How to Jump-Start a Car

When your vehicle won’t start in Temple, it’s easy – and understandable – to be frustrated and stressed out. However, the fix is most likely as simple as needing a car jump-start. If you’re still under your Toyota warranty, you can contact a jump-start car service to get going on Belton roads again by dialing this number: 1‑800‑444‑4195 or by clicking this link. If you’re outside of your Toyota warranty however, you can easily learn how to jump-start a car with Don Ringler Toyota. Follow the instructions below to learn how to properly jump-start a car and get back on the road and on with your day.

The Proper Way to Jump-Start a Car

Before you can jump-start a car battery, you’ll need a friend’s vehicle and a pair of jumper cables. If you don’t own jumper cables you can find them at most Killeen auto stores, big box stores, and even some larger gas stations. Once you have another vehicle and a pair of jumper cables, follow the steps below:

1. Have the car with the good battery park facing the other vehicle, then make sure that the vehicle is turned off. Check to make sure both parking brakes are engaged.
2. Open both hoods and find the batteries. You may need to remove a plastic hood to expose the battery terminals.
3. Identify the positive and negative terminals. Make sure they’re clean and free of any corrosion.
4. Connect the red clamp to the positive post on the dead battery.
5. Uncoiling the battery cable, 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. Once the dead vehicle has been jump-started, carefully remove the jumper cables in the reverse order that they were placed on, then shut off the car that was used to help jump-start the dead car.

Keep the engine running on the restarted vehicle for at least 10 minutes to ensure that the weak battery doesn’t die again right away.

My Car Won’t Jump-Start

If your car won’t jump-start or dies again right after you start it, then you may have a more serious problem on your hands. Troubleshoot the issue with the steps below:

• If you try and start the car but only hear a clicking sound, the starter might not be functioning. Schedule service at Don Ringler Toyota near Waco for a replacement.
• If the electrical systems of the car turn on, but the engine fails to turn over, the problem could be a number of issues. The ignition switch, battery, starter, or a fuse could be the problem. It’s worth bringing your vehicle to a service center so they can diagnose the issue.
• If your vehicle dies again even after you allow it to start, you could have a bad battery or a bad alternator. To determine which, get in your vehicle and turn the headlights on without starting the car. If the headlights are dim, then you need a new battery. If the headlights are strong, start the car and watch the lights. If the lights fade in and out, then your alternator will need to be replaced.

Get Battery Service at Don Ringler Toyota

Whether you need a new battery or a new alternator, the service team at Don Ringler Toyota can get your vehicle repaired and back on Temple roads in no time. Browse our service specials for savings on your visit, then read our other DIY service tips for step-by-step guides on car care.