Knowing how to jump start your BMW could be the difference between arriving at your destination on time or being delayed having waited for roadside assistance to arrive. As your local BMW dealership, we’re here to talk you through the steps to take to jump start your vehicle and get back on the road as quickly as possible.
From Your BMW Dealership: How to Jump Start Your BMW
Find a Good Samaritan
Jumpstarting your BMW is a two-vehicle job, so you need to find a friend or fellow driver to assist you. And, either you or the other vehicle owner needs to own a set of jump leads.
Position the Vehicles
Once you’ve found a good Samaritan, ask them to pull up to the front of your BMW so the vehicles are grille-to-grille and close enough for the cables to reach with a little slack. They should not be touching.
Connect the Cables
Pop both hoods, locate the battery connectors, and identify which battery terminal is positive (red/+) and which is negative (black/-). Although most BMW batteries are located towards the trunk, you’ll find the connectors under the hood. The cables then need to be attached in the following order:
- Attach one of the two red clamps to your BMW’s positive terminal
- Connect the second red clamp to the second vehicle’s positive terminal
- Attach a black clamp to the negative terminal on your BMW
- Place the other black clamp on the frame or any unpainted metal area on the second car.
Don’t let the clamps touch each other as this can cause a spark, which could start a fire.
Charging the Battery
With the cables connected, it’s time to charge your flat battery. Get the other driver to start their engine and let it run for a few minutes, giving your battery time to charge. Get in your BMW and fire up the engine. If it doesn’t start, leave it for a few more minutes before trying again.
Remove the Clamps
Once your vehicle’s back up and running, leave the engine on and carefully remove the clamps in the reverse order you attached them. Thank your good Samaritan and drive around for a while to let the alternator do its job and recharge your battery.
If you ever return to your BMW and find the battery is flat, follow the steps above and you’ll be back up and running in no time. However, if you’ve tried and tried again and there’s still no life in your vehicle, it’s time to turn to the experts. Contact us or visit Tom Bush BMW Jacksonville in Jacksonville, FL today and let our experienced technicians work their magic to get you back on the road ASAP.
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