It's a problem most drivers will face at some point: whether caused by forgetfulness or an old battery, your car won't start and a dead battery is to blame. Luckily, jump starting a vehicle is fairly simple, and a lot of drivers know how to do it. But in case you don't know how or you just need a refresher, we'll walk you through it step-by-step so you can be on your way quickly after your car won't start.
1. Keep set of jumper cables in your car. Don't always assume someone nearby will have them if your car dies - be prepared by keeping a set in your vehicle!
2. Make sure the battery is the problem. When you turn the key, the lights will probably be dimmed and the engine will crank slowly (or not at all) - both are signs that a dead battery is the culprit. If your car isn't doing these things, the problem might be something else.
3. Ask for nearby help to find a car with a working battery, and position it so that the front of that car is close to the front of your own. Make sure both cars are off, and open both hoods.
4. Locate the battery. On most vehicles, it's near the front of the vehicle on either the right or left side. If you're unsure, consult your owner's manual.
5. Take out your jumper cables and attach them in the following order:
- Red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery
- Red clamp to the positive (+) terminal of the working battery
- Black clamp to the negative (-) terminal of the working battery
- The other black clamp should be placed on a piece of grounded metal on the dead car (usually a shiny nut or bolt attached to the engine will do)
6. Start the working car and let it idle for a few minutes. It may help to slightly rev the engine for 30-second intervals.
7. Try to start the dead car - if it still doesn't start, continue to let the working car idle.
8. When the dead car finally starts, remove the jumper cables in reverse of the order you put them on. Be careful to not let the clamps touch each other or other parts of the car.
And that's all there is to it! But be sure to ask yourself why your battery died. In most cases, it's simply because the lights were left on - but if you know that's not the case, your battery may need to be replaced. Bring your vehicle to your Dallas area Ford dealer, Westway Ford, and we'll test your battery for you!
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