Finding your car battery dead on a cold Chicago morning is never fun, but the solution is easier than you might think. In this guide, we provide five essential tips to jumpstart your car safely and get you back on the road quickly. As local Chicago experts, we know how unpredictable Illinois weather can be – even new batteries can fail in the depths of winter.
Call Insure on the Spot in Chicago at 773-202-5060 if you ever need emergency roadside assistance or have questions about your insurance. Follow these simple steps to revive a dead battery confidently and avoid being left stranded.
1. Prepare Your Cars for a Safe Jumpstart
First, position both vehicles properly for a jump. Move the working (donor) car as close as possible to the vehicle with the dead battery, ideally nose-to-nose or side-by-side, so the jumper cables can reach both batteries. Make sure the cars are not touching each other to avoid any electrical short. If you’re on a busy Chicago street, turn on your hazard lights and stay well out of traffic. Now put both vehicles in Park (or Neutral if they’re manuals) and engage the parking brakes on each. Finally, turn off the ignition in both cars and switch off accessories like headlights and the radio.
Next, pop the hoods of both cars and locate each battery. Most car batteries sit near the front of the engine bay, but some may be in the trunk or under a seat (consult your owner’s manual if unsure). Remove any plastic covers from the battery terminals to expose the metal posts. If you see heavy corrosion (a white or green crust) on the terminals, wipe it off with an old cloth or wire brush to ensure a solid connection.
Safety tip: Never attempt to jump-start a battery that is cracked, leaking, or visibly damaged – in that case, call for professional help instead. It’s also smart to wear gloves and safety glasses for protection while handling a car battery.
2. Connect the Jumper Cables Properly
Connecting the jumper cables in the proper sequence is crucial for safety. Grab your jumper cables and follow these steps exactly:
- Attach one red (positive +) clamp to the positive terminal on the dead car’s battery.
- Attach the other red (positive +) clamp to the positive terminal on the good (donor) car’s battery.
- Attach one black (negative -) clamp to the negative terminal on the donor car’s battery.
- Attach the remaining black (negative -) clamp to a bare metal ground on the dead car (choose an unpainted metal part on the engine block or frame, well away from the battery itself).
Important: Make sure that the last black clamp is on a metal surface of the dead car, not on the battery’s negative post. This avoids sparks near the battery. Also, never let any of the clamps touch each other or any other metal while they’re connected.
Here’s a quick look at some jumpstart do’s and don’ts:
| Do | Don’t |
| Connect red to red, then black to ground in the correct order. | Attach the black cable to the dead battery’s negative terminal. |
| Keep clamps firmly connected to clean metal points. | Allow the cable clamps to touch each other or other metal parts. |
| Wear gloves and eye protection during the jump. | Try to jump-start a battery that is cracked or leaking. |
3. Start the Working Car, Then the Dead Car
Now it’s time to start the engines in the correct order. Begin by starting the engine of the good (donor) car. Let the donor car run for a couple of minutes at idle, or gently rev the engine to about 1500 RPM. This allows the alternator in the donor car to send a small charge into the dead battery through the cables. (In Chicago’s cold winters, you might wait an extra minute or two since batteries charge more slowly in freezing temperatures.)
After a few minutes, try starting the car with the dead battery. Turn the key in the ignition of the dead car and see if the engine cranks. It may sputter at first, but hopefully it starts up. If it doesn’t start on the first try, turn the key back to off and wait another minute or two (while the donor car continues to run). Then try again. Sometimes an extremely drained battery needs a little extra time to charge. Pro tip: Avoid cranking the starter for more than 5 seconds at a time. Long, continuous cranking can overheat the starter or damage the battery.
If the dead car still won’t start after several attempts, it may mean the battery is beyond recovery or there’s another issue (like a bad alternator). Double-check that the cable connections are solid. If it still won’t fire up, you likely need to call for a tow or a roadside assistance service for help. But in most cases, following these steps gets your engine running again.
4. Disconnect the Cables in the Correct Order
Once the dead car is running, you can begin removing the jumper cables. Take them off in the reverse order that you connected them:
- Remove the black clamp from the dead car’s metal grounding spot.
- Remove the black clamp from the donor car’s negative (-) battery terminal.
- Remove the red clamp from the donor car’s positive (+) battery terminal.
- Finally, remove the red clamp from the dead car’s positive (+) battery terminal.
Important: Be careful not to let the cable clamps touch each other or touch any metal surface on the cars as you disconnect. The cables may still have a residual charge in them. Disconnect one clamp at a time and keep the free end of the cable from swinging into anything metal. After all the cables are off, close the hoods securely.
5. Keep It Running and Recharge Your Battery
After a successful jumpstart, keep the newly revived car’s engine running. You’ll want to drive the car for at least 20–30 minutes to let the alternator recharge the battery. If possible, drive on a highway or a less-congested road around Chicago instead of idling in traffic – the alternator charges the battery faster at regular driving speeds. Avoid turning the engine off again until you’ve driven long enough to build up a decent charge, or you risk needing another jump start.
Use this opportunity to check your battery’s health. If your battery died due to extreme cold or old age, consider getting it tested or replaced soon. Chicago’s harsh winters can shorten a car battery’s lifespan (often around 3–5 years). Most auto shops or parts stores can test your battery for free to see if it’s holding a charge. If the battery is weak, replace it so you’re not caught off guard next time. It’s also wise to keep a set of jumper cables (or a portable jump starter) in your vehicle at all times. In Chicago, a sudden cold snap can drain even a healthy battery, so being prepared will save you time and hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does car insurance cover a jump-start or a dead battery?
A: Standard auto insurance typically won’t cover a jump-start because a dead battery is a maintenance issue, not accident damage. But if you have roadside assistance coverage (an add-on through your insurer or a motor club), then jump-start service is usually included. In Chicago, adding roadside assistance is a smart move – Insure on the Spot offers affordable plans so you can get quick help if your battery dies.
Q: Is it safe to jumpstart a car in the rain or snow?
A: Yes – it’s generally safe to jump a car in bad weather if you use common sense. The jumper cables only carry 12 volts, but keep the connections dry and avoid standing in puddles while hooking them up. During Chicago storms, use your hazard lights so other drivers see you; if conditions are very severe, it’s safer to call for professional help.
Q: What if I can’t find anyone to help jump my car in Chicago?
A: If no one is around to assist, you still have options. You can use a portable jump starter pack if you have one, or call a roadside assistance service for help. Many insurers (including Insure on the Spot) offer roadside plans that will send a technician to jump your car anywhere in Chicago, so you’re not stuck waiting for a stranger.
Q: How long should I let my car run after a jumpstart?
A: You should drive your car for about 20–30 minutes after a jumpstart. That gives the alternator time to recharge the battery so it won’t die again when you turn the car off. Driving at normal speeds (instead of just idling) will charge the battery much faster.
Get a Quote Today!
As a local Chicago insurer, Insure on the Spot understands the challenges and needs of Illinois drivers – from dead batteries in winter to finding affordable coverage. We’re committed to keeping you safe and saving you money. Call 773-202-5060 or get a Free Quote Online Today, and let us help you stay protected on the road.