How to Jump-Start a Car with a Dead Battery

December 31st, 2024 by

A man's hands attaching battery jumper cables to a dead car battery

A dead car battery is an inconvenience every driver encounters at some point. Fortunately, jump-starting your vehicle is a straightforward process. Miracle Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is here to guide you through the steps to get back on the road quickly and safely.  

Step 1: Inspect Your Battery  

Before connecting anything, take a look at your battery. Ensure it is securely attached and free of corrosion or leaks. If you notice damage or buildup, address these issues first. If you need help handling a corroded or leaking battery, bring it to our genuine Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram service center and let our factory-trained technicians handle it for you. Inclined to DIY? We can help! At Miracle Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, our parts center is home to one of Kutztown’s best selections of genuine Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram parts including batteries, jumper cables and more. 
 

Inspected your battery and unable to see any leaking or corrosion? Then it’s time to move on to step two of our guide to jumpstarting a dead battery.  

Step 2: Prepare Your Tools  

You’ll need jumper cables and a working vehicle with a charged battery to jumpstart a vehicle with a dead battery. Don’t have jumper cables? Don’t worry, jumper cables are easy to use and available for sale at our genuine Mopar parts center in Kutztown. Once you’ve secured a pair of quality jumper cables, park the vehicle with a working battery close to yours without the vehicles touching. This ensures you have enough space so the cables can connect both batteries comfortably and safely.   

Step 3: Connect the Cables  

Before you connect your jumper cables, make sure you turn off both vehicles if they aren’t already. Once you’ve done that, you can do the following:  

  • Locate the positive (+) and negative (−) terminals on both batteries. These are color-coded or marked with symbols.  
  • Attach the red cable to the positive terminal on your dead battery and the other end to the positive terminal on the working battery.  
  • Connect one end of the black cable to the negative terminal of the working battery or an unpainted metal surface. Attach the other end to an unpainted metal surface on the car with the dead battery or the negative terminal on the battery itself.  

Step 4: Start the Working Vehicle  

Start the assisting vehicle and let it run for 15 to 20 minutes. This allows the alternator to charge the dead battery. While you’re waiting for your battery to charge up, we suggest you take a look at our genuine parts and quality vehicle service offerings on our website, we update our parts and service specials monthly. At Miracle Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, our team of certified Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram mechanics and parts experts are here for you, available to both sell you a battery and install it.   

Step 5: Start Your Vehicle  

Now that you’ve waited for the battery to charge a bit, attempt to start your car. If it starts, remove the cables in reverse order:  

  • Detach the black cable from your car and then the assisting car.  
  • Remove the red cable from the assisting car and then your car.  

Take care not to let the clamps touch each other. Once disconnected, keep your engine running for at least 30 minutes to recharge the battery. If your car doesn’t start, consider scheduling a service appointment with the certified technicians at Miracle Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.  

Step 6: Address Ongoing Issues  

If your battery continues to fail, it may be time for a replacement or further inspection. At Miracle Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, our team of certified service technicians would be happy to diagnose any battery/charging system issues and repair them for you in a timely manner. Schedule your service appointment online or visit our genuine Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram service center in Kutztown today!  

Battery Health Tips  

Now that you know how to jump-start a dead car battery, the expert service team here at Miracle Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram have some parting wisdom to leave you with.   

  • Regular maintenance can prevent unexpected battery failure. Have your battery regularly inspected during service appointments.  
  • Turn off electronics when the engine isn’t running.  
  • Clean the terminals periodically if needed.  

Looking for a trustworthy service center to take your vehicle to? Bring your vehicle to Miracle Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram! Our service center in Kutztown offers quality vehicle repair and maintenance services for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and all other major manufacturers. Whether you’re replacing a dead battery or rebuilding an engine, our factory-certified Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram technicians can get the job done. Schedule your appointment online or stop by our genuine Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram service center in Kutztown today!  

Kutztown’s Choice for Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Drivers  

For trusted vehicle care, choose Miracle Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. Whether you need jumper cables, a new battery, or a full-service check, our factory-trained service technicians have you covered. Shop for new, used and certified pre-owned vehicles, genuine Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram parts or schedule your next service appointment on our website or at our showroom in Kutztown today. 

Posted in Service Tips