How to Jump-Start a Car

Car won’t jump start? This could mean you need jump start car service, or it could mean that you need to take a few extra steps to make sure you know how to properly jump start a car. Read below as the service center at Honda of Columbia covers the proper way to jump start a car for drivers in Columbia and beyond!

The Proper Way to Jump-Start a Car

To state the obvious, all you need for the proper way to jump start a car is a set of jumper cables and another car with a working battery. Some Irmo hardware stores carry portable batteries, but not a lot of people need to depend on them. Here are step-by-step instructions, so you can make just you know how to properly jump start a car: 

• Position the vehicles facing each other, make sure they’re turned off, and put the parking brakes on for safety. 

• Locate the batteries. This step seems like a no-brainer, but modern cars tend to have plastic coverings and other things to protect the batteries. Consult an owner’s manual if you’re having trouble. 

• Find the positive and negative terminals and make sure you clean off any corrosion safely. 

• Connect the positive ends first, attaching them with a red clamp. Next, connect the negative ends with the black clamp. 

• The final clamp should be connected to an unpainted metal surface on the car’s frame. 

• Start the engine on the vehicle with the good battery, then try the same with the other vehicle. This should jump start your car battery! Car won’t jump start? Sometimes, to jump start a car battery, you’ll need to wait a few seconds before starting the other engine. 

• Remove the cables in reverse order. You can shut off the working vehicle’s battery. 

• Keep the motor running on the newly-revived battery for at least ten minutes, so it doesn’t die again. 

Car Battery Tips 

Car won’t jump start? Before you pursue jump start car service, you can troubleshoot a few issues, so you know what to say to a West Columbia service center. Here are a few things that might be the problem: 

• Clicking Sound: If you’re trying to jump start a car battery but only hear a clicking sound, this could indicate a malfunctioning starter. Schedule service to fix this problem. 

• Lights/Electricity on but Car Won’t Jump Start: This could mean there’s a problem with a number of issues, like your ignition switch, battery, starter, or fuse. Schedule service if this happens, too. 

Turn to Honda of Columbia for Jump Start Car Service and More! 

At Honda of Columbia, we want Lexington drivers to feel empowered to take care of their vehicles. That’s why we offer service tips and tricks on how to jump start a car in addition to a wide variety of service specials on essential maintenance tasks! Please contact us today if you’re having any problems with your car battery — we’ll be happy to help!