How to Jump Start a Car

If your vehicle won’t start, you’ll need to jump start the car battery or call a jump start car service like AAA. Maybe you have jumper cables, but the car won’t jump start, or you don’t know the proper way to jump start a car. All Fort Lee drivers should know how to jump start a car if they find themselves stranded on the side of the road.

We’ve put together a short guide with everything you need to know. In the event that you need a new car battery, or regular service maintenance, contact our parts center today.

The Proper Way to Jump Start a Car

So how do you jump start a car? The essential equipment needed for this situation in Cresskill or Closter are a set of jumper cables, as well as another vehicle to provide a charge to your battery.

Some BMW vehicles have their batteries in the trunk, rather than under the hood. Check to confirm the location before you get started. Then, follow these steps:

1. Park the running car in order to get the batteries of both vehicles as close as possible to one another. Parking brakes should be on for both vehicles.
2. Clear the area and reveal your battery. Some car models have the battery terminal and cables underneath a plastic hood. If so, remove it.
3. Clean the positive and negative battery terminals, to remove any corrosion.
4. The jumper cables must be attached in this order:

• Red clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery
• The other red clamp to the positive terminal of the charged battery
• Then the black clamp to the negative terminal of the charged battery
• Finally, attach the other black clamp to an unpainted metal surface on the car with the dead battery.

5. Once the cables are connected correctly, have the driver of the vehicle with the charged battery start the engine. Then start your engine.
6. After both cars are running, carefully remove the cables in the reverse order they were attached.
7. Keep the engine running on your restarted vehicle for at least 10 minutes. This ensures the battery doesn’t die again by boosting the charge.

More Battery Tips and Tricks

But what if your car still won’t jump start? Unfortunately, your battery might be dead. You can find a new one at our parts department in Tenafly and then schedule a battery replacement appointment at a location near you. Other causes could be:

• If your car makes a clicking sound, the starter may be broken.
• If the engine won’t start, but other electrical systems turn on, there may be issues with the ignition switch, the starter, or the fuses.

While you’re under the hood, you may realize that it’s been a while since you took a closer look! Find out how to check your transmission fluid today.

Depend on BMW of Tenafly for Expert Auto Service

Learn more about how to jump start a car with BMW of Tenafly! For anything from auto service to oil changes to finding your next new vehicle, BMW of Tenafly is here to help. You can even save on your next service appointment near Closter with our range of maintenance coupons and specials. Contact us today with any questions you might have! We’ll even help you decode your BMW warning lights so you know when to next stop by for service.