How To Jump Start A Car Safely

We’ve all been there. Maybe you left your lights on overnight and drained your car’s battery, your battery connections have become loose or corroded, or extreme cold is keeping your battery from charging the way it should.

No matter the reason, everyone should know how to jump start a car safely and when it’s time to replace their car battery or ask a professional for help.

Did you know that every time you get your oil changed at Boggs Pit Stop or Boggs Automotive, we check the life of your battery? If your vehicle is getting preventative maintenance with us, you’ll always know when it’s time to change your battery.

We keep batteries in stock at both locations and can even install them for you! Our batteries carry a three-year battery full replacement warranty and it’s not uncommon for car batteries to need to be replaced after two years.

Is It Time To Replace Your Car Battery?

Car batteries don’t last forever and in some cases need to be replaced every 2-5 years. However, the length of time your battery will last depends on how you drive and the environmental conditions where you live.

Extreme temperatures can shorten the life of your battery and if your car’s battery dies again quickly after a jumpstart, it could be time for a new one. Our mechanics can easily test your battery and tell you when to replace it!

Safety Tips For Jump Starting A Car

If you try to turn your car on and the engine won’t turn over or makes a clicking sound, you can try a jump start either using another car as a source or a portable battery charging unit. 

If you’re using jumper cables, remember the red handle is positive and the black handle is negative. Be sure to match the positive and negative symbols to the appropriate places on your battery!

Remember, you are working with electrical currents, so it’s important to follow these safety tips.

1. Turn your car off completely (if using a second car to jump start, make sure it is turned off as well)
2. Connect your jumper cables to the dead battery first
3. Never touch the two ends of the jumper cables together
4. Read and follow the jumpstarting instructions in your car’s owner’s manual

It’s important to read your car’s owner’s manual before attempting a jump start. Every car is different and your owner’s manual should clearly explain where cables need to be attached. 

For example, In newer cars, you typically need to attach cables to jump-start lugs instead of directly to the battery.

Don’ts When Jump Starting A Car

There are a few simple things to avoid whenever you need to jump start a car to ensure your safety and keep you from damaging your vehicle:

• Avoid leaning over the battery terminal in your car
• Never smoke or have an open flame near your vehicle
• If you notice your battery is severely corroded, cracked, or leaking, do not attempt a jump start

A Successful Jump Start

Once your car’s battery is connected to the second vehicle, start the vehicle and let it sit idle for 5-10 minutes. Turn off the engine, and remove your cables being careful not to let them touch. Then you can attempt to start your car.

If your car still won’t start, you can try a jump start again. If that still doesn’t work, there could be a larger problem with your vehicle such as a loose connection or damaged starter that’s keeping it from successfully charging.

Stuck With A Dead Battery In Warsaw? Boggs Is Here To Help!

We’re proud to be your local full-service car repair and maintenance shop with two convenient locations in Warsaw. We also have free pick-up available with our Boggs Driver service for oil changes and preventative maintenance.

No appointment is necessary for oil changes at Boggs Pit Stop or Boggs Automotive, so you can just stop by! If you’d like to schedule any other car repair services, just click below to give us a call.