Don’t get stuck with a dead battery. Learn how to jump-start a car so you can be on your way to work or even the grocery store in no time at all. In most cases, all a vehicle needs is a jump-start.

Luckily, the service team at DARCARS Toyota of Silver Spring has a helpful online guide to show drivers how to properly jump-start a car. Learn more about this service, our available service specials, and more with DARCARS Toyota of Silver Spring. If you realize that it may be time for a new battery, our parts department can help with that, too.

The Proper Way to Jump-Start a Car

Before following the steps below to jump-start your car, make sure you have a set of jumper cables at the ready and a friend or family member nearby with a working vehicle so you don’t have to contact a jump-start car service like AAA. Once you have the charged vehicle and jumper cables, follow the instructions below:

1. The vehicle with the functioning battery should be parked facing the vehicle with the dead battery. Make sure that the vehicle is turned off. Engage the parking brake on both vehicles.
2. Open both hoods to find the batteries. In some cases, there may be a plastic hood covering the battery terminals.
3. Identify the positive and negative terminals. Ensure the terminals are clean and that there is no corrosion.
4. Connect the red clamp to the positive post on the dead battery.
5. Uncoil the battery cable and hook the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the battery with the charge.
6. On the working battery, connect the black clamp to the negative post.
7. The last clamp should be attached to an unpainted metal surface on the car’s frame.
8. Check that the cables are secure before starting the engine of the vehicle with the good battery. You can then start the car with the dead battery.
9. Once the process of jump-starting the vehicle with the dead battery is complete, you can remove the jumper cables carefully but be sure to do so in the reverse order that they were placed on. Shut off the car that assisted in the jump-start.
10. Keep the engine running on the restarted vehicle for at least 10 minutes. This helps to prevent the battery from dying again. It is a good idea to take a look at the owner’s manual for your vehicle. The manufacturer may have other recommendations to follow.

Troubleshooting Tips

So, what happens if your car won’t jump-start? This could be a sign that your vehicle needs a new battery. It could also mean there’s a more significant issue with the vehicle. Before choosing to bring your vehicle to our service center, try these tips to troubleshoot the issue:

1. If you attempt to start the car, but all that happens is a clicking sound, it could be a sign that the starter is not working correctly. If this is the case, bring it to the DARCARS Toyota of Silver Spring service center, and one of our technicians can replace the starter.
2. If there is a problem with the ignition switch, battery, starter, or a fuse, you may notice that the electrical systems of the car turn on, but the engine won’t turn over. It is also best to have your car looked at by a professional.
3. To make sure the battery has time to fully recharge, the vehicle needs to stay running for the proper amount of time after getting the jump.

Contact the DARCARS Toyota of Silver Spring Service Team!

If the troubleshooting steps don’t work, contact our service team. Find the new battery you may need in our parts department, use our parts specials to save more, and we’ll have your vehicle back on the road in no tie at all. Contact us in the meantime with any questions.