How to Jump Start a Car Safely
To jump start a car, connect a working power source to your dead battery in the right order, start the other vehicle, then start yours. If the battery is cracked, leaking or swollen, or you are not sure what you are doing, do not try it. Call (305) 564-8795 and we will do it for you.
What do I need to jump start a car?
You need a working power source and a way to connect it to your battery:
- A second vehicle with a healthy battery, or a portable jump starter.
- Jumper cables in good shape, with no cracks or bare wires, if you use a second vehicle.
- Your owner manual. Some vehicles have special jump-start points or warnings.
- Gloves and eye protection, if you have them.
Most cars use a 12-volt battery. Check the manual if you are not sure that both vehicles match.
How do I jump start a car step by step?
- Park close, but do not let the vehicles touch. Turn both engines off and set both parking brakes.
- Open both hoods and find the batteries. Look for the plus (+) and minus (-) marks. The positive terminal is often red.
- Connect one red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery.
- Connect the other red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery.
- Connect one black clamp to the negative (-) terminal of the good battery.
- Connect the last black clamp to bare, unpainted metal on the dead vehicle, away from the battery, such as a metal part of the engine or frame. Do not clamp it to the dead battery. This keeps sparks away from the battery.
- Start the working vehicle and let it run for a few minutes.
- Try to start the dead vehicle. If it does not start, wait a few minutes and try again.
- Remove the cables in the reverse order. Do not let the clamps touch each other or any metal while you do it.
- Keep the engine running and drive for a while so the battery can recharge.
If you use a portable jump starter, follow the instructions that came with it.
When should I not try to jump start my car?
If you see smoke, flames or a burning smell, move away from the vehicle and call 911.
Do not try to jump start the car if:
- The battery is cracked, leaking or swollen.
- The cables are damaged.
- You are on a busy road or a narrow shoulder.
- You are not sure which terminal is which.
- The vehicle is a hybrid or an electric vehicle. The steps can be different, so follow the manual.
In all of these cases, call us instead. We will come to you.
Why did my battery die?
These are common reasons:
- The lights or the radio were left on.
- The battery is old. Batteries wear out over time.
- The vehicle sat unused for a long time.
- Hot weather can be hard on a battery.
- The charging system is not working as it should.
What should I do after a jump start?
A jump start gets you moving. It does not fix the reason the battery died. If the car dies again soon, the battery or the charging system likely needs service.
Have the battery tested. If it needs replacing, we offer mobile battery replacement, so you do not need a tow or a trip to a shop.
How much does a jump start service cost in Cutler Bay?
Jump start service is estimated at $50 to $120. Mobile battery replacement is estimated at $100 to $300+. The final quote depends on your location and the time of day, and we give it to you before we dispatch a truck.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. A portable jump starter can start a dead battery without a second vehicle. Follow the instructions that come with it.
Let the working vehicle run for a few minutes before you try to start the dead one. If it still does not start, there may be a bigger problem.
Clicking often points to a weak battery. Try the jump again. If it still does not start, the battery may be too weak, or something else may be wrong. Call us and we will help.
Done in the right order, it is a normal procedure. Connecting the cables in the wrong order can cause sparks or damage the electrical system, so go slowly and check the manual.
Yes. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Rather not do it yourself?
Call (305) 564-8795. We will ask where you are, what happened and where the vehicle should go, then give you a quote.