batteries’ plastic hoods, if applicable. Wear your thick work gloves to avoid exposure to any battery acid.
  3. Locate the positive and negative battery terminals, again remaining aware of battery acid. If the batteries appear dirty, clean them with old toothbrushes to eliminate dirt, road dust, and corrosion.
  4. Separate the red ends from the black ends of your jumper cables. Keep them separate, since they can spark upon contact. Place the red clamp on the positive post on the dead battery, then add the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the charged battery.
  5. Connect the black clamp to the negative post on the charged battery and the other black clamp to a metal part of the car frame. This surface should be grounded and paint-free.
  6. Start the engine of the vehicle with the charged battery after ensuring the clamps are hooked correctly. Allow the car to run for a few minutes to provide the other vehicle with battery power. Next, start the engine on your car to see if the battery has charged.
  7. Remove the jumper cables in the reverse order you affixed them for safety reasons. Keep your vehicle running for about ten minutes to avoid weak battery problems–your owner’s manual should provide the approximate jump-start time.
  8. Have your newly-charged battery tested since it could be older and need replacing.

Additional Jump-start Car Battery Tips

If your car won’t jump-start despite following the above steps, keep these tips in mind to get back on Onalaska roads:

  • If the electrical systems of the car turn on but the engine remains inactive, the issue could be due to a starter or ignition switch problem. A blown fuse can cause this issue as well. We suggest professional diagnostics and jump-start car services in this instance.
  • If you hear a clicking sound when you turn the car on, the starter is likely to blame.

Our jump-start car service team emphasizes keeping your vehicle on for the owner’s manual-specified time during the recharge process. It is part of the proper way to jump-start a car because the battery gets to fully recharge.

Schedule Battery Services With Morrie's West Salem Chevrolet Today

When your car won’t jump-start despite your best efforts, contact the service team at Morrie's West Salem Chevrolet and take advantage of our service specials. Call or reach out online today to make your appointment. For more helpful reads, check out our guide on programming a Chevy key fob!

 

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