How to Jump-Start a Car Safely

Knowing how to jump start a car battery could turn out to be a survival skill if you find yourself broken down somewhere along our Lynn roads. Of course, you could just call roadside assistance for a jump-start car service. But, if you don’t want to wait an hour or so, read our handy guide below on the proper way to jump-start a car. The service center at Pride Kia of Lynn wants you to be safe. So, let’s talk about how to properly jump-start a car and discuss what happens when your car won’t jump-start.

The Proper Way to Jump-Start a Car

Maybe, like a lot of Revere drivers, you think you already know how to jump-start a car battery. But, a lot of our customers have come to discover there’s a difference between knowing how to jump-start a car and how to properly jump-start a car. So, just follow the steps below on the proper way to jump-start a car:

How to Properly 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?

Maybe you’ve followed all of the steps above to the letter, but your car won’t jump-start. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to call a jump-start car service. Here are some things that may be the case if your car won’t jump-start:

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

Let the Service Center at Pride Kia of Lynn Help

If you’re having trouble with your battery, schedule an appointment with us. Our trained experts can quickly pinpoint the problem and get you back on the road in no time. And, if you found this guide to be helpful, check out our guide on how to install a car battery. We’re conveniently located near both East Boston and Winthrop, so drop by or contact us today!