Winter mornings in Minnesota can be tough on your vehicle, and there’s nothing more frustrating than a car that refuses to start in the biting cold. Whether you’re currently experiencing a dead battery, or just trying to learn in case you run in to this in the future, we’re here to help. In this step by step guide, we’ll walk you through the art of jump-starting your car in winter, so you can get back on the road in no time.

Step By Step Guide

1. Assess the Situation

Before diving in, assess if jump-starting is indeed the solution. Check for other issues like a dead battery, faulty starter, or empty gas tank. These are all common issues that may be the reason your car won’t start.

2. Gather Your Tools

Like any job, having the right tools is crucial. Fortunately, there are not a lot of tools needed to start your car’s dead battery. You’ll only need 2 items:

• Jumper Cables (a good thing to store in your vehicle)

• A functional vehicle with a charged battery

• Safety gloves and glasses (recommended)

3. Position the Vehicles

Park the working car close enough to the stalled car for the jumper cables to reach. Usually, nose-to-nose works best, but if you are limited on space, then side-to-side is just fine.

Ensure both cars are in “Park” (for automatic transmissions) or “Neutral” (for manual transmissions with the parking brake engaged) and turned off.

4. Connect the Jumper Cables

• Connect the red clamp to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
• Attach the other red clamp to the positive terminal of the working battery.
• Connect the black clamp to the negative terminal of the working battery.
• Ground the final black clamp on an unpainted metal surface of the stalled car (not directly on the battery).
• Start the working vehicle and let it run for a few minutes to charge the dead battery.
• Try starting the stalled car. If it doesn’t start immediately, wait a few more minutes and try again.

Common Issues

If the stalled car still doesn’t start, double-check the cable connections and ensure they are secure. In some cases, you might need to rev the engine of the working car slightly to provide more power.

Safety Tips

It is always best to wear safety gear when dealing with car batteries. Avoid leaning over the batteries to minimize the risk of sparks or fumes.

Additional Tips

• Consider investing in a portable jump starter for added convenience. 
• Schedule a battery check and maintenance to prevent future issues.

That’s it! Before you know it, you will be back on the road to wherever you’re going. We hope this quick article helps. But if for some reason you still have questions about your car simply schedule a time with our service department. Our service center offers state-of-the-art amenities, and our auto technicians are some of the best in the industry.