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How To Jump-Start A Car

If your car battery is dead, you might think of just jump-starting it. Everyone knows how to do it, right? Well, not really, because it isn't as simple as it looks. There are several steps that we will share down below. Be sure to read and follow them carefully.

What Does Jump-Starting Mean?

Let's start with what it means. When you jump-start your car, you give it power from another vehicle's battery by using wires. Most of the time, this is done when your vehicle doesn't start or needs extra electricity.

Steps For The Process

  • We advise you to call a repair shop and have them do it instead-but if you are stranded or in a hurry, these are the steps you should follow:
  • Park both cars next to each other and turn them off.
  • Provide access to the batteries.
  • Find the negative and positive terminals.
  • Take out the set of wires - one is red and the other black.
  • Connect the red clamp to the positive on the faulty battery
  • Then connect the other red clamp on the positive of the good battery
  • Take the black wire and connect one clamp to the negative terminal on the good battery
  • Connect the other black clamp to the negative on the faulty battery
  • Make sure everything is connected correctly
  • Start the car with the good battery
  • Wait for a few minutes while it is running and changing
  • Try starting the car 

Problems After Jump-Starting The Car

Most of the time, jump-starting works from the first time, but there are exceptions. If you are hearing a clicking noise or the car doesn't start at all, the starter or ignition switch might have broken. Other issues like short-circuiting or water damage can cause weird problems as well. We recommend that you visit a shop to have it checked. It could be something more serious that isn't noticeable at first.

Looking For Repairs Or Help?
At Portland Automotive, we offer a variety of professionally performed services - from battery changes and maintenance work to transmission rebuilds. Our team will be happy to help!