How to Jump-Start a Car
How to Jump-Start a Car in Sylvester, GA
A dead car battery is a tricky situation when you’re in a rush and need to get to work. Typically, leaving on car lights, facing extreme outdoor temperatures and learning of undiagnosed vehicle problems are the most common culprits of a dead battery. The unnerving feeling of being stranded can be overwhelming — that’s why Griffin Chevrolet of Slyvester has your back. We’ve compiled a step-by-step guide on how to jump-start your car. To get started, all you need are jumper cables, a trusted friend and some handy know-how. Once you’ve finished reading the steps below, you’ll be a pro!
Before jump-starting, double check:
- Your battery. Make sure your car’s battery isn’t compromised in any way. This includes any leaks, if it’s frozen or corroded, etc. If you notice any bad signs pointing toward a hazardous battery, contact our service department and we’ll help you.
- For metal objects and open flames. Check and make sure there are no tools, phones, watches, jewelry or cigarettes near the battery. You want to keep the sparks inside the engine, not on the outside of it.
- Your key. Take it out of the ignition and keep it handy.
- Your owner’s manual. Before you start, refer to the model’s owner’s manual to ensure that you’re jump-starting it the correct way.
- The battery voltage. The donor car should be the same battery voltage as yours. While most models have a 12-volt battery, some contain a six-volt battery. Never jump-start your vehicle with a car that has a higher voltage than yours.
What to Do Next
When you’re ready to jump-start your car,
follow these tips:
- Situate both cars in close proximity to one another and put them in park or neutral. Make sure to turn the vehicles off and engage the parking brake. While both cars should be close to each other, you want to ensure that they aren’t physically touching.
- Next, get your jumper cables ready. These cables will have four alligator clips, two on each end. Their color is coded: The red clips mean positive and the black ones mean negative. Here’s the specific order in which you should connect each clip to the cars:
- RED to DEAD: Connect one of the red clips to the positive (+) terminal on your dead battery.
- RED to DONOR: Connect the other red clip to the positive (+) terminal on the donor vehicle’s battery.
- BLACK to DONOR: On the SAME CAR, connect one of the black clips to the negative (-) terminal on the donor vehicle’s battery.
- BLACK to METAL: Now, back to the dead battery. Connect the other black clip to bare metal that is not next to the battery. This can be an unpainted metal bolt or bracket.
- Start the donor car and let it run for one to two minutes.
- Try to start the car with the dead battery.
- If it turns on, let it run for one to two minutes. This allows it to recharge, as power travels along the jumper cables and into your battery.
- On the off chance that it doesn’t start, you may need to wait a little longer to let the battery charge up. However, if you’ve already tried to jump-start it multiple times, you may need a professional (like us) to get it fixed.
- Without turning your car off, remove the cables in reverse order from how you put them on.
- Drive your vehicle for a minimum of 30 minutes. This will help the battery retain the charge so it can start up properly next time.
If you notice that your vehicle needs frequent jumps, it may need a new battery altogether. Don’t hesitate to schedule a service appointment with us — we’ll get you back on the road in no time. Not only will we be able to order you a new battery, but we’ll swiftly install it for you and dispose of the old battery properly. We look forward to serving you soon!
If you have any questions about jump-starting a car, what battery is right for your Chevrolet or anything else, we’ll be happy to help. Contact us online or stop by Griffin Chevrolet of Sylvester at 1006 W Franklin Street, Sylvester, GA 31791 . We’re located near Leesburg, Cordele and Moultrie.