Getting stuck somewhere with a vehicle that won’t start can put the brakes on an otherwise great day. While you can choose to have your car towed to the nearest auto repair shop, there is another, less expensive and possibly quicker way to fix it. Car Care Clinic at Gateway Transmissions in Mount Vernon, WA, suggests jump-starting your battery as your first troubleshooting method.

What Is Jump-Starting?

Jump-starting is the method of reviving a dead battery using the charge from a live one. Jumper cables, which are basically two insulated wires with alligator clips on each end, are used to connect the positive terminal of your battery to the other, and the negative terminal from the live battery to an unpainted metal surface on your car. If your battery is still capable of holding a charge, you should be able to start your vehicle.

How to Do It Safely

First of all, you need to make sure that the vehicles are close to each other but not touching. Turn off the engine of the car with a live battery, put it in neutral or park, and engage the hand brakes before opening the hood and locating the battery terminals. Wipe off any moisture or corrosion you see on the terminals before connecting the clips. Do not try to jump-start a battery that is leaking or damaged, as this could damage the live battery as well.  

Why Is It Important to Do It Properly?

With anything that contains, uses, or discharges electricity, there is always a risk of getting shocked or causing damage when you are trying to troubleshoot it. When jump-starting car batteries, a wrong connection or a faulty battery could even lead to sparks or fires. If you don’t have the experience, it would be better for you to contact an auto repair company that provides roadside assistance.

Jump-starting your battery is a temporary fix. You still need to determine how and why it was drained, as it could be a symptom of an issue with the alternator. Have your vehicle diagnosed and inspected by Car Care Clinic at Gateway Transmissions. This company has been specializing in oil change, tuneups, brake service, and other auto repair solutions since 1999. Call (360) 679-0700 today or visit their website to learn more.