A dead car battery can bring the best-laid plans to a halt, especially when they happen at the worst possible time—such as when you’re running late for work or are stopped for gas in the middle of a cross-country road trip. Luckily for residents and visitors of Mountain Home, AR, Discount Towing & Recovery provides rapid, dedicated roadside assistance, including jump-start, lockout, and towing assistance services.

If you do find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being stranded with a dead car battery, it’s critical to know how to get your car running again safely. But before you do anything, be sure to read your owner’s manual. You may find that your car’s manufacturer advises against jump-starting due to sensitive electronic circuitry.

How to Jump-Start a Car Battery

• Turn off both the disabled vehicle and the vehicle with the working battery and pop the hoods.
• Grab a pair of jumper cables and identify the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on both batteries.
• Attach one red positive clamp to the positive terminal of the disabled car. Attach the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the car with the working battery.
• Affix the black clamp closest to the disabled vehicle to a metal area on the car’s frame that is not painted. Attach the remaining black clamp on the negative terminal of the car with the working battery.
• Start the car with the working battery and leave the engine running for several minutes while the other car’s dead battery recharges.
• Attempt to start the disabled car. If it starts, remove the cables. Make sure you let the engine run by driving around for at least 20 minutes before turning off the car again.

To avoid dealing with the hassle of a dead car battery, the experts at Discount Towing & Recovery advise drivers to take a little time to consider the basics of car battery care. By being proactive in caring for your car battery, you can increase the life of the battery and reduce your chances of being stuck by yourself with a car that won’t start.

Rule No. 1 - Say ‘No’ to Corrosion

The first rule of car battery maintenance is to keep the battery itself clean. Take note of any residue building up around it, and clean it off using a tablespoon of baking soda, a cup of water, and an old toothbrush.

Rule No. 2 - Double Check Your Electrolyte

Car batteries utilize a “wet cell” design, meaning they rely on a mixture of distilled water—the “electrolyte”—and sulfuric acid to operate effectively. Over time, the electrolyte can be lost through leaks or evaporation. Drivers can check and refill their battery electrolyte on their own using a few common tools.

Rule No. 3 - Test Your Battery

The final rule of thumb for maintaining a healthy car battery is a quick seasonal check. Whenever you take your car in for routine service, ask your mechanic to test your battery. By doing this, you’ll have a better idea of when it’s time to proactively replace an old battery—before it’s too late.

To learn more about Discount Towing & Recovery’s jump-start, roadside assistance, tire change, used car sales, used auto parts, and car rental services, visit their YellowPages profile or reach them by phone at (870) 425-1775. With help from these experts, you’ll be back on the road in no time!