How to Jump-Start a Car

Whether you’re headed to work or about to enjoy a weekend retreat in Newport News, a dead car battery is bad news. Learning how to jump-start a car can save you tons of time — and maybe even save the day! If your car won’t jump-start or you’re not confident doing it yourself, it’s a good idea to keep a Suffolk-area jump-start car service in your address book. Read the guide below to learn the proper way to jump-start a car, and how to find reliable jump-start car service in your area.

What Does It Mean to Jump-Start a Car Battery?

When you jump-start a car battery, what you’re actually doing is borrowing another battery’s power to recharge your own. Technicians at Hyundai of Hampton suggest keeping a set of jumper cables in your trunk in case your battery dies while you’re away from home. You use jumper cables to connect the two batteries, so that the good battery pumps charge into the dead battery.

How to Properly Jump-Start a Car

Because car batteries store a lot of power — up to 12.8 volts — don’t attempt a jump unless you know the proper way to jump-start a car. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Pull the other car around to face yours.
2. Put both vehicles in Park and engage the parking brakes.
3. Turn the key in the ignition to the “Lock” position in both vehicles.
4. Open both hoods and locate the batteries. In most cars, the battery is protected by a plastic hood. Lift the battery hood to access the terminals.
5. Locate the positive terminal (marked “+”) and negative terminal (marked “-”) and check them for corrosion. Corrosion looks like a white, green, or blue-tinged crust surrounding the battery terminals.
6. Pick up the red jumper cable. Clip one end to your battery’s positive terminal, and the opposite end to the positive battery terminal of the other vehicle.
7. Pick up the black jumper cable. Clip one end to any unpainted metal surface on your vehicle’s body (away from the battery), and the opposite end to the negative battery terminal of the other vehicle.
8. Ensure that all 4 jumper clamps are secure. 
9. Start the engine of the other car and let it run for about 5 minutes.
10. Now, try starting your engine.
11. If your car starts, you can disconnect the cables — but keep your car running! Drive for at least 15 minutes to allow your battery time to recharge. Now you know how to properly jump-start a car!

Your Car Won’t Jump-Start — Now What?

In most cases, driving your car afterward should fully recharge your battery. But what if your battery loses power shortly after, or your car won’t jump-start at all? That’s when you need a jump-start car service.

Even when you know the proper way to jump-start a car, other issues may mean that your car won’t jump-start. Whether you’re stranded Hyundai of Hampton Norfolk or Chesapeake, a jump-start car service can send technicians to jump-start your car or tow it to a Hyundai dealership for battery service.

Find Professional Jump-Start Car Service in Hampton 

The best way to avoid getting stranded by a dead battery is to be proactive! If your car battery is struggling, schedule battery service and order your replacement parts online. Certified Hyundai technicians at Hyundai of Hampton will be happy to answer your car-care questions — so you can get back on the road ASAP!