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How do I get my car started without jumper cables?
I don't have any jumper cables, but I want to find a way to get my car started. How do I do it?
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Yikes! That can be a tough situation.
You essentially have two options to jump your car if your battery fizzles out on you, it depends if you have an automatic or manual transmission.
If you have an automatic transmission, the only way to get the battery started is with a portable charger. This handy little device holds a charge that’s strong enough to jump-start a car, so it’s well worth the money to add it to your
car emergency kit
.If you have a manual transmission, you can use a portable charger, but most people just need a big hill. To jump-start your car, do the following:
- Put your car in second gear
- Put the keys in the ignition but don’t turn it on
- Push the car down a small hill
- Hop back in the driver’s seat
- Hold in the clutch until about 5 or 10 mph
- Release the clutch and the car should fire up
If neither of these work, you may need to call for a tow.
When going on a road trip or with an older car, you may want to think about adding
towing and labor coverage
to your car insurance policy.One great way to do this is through the
Jerry
app. In just a few minutes, you can sign up for Jerry, compare rates, and find the best prices for towing and labor coverage, as well as a variety of other policies.View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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