How Do I Jump-Start a Car Battery?
When you hop into your car and turn the key, you may find that the car won’t start up. It’s possible the battery has died and needs a jump start. So begins your research about how to jump-start a car battery right at home!
You’ll need to call a friend or use your partner’s car to get things moving again. You could also turn to our team here at World Subaru to walk you through the process. We handle any and all battery maintenance needs for drivers around Tinton Falls, Middletown Township, or Long Branch, NJ.
Read on to learn more about battery jump starts, as well as how to schedule an appointment or swing by on the same day you notice an issue. Contact us with any questions!
How To Jump-Start a Car Battery
To properly jump-start your car’s battery, you’ll need jumper cables on hand. It’s also a good idea to consult your owner’s manual to read through the steps recommended by the manufacturer. Plus, your manual will help you locate the battery under the hood if you’re unfamiliar with its position.
Call a friend to come over or have your partner move their car close to yours. Then, make sure both cars are turned off and have the parking brakes set before you pop open the hoods.
Connecting to the Positive Terminals
Locate each battery and check for the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals. Grab your jumper cables, ensuring the clamps don’t touch each other. Then, head over to the dead battery and attach the red positive clamp to the positive (+) terminal. Head over to the working vehicle and do the same.
Connecting to the Negative Terminal
The negative jumper cable clamp is a bit different and will not be connected to the dead battery. Instead, you’ll start with the working battery and attach the black negative clamp to the negative (-) terminal. Then, you’ll go over to the vehicle with the dead battery and attach the negative clamp to a metal part of the engine, such as a nut or bolt.
Turning on the Cars
When everything is properly attached, have your friend climb into the working vehicle and start up the engine. Wait a few minutes as the electricity is transferred between the two cars. Then, get into your own car and turn on the engine. If successful, your car should start up and stay running.
Once everything seems to be working, you can remove the jumper cables, again making sure that the clamps do not touch each other. Go in the opposite order that they were attached, removing the negative cable first and then the positive one.
Make sure to keep your car running for about half an hour so that the battery has plenty of time to charge up. Feel free to go for a drive through town or around the neighborhood. Once safely back home, turn off the engine and see if it can easily start back up again.
Schedule Battery Test or Replacement
Sometimes, it’s best to let the professionals handle car maintenance like battery jump starts. While this is often a common procedure, it’s important to take all safety precautions and lessen your risk of injury.
That’s why it’s nice to have a team of experts to go to! We have the experience and know-how to identify the issue and get your battery replaced if need be.
Contact us or use our online scheduling form to request a battery test or replacement. If you know the battery is completely dead, we can help you figure out how to get the car towed to us.
If the battery issues are just starting, consider a visit to our Subaru Express Service. You don’t need an appointment and can just come by the same day you notice an issue. Here, we can run a battery test and even replace it right on the spot!
Schedule Car Battery Service Today!
When you need to jump-start a car battery near Tinton Falls, Middletown Township, or Long Branch, New Jersey, get in touch with our team for help. We can conduct battery inspections and also have new batteries on hand to replace the old one.
Contact us at World Subaru today with any questions or to schedule an appointment!