We’ve all been there. You walk out to your car and put the key in the ignition, but your vehicle doesn’t start. With a sinking feeling, you realize that your battery is dead. It’s possible you left the lights on the night before, or you might just have an old battery that needs to be replaced. Either way, you need a way to charge your battery. If you’ve never used jumper cables to start your car before, follow this guide to recharge your battery and start your car.
Ways to Jump-Start Your Car
There are two ways that you can safely jump-start your car with ease. The first is the most commonly known way – to use jumper cables and the battery of an assisting vehicle. This method is generally foolproof unless for some reason you are in an area where there are no other vehicles. As unlikely as that sounds, it isn’t implausible. For instance, if you are going hiking or camping in a remote area you might find yourself in that scenario. In that case, it’s a good idea to take along a jump box just in case.
How To Jump-Start Your Car
- Park the vehicles close together and put on protective eyewear.
- Connect the positive jumper cable to the positive terminal on the dead battery
- Connect the opposite end of the positive cable to the positive terminal on the assisting vehicle.
- Connect the negative jumper cable to the negative terminal on the assisting vehicle.
- Ground the opposite end of the negative jumper cable by connecting it to any exposed metal part of the vehicle with the dead battery.
- Make sure the cables aren’t near moving engine parts.
- Start the assisting vehicle and let the engine idle for several minutes.
- Attempt to start the vehicle with the dead battery. If it doesn’t start check that all of the cables are properly connected.
- Let the vehicle with the dead battery run for 20 minutes or more.
- Remove the jumper cables in reverse order.
If you’re using a jump box complete steps 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10.
You might also like: The Best Turkey Recipe
What To Do if Jump Starting Your Car Doesn’t Work
If jump-starting your vehicle doesn’t work, call for roadside assistance and have your vehicle towed to your preferred service center. The team in Tarr Chevrolet’s service center can assess your charging system, diagnose the issue, and make the proper repairs.
Disclaimer: The stock image is being used for illustrative purposes only, and it is not a direct representation of the business, recipe, or activity listed. Any person depicted in the stock image is a model.