The Proper Way to Jumpstart Your Battery

There are few things more frustrating than heading out to your car and turning the key in the ignition only to find that nothing’s happening. This is usually the result of a dead car battery.

The car’s battery is responsible for getting your car’s internal combustion engine to “turn over.” If the battery is dead, there isn’t enough energy to get the engine started. Today’s cars are very technologically advanced tools that rely on extensive computer systems to operate as intended. Because of this, it’s fairly common for car batteries to drain under a wide range of conditions.

If it’s been more than a week since you last operated your vehicle, for example, there’s a chance the battery just lost its charge since you used it last. Alternatively, extremely cold weather conditions can cause your battery to degrade. If you notice that your battery is struggling to hold a charge, it might be a sign that you need to replace it. If the battery itself is fairly new, there’s a chance your car’s alternator, which charges the battery, isn’t working.

It’s always advisable to have battery problems accurately diagnosed by a qualified mechanic. They can tell you whether the issue is with your battery, your alternator or another part of your vehicle. In the meantime, however, it’s equally important to know how to properly perform a battery jumpstart in Hanford, CA so that you can get your car to the shop in the first place:

• Find a working vehicle: First, you’ll have to find a nearby car with a working battery. This shouldn’t be too hard—usually, you can flag down a neighbor, co-worker or fellow shopper willing to give you a hand.
• Attach the cables: First, attach the red clamps to the positive power terminals on the respective batteries. Then, attach the accompanying black clamps to the negative terminals on each battery. Make sure to never accidentally bring the clamps into contact with one another.
• Start the working car: Now, you can start the working car, and let it run for a few moments. Make sure that the car’s parking brake is locked before you start it. Once it’s running, gently revving up the engine once or twice may help charge up the battery.
• Start the dead vehicle: Next, turn the key in the dead vehicle. The car should start immediately. Let the car sit and charge, with the other vehicle attached and running, for at least two minutes. Now, disconnect the cables. After driving around for a few moments, your car battery’s charge should be almost fully restored.

Since 1979, AAA Sandoval Transmissions has been a premier provider of mechanical care in the Central Valley. To learn more about ways to perform a battery jumpstart in Hanford, CA, reach out to one of our friendly representatives. We’ll help you identify the issues causing your car’s problems, and work with you to identify an affordable solution to your battery woes. Contact the mechanical experts at AAA Sandoval Transmissions today to learn more.

Categorised in: Battery Jumpstart

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