Of the many roadside assistance woes that can leave you stranded on the side of the road, few can be more baffling than a dead battery. Dead batteries often catch drivers by surprise, leaving them unable to start their vehicle. A jump-start can get you moving again without the need for a tow truck, but following a few key guidelines will prove essential for safely getting on your way.

Getting Set Up

When jump-starting with help from another vehicle, make sure that both cars are off. Locate the batteries, as well as their positive and negative posts. First, connect the red jumper cables to the positive post on both batteries. Then, connect the black jumper cables to the negative post on the live car and an unpainted metal surface on the car with a dead battery. If you’re using a jump box, follow the same guidelines for attaching the jumper cables.

Jump-starting

With the jumper cables attached, start the car that is providing the jump. Let it run for a few minutes, and then try starting the car with the dead battery. If this doesn’t work, try revving the engine of the live car to provide extra power. When using a jump box, keep it in a flat, stable location while it charges your car. If your car starts, first remove the negative cable and then the positive cable, and drive your car to a repair shop to test your battery. If the car refuses to start, you will likely need to call a tow truck for roadside assistance.

If you find yourself needing roadside assistance when a jump-start doesn’t work, contact Cogswell Towing. Serving Pope County, AR, since 1949, this 24/7 emergency towing company helps drivers get their vehicle to the repair shop. To learn more about their roadside assistance services, visit them online, or call (479) 968-4665 to request a tow truck.