How to Jump Start a Car

Many South County drivers think that they can jump start a car battery, but do you know how to properly jump start a car? While it’s not too difficult to get your car up and running, knowing a few tips and tricks can help prevent more trouble down the road. Get to know the proper way to jump start a car, so you don’t have to call a jump start car service ever again!

The Proper Way to Jump Start a Car

Learning how to properly jump start a car can save you serious time and effort on the Oakville roads, and this skill can also help you avoid steep jump start car service fees. So, how do you get started? It’s important to keep a set of jumper cables stashed away in your car. If you don’t have any, feel free to drop by our parts department. Then when it’s time to jump start your car battery, all you need is a helping hand with a working car. If you can’t find anyone or you feel uncomfortable at your location, that’s the time to call a jump start car service.

But if your jumper cables and helper are ready to go, here is the proper way to jump start a car:

1. Park the two cars hood-to-hood, so that the batteries are facing each other. Apply the parking brake.
2. Find the battery in each car. If there’s a plastic hood covering the battery, you’ll want to take it off.
3. Find the positive and negative battery terminals. Make sure there is no corrosion or dirt present.
4. Separate the red ends from the black ends of your jumper cables. Don’t let the two ends touch, or they could cause sparks.
5. Connect the red clamp to the positive post on your battery.
6. Hook the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the good battery.
7. Connect the black clamp to the negative post on the good battery. 
8. Connect the last black clamp to a grounded, unpainted metal surface on your car’s frame.
9. Ask your helper to start their engine. After a few minutes of charging, try to start your engine as well. 
10. Once your vehicle is up and running, carefully remove the jumper cables in the opposite order that they were placed.
11. Keep your engine running for at least 10 minutes to let it build up a charge.

What if Your Car Won’t Jump Start?

What happens if your car won’t jump start in Fenton? You might not be dealing with a dead battery after all. Here are some of the most common reasons that your car won’t jump start in South County: 

1. Do you hear a clicking sound when you try to start the engine? You might have a faulty starter
2. Do your electrical systems still work? You could have an issue with the ignition switch, starter, or even just a fuse. Get a diagnosis and fix it at our service center.
3. Did your battery immediately die after a jump start? Make sure you let your engine run after receiving a jump, your your battery won’t have enough stored energy to run on its own.

Get More Car Care Tips with Genesis of South St. Louis County

Now you know how to properly jump start a car, but do you have any more questions about how to jump start your car battery? Contact us at Genesis of South St. Louis County for even more tips and tricks, so you can take great care of your car in Fenton. And if you’re ready for a trip to our service center in St. Louis, feel free to schedule your service appointment online!