How to Jump a Car Battery
Is your car having trouble starting? When you can’t seem to get the engine going, jump-starting it can get it back up and running for you to continue driving around Slidell and New Orleans, LA, and Picayune, MS.
How do you jump a car battery? Our Honda of Slidell team shares with you the two main ways in which you can do so—with jumper cables or a portable battery.
Jumping a Car Battery with Jumper Cables
Whether you accidentally left the lights on or haven’t driven your car for a little while, you may find that your car’s battery needs a jump. That’s why it is always advisable to either have jumper cables or a portable battery with you at all times.
With a set of jumper cables, just follow these steps to get your car battery started:
- Start by finding another car and park front-to-front close to one another.
- With both cars turned off, pop their hoods and find their batteries.
- Attach the jumper cables to each of the batteries, starting with the positive clamp and then the negative clamp.
- Once the clamps are secured, start up the battery of the working car.
- After the working car is up and running, go ahead and start your car.
- Once your car engine starts, remove the cables in the reverse order than when you attached them.
It is also best to let your car run for several minutes and even drive around for at least 15 minutes. That way, you can let the battery charge back up and have it start on its own next time you set out for a drive.
Have a Portable Battery?
You can also get a portable battery for an even more convenient process. With it, you won’t need to have another car help you jump your battery since the portable battery will give you the jolt needed to get your car back up and running.
It also works similarly to using jumper cables, just without the need of another car. With your car in park, just locate the battery and attach the cables from the portable battery to the positive clamp and then the negative one. Once attached, you can turn on your portable battery.
Once it gives you the signal that it is ready, you can go ahead and start your car. After you get the engine started, you can turn off the portable battery and remove the clamps in reverse order. Next, be sure to drive your car around for a little while to build up the charge.
Also charge your portable battery at home frequently, so you know it always has enough charge whenever you head out for a drive.
Need a New Battery?
With either method, you can quickly get your car battery up and running to continue your drives around Slidell and New Orleans, LA, and Picayune, MS. If you need to jump your car frequently though, it could be a sign of a dying battery.
Luckily, our team here at Honda of Slidell can help you out. Come by our service center to have your battery tested and check the charging system’s overall condition. You can also order a new battery for your vehicle directly from us. Contact us today!
