How to Jump Start Your Car in Chantilly, VA

Attaching the Cables

After finding a willing donor vehicle to help recharge your car, you'll need to use jumper cables to facilitate the transfer. First, take the red, or positive, clip and attach it to the positive terminal of the dead battery. Then, take the other red side and do the same to the donor's positive end. Next, you'll want to connect the black end to the same battery's negative terminal before attaching the other black clip to a non-painted piece of metal on the dead car. This should be away from the battery, like the struts that support that hood. Once everything has been hooked up properly, you can turn on the working vehicle and let the battery charge up. To see if it's gaining a charge, test your headlights and check to see if they come on. Either way, continue to let the other model run for 10 to 20 minutes.

Next Steps

After letting your battery juice up, try turning the key. If your engine starts up, you should let it idle and disconnect the cables in the reverse order in which you attached them. On the other hand, if you try engaging the powertrain and it still fails to turnover, you might need to try again. However, you still need to disconnect the clips in reverse order before trying the aforementioned steps again. If your battery still can't retain a charge, then it's likely too far gone and will need to be replaced or looked over by one of our technicians. In fact, you should always pay us a visit after jump-starting your car just in case there's an underlying issue at play.

Common Causes of Battery Issues

So, what makes a car battery die in the first place? Oftentimes, extreme temperatures, such as brutal cold or intense heat, can impact this component’s chemistry to the point where it’s unable to produce a spark. Or, there could be a problem with the alternator or another part that’s affecting the way the battery retains its power. Just as frequently, you might simply be ready for a new one, as this piece of equipment needs to be replaced every few years. Therefore, we always invite our clients to meet with us so we can lend a hand. Our Parts Department has plenty of quality, OEM batteries that are just right for your Honda.

Honda of Chantilly is ready to tell you more about how to jump start your car in Chantilly, VA, so don’t hesitate to reach out with your inquiries. Until then, check out the latest service specials on our website!