How to Jump-Start a Car

Mercedes-Benz vehicles are some of the best and most luxurious in the world. But every once in a while, your car may not start. Perhaps it’s time for a new battery. Maybe the alternator is too old. Did you or your kids accidentally leave the interior lights on overnight? 

Whatever your reason in Chadds Ford, jump-starting your car is an easy solution to a car that won’t start. Learn how to jump-start a car with our guide from Mercedes-Benz of West Chester. It’s relatively simple once you get the basic steps down. Your owner’s manual will also have instructions. Here are some easy-to-follow steps to jump-start a car battery.

How to Jump-Start a Car: What You Need

You need two basic things to jump-start a car battery that won’t start:

1. Robust jumper cables at least ten feet long
2. A second battery to supply power to the dead battery

The source of the good, second battery can come from another vehicle, a portable battery jumper, or a jump-start car service/roadside assistance. Towing companies often have jump-start car services to help you get on your way. The one downside of a jump-start car service is that it may cost money. But if you’re in a new place and don’t have friends or family nearby, this service is handy!

How to Jump-Start a Car a Car Properly

Now, we’ll go step by step on how to jump-start a car battery when you have a second vehicle with a working battery helping you. 

1. Have the two vehicles face each other with the batteries as close as possible. Batteries are usually under the hood in front of the driver.
2. Turn off both vehicles once they’re parked.
3. Set the parking brakes.
4. Raise the hood on both vehicles.
5. Locate the batteries. 
6. Find the positive (red) and negative (black) battery terminals. 
7. Get out the jumper cables. 
8. Separate the red ends from the black ends and prevent the ends from touching each other. 
9. Connect a red clamp to the positive post on the dead battery.
10. Clip the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the other vehicle’s battery.
11. Connect the black clamp to the negative post on the good battery. 
12. Connect the last black clamp to a grounded, unpainted metal surface on your car’s frame, like a metal bar holding the engine in place.

PRO TIP: It’s vitally important to connect the jumper cables in this order. Otherwise, your car won’t jump-start.

1. Don’t touch the clamps or the terminals because the electrical connection between the batteries has been made. You could cause a spark or drain the good battery and then the car won’t jump-start due to low juice on the good battery.
2. Start the engine of the vehicle with a good battery. 
3. Let the car with a good battery run for a bit to strengthen the battery.

PRO TIP: Gradually press the accelerator of the vehicle with the good battery until the RPMs of the engine get to about 1,500. The person in the good vehicle will notice a dip in the power when the vehicle with the dead battery tries to start the engine. If the vehicle with the good battery stalls, your car won’t jump-start.

1. Start the engine of the vehicle with the dead battery. 
2. Keep the engine running if the vehicle with the dead battery starts.
3. Carefully remove the jumper cables in the reverse order that they were placed while keeping both vehicles running.
4. Close the hood.
5. Keep the engine running on the jumpstarted vehicle for at least 10 minutes to charge the battery.
6. Keep driving until you get home!
7. Consider calling a jump-start car service or a tow truck to bring your vehicle to our service center in West Chester near Glenmoore if the car has difficulty starting again. The problem may be something other than the battery.

Additional Car Battery Tips & Tricks: Car Won’t Jump-Start

If your car won’t jump-start in Media or elsewhere, you may need your vehicle towed and the problem diagnosed by a service center. Here is a list of what the problem could be other than a drained battery:

1. If you try to start the car but only hear a clicking sound, the starter might not be working properly or completely broken. 
2. If the electrical systems of the car turn on, but the engine doesn’t, then the issue could stem from the ignition switch, starter, or a blown fuse.
3. If your battery light remains on even after you jump-start the car or if you frequently need to jump-start the car battery, you might need a new alternator. We can install one for you.

Trust Mercedes-Benz of West Chester for Car Service!

Does your vehicle need service for any reason? Contact us or call (484) 313-1111. We’re happy to help in any way we can! Our service specials could help you save money on your repair.