Roadside assistance services are a fantastic convenience for all drivers of all ages, but even more so for adolescents just starting out. Roadside assistance offers services for flat tires, dead batteries, overheating engines, fuel assistance, and more. When your car or truck battery runs out of juice while driving, you can simply contact one of these roadside services for a jump start, or you can facilitate the jump start yourself. All you need is a set of jumper cables and another working vehicle, or perhaps a new battery, and you can restart your car or truck on your own.

Continue reading for the ultimate quick-guide to jump starting a dead car battery!

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Roadside Emergency Equipment and Kits

Emergency roadside assistance kits typically contain items such as jumper cables, road cones, flares, jacks, blankets, cell phones, and more, and can be purchased almost anywhere. It is highly recommended to purchase and carry one of these emergency kits for yourself or your teenage driver. They come in a small, convenient case that can easily fit in the trunk or backseat of any vehicle. Once you have the items you need to jump start a dead car battery, you can rest comfortably knowing you’re prepared. Next, you simply need to review the instructions on how to jump start a battery.

Car Battery Life

Car batteries typically last anywhere from three to five years, depending on the make and model vehicle, the age of the vehicle, and the condition it was kept in. It may also depend in the number of miles driven, overtime. Car batteries run on battery fluid, and this fluid eventually runs out, causing the battery to die. There are other reasons why a car battery can die, too.

Exposure to extreme temperatures can cause a car battery to die, as well as, leaving the lights on for an extended period of time when the car is not in use. Other instances when a car battery might not be functional is when a vehicle has not been driven in a long time. No matter which reason causes your car battery to die, some cases will call for a battery replacement altogether, while others will simply require a quick jump start.

Jump Start Guide:

Position the operational vehicle’s engine close to the dead vehicle’s engine so jumper cables can reach both.

Turn both vehicles off and remove keys from ignition.

Locate the car batteries for each vehicle.

Attach the negative and positive jumper cable clamp to the matching negative and positive sides of each battery (refer to owner’s manual to identify these areas).

Place the red positive clamps on the positive side of each vehicle’s battery and place the black negative clamps on the negative sides of each vehicle’s battery.

Be sure the clamps are secured, and the cables are not touching the engines.

Return the keys to the operational vehicle’s ignition and turn the engine on.

Allow the operational vehicle to run for 5 or 6 minutes.

With the jumper cables still secured, return the keys to the charging vehicle, and turn the engine on; the engine should turn on if the battery is charged enough.

If the engine does not turn over, keep the jumper cables in place and allow the battery to charge for another 5 minutes.

If the engine turns on, still allow the cables to charge the battery a few minutes longer.

If the engine does not start after charging the battery for more than 10 minutes, call a mechanic.

Before removing the jumper cables, turn both engines off (failure to do so will result in serious or fatal electrocutions).

Close the hood because now your battery is charged again!

Would you like some professional advice on luxury and import car battery care? Contact Autohaus Dierolf at 317-571-0800 for trusted assistance with car battery and auto electrical repair in Carmel, Indiana. We also sell refurbished used auto parts for European cars.

As the sole point of contact between the road and your vehicle, car tires are arguably one of the most vital automotive systems. Good car owners take good care of their vehicle’s tires, staying current on all tire inspections, measurements, rotations, balances, and replacements. If you are new to the world of automotive maintenance, educate yourself on the importance of routine tire care.

Get started on the right path by reviewing some frequently asked questions about tire care, below.

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FAQ About Tire Maintenance

What Does Tire Care Involve?

Taking good care of your tires involves several routine maintenance responsibilities. Not only should you regularly inspect your tire tread and tire pressure, but you should also have your tires periodically rotated and balanced, especially if you regularly drive off-road or on rough or bumpy terrain.

Additionally, you want to ensure that the tires are compatible with your make and model vehicle. If you have the incorrect size tires, it can have a negative impact on fuel economy, safety, and automotive performance. If you have the wrong type of tires on your vehicle, it can have all sorts of incompatible effects, plus pose safety risks. Refer to your vehicle’s owners’ manual for tire recommendations.

What is the Proper Tire Tread Depth?

Brand-new tires generally have a tread depth of 10/32 or 11/32 of an inch (about a third of an inch). According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, drivers should replace car tires when the tread depth has receded below 2/32 of an inch. If the tire tread variance between your car tires is greater than 2/32 of an inch, you should have them rotated to even out the tread wear.

How Do I Measure My Tire Tread?

To measure where your tire tread depth is at, all you need is a penny. That’s right; a copper penny! Turn the penny upside down with Lincoln’s head facing out so you can see him. Then stick the penny inside a tire groove. If you can see Lincoln’s entire face, your tire tread depth is below 2/32 of an inch.

What is the Proper Tire Pressure?

Tire pressure plays an important role in your vehicle’s overall safety and performance. Tire pressure is measured in “pounds per square inch” or PSI. Car tires can lose up to 2 PSI of pressure every month. Colder temperatures tend to lower tire pressure, causing under inflation, while higher temperatures tend to cause overinflated tires.

Both underinflated and overinflated tires are unsafe. For this reason, it is important to routinely inspect your tire pressure, including your spare tire. Proper tire pressure varies depending on several factors. It is recommended to use an online tire pressure monitor tool to learn the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle. You may also refer to the manufacturer’s recommendation.

How Do I Measure Tire Pressure?

To measure tire pressure, you will need to purchase a tire pressure gauge. They are inexpensive and readily available at any local auto parts store, department store, or home improvement store. They are also available on any relevant online retailer. This tool will come with manufacturer’s instructions that will teach you how to use it. It is very simple and only takes a couple of seconds to obtain a reading. You can also take your vehicle into the shop for routine tire maintenance, which will include tire tread and pressure measurements, which should include tire pressure and tread service.

Do I Need to Rotate and Balance My Car Tires?

Although you don’t have to, it is recommended to have your car tires rotated and balanced on a routine basis. This will help ensure that all four tires wear down evenly. Most drivers will have their car tires balanced and rotated every 5000 to 7000 miles.

Can Tires Impact Fuel Economy?

Yes, tires can impact fuel economy. Improperly inflated tires will use up more gas in your tank. With proper tire care, you can help maintain good fuel economy in your vehicle. Additionally, you can swap out your current tires for more fuel-efficient tires. These tires are designed to deliver higher tire rolling resistance, which is the force required to get the tires to start moving. Consumer Reports revealed that “The Department of Energy estimates that 4 to 11% of fuel consumption is due to tire rolling resistance.”

Why Does My Car Not Come With a Spare Tire?

If your car does not come with a spare tire, there could be a number of reasons why. Most likely, you purchased your car used and the previous owner did something with it. Or, you have a newer model vehicle. Automakers these days are foregoing the spare tire for all sorts of reasons, mostly for the sake of cost savings and space-saving design.

Do I Need a Spare Tire?

It is highly recommended tire, either at home or in the trunk of your vehicle. Some cars don’t have space for a spare tire, which is why they didn’t come with one of the first place. In this case, you might want to consider run-flat tires or a tire inflation kit. These will help you out in a roadside emergency situation.

Does your luxury import vehicle need some professional tire service? Contact Autohaus Dierolf at 317-571-0800 for professional European auto repair and service in Indianapolis, Carmel, Indiana. We are factory-trained German mechanics who specialize in Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen, but work on all European and British cars.

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Monthly Archives: June 2022

How to Safely Jump Start a Dead Vehicle Battery