How to Jump-Start a Car

Knowing how to jump-start a car can save you time and stress if you vehicle won’t start. Don’t let a dead car battery delay your Washington Township commute: use these service tips from the experts at Volkswagen of Salem County to get back on the road in no time!

The Proper Way to Jump-Start a Car

To jump-start a car battery, you will need a set of jumper cables plus another vehicle with a properly performing battery. Here’s how to properly jump-start a car:

1. Park the assisting vehicle facing yours, engines pointed toward each other. Make sure both vehicles are turned off with the parking brakes engaged.
2. Open both hoods and find the batteries. Depending on your makes and models, you may need to remove a plastic hood to expose the battery terminals.
3. Identify the positive and negative terminals, ensuring they’re clean and free of any corrosion.
4. On the dead battery, connect the red clamp to the positive post.
5. Hook the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the battery with the charge.
6. Connect the black clamp to the negative post on the good battery.
7. For the final clamp, connect it to an unpainted metal surface on your car’s frame.
8. Once everything is hooked up securely, start the engine of the vehicle with the good battery first, then the one with the dead battery.
9. This should jump-start your car battery. Once complete, carefully remove the jumper cables in the reverse order, then turn off the assisting car.
10. Keep your engine running at least 10 minutes to ensure that the battery doesn’t die again right away.

Jump-Start Car Service With Volkswagen Roadside Assistance

If you are unable to properly jump start your car battery, you may need jump-start car service. New Volkswagen vehicles receive up to three years or 36,000 miles of covered Roadside Assistance for extra peace of mind, coming to your rescue in Monroeville and beyond. This service can tow you to your nearest Vineland service center, where a team of certified technicians can inspect and assess your vehicle quickly and accurately.

More Car Battery Tips and Tricks

When your car won’t jump-start, it’s possible you may need a total battery replacement. There may also be a larger issue brewing under the hood. Consider the following to troubleshoot your battery problem:

1. If you hear a clicking noise when trying to start your engine, your starter may not be firing properly.
2. If the car’s electrical systems turn on but the engine won’t turn over, this could be a result of the ignition switch, battery, starter, or a fuse having problems.
3. If your vehicle dies quickly after jump start, you may have turned it off too soon. Allow your battery enough time to recharge fully after it’s been drained.

For any of these issues, schedule service at Volkswagen of Salem County for repairs and maintenance you can trust.

Turn to Volkswagen of Salem County for Service

At Volkswagen of Salem County, our goal is to keep Millville safe with properly running vehicles ready to go the distance. Use our service specials to save even more during your visit, and contact our team with any questions!