It can happen to anyone. You turn the key in the ignition and you just hear that telltale—click, click, click. It's the sound no driver ever wants to hear because it signals that the battery is dead. Now what?
Don't panic.
If you find yourself in this situation, the first thing you should do is call a tow truck or roadside assistance service. It certainly won't be the first time that a tow truck driver has been called for vehicle jump start service, and it likely won't be the last.
Got cables?
If you're feeling confident and have jumper cables with you, you can try to jump-start your vehicle's battery on your own. Here are some tips on how to do so safely:
1. Park the working vehicle close to the disabled one, but make sure the batteries are not touching.
2. Turn off all lights and accessories in both vehicles.
3. Open the hoods of both vehicles and identify the positive (usually red) and negative (usually black) terminals on each battery.
4. Attach the positive terminal of the good battery to the same positive terminal on the dead battery.
5. Do the same for the negative terminals.
6. Start the working vehicle and let it run for a few minutes.
7. Try to start the disabled vehicle. If it doesn't start, you may need to repeat steps 4-6 a few times.
The most important thing to remember about a vehicle jumpstart is to use extreme caution. If you're not confident in your ability to do it safely, don't hesitate to call a tow truck or roadside assistance service. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
What is a portable jumpstart?
A portable jumpstart is a battery-operated device that can be used to start a vehicle's engine in the event of a dead battery. Portable jumpstarts are small and compact, making them easy to store in your vehicle's trunk. Many models also come with built-in safety features, such as reverse polarity protection, which prevents accidental damage to your vehicle's electrical system, and flashing lights, which can help other cars see you during a roadside emergency.
In conclusion, if your vehicle's battery dies, there is no need to panic. If you have jumper cables or a portable jumpstart in your truck, you can try to jump-start your battery by yourself. If you do not have any vehicle jumpstart gear, you can always call a roadside assistance service or a tow truck for help.
For more information on performing a vehicle battery jump start, contact a roadside assistance service.
