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How long does it usually take to jump start a car battery?
I've never jump started a battery before. How long does it take?
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Jump starting a dead car battery
is a quick and easy process that only takes a few minutes—even if you’ve never done it before.To jump start your battery, use either a portable car charger that connects straight to the battery or connect jumper cables to the battery of another vehicle. Then, hop in your vehicle and fire up the engine.
If the battery is still good, your car should start right up. If the battery is bad, you might hear some clicking, but ultimately, your car won’t turn over. In this case, you usually need a new battery.
If your car starts, don’t turn off the engine! If you do, the alternator won’t continue to charge your battery and it will die once again. Instead, drive around for about 10 minutes and let the alternator give the battery some juice.
If this is a consistent problem, drive to your local auto parts store and have the battery tested. If it’s on its last leg, buy a new one, which will range from about $100 to $200.
If you’re having problems, you may want to consider adding
towing and labor coverage
to your car insurance. It functions just like roadside assistance, but instead of being a third-party provider, it’s tied to your car insurance rates.If your insurance provider doesn’t offer towing and labor, you may want to shop around for a new car insurance company.
Jerry
can help you do just that. In the amount of time it takes to jump start a car battery, you can sign up and compare quotes from over 40 insurers.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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