How to jumpstart your car and how to tell if you need to replace your battery.
At one time or another, car troubles are going to affect everyone. One of the most common issues with any type of car is a bad battery. Car batteries are not meant to last forever and sometimes they can stop working without any warning signs. When that occurs, a quick jumpstart from a roadside assistance or a friend should do the trick. But there are some important things to know when attempting this quick fix.
Jumpstarting your car
A dead battery means you get no power. That means no lights, no radio. Once that has been determined, you can begin the process by getting a pair of jumper cables.
Before doing anything, put your car in park and shut off the engine. Also, shut off the engine in the other car that is attempting to jumpstart your battery. There are two clips on jumper cables, a red one and a black one. The first step is to attach the red clip to your battery’s positive terminal. The plus sign will signify the positive terminal. Next, do the same with the red clip on the other car.
Now it’s time for the black clip to be connected to the other car’s battery. That black clip should be attached to the negative terminal. The other black clip does not need to be attached to your battery. Instead, attach it to a metal part of your car and not on any part of the engine. Then, allow the other car to start up and run for a few minutes before turning your ignition. That should do the trick.
How to tell if you need to replace your battery
The first sign that you need a new car battery is a frequent need for a jumpstart. This pretty much means that your battery is draining rather quickly. The next sign is a buildup of corrosion on your terminals. Take a look at your battery and if there is an excessive amount of corrosion, it means that it’s time for a new one. Even if you clean excessive corrosion, it is likely going to come back. A little bit is okay, but a lot is a problem.
Age is another sign that a battery needs replacement. Batteries are only meant to last a few years and there is a sticker on it that indicates when it was manufactured. Chances are the battery is not going to last more than 3 years. Some do, but it is a bit of a gamble to ride around on a battery that old. If you decide to take the chance, keep our number handy in case you do end up needing roadside battery service in Charlotte NC.