How to Jump Start a Car

There’s nothing more frustrating than leaving the house and finding your car won’t start. It’s most likely that you need to jump start your car battery, but it could be a sign of deeper problems that need service. Follow this guide from the team at Myrtle Beach Chrysler Jeep and learn the proper way to jump start a car, so you can avoid jump start car service. If your car won’t jump-start, contact our parts department near Conway to find the right battery replacement or car service for you.

Steps for How to Properly Jump Start a Car

To jump start a car battery, North Myrtle Beach drivers will need the proper tools: a set of jumper cables and the help of another vehicle. If these aren’t available, drivers can call a jump start car service like AAA. Otherwise, follow these steps:

1. Park the car with the good battery facing the front of the vehicle with the dead battery. Make sure the vehicle is turned off and both parking brakes are engaged. 
2. Pop both of the hoods and locate the batteries. Some models require a plastic covering to be removed, so both battery terminals are exposed.
3. Locate the positive (red) and negative (black) terminals and ensure they are clean and free of any corrosion.
4. On the dead battery, connect the red jumper cable clamp to the positive terminal. 
5. Hook the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the good battery. 
6. Take the black clamp and connect it to the negative terminal on the good battery.
7. Take the final black clamp and connect it to any unpainted metal surface on the car’s frame. 
8. Ensure the cables are hooked up securely, then start the engine of the car with the working battery. Now, the car with the dead battery can be started. 
9. Once the driver jump-starts the car battery, carefully detach the jumper cables in the order they were attached. The other vehicle used to assist this process can be shut off.
10. Leave the newly started engine running for at least 10 minutes to ensure the weak battery doesn’t die again. Check the vehicle’s owner’s manual for recommended times the vehicle should idle after properly jump-starting the car. 

Jump Start Car Service

Don’t get stranded on Surfside Beach roads without assistance. New Jeep, Chrysler, Wagoneer vehicles come with a roadside assistance program that covers the driver on Surfside Beach roads for a certain number of years or mileage. When the car won’t jump-start, Roadside Assistance allows for complimentary towing to the nearest authorized dealership. Find additional vehicle protection with the Mopar® Vehicle Protection plans and drivers can find towing service and roadside assistance just a call away. 

Car Battery Tips and Tricks

Drivers learning how to jump start a car battery may find that the car won’t jump-start. This can mean that the car may need a replacement battery, or it can hint at other serious problems. Follow these tips for troubleshooting the issue:

• If a clicking sound is heard when trying to start the vehicle, the starter might not be functioning properly. Schedule service at Myrtle Beach Chrysler Jeep for a simple replacement. 
• When the electrical systems turn on, but the engine fails to start, this could hint at a number of issues. It might be a good idea to stop into a service center as it might be a problem with the ignition switch, battery, starter, or a fuse.
• Keep the battery running for some time after performing a proper jump start, so the battery has time to fully recharge.

Find Expert Service with Myrtle Beach Chrysler Jeep!

Now that you’ve learned the proper way to jump start a car, follow along with our other service tips and tricks for your car care. If you need any help along the way, you can contact us with any questions, or stop into our service center near Surfside Beach for high quality care with genuine OEM parts.