Giving your vehicle a jump-start can get you out of a pinch when your battery is dead, but doing it incorrectly could cause serious damage to your car. Since jumping the battery isn’t something most drivers have to do often, it’s a good idea to review some tips before taking out the jumper cables.

As the leading towing company in La Crosse and Baraboo, WI, Craig’s Towing & Repair has helped countless area drivers get their cars back on the road safely. Here, they share a few of their best jump-start tips:

• Know When to Jump-Start: Jumping your battery will only work if your battery is indeed dead. If you’ve left your lights on or the battery is simply old, you might hear some clicking sounds when you try to turn on your vehicle, or the starter may turn very slowly. The starter also may not crank at all. In these situations, a jump-start might help.
• Position the Vehicles: To recharge your battery, you’ll need another vehicle. Make sure both vehicles’ batteries have the same voltage and park them close enough for the cables to reach. Before setting up the cables, check to make sure your battery isn’t cracked or leaking. If it is, avoid touching it and call your auto repair expert. Turn the engine off in the car with the good battery, and make sure both cars are in park.
• Set Up the Cables: Connect the positive jumper cable to the positive post of your dead battery. Then, connect the other positive cable to the positive post on the battery in the other vehicle. Connect both negative cables in the same fashion, then start the car with the good battery. Let it idle for approximately 10 minutes and turn off the engine before removing the cables. Don’t let the cables touch while removing them, as it could cause a spark. Once the cables are removed, try to start your car. If it turns on, but you experience a dead battery again in the future, it’s likely time to replace it.

If your car still won’t start after a jump-start or you’re stuck somewhere without access to another vehicle, allow Craig’s Towing & Repair to come to your rescue. Call (608) 784-1638 for assistance from their La Crosse location, or dial (608) 365-7400 to reach their Baraboo towing company. You can also like Craig’s Towing & Repair on Facebook and visit their website to learn more about their full range of auto repair services.