How to Jumpstart Your Vehicle

A frustrated driver sitting in front of a broken-down car on the side of the road

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Having to jumpstart your vehicle due to a dead battery can be a major headache, but it's incredibly important for every driver to know how the process works. Our Lima service center aims to help our community's drivers through high-quality repairs and expert advice.

 From helping you identify the signs of needing a new battery to carrying out the service itself, Ahl For Less is your go-to resource for anything automotive in the Lima area.

Jumpstarting a Car Step by Step

Some important things to get out of the way first:

    • You have to connect jumper cable clamps securely and in the correct order to reduce risk of personal injury or damage to your vehicle's electrical system
    • After jump-starting the car, disconnect the cables in reverse order and drive the vehicle for 20 minutes to let the alternator charge the battery
    • Car that will not jump-start may need a new battery or starter
  • Do not attempt to jump-start a battery that is cracked or leaking

With that said, let's jumpstart your battery with the following instructions:

    1. Position the booster vehicle: park the vehicle with a full battery in a way where the cables can easily connect to the other car's discharged battery
    2. Locate battery terminals: usually on the top or side - if you're having trouble, refer to the owner's manual for your specific vehicle
    3. Connect jumper cables: keep the metal clamps from touching each other while clipping onto the batteries - wear gloves and protective eyewear if you can
      1. Attach a RED clamp to the positive (+) terminal on the DEAD battery
      2. Attach the other RED clamp to the positive (+) terminal on the BOOSTER battery
      3. Attach the BLACK clamp to the negative (-) terminal on the BOOSTER battery
      4. Attach the BLACK clamp to an unpainted metal part of the car with the DEAD battery
  • Jumpstart the car: start the vehicle that's lending power first, then start the car with the dead battery
  • Disconnect jumper cables: when the jump-started car's engine is running smoothly, disconnect the jumper cables in REVERSE order from how they were attached. Always keep the metal clamps from touching each other when connecting and disconnecting them from battery terminals.
    1. Disconnect the BLACK clamp from the JUMPED car
    2. Disconnect the BLACK clamp from the BOOSTER car
    3. Disconnect the RED clamp from the BOOSTER car
    4. Disconnect the RED clamp from the JUMPED car
  1. Drive the jumper car for at least 20 minutes to let the alternator charge the jumped battery

Schedule Battery Service in Lima, OH

If your vehicle requires battery repair or a new one altogether, schedule a service appointment with us. If you have any questions about jumpstarting your car, contact us online at Ahl For Less serving Lima, Wapakoneta and Delphos. 

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