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When you're jumping a car, how long should it take?
If I'm jumping a car, how long will it take to get the battery started? I can't seem to jump my car, and I'm wondering if I'm doing it for too short a time or if I'm just doing it wrong.
Liz Jenson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Jumpstarting your car
should only take about 5 minutes once you have the cables hooked up. If it won’t start after leaving it connected for 5 minutes, your battery either needs replaced or it’s being jumped wrong.You should expect jumpstarting a dead battery to take five minutes, but in harsh conditions, it could take up to thirty minutes to jumpstart your car. You need to drive for at least fifteen minutes after a jumpstart to fully recharge the battery.
If it’s not working, it’s easy to figure out why. To find the problem, start by checking your cables. Make sure the red, positive clamps are connected to the positive terminals on each battery. Then check the negative clamps. One should be connected to the good battery’s negative terminal, and the other should be grounded on a piece of fixed, unpainted metal.
If the clamps are connected correctly and your car still won’t start, then your battery is likely completely dead and needs replaced. You can call a local
mechanic or auto shop
to learn more about your battery purchasing and installing options. Since you won’t be able to move your car, you’ll either need to install the battery yourself or have it towed.For help with jumpstarts and towing, try roadside assistance with
Jerry
. Jerry’s leading roadside assistance connects you with their network of over 55,000 service providers. Plus, it can cost as little as $4.00 a month!View full answer
- Gregory R.
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