Mac Haik Ford of Georgetown

Feb 8, 2021

Have you ever gone to start your vehicle only to have nothing happen? It’s certainly a sinking feeling, but if youre equipped to jump your car, it can be nothing more than a simple inconvenience.

Luckily, when it comes to Ford service, our certified technicians at Mac Haik Ford have all the tips you need.  

Tools to Jump Your Car

There are only two things you need to jump start your car: jumper cables and another vehicle.

You can also utilize a jump boxor a portable battery, which allows you to jump-start your vehicle without needing another car.  

Precautions to Take 

Before you jump your vehicle, there are a few things you need to watch out for.

You should never jump a battery that is frozen or dry. If your battery appears cracked, broken, or is leaking, you should also avoid jumping it. In that case, it’s best to contact a professional.  

Connecting Your Cables 

Connecting your cables properly is imperative to get the power you need without compromising the other battery. 

Your positive cable connects to your positive terminal (which should be labeled as such) and negative to negative. Typically, your positive cable is red and the negative is black. You also want to connect your cables in the following order:

  • Red cable to dead battery 
  • Red cable to working battery 
  • Black cable to working battery 
  • Black cable to a metal, unpainted part of the dead vehicle 

Then, start the working vehicle and let it idle a few minutes, supplying the dead battery with power. After you let the car run for a few minutes, try starting your car again.

Don’t forget to visit our Ford dealership in Georgetown, TX to test your battery or see if you need a battery replacement. Stay safe out there!