Jumpstart Your Ride With These Tips

Whether you left the lights on overnight or you’ve sensed that the battery was on its way out for weeks, waking up to a dead car battery is an inconvenience no one wants to deal with. With these simple steps, you can reignite your battery and be on your way!

How to Jump-Start Your Car

Start with both cars turned off, then connect the red (positive) cable to the positive terminal on the dead battery. Next, connect the other red (positive) cable to the positive terminal on the good battery. Connect the black (negative) cable to the negative terminal of the good battery. The next step is very important: connect the other black (negative) cable to a clean, unpainted metal surface under the hood, many cars have a designated place for this connection. Do not connect the other negative cable to the negative terminal of the dead battery. 

After everything is connected, start the good car and let it run for a few minutes, then attempt to start the dead car. When the car starts, remove the cables in reverse order, so:

1. Black (negative) cable on the clean, unpainted metal surface
2. Black (negative) cable on the good car’s negative terminal
3. Red (positive) cable on the good car’s positive terminal
4. Red (positive) cable on the formerly dead car’s positive terminal

Be sure to let the car run/drive for at least 30 minutes to recharge the battery.

Battery Check Service at Ascension Honda

Now that you’ve got the battery back up and running, the best course of action is to schedule a battery test service with our team at Ascension Honda. Even if you’re fairly certain that the battery drained because you left lights on overnight, it’s still safest to have the battery tested and inspected by automotive professionals to rule out any issues or damage. If we test the battery and determine that it needs to be replaced, we can get you set up with a new one for an affordable price with quick installation. Schedule a battery test service at Ascension Honda today!