Scheduling Ford service to monitor your battery is a great way to keep it from dying on you. Still, many drivers will face the problem of needing to jump-start their battery when the engine won’t turn over. As part of our Ford Service Tips series at Folsom Lake Ford, learn how to jump-start your battery and get back on the road.
Prepare Your Equipment
First, you’ll need to make sure you have the right tools to jump-start the battery. To get your battery up and running again, you’ll need a second car that’s got a working battery and a set of jumper cables to transfer power from one battery to another.
Get In Position
To get started, you’ll have to position the second car close to the car with the dead battery, then turn the car off. If you can do so safely, you can also have the cars facing each other. Either way, make sure you have enough length for the jumper cables to reach the battery.
Connect the Cables
Now it’s time to connect the jumper cables. First, clamp the red cable onto your positive terminal; repeat this for the positive end of the other car. Then, attach the black cable to the negative terminal on the running vehicle and the other end to an unpainted metal part of your vehicle. Be very careful during this step; there is a serious danger of shock or electrocution if you mishandle the cables.
Jumping the Battery
Once you’re hooked up, turn the second car on and let it run for a bit. Once you’ve waited for some power to flow into the battery, try to start your vehicle to see if it runs. If it starts, leave it connected for a minute before disconnecting the cables in the reverse order to how you attached them. Keep your vehicle running for at least 10-15 minutes, including any driving, to ensure the battery holds its charge. If your car doesn’t start, call roadside assistance and have it brought to our service center.
Schedule a Ford Service Appointment in Folsom, CA
After you’ve jump-started your battery, you’ll want to schedule a Ford service appointment. Contact Folsom Lake Ford to book a maintenance appointment to inspect your battery before you’re stuck on the side of the road!
