How to Jump Start Your Car in Chantilly, VA

When you engage your car’s ignition and nothing happens, then there’s a good chance that the battery has died. Since this can occur at the least convenient moment, it’s vital to know what to do to bring your ride back to life. For this reason, the Service Department at Pohanka Lexus has taken the time to compile this overview of how to jump start a vehicle! If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call for clarification.

Preparation

Before you connect the cables and get started, it’s important to ensure that everything is in order. First, take the time to ensure that the vehicle that will be supplying the power is a similar size to your own, as you’ll need their battery to have the same voltage as yours. Next, inspect the jumper cables themselves for any signs of damage, as frayed or exposed wires could pose a safety risk. Finally, get the vehicles into position by either putting them side by side or nose to nose. This will make it easier to safely attach the clips without worrying about one sliding off. If you’re still unsure, take a moment to review the instructions in your Owner’s Manual. 

Connecting the Cables

Now, you’re ready to connect the cables. Start by taking the red clip and hooking it up to your battery’s positive terminal. Then, take the same color on the other end and attach it to the donating car’s positive connection. After that, do the same with the black clip on the donor vehicle before attaching the other black end to any piece of non-painted metal under the hood that’s not touching your battery. At this point, the other vehicle can start their engine and let the power transfer from them to you. After a few minutes, you can test your headlights to see if the jump is working. If so, continue to let the donor car idle for up to 20 minutes before starting your engine. On the other hand, if your ride still won’t start, then you might need to disconnect things in reverse and try again. 

Next Steps

Whether you’re able to charge your battery or not, it’s still essential to visit us and have our technicians check things out to see what went wrong. If you ignore this step and continue to drive as normal, you might end up having to deal with the same issue again in the near future, as there could be an underlying problem at play. Of course, if you’re unable to successfully jump start your ride, then you’ll need to swing by for a new battery that’s just right for your set of wheels. While we’re installing this, we’ll check to see if the cause was simply age or if your ride has a faulty alternator.

Now that you know how to jump start your car in Chantilly, VA, you won’t have to stress as much if you ever encounter a dead battery down the road. Pohanka Lexus is happy to tell you more, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you still have questions!