How to Jump-Start a Car

Jump Start
It’s frustrating when your car won’t start, but not knowing how to jump-start a car can make the situation worse! Fortunately, Webb Ford, Inc. can help. Keep reading to learn how to properly jump-start a car from our service team. We are conveniently located in Highland and are always happy to answer your questions.
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The Proper Way to Jump-Start a Car

It’s not difficult to jump-start a car battery. You only need another person with a car that runs and some jumper cables. Follow the steps below, and you’ll know the proper way to jump-start a car:
  1. Park both vehicles with the engines facing each other, or park them side by side with the hoods as close together as possible. Turn off your cars and set your parking brakes.
  2. Find your car batteries. You may need to remove a plastic hood to find the car battery or check your owner’s manual to learn the exact location.
  3. Ensure the battery terminals are clean and free from corrosion. Note that red means positive (+), and black is for negative (-).
  4. Connect the red clamp of your battery jumper cables to the positive terminal of your dead battery. Avoid touching the ends of the jumper cables together because they could spark and hurt you or damage your vehicle.
  5. Connect the other red clamp to the positive post of the other battery on the working car.
  6. Clamp one of the black clamps to the negative post on the working battery.
  7. Connect the remaining black clamp to an unpainted metal surface on your car frame.
  8. When the jumper cables are connected, ask the other Munster driver to power up their engine.
  9. Try to start your vehicle, and if it doesn’t start, don’t worry. Sometimes it can take a few minutes. Wait and try again after about five minutes have passed.
  10. Once you have successfully jump-started your car battery, remove the jumper cables in the reverse order as above, and keep your car running for at least ten minutes so your battery will fully charge and not die again immediately.
  11. Then, contact our Ford-authorized service center to get your battery tested or replaced so you don’t end up stuck on the side of Schererville roads.

Webb Ford, Inc. is Always at Your Service

Now that you know how to jump-start a car properly in Griffith, trust the service team at Webb Ford, Inc. for all of your auto care needs. We’re here for all your service needs, from new tires to repairs. Check out our service specials and reach out to us today. We are conveniently located in Highland and are always at your service!