How to Jump Start a Car: Volkswagen of Macon’s Step-by-Step Guide to Reviving Your Dead Battery

August 31st, 2023 by

Car Battery Being Jump Started Overhead View Top Down

Have you ever experienced a dead car battery? Don’t stress, you’re not alone! It’s a common issue that most drivers run into at least once in their lives. But here’s the good news; jumpstarting your car is a straightforward process that can save you the hassle of calling a tow truck or mechanic.

In this blog post, we will guide you through the steps to safely and easily jumpstart your car. So let’s dive in!

Step 1: Check Your Battery

Before we get started, take a moment to inspect your battery. Ensure it’s properly attached and free of any corrosion or leaks. Addressing these issues is crucial as they can lead to battery failure. So, it’s important to resolve them before attempting to jumpstart your car.

Step 2: Gather Your Tools

Now, let’s gather the necessary tools to jumpstart your car. You’ll need a set of jumper cables and a functioning car with a charged battery. Jumper cables are typically black and red, with clamps on both ends. You can easily find them at your local auto parts store or right here at the Volkswagen of Macon parts center.

Once you have everything ready, park the working car close enough to your vehicle so that you can easily attach the jumper cables to both batteries.

Step 3: Attach the Cables

Before we start attaching the cables, ensure that both cars are turned off. Now, locate the positive and negative battery terminals on each car. These terminals are usually color-coded and labeled with a plus (+) or minus (-) sign.

Start by attaching one end of the positive (+) cable (usually red) to the positive terminal of the dead battery. Then, do the same for the positive terminal of the supporting car.

Next, take one end of the negative (-) cable (usually black) and attach it to the negative terminal of the good battery.

Finally, attach the other end of the negative cable to the negative battery terminal of the dead car or an unpainted piece of metal on the car. Once the cables are attached, start the car with the working battery up and move on to the next step.

Step 4: Start the Working Car and Wait

Now, it’s time to start your car! Turn it on and let it run for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. As the working car runs, its charging system will begin to charge the dead battery on your vehicle.

Step 5: Try Starting Your Car

After waiting for 15 to 20 minutes, give starting your own car a try. If it starts up, congratulations — you’ve successfully jumpstarted your vehicle! Now, let’s disconnect the cables in the reverse order in which we connected them.

Remember to be careful not to let the metal parts of the cables touch each other as you remove them. Begin by removing the negative (-) cable from your car’s battery, followed by the negative cable from the supporting car’s battery. Then, do the same for the positive (+) cable on each vehicle.

And just like that, you’re done. Wasn’t that easy?

Step 6: If Your Car Doesn’t Start

In the unlikely event that your car still doesn’t start, don’t panic. Simply repeat the process and give it another try. If it still doesn’t work, it may be time to consider getting a new battery or having your car inspected by a mechanic at the Volkswagen of Macon service center.

Final Thoughts

Jumpstarting your car is not only easy but also a practical skill that every driver should know. However, prevention is always better than cure. Remember to turn off all lights and electronics in your car when the engine is not running to prevent your battery from draining. Regularly maintaining your battery by cleaning it and checking for leaks or corrosion will also help prolong its lifespan.

With the right tools and knowledge, knowing how to jumpstart a vehicle can quickly get you back on the road and save you from an expensive tow truck call. Just remember to handle jumper cables with caution as they carry electricity that can be dangerous if not used correctly. Follow these steps, and you’ll be well-prepared to jumpstart your car the next time your battery dies.