Even if you have the most proactive and thorough Alfa Romeo service schedule in the world, unexpected things can happen on the road. Because of that, it’s handy to have the knowledge about what to do in such an event, such as needing to jump-start your battery.
When Do I Need to Jump-Start My Car?
When your battery is weak enough that it cannot start your car, you’re probably going to need a jump-start. This can be the result of an aging or weakened battery, or severely cold weather. If you turn the ignition and the car makes a chugging noise but will not actually start, it’s a sign to try jump-starting the battery.
How Do I Jump-Start My Car?
Jump-starting a car requires two things: a pair of jumper cables, and a second vehicle from another driver who’s willing to lend a hand. Position the hoods of the two vehicles adjacent to one another and engage the parking brakes to prevent any mishaps. Then, turn off the ignition and all accessories in both cars.
Under the hood of each car, find the battery terminals, which should be marked with a positive (+) and negative (-). Make sure they are free of corrosion and that the battery is not cracked or leaking; otherwise, do not attempt to jump the battery.
Take the jumper cables and begin by connecting the red clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery, then attach the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the second “booster” vehicle. Make sure that none of the clamps touch each other during this process. Next, attach one black clamp to the negative terminal of the booster vehicle, and lastly attach the other black clamp to an unpainted metal surface in the dead vehicle, such as a bolt or bracket.
Once you’ve done this, wait a few minutes, then attempt to start the car with the dead battery. Depending on the conditions, you may have to wait up to 30 minutes for it to build sufficient charge to start. Once the car starts, you can safely remove the jumper cables in the reverse order that they were put on. Finally, you should drive the jump-started car for at least 20 minutes so its battery can rebuild charge.
Schedule Alfa Romeo Battery Service Today
If your battery is regularly struggling to start, it may be time to replace it. Schedule a service appointment with Jake Sweeney Alfa Romeo to get expert advice on your vehicle today!
