Show
Most of us spend a significant amount of time in our cars, whether it’s commuting or running errands or simply enjoying the road. But many of us don’t know the basics of vehicle maintenance or repair. With a little do-it-yourself spirit and a few basic tips, you can learn how to do most anything on a car. First, find the owner’s manual for your vehicle. This is a high level guide to most of the major components, complete with troubleshooting suggestions for your particular make and model. How To Jump Start A VehicleKeep the following in your car at all times:
To jump start your car, you will need to find someone with a vehicle to provide the jump to your dead battery. It is important to be safe and use sound judgment when seeking assistance from people you don’t know. Don’t accept help from anyone you don’t feel comfortable around, and be sure to phone a loved one to let them know exactly where you are and what’s going on.
Before you and your helper begin the jump-start process, here are a few words of caution:
Step-by-step Guide:
For the true do-it-yourselfer, look into a Jump Start Box or Jump n’ Carry. These small boxes run about $150, but they can provide you with a solo jump start regardless of where you are. Be sure to read the details and your owners manual to ensure this is an option for your vehicle. Print this article out and keep in your glove compartment for easy reference. A dead battery is just one of the things GEICO’s Emergency Roadside Service can help you with if you get stranded. Add it to your auto insurance policy today for just pennies a day per vehicle. Next article: How to Check Tire Pressure How long is a car battery good for after a jump?Most car batteries that are in good condition will last at least two weeks without needing you to start the car and drive to recharge it. But if you don't intend to drive your car for some time for whatever reason, you should still start it up once a week to recharge the 12-volt battery.
Do I need to replace battery after jump start?While you may be able to get it going with a jump-start, the catalyst for its initial failure is still threatening the lifespan of your battery. It will likely continue to die until you get a replacement.
Will my car start again after being jumped?After getting a jump, you should leave your car running for at least 30 minutes. For more reliable results, drive it around instead of letting it idle. This should fully charge the battery so it won't die on you again.
How many times will a car start after a jump?How many times can a car battery be jump-started? It's OK to jump-start a battery using another car once, but you shouldn't try to crank it more than three or four times in a row if the dead car isn't starting, according to Pep Boys. If the dead car isn't starting, then it could possibly need more time to charge.
|