How To Jump Start Your Vehicle’s Dead Battery In Grove City, OH

Imagine this scenario:

You’re on your way to a date or meet with a client but your car won’t start. When you turn the key you hear a slight noise in the engine but it wont start. Turns out your vehicle’s battery needs a boost. 

Jump starting a car, truck or SUV’s battery is the process of using an assist vehicle (or battery pack, see below) to revitalize your car’s battery to life again. In just a few steps you can be on the road again to your date in Grove City, Ohio!

What you’ll need

Here’s a list of things to jump your car’s battery. Keep them in the trunk of your car in case you’re stuck on the road: 

• The vehicle’s owner’s manual – in the glovebox or you may find them online
• Long jumper cables – longer the better for easier reach 
• Heavy duty work gloves – will keep your hands clean
• Flashlight – for night time scenarios, always a handy tool!

Caution

If the battery is frozen, don’t try to jump start it. Also, make sure your battery isn’t broken or splitting along the edges.

Read the owner’s manual

To begin, first read your vehicle’s owner’s manual before connecting your car’s battery to your friend’s car battery. See if there are any warnings such as sensitive circuitry. Follow any manufacturing instructions as needed.

The Setup

To jump your dead battery, you’ll need your friend’s vehicle to be as close as possible to yours. Both vehicle’s engine bays should be near each other, ie. they can be side-by-side or head-to-head, avoiding overstretching the jumper cable. 

Pro Tip: If possible and space allows, position your friend’s car so your batteries are very close to each other. 

Jumping your dead battery

After opening the hood of your car, hold it up with the stick to keep it from closing. Find your battery and the two post terminals, the positive marked (+) is colored red, and the negative post marked (-) is usually black.

Open the red positive (+) terminal by lifting up the cover to expose the battery post. When you attach your cable to the post make sure you have a solid and secure connection for safety.

1. Take the positive (+) clamp from the jumper cable and attach it to the dead car’s battery. 
2. Attach the other end of the red clamp of the jumper cable to the good battery.
3. Next, take the negative (-) clamp and attach it to the good battery. 
4. Finally, attach the other end of the negative (-) clamp and attach it to a non-painted metal part of your engine (not your battery!). Your car will only have one connection to the battery.
5. Now, start your friend’s car and after a few minutes try to start your car. 
   1. If your car starts you’re in luck, let the car run for a few minutes to keep charging the battery. Unhook the clamps in reverse order, first remove the clamp attached to the metal. Keep your car and battery running by driving around for 30 minutes to continuously charge the battery.
   2. If your car doesn’t start or it starts but later continues to die; it might be time for a new battery or alternator check. Come visit us at Byers Chevrolet at 5887 N Meadows Dr, Grove City, OH 43123 and we’ll diagnose your battery and alternator.

Using a battery pack

A portable car jump starter battery pack is perfect if you don’t have another vehicle to recharge your vehicle’s battery. Follow the same steps as above connecting the wires but instead you’ll be connecting from your battery pack.

Battery packs are pretty affordable and make the whole process a lot easier. Sometimes they’re multi-functional, including a flashlight and powerbank to charge your cell phone and devices! Just make sure you keep them charged when not in use for emergencies. Follow the product’s instruction manual if needed.

Need a battery replacement?

Need help with a battery replacement or checking your vehicle’s alternator? We can help you at Byers Chevrolet in Grove City, Ohio. Reach out to our Chevy service department at (614) 503-1937 or schedule your service appointment online anytime.

You are welcome to visit us at 5887 N Meadows Dr, Grove City, OH 43123. We invite all of our Dublin, Hilliard, Grove City, Columbus, Ashville, and Galloway customers to come see our sales team! Don’t forget you can view our new and used inventory online at your convenience! Not seeing what you are looking for? You can pre-order your vehicle today! You can also value your trade and apply for financing from the comfort of your home! We look forward to helping you on your shopping journey!