How to Jump-Start a Car
How to Jump-Start a Car in Holly Springs, GA
There’s nothing worse than a dead car battery when you’re in a rush to get to work. Typically, leaving car lights on, extreme outdoor temperatures and undiagnosed vehicle problems are the most common culprits that drain your battery. This is why Cherokee County Nissan has your back for this stressful situation. In fact, we’ve compiled a list of instructions you can follow should you find yourself in this tricky predicament. Keep reading to learn more!
What to Do Before You Jump-Start Your Car
Before jump-starting, double check:
- Your battery. Be cautious around a leaking, damaged, frozen or corroded battery — this is an extreme safety hazard. If you suspect your battery is in a bad state, contact us today and our technicians can handle the tricky job.
- For metal objects and open flames. Make sure the area around the battery is free of any tools, phones, watches, jewelry or cigarettes — you want to maintain the sparks inside the engine, not on the outside.
- Your key. Remove it from the ignition and tuck it away in a safe place.
- Your owner’s manual. Always refer to this manual on how to jump-start your car’s battery.
- The battery voltage. You want to make sure that both cars carry the same amount of voltage. Many vehicles have either a 12-volt or six-volt battery. Never connect your car with a vehicle that has a higher voltage than yours.
What to Do Next
Ready to jump-start your ride? Follow these tips:
- Prepare both cars. Park the donor car conveniently close to the dead vehicle — both will have to be put in park or neutral. Next, turn them off and put on the parking brake. Another rule of thumb: The vehicles should never be touching each other.
- Get out your jumper cables. This equipment typically comes with four alligator clips, two on each end. The red clips are the positive ends while the black ones are the negative. Confused on what the order should be? We’ve got your back. Here’s how each clip should be attached:
- Start the donor car and let it run for one to two minutes.
- Try to start the car with the dead battery.
- Without turning your car off, remove the cables in reverse order from how you put them on.
- Keep your vehicle running for at least 30 minutes. This will help the battery retain the charge so it can start up properly next time.
a. RED to DEAD : Connect one of the red clips to the positive (+) terminal on your dead battery.
b. RED to DONOR : Connect the other red clip to the positive (+) terminal on the donor vehicle’s battery.
c. BLACK to DONOR: On the SAME CAR (donor vehicle), connect one of the black clips to the negative (-) terminal on the donor vehicle’s battery.
d. BLACK to METAL: Now, back to the dead battery. Connect the other black clip to bare metal that is not next to the battery. This can be an unpainted metal bolt or bracket.
a. If it turns on, let it run for one to two minutes. This allows it to recharge, as power travels along the jumper cables and into your battery.
b. If it won’t start, you may need to wait a bit longer to let the battery continue to charge. If you have tried multiple times and your car still won’t start, you may have a bigger issue that could be fixed by our technicians. Scroll down below to make an appointment today!
Are you running into a dead battery pretty often? That might be a sign that you need a replacement! Schedule a service appointment with us today and we’ll install a quality battery. Our technicians are experts on this process and can dispose of your old battery properly. We look forward to getting your car in tip-top shape!
If you have any questions about jump-starting a car, what battery is right for your Nissan or anything else, we’ll be happy to help. Contact us online or stop by Cherokee County Nissan at 101 Harbor Creek Pkwy, Holly Springs, GA 30115 . We're located near Canton, Woodstock, Kennesaw and Marietta.