How Long Does It Take To Jump a Car?

A dead battery can definitely delay your delay schedule, but just how much time should you set aside to jump a car battery? How long to jump a car varies depending on how long it takes you to find someone to help you out, but the process itself typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can bring your car to our service center, where a battery inspection will take up to 10 minutes. Learn about how to jump a car and more, below.

How to Jump a Car

Before we get into the details of the process, here are the basic steps to jump start your car for quick reference:

1. Turn off both cars
2. Pop the hoods
3. Attach jumper cables
4. Start the functioning car
5. Wait a few minutes
6. Try to start the car with the dead battery
7. Detach jumper cables
8. Let your engine run for at least 15 minutes to build battery charge

Just follow these basic steps and rules for how to jump start a car safely, compliments of the service center at Chevrolet Center.

What You’ll Need to Jump Start a Car

Learning the steps to jump start your car—or how to jump a friend’s car—starts with just a few supplies. Before you get started learning how to jump start a car, you’ll need a friend or kind stranger who has a running car. Their Haines City car will be the source of power for yours. You’ll also need jumper cables red and black, which you should keep in your trunk at all times for emergencies like this one.

Setting Up

Have your friend or neighbor move his or her car so that its front end is facing yours. You’ll want them close enough that the cables will reach, but at least two feet apart. Put both cars in park, (or neutral for manual transmissions) and turn on the emergency brakes. Turn off the functioning car and open the hoods of both cars.

Examine the Batteries

When it comes time to figure out how to jump-start a battery, the owner’s manual is important. Use the owner’s manuals to locate the battery of each car. Each battery has two terminals, positive and negative, which are often painted red and black, respectively. Of the steps to jump start your car, this is perhaps the most important to ensure a safe and successful return to your journey.

Attach the Cables

Now that both cars are off, and all battery terminals identified, you can begin attaching the cables. It’s important to do this step in the right order:

1. Place the positive cable (red) on the positive terminal of the dead battery.
2. Next, place the other end of the positive cable on the positive terminal of the functioning battery.
3. Now connect the negative (black) cable to the functioning battery’s negative terminal.
4. Take the other end of the negative cable and do not attach it to your battery. Instead, clamp it onto an unpainted metal surface of your car, away from the battery.

Start the Car

Turn on the functioning car and give it a couple of minutes. Now you can try to start your car. If it starts, leave it running and disconnect the cables, starting with the negative cables. Do not let the cables touch at any point while any of them are connected to the cars. Let your car run for a while so the battery can recharge. If you follow these simple steps, you should be able to jump-start your car, but a jump is usually a temporary fix to a more serious problem: your battery is likely going to need replacing soon.

The Importance of At-Home Car Care

While not every driver wants or needs to know how to install a lift kit or complete an oil change, the basics of home car care can be essential, whether on your Lake Wales commute or on your next road trip. When it’s not an option to visit your Chevrolet technicians, there are plenty of ways to help your vehicle reach its full potential. For more information on batteries or for expert advice on other topics like how to unlock a steering wheel, or how to clear a car windshield inside, contact or visit Chevrolet Center at any time, and we’ll be glad to help!

Learn How to Jump a Car and More With Chevrolet Center, Inc.

Now that you know how to jump-start a battery, you’re that much safer on the road. With a close look and an attentive eye, the steps to jump-start your car are simple! Our Winter Haven highly trained technicians are ready at a moment’s notice to help you with your automotive needs around Davenport. We’re here to make sure that you can enjoy the most scenic drives and the greatest destinations in all of Winter Haven!