How to Jump-Start a Car

Nothing ruins a good day like a bad battery, and learning how to jump-start a car can help you get back on track in no time. But even if you know how to jump-start a car, do you know how to properly jump-start a car? The team at Texan GMC Buick is here with our best service tips and tricks to get you started, and we’d be happy to help with all of your maintenance and service needs in the Houston area. Save yourself the time and money of calling a jump-start car service, and take matters into your own hands!

The Proper Way to Jump Start a Car

What’s the proper way to jump-start a car? It’s not a difficult task, but it’s important to follow the right technique to avoid injury to yourself or the vehicle. All you need to jump-start a car battery is a set of jumper cables and a helper with a working vehicle. Then, simply follow these steps to jump-start a car battery like a pro.  

How to Properly Jump-Start a Car

• Park your vehicle and activate the parking brake. Ask your helper to park with the car battery within easy reach, usually with both cars facing hood-to-hood.
• Pop the hood and check the batteries on each car. Make sure that there is no corrosion, dirt, or damage on either battery. If either battery is covered with a protective plastic hood, remove it before getting started.
• Grab the jumper cables and separate the black and red ends. Keep the ends apart throughout this whole process, or you could cause sparks. 
• Connect the red clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
• Connect the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the working battery.
• Connect the black clamp to the negative terminal of the working battery.
• Connect the other black clamp to a grounded, unpainted surface on your car frame.
• Ask your helper to start the car. Try to start your engine after a few minutes.
• If your car won’t jump start, wait a few minutes and try again.
• Once you successfully jump-start the car battery, make sure that you keep the engine running for at least 10 minutes to build up sufficient charge. Otherwise, you may find yourself needing a jump-start car service immediately.

Other Car Battery Tips & Tricks for Porter

Let’s say you know how to properly jump-start a car, but your car won’t jump-start. What’s going on? Here are a few other tips and tricks to help you troubleshoot:

• Do you hear a clicking sound when you try to start the engine? You might be dealing with a bad alternator instead of a bad battery.
• Do your electrical systems still work? This indicates that the battery is still working, but another component is not. The problem could be anything from a bad ignition switch, starter, or just a fuse.
• Did your car die immediately after a successful jump start? Your battery might not be strong enough to hold a charge. Jump starts can be tough on a battery, and older units tend to be weaker. Consider a battery replacement.

We recommend scheduling a battery check after a jump start as a precaution. This will allow a technician to inspect everything thoroughly, so you avoid calling a jump-start car service in the future!

Get Expert Car Care Tips from Texan GMC Buick

And whether your car won’t jump start or you’re interested in a new battery, the team at Texan GMC Buick is happy to help with all of your vehicle needs. We serve the entire Porter and New Caney areas at our shop in Humble, and we’d love to show you what we can do. Contact us today with any questions!