Learning how to jump start a car can help you move forward quickly when your vehicle has a dead battery. Although the process requires caution, it isn’t particularly difficult, and just about anyone can successfully restart a dead battery if they have the necessary equipment on hand.
Grab your jumper cables, a set of electricity-safe gloves, and a blanket (if one is available). We’ve laid out everything you need to know about the proper way to jump-start a car!
The Proper Way to Jump-Start a Car
The first thing you need to know about jump-starting a car is that you’ll probably need another driver to help out! Although you can purchase specialized jumping equipment at our parts department near Westport, most drivers simply call a friend or ask a neighbor. Here’s how to jump-start a car battery:
- Park the working vehicle almost hood-to-hood with the inoperative vehicle. Turn it off, and check to make sure that both parking brakes are engaged.
- Open both hoods and locate the batteries of both models.
- Identify the positive and negative terminals. They are generally marked by red and black, respectively.
- Make sure that the terminals are relatively clean and free of corrosion. (If one of your terminals has already fallen off due to corrosion, try to clean it and reattach it before you proceed with your jump start! You may find out that your battery isn’t actually dead.)
- Connect the red clamp to the positive post of the dead battery, and then connect the other red clamp to the positive cable of the working battery. Don’t let any of the remaining clamps touch the vehicle, as this can generate sparks. (Your blanket might come in handy here.)
- Next, connect the nearest black clamp to the negative post on the working battery.
- Now, connect the final black clamp to any unpainted metal surface on the inoperative vehicle’s frame.
- Start the engine of the vehicle with the good battery. Give it a few moments, and then try to start the vehicle that needed a jump!
- Once the previously-inoperative vehicle comes on, disconnect the clamps in reverse order. Then shut off the assisting vehicle.
- Don’t turn off your vehicle right away. Let it run for at least ten minutes to let the alternator recharge the battery.
Jump-Start Car Service with Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
If you drive a new or certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz, you may be able to take advantage of complimentary roadside assistance! Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance is available without charge for the full duration of your new or CPO warranty. Just call 1-800-367-6372, and someone will head straight to your location to jump-start your Mercedes-Benz in Weston or Norwalk. Roadside Assistance just might be the most accessible jump-start car service near Fairfield, CT.
What if Your Car Won’t Jump-Start?
Can a battery be too dead to jump start? No! Although an old or damaged battery will not be able to hold a charge for very long, a dead battery should never be a real obstacle in this situation. If your car won’t jump-start, consider the following:
- A repeating clicking sound may be an indication of a broken starter. You’ll need to have it replaced at a local service center.
- Another possibility is that your electrical systems come on, but your engine fails to start. A broken ignition switch, starter, or fuse could be at fault, but you’ll need to investigate more closely to be sure.
- If you shut your car off too quickly after your jump-start, the battery may die again. You need to give the alternator time to recharge your battery after start-up.
- If your vehicle dies soon after receiving a jump-start, your battery may not be receiving a charge from your alternator. Get it checked out as soon as possible!
Turn to Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield for Service
You know how to properly jump-start a car, but no driver wants to perform this service more often than they have to. Keep your vehicle in great shape by scheduling service with our dealership or asking us to check up on your battery! In the meantime, browse our other DIY car care tips, find out how to unlock a steering wheel, and get even more comfortable with your vehicle.
