How to Jump-Start a Car

We’ve all been there: you go to start your car, and the engine won’t turn over. There is a good chance that your car will need a jump-start, car battery service, or something similar. Not sure how to properly jump-start a car? Check out this guide from Mercedes-Benz of San Antonio, so you can avoid calling a jump-start car service. If your battery has seen better days and is in need of replacement, our parts department can help you find the right type of battery for your make and model. 

The Proper Way to Jump-Start a Car

To jump-start your car, you will need to find another driver to help you as well as a set of jumper cables. If you are unable to do so, you do have the option of calling a jump-start car service like AAA. If you have everything you need, simply follow the steps below: 

1. The vehicle with the working battery should park facing the other vehicle. The assisting vehicle should be turned off. The parking brake should be engaged on both cars.
2. Pop the hoods of each car to locate the batteries. Some cars have a plastic hood covering the battery terminals that will need to be removed. 
3. Identify the positive and negative terminals, which should be clean and corrosion-free. 
4. Connect the red clamp to the positive post on the dead battery.
5. Uncoil the battery cable, and then connect the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the battery that is working. 
6. Attach the black clamp to the negative post on the working battery. 
7. Take the final clamp and attach it to an unpainted metal surface on the frame of your car.
8. If all of the components are securely in place, you can start the engine of the vehicle with the good battery first, then the one with the dead battery.
9. When the jump-start is complete, carefully remove the jumper cables in the reverse order that they were placed on. The car that was used to help jump-start the other vehicle should then be turned off. 
10. Keep the vehicle that received the jump-start running for at least 10 minutes so that it has time to recharge. 

Mercedes-Benz of San Antonio is Your Destination for Trusted Automotive Service

No matter if it is time for a new car battery or routine maintenance like a tire rotation, the team at the Mercedes-Benz of San Antonio service center has you covered. Contact us for more information at your earliest convenience.