Whether you find yourself not being able to start your car or helping someone who can’t start their vehicle, it is vital for you to know how to jumpstart a vehicle. No one likes the idea of being stranded with a vehicle in need of an auto repair. However, if you are frequently on the road, chances are that you may end up on either side of a situation where a vehicle needs a jumpstart. 

The team at Trester Used Auto Parts in Cincinnati, OH, knows how important it is for you to be able to bring your vehicle to the auto repair shop. Before you can get the auto repair needed for a vehicle that can’t start, it’s a good idea to be prepared to perform a jumpstart. There are several steps to take when attempting to jumpstart a vehicle correct way:

• Jumper Cable: Regardless of your experience with vehicles that need a jumpstart, it’s always good to have jumper cables just in case you need them. Jumper cables range in length from 10 to 20 feet. Remember that the longer the cable, the more distance energy has to travel to reach from one car to another.
• Safety: The two vehicles should be parked and facing one another. For manual transmission cars, set the vehicle to neutral. Clear people away from the jumper cables and the car batteries they are attached to. Electrical current will be coursing through the cables once the jumpstarting process begins. Never let the jumper cable clamps touch each other while any of the cables are attached to a vehicle.
• Locate The Batteries: Open the hood to both cars and locate the batteries. If you have any trouble with locating the battery to either vehicle, refer to the owner’s manual for help. Look for the terminals on each battery indicated by black or red covers marked with a - or + sign, respectively. Make sure the batteries are clear of any dirt. You can clean the car batteries with a rag or wire brush.
• Attaching The Jumper Cables: Begin by attaching the red positive jumper cable clamp to the positive (+) battery terminal of both vehicles. For the black negative cables, do not attach them to the dead battery. Instead, attach the black negative cable clamp to a grounding metal on the car like a shiny, clean part of the engine block.
• Charging A Dead Car Battery: Once the jumper cables are attached, you can begin to charge the dead car battery by starting the working vehicle. Let the working vehicle run for a few minutes for the dead car battery to charge. You may need to charge the dead car battery longer depending on the battery’s age and how long the battery has been dead. Once the car is able to start, you can disconnect the jumper cables, starting with the negative jumper cable clamps. 

Once all the above steps have been completed, let the vehicle run for a bit before driving it to the auto shop. There are several parts that could be the cause of a vehicle failing to start. With over 60 years of service, you won’t find a better deal on auto parts than at Trester Used Auto Parts. Call them at (513) 831-9141, or visit them on Facebook or Goolge+ to browse their inventory.