How to Jump a Car Battery
Car Battery Dashboard Light Technician Testing a Car Battery
How to Jump a Car Battery
Over time, your car’s battery will lose power, and you’ll eventually need to jump it. Whether you’re a new driver who’s never jumped a car battery or need a reminder, Ourisman Tri-State Ford is here to tell you how to jump a car battery in Rising Sun, North East, and Havre de Grace, MD!
Jumping a Car Battery
The tried and true method of jumping a car battery with jumper cables is still the most common way to jump a car battery. Follow these steps to jump your car’s battery using jumper cables effectively.
Position a vehicle with a fully charged battery near the car with the dead battery:
Pull up in front or on the side of the vehicle with the faulty battery. Turn the ignition of both cars off and take the keys out.
Find the battery terminals:
Pop open the hood and find the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on the battery. Typically, the positive terminal will be covered by a red cap. The negative terminal will either be exposed or covered by a black cap. If there is corrosion on the terminals, wipe it away before jumping the battery.
Connect the jumper cables to the correct terminals:
First, take a red jumper cable and connect it to the positive terminal on the dead battery. Then, do the same thing for the working battery. Clamp the black cable on the negative terminal on the dead battery, then repeat that step for the working battery.
Try to start the car with the dead battery:
Once the cables are connected to the proper terminals, try to jumpstart the car. If the engine doesn’t start immediately, wait a few minutes for the battery to charge and try again.
Remove the jumper cables:
Assuming the car with the dead battery started and appears to be working, remove the jumper cable in reverse order. Keep the clamps away from each other, as they can cause an electric shock if they touch.
Drive the jumped car around:
Ideally, you want to drive the car for about 20 minutes to give the alternator enough time to charge the battery.

If you have a battery pack, you can jump your car’s battery without needing a second vehicle! The process will be identical, so you won’t need to do anything differently.
My Car Battery Won’t Jump – What Should I Do?
If your car’s battery still won’t work after you’ve tried jumping it, it’s likely time for a replacement. Our service center has many batteries that’ll work in your car so that they can replace it for you. If you want to replace the battery yourself, you can pick one up from our parts center.
That said, if you hear a clicking sound when trying to start, the starter may need to be replaced.
Can I Come to Ourisman Tri-State Ford for Battery Service?
Yes! We can inspect your battery and replace it with a new one or service the current one so that you can get back out onto the streets of Rising Sun, North East, and Havre de Grace, MD. Contact Ourisman Tri-State Ford today for a service appointment!